When Jesus Christ returns to earth, he will do the following:

He will cleanse the earth. When Jesus returns, he will come in power and great glory. At that time the wicked will be destroyed. All that is corrupt will be burned, and the earth will be cleansed by fire (see D&C 101:24–25).

He will judge his people. When Jesus returns, he will judge the nations and separate the righteous from the wicked (see Matthew 25:31-46; see also chapter 46). John the Revelator wrote of this judgment: “Then I saw thrones; and judgment was given to those who sat therein. I saw the souls of all who had been beheaded because they had held fast to the testimony of Jesus and the Word of God. … They came to life and dominion with Christ for a thousand years.” The wicked ones he saw “did not come to life until the thousand years were completed” (Revelation 20:4–5; see also D&C 88:95- 98).

He will usher in the millennium. The millennium is the period of one thousand years during which Jesus will reign on earth. The righteous will be caught up to meet Jesus at His coming (see D&C 88:96). With his coming his thousand-year reign begins (see chapter 45).

President Brigham Young said:

“In the millennium, when the kingdom of God will be established in power and glory and perfection on the earth, and the dominion of wickedness that has so long reigned on the earth will be subdued, the saints of God will be allowed to establish their temples and enter into them. Then they will become, as it were, pillars in God's temples [see Revelation 3:12] and will officiate over their dead. Then we will see our friends and perhaps some people we knew here come up. …And we will have revelations and recognize our ancestors all the way back to Father Adam and Mother Eve, and we will enter the temples of God and officiate for them. Then [children] are sealed to [parents] until the chain back to Adam is made perfect, so that from Adam to the final scene there is a perfect priesthood chain” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 333–333).

He will complete the first resurrection. Those who have received the privilege of coming forth in the resurrection of the righteous will come forth from their grave. They will be caught up to meet the Savior when He descends from heaven (see D&C 88:97–98).

After Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, other righteous people who had died were also resurrected. They appeared in Jerusalem and also in the Americas (see Matthew 27:52–53; 3 Nephi 23:9–10). That was the beginning of the first resurrection. Since then, more have been resurrected. Those who have already been resurrected and all who will be resurrected at His Second Coming will inherit the glory of the celestial kingdom (see D&C 76:50-70).

After the resurrection of those who inherit celestial glory, another group will be resurrected, namely those who receive terrestrial glory. When all these people are resurrected, the first resurrection is complete.

The wicked who are alive at the time of the Second Coming of the Lord will be destroyed in the flesh. They must wait until the final resurrection along with the wicked who have already died. Then all the remaining dead will rise and appear before God. They will either inherit the telestial kingdom or be cast out with Satan into the outer darkness (see D&C 76:32,33,81-112).

He will take his rightful place as King of heaven and earth. When Jesus comes, he will establish his rule on earth. The church becomes part of this kingdom. He will reign in peace over all the peoples of the earth for a thousand years.

When Jesus Christ first came to earth, He did not appear in glory. He was born in a stable and lay on hay in a manger. He did not come with large armies, as the Jews had expected of their Savior. Instead, he came and said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44.) He was rejected and crucified. However, at His Second Coming He will not be rejected, “for every ear shall hear, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess” that Jesus is the Christ (D&C 88:104). He will be greeted as “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14). He will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father forever, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:5).

What thoughts and feelings do you have as you reflect on the events of the Second Coming?