What Are the Signs of the Times and Why Were They Given?

             My Come, Follow Me lesson for this week came from Doctrine and Covenants 45. This revelation was given through the Prophet Joseph Smith to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 7, 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. Many new converts were gathering to the Kirtland area, and they were met with increasing opposition.

            Early members of the Church of Jesus Christ were troubled by the perilous times in which they lived. In prefacing the record of this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history notes that there were “many false reports … and foolish stories” that were being “published … and circulated, … to prevent people from investigating the work, or embracing the faith. … But to the joy of the Saints, … I received the following.”

            We live in perilous times with many troubling events, just as the early members of the Church of Jesus Christ experienced troubling times. The disciples of Jesus “were troubled” when they heard the Savior speak about our day (Doctrine and Covenants 45:34).

            The Lord’s response to the latter-day Saints was the same as to His disciples in Jerusalem: “be not troubled” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:35). This counsel is good for us today. It is true that we live in perilous times, but it is also true that we live in the last days before the Savior returns. Ancient prophets saw our day and longed to be here for them. We have the privilege of living in these exciting times. There is evidence that He is hastening His work. Even though perils will precede the Second Coming, the Lord told us what they would be. They are not just warnings of danger, but they are signs that God is about to fulfill His promises.

            The signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ can be compared to highway signs. As we drive along a highway, there are signs that warn of steep hill or sharp curves. There are other signs that tell us the distance to our destination. The signs of the Second Coming have a similar purpose. They serve as warnings, but they also indicate our location along the journey.

            The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is a parable about the last days. Five of the virgins were wise and took extra oil for their lamps, but five of the virgins were foolish and did not take extra oil. The Bridegroom delayed His coming until the darkest part of the night, and the virgins slumbered. When the shout went out that the Bridegroom was coming, the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. The wise virgins added oil to their lamps, but they did not have enough oil to fill the lamps of the foolish virgins. The foolish virgins went to buy more oil for their lamps, but they found the doors to the wedding hall closed and locked when they returned.

            Modern prophets have told us that we add oil to our lamps by living righteously. We add a drop of oil every time we kneel in sincere prayer. We add another drop every time that we study the scriptures, attend sacrament meeting, and do temple work. We add oil to our lamps when we serve others. A wise man once asked a similar question to this one, “How do we share the oil of a testimony, the experience of serving a mission, or the joy of doing family history work?

            After listing numerous signs of the times, the Lord said, “But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:32).

            The holy places in which we are to stand are our homes, chapels, and temples – as well as other places where we can bask in the Spirit. Sister Ann M. Dibb, a former member of the Young Women General Presidency, taught that the instruction to stand in holy places and be not moved “explains how we can receive protection, strength, and peace in unsettling times.” After noting that these holy places could include our temples, chapels, and homes, she said that “we can each find many more places.” She continued:

We might first consider the word place as a physical environment or a geographic location. However, a place can be “a distinct condition, position, or state of mind” [Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, “place,” merrim-webster.com]. This means holy places can also include moments in time – moments when the Holy Ghost testifies to us, moments when we feel Heavenly Father’s love, or moments when we receive an answer to our prayers. Even more, I believe any time you have the courage to stand for what is right, especially in situations where no one else is willing to do so, you are creating a holy place” (“Your Holy Places,” Ensign, May 2013, 115).

            It is good to stand in holy places where we will have protection, safety, and peace. It is also good to “be not troubled” as the Savior said. He gave us the signs of the times to help us prepare for His Second Coming, not to frighten us. As we watch the signs appear before our eyes, we will know how close we are to the end of our journey.

Signs of the Times?

            Presidential campaigns are usually raucous events, and the 2016 election was even more so. Millions of Americans expected Hillary Clinton to be the next President of the United States. She seemed to be the “anointed one” because it was her “turn.” Election night was a stunner for most Americans as we watched state after state called for Donald Trump. In the end Trump won the most Electoral College votes and became the next President of the United States.

            After such a noisy and hateful election, I was ready for calm and actually thought it would come. It did not.  A few hate-filled Americans refused to accept the results of the election and decided to throw temper tantrums in an effort to overturn the outcome. Protests turned into riots and mob actions that lasted for months, destroyed much property, and sometimes took lives. The last such violence took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, just a month or so ago and ended with three dead Americans.

            As I watched these events taking place in our nation, I was also studying the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ. As I read this book of scripture, I felt like I was reading current events. For example, I read of people being “stirred up to anger” and committing evil acts - just like the rioters. I read of palace intrigue and several attempts to overthrow the government by secret combinations. I read of prophets visiting the people and calling them to repentance. When the people listened to the prophets and repented of their sins, they had peace and prosperity among them. When they rejected the prophets and even killed some of them, their lives worsened.

            These were some of my thoughts when Hurricane Harvey barreled into the Texas coast and hovered over the Houston area for several days pouring copious amounts of water over the region. People lost their lives, and property was destroyed. No sooner had Hurricane Harvey exited than Hurricane Irma headed toward Florida and/or the East Coast. Not far behind Irma, Hurricane Jose is picking up power.

            At the same time we hear of fires burning much of the Northwest. Over a million acres have burned in Montana with fires raging in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and other western states. Smoke hangs heavy over many cities. Again, lives and property are lost. In addition, there was an 8.2 earthquake in Mexico, a 5.3 earthquake in Japan, and hundreds of unusual earthquakes in the southern Idaho-northern Utah area. Anchorage saw its own 4.1 earthquake this week followed by a mini-mini hurricane with a heavy downpour of rain and strong winds.                 

                      

            As I read of the devastations happening in other parts of the United States and experience Alaska’s own storms of nature, I cannot help but think of more teachings from the Book of Mormon. Prophets went forth among the people, warning them that great destructions were coming if they did not repent. A minority of the people repented of their sins and turned to God, but the vast majority continued in their wickedness. The wickedness grew so bad that the people divided into tribes and destroyed the government.

            The words of the prophets came to pass. Great destruction took place in ancient America at the time that Jesus Christ died in Jerusalem. No one had seen such a “great storm” that arose. There was “a great and terrible tempest,” thunder so loud that “it did shake the whole earth,” and “sharp lightnings, such as never had been known in all the land” (3 Nephi 8:5-7). 

            Sixteen named cities were destroyed; some were burned by fire, some were sunk in the sea, and some were buried in the earth. (See 3 Nephi 9:3-16.) A voice from heaven tells the survivors that these cities were destroyed because the inhabitants of them were so wicked.

            The city of Jacobugath was burned with fire “because of their sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth, because of their secret murders and combinations; for it was they that did destroyed the peace of my people and the government of the land” (3 Nephi 9:9). 

            The more righteous people survived all the disasters and gathered at the temple in the land of Bountiful. There the Savior appeared to them and taught them His gospel for three days and on several later occasions. These were the people who believed the prophets, repented of their sins, and baptized. They received great blessings for their obedience. (See

3 Nephi 11- 30.) 

            The people in the Book of Mormon were warned that destructions were coming if they did not repent, and we are currently being warned. Prophets and other representatives of the Lord have been traveling through the United States and throughout the world for nearly 200 years and calling the people to repentance. A small minority of the people have listened to the prophets and repented, but the vast majority is growing in wickedness as time passes. Are we like the Nephites? Are these hurricanes, fires, and other natural disasters – plus the violence in our nation and threats of war from overseas – signs that we have not repented sufficiently?

            We know that the Lord speaks in a quiet voice to those who are listening. To those who refuse to hear the still small voice of the Spirit, the Lord speaks in louder ways. Amos, a prophet in Old Testament times, tells us that the “Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). 

            I know that the Savior will return to the earth. I know that the wicked will be destroyed in the process, and the righteous will be blessed. The prophets have spoken many times over a period of hundreds and thousands of years. They call us to repentance and tell us that our safety lies in our righteousness. Are we listening to the prophets, or will the Lord have to use more powerful means to get our attention and to prepare us for His return?

Signs of the Times

                Are we seeing signs of the last days before the return of Jesus Christ to earth?  The Apostles of Jesus Christ desired to know “what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”  (See Matthew 24:3.)  Christ listed several signs for the discerning believers to know when His coming was near: the gathering of the “elect” (v. 27), wars and rumors of wars (v. 28), famines, pestilences, and earthquakes

(v. 29), great iniquity and love waxing cold (v. 30), the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world (v. 31), and the “abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, [will] be fulfilled” (v. 32).  Immediately following this tribulation the sun and moon will be darkened and the stars will fall from the sky (v. 33).  Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and He will return to earth “with power and great glory” (v. 36).

                The late Elder Bruce R. McConkie, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, described fifty-one signs of the times in his book Mormon Doctrine.  Before doing so, he explained why the Lord sends signs:  “In every age the Lord sends forth clearly discernible signs and warnings so that those who are spiritually inclined can know of his hand-dealings with men.  In the meridian of time, when Jewish tempters, members of `a wicked and adulterous generation,’ came desiring that `he would shew them a sign from heaven,’ he rebuked and derided them by asking, `Can ye not discern the signs of the times?’ (Matthew 16:1-4.)  To the faithful elders carrying the message of salvation to the world in this dispensation, the Lord has given this promise:  `Unto you it shall be given to know the signs of the times, and the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.’ (Doctrine and Covenants 68:11.)

                “As used in these scriptures, signs are the recognizable events or occurrences which identify present and which portend future events.  They are omens, prodigies, wonders, and marvels of abnormal occurrence.  Times means the age, era, period, or dispensation involved.  Thus the signs of the times for our age or dispensation are the marvelous events – differing in kind, extent, or magnitude from events of past times – which identify the dispensation of the fulness of times and presage the Second Advent of our Lord.  (Joseph Fielding Smith, Signs of the Times; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 19-37.)

                “By the power of the Holy Ghost the faithful saints are able to discern the signs of the times, signs preparatory to and part of this final great dispensation….” 

                Elder McConkie then began his list with descriptions of fifty-one signs, many of which have already occurred or are in the process.  His list includes the following:  1) Spirit to be poured out on all flesh; 2) Discovery and use of printing; 3) Protestant Reformation and Age of Renaissance; 4) Discovery and colonization of America; 5) Establishment of the American nation; 6) Translation and printing of the Bible; 7) Establishment of the U.S. Constitution; 8) Latter-day revelation; 9) Coming forth of the Book of Mormon; 10) Opposition to the Book of Mormon;

                11) Restoration of keys and priesthood; 12) Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ; 13) Messenger to precede the Second Coming (“Both John the Baptist and the Prophet Joseph Smith have ministered in our day in fulfilment of this ancient prediction.”); 14) Church and Kingdom set up again (“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on earth.”) 15) Growth of the Church (now with 15 million members); 16) Gathering of Israel (“The drawing power of the Church from all nations is one of the marvels of the ages.”) 17) Ten Tribes to return; 18) Times of Gentiles being fulfilled; 19) Return of Judah to Jerusalem; 20) Jews begin to believe in Christ (“Much of the old Jewish bitterness against Christ has ceased; many now accept him as a great Rabbi, though not the Son of God.  A few have accepted him in the full sense, coming into the true Church…. But the great conversion of the Jews, their return to the truth as a nation, is destined to follow the Second Coming of their Messiah….”)

                21) Building of latter-day temples; 22) Lord to come suddenly to temple (“Malachi preserved for us the promise that the Lord would suddenly come to his temple in the last days prior to the great and dreadful day of the Lord, an event which actually took place … on the 3^rd of April in 1836.  [Malachi 3:1; Doctrine and Covenants 110:1-10.]  This is one of those prophetic utterances destined for dual fulfillment, however, and the Lord yet again shall come suddenly to others of his temples, including the great temple to be erected in Jackson County.”)  22) Spirit of Elijah and genealogical research; 24) Persecution of the Saints (“Where the gospel is, there will be opposition and persecution, for Lucifer will not stand idly by while the work of God rolls forward….”  25) Persecution of the Jews; 26) True gospel to be preached in all the world; 27) Worldly knowledge to increase; 28) Scientific and inventive progress; 29) Disease, plague, pestilence to sweep earth; 30) Elements in commotion;

                31) Disasters and calamities to abound; 32) Strikes, anarchy, violence to increase; 33) Latter-day wickedness; 34) Spirit ceasing to strive with wicked; 35) Peace taken from the earth; 36) Angels now reaping the earth; 37) Wars and rumors of wars; 38) Famines, depressions, and economic turmoil; 39) Apostate darkness covers the earth; 40) Many false churches in latter-days;

                41) Refusal of men to believe signs of times; 42) Signs on earth in heavens; 43) Lamanites to blossom as the rose; 44) The gathering at Adam-ondi-ahman.  45) Final great war to attend second coming; 46) Sorrow and fear precede and accompany second coming; 47) Fall of the great and abominable church; 48) Special mission in Jerusalem of two latter-day prophets; 49) Wicked to be burned as stubble; 50) Final restitution of all things to be completed; 51) Christ to reign personally upon the earth.  (See Mormon Doctrine, pp. 715-734).

                Today I am pondering several of these signs.  Even though much of the commotion does not make the news, sign #30, elements in commotion, is definitely being fulfilled.  Under the date of December 1, 2013, this site has a chart of thirty-three volcanoes currently erupting.  Combine that knowledge with the fact that only a few weeks ago the most powerful typhoon ever recorded destroyed parts of the Philippines.  Haiyan brought devastation that was catastrophic and flattened homes, schools, and hospitals.  It left thousands of people dead and millions without shelter.

                This author blames this typhoon and other meteorological phenomenon on climate change:  “If the Philippines typhoon was an isolated incident, it would be a meteorological phenomenon, but the real worry is that far from being isolated, these events are both frequent and increasingly severe.  This typhoon comes on top of other extraordinary meteorological events that have occurred recently; unprecedented floods caused by a cyclone in Sardinia last week; unprecedented typhoons [tornadoes?] in the United States a few weeks ago; unprecedented rains that caused the Pakistan floods in August and last year.”

                This site has a chart of recent natural disasters and then gives further information.  These are the natural disasters of the past two weeks: 

                Sunday, December 1, 2013:  Flooding and landslides in Indonesia’s Sumatra Island killed at least nine people.  Flooding in Havana, Cuba, killed two people.  A 5.6 earthquake near Iran’s nuclear plant claimed the lives of at least eight people, injured more than two hundred, and destroyed more than two hundred homes.

                Friday, November 29, 2013:  At least 45 sinkholes in Nepal have displaced more than 50 families in a week and swallowed several houses.

                Wednesday, November 27, 2013:  A landslide at an open pit coal mine in China claimed three lives and buried four people.

                Sunday, November 24, 2013:  A winter storm killed 13 people in Oklahoma, Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico.  Flooding in Thailand killed at least three people and displaced tens of thousands.  An avalanche in Japan claimed the lives of at least seven people.

                Saturday, November 23, 2013:  Heavy storm in Greece claimed the lives of at least two people and left another person missing.

                Friday, November 22, 2013:  Cyclone Helen hit India and claimed the lives of ate least seven people; it left 20 fishermen missing and severe damage in the flood zone.

                Thursday, November 21, 2013:  Flooding in Baghdad, Iraq, claimed the lives of at least 11 people and sent 50 families to shelter at a tourist resort. 

                Tuesday, November 19, 2013:  A landslide at a goldmine in Guinea claimed at least 12 lives and left 11 other people missing.

                These are the recent weather conditions or elements in commotion that claimed lives.  There are many other weather-related disasters that did not claim lives or make the list.  I think that we can agree that the elements of nature are in commotion.  Does all this commotion constitute a “sign of the times”?