Big Question Today

Should we talk to each other about the signs of the Second Coming? Should we dwell on them?

The Book of Mormon gives four explicit purposes why we should.✤✤ Here’s a little scripture study about signs, discussing them with others, and knowing them.

Consider the effect the signs had in 3 Nephi, chapter 1. Particularly verse 26 at the end.

Some Background

Miracles and wonders of all types were taking place and increasing in strength, but we’ll focus on the one big sign.

First, was anyone given knowledge of the most significant sign of His birth and mission ahead of time? Yes, Samuel, the Lamanite said, “5 Years.”

Then people argued about when the five years were up (imagine that), and all the believers would be put to death if the great sign didn’t happen.

Nephi is told when it will happen:

13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Note that the Lord seems interested in giving signs to his holy prophets, having them spoken of, and fulfilling them. But Why?

After the Big Sign

Notice what happens AFTER the Big Sign of no night and no darkness – three days of light.

22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be lyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.

23 And it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great remission of sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land.

24 And there were no contentions, save it were a few that began to preach, endeavoring to prove by the scriptures that it was no more expedient to observe the law of Moses. Now in this thing they did err, having not understood the scriptures.

25 But it came to pass that they soon became converted, and were convinced of the error which they were in, for it was made known unto them that the law was not yet fulfilled, and that it must be fulfilled in every whit; yea, the word came unto them that it must be fulfilled; yea, that one jot or tittle should not pass away till it should all be fulfilled; therefore in this same year were they brought to a knowledge of their error and did confess their faults.

👉26 And thus the ninety and second year did pass away, bringing glad tidings unto the people because of the signs which did come to pass, according to the words of the prophecy of all the holy prophets.👈

Four purposes

✤✤This tells me signs and wonders have their place and that discussing them serves a purpose. 1) to give hope to the faithful watcher amid all the darkness and peril. 2) to establish the existence of prophets and prophesy. 3) to convert people. 4) to testify of Christ and His Great Mission.

Plus – it’s the Lord’s given pattern. He attempts to appeal to every learning style and every way a person might get the message to repent and come to Him. 👉Both the humble and the hardened.👈

Which Voice Talks to You?

Consider Doctrine and Covenants 43:24-25

Note which voice spurs you into action…which is the voice that reaches you best?

24 O, ye nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!

25 How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgment, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not!

Sad to say, but earthquakes get me moving down the path – whatever it is, I need to straighten out and upgrade. It is what it is.