Cycles of the Sun

                I am very interested in the latest news about the cycle of the sun. Professor Valentina Zharkova recently presented results of the studies done by their team at the National Astronomy Meeting in Lladudno.  The new study claims to know more about predicting solar cycles .and predicts a cooling period – a ‘mini ice age’ – taking place between 2020 and 2030.  The last such event hit between 1645 and 1715 – and caused the River Thames in London to freeze over.

                The scientists have a “new model of the Sun’s solar cycle” that is “producing unprecedentedly accurate predictions of irregularities within the Sun’s 11-year heartbeat.  It draws on dynamo effects in two layers of the Sun, one close to the surface and one deep within its convection zone.  Predictions from the model suggest that solar activity will fall by 60 per cent during the 2030s to conditions last seen during the `mini ice age’ that began in 1645….”

                The reason I am so interested in this news is the fact that I believe it could be signaling the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  I look forward to this event, and yet I am a little fearful of the circumstances between now and then.  You may ask how I connect this report from scientists with the coming of the Lord.  I have heard and later read numerous prophecies such as the following scriptures.

                The Lord revealed the following to the Prophet Joseph Smith in March 1831:  “And they shall see signs and wonders, for they shall be shown forth in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath.

                “And they shall behold blood, and fire, and vapors of smoke.

                “And before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:40-42).

                In December 1832 the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith:  “For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig-tree” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:87).

                After quoting the above scriptures President Ezra Taft Benson spoke of some of the signs of the Second Coming of the Savior:  “I realize this is an unpleasant topic on which to dwell.  I take no delight in its portrayal, nor do I look forward to the day when calamities shall come upon mankind.  But these words are not my own; the Lord has spoken them.  Knowing what we know as His servants, can we hesitate to raise a warning voice to all who will listen that they may be prepared for the days ahead?  Silence in the face of such calamity is sin!

                “But to an otherwise gloomy picture there is a bright side – the coming of our Lord in all His glory.  His coming will be both glorious and terrible, depending on the spiritual condition of those who remain.”

                President Benson spoke of several appearances of the Lord before adding counsel:  “You will live in the midst of economic, political and spiritual instability.  When you see these signs – unmistakable evidences that His coming is nigh – be not troubled, but, `stand… in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come’ (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8).  Holy men stand in holy places and these holy places include our temples, our chapels, our homes, and the stakes of Zion, which are, as the Lord declares, `for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth’ (Doctrine and Covenants 115:6).

                “Heed the Lord’s counsel to the Saints of this dispensation:  `Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord’ (Doctrine and Covenants 133:10).

                “This preparation must consist of more than just casual membership in the Church.  You must learn to be guided by personal revelation and the counsel of the living prophet so you will not be deceived.  Our Lord has indicated who, among Church members, will stand when He appears:

                “`And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.

                “For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived – verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day” (“Prepare Yourself for the Great Day ofthe Lord”)

                According to President Benson, I can be ready for the coming of the great day of the Lord by standing in holy places and taking the Holy Spirit for my guide.  This sounds very simple, and it is – but it could be difficult in the worsening conditions in the world.  For now, I will continue to watch for the prophesied signs and try to be prepared by following the Prophet’s counsel.