Second Coming (LDS Church)
Encyclopedia
Like many other Christian
adherents, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that there will be a Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth sometime in the future. The LDS Church and its leaders do not make any predictions of the actual date of the Second Coming.
According to LDS Church teachings, the true gospel
will be taught in all parts of the world prior to the Second Coming. It is also believed that there will be increasingly severe wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other man-made and natural disasters prior to the Second Coming.
loves the people on the earth, both those who are present on the earth, as well as those who have been on the earth previously. He wants all those who have been on the earth to be able to progress and to be saved as much as they are willing to. Similar to other Christian religions, the LDS Church also believes that in order to gain salvation
there are certain ordinances a person needs which need to be performed while on the earth; including baptism
. Since God is seen as a loving God, the LDS Church believes that God will provide a way for those who have not received the required ordinances to have the work done for them. They will not be lost just because they were not baptized, but they will have the opportunity to accept these ordinances after they have died.
It is believed that those who have died who have not received these ordinances, or do not know or understand about Christ, will be taught in the afterlife
. This work is done similar to missionary work is done in life. It is believed that in the afterlife, a person still retains their beliefs, knowledge and agency, and they will still be able to choose for themselves what they desire. Having the work done for them does nothing unless they desire it. It will not change their religion, beliefs, or feelings, unless they themselves decide to accept the work done for them.
The majority of this work will be organized and done after the Second Coming, during a period referred to as the Millennium
. The LDS Church believes that Christ will return to the earth to prepare for this work to be done for all those who have been on the earth, and to prepare the earth to have its mortal work completed.
which is considered scriptural canon in the LDS Church, "... [the Son of Man] now reigneth in the heavens and will reign till he descends on the earth … which time is nigh at hand … but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes."
According to this doctrine, the LDS Church believes that no person on earth will be given the knowledge of when the Second Coming is to occur, therefore most members of the church will not speculate about an exact time, or date. It is believed however, that he shall come as a thief in the night, which they believe means that most of the world will not be expecting his coming.
Although the exact time and date is not known, he has given signs that precede His coming.
Events that occur at the Second Coming include:
is believed to be a 1000 year period of peace and righteousness. During this time, Christ
will personally reign on the earth, and Satan
will be bound and have no power over the people.
During the first part of the Millennium, missionaries will be sent out throughout the world to bring truth and knowledge to all people. However as time progresses, this will not be as necessary as the people shall all know.
During the Millennium, the majority of the work and ordinances necessary for salvation for those who have died will be completed. The LDS Church believes that the individual still retains their agency, and that this will allow those who have chosen to accept these ordinances the option to do so. Through divine guidance, this work will be completed for all the people of the earth, all the way to Adam
. This work will be made possible through the help of those who have been resurrected at or before the Second Coming of Christ.
It is believed that organizations and families will continue through the Millennium similar as they are now.
Close to the end of the Millennium, it is believed that Satan will be loosed for a short period of time or season. At this point, the Archangel
Michael
, who is believed to be Adam, will lead the righteous in a great and final battle against Satan and his followers, and they will be cast out forever. It is believed that Satan is not worthy enough to receive any kingdom, and that he will be cast into a place that the LDS people refer to as outer darkness
, as well as all those who followed him from the pre-existence
. It is believed that because Satan and his followers have never received a physical body, they still have a full and undeniable knowledge of Jesus Christ and his gospel, and as such have committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against Holy Ghost by trying to deceive the people who inhabit the earth. The only people that lived on the earth that will be cast out with Satan are those who have gained the undeniable witness of the gospel and the Savior, and then denied or falsified this truth. These are known as the Sons of Perdition.
It is believed at the close of the Millennium, with all the work complete, all men shall be judged, and the earth and its entire works will be presented to God. The Earth will then receive its paradisaical glory or become "celestialized" and those who lived on this earth and worthy of celestial glory, will inherit it and live with God and Christ.
, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." The LDS Church believes in both a literal gathering, and a figurative gathering. The ensign is believed to be the church, and the figurative gathering is the gathering of members into the church. The literal gathering of the dispersed of Judah is believed to be a gathering back into the Holy Land
.
s. They are usually built within an area where they can benefit an existing congregation. This means that there most likely will be members in Israel before this temple is built as a result of missionary work. The temple within Jerusalem is believed to be built with one additional distinguishing feature that all other LDS temples do not have. This temple will contain a throne, which, at times, the Savior will personally sit and reign over the house of Israel.
Concerning the temple in Jerusalem, Orson Pratt
stated, "By and by there will be a Temple built at Jerusalem. Who do you think is going to build it? You may think that it will be the unbelieving Jews who rejected the Savior. I believe that that which is contained on the 77th page of the Book of Mormon, as well as in many other places, in that same book, will be literally fulfilled. The Temple at Jerusalem will undoubtedly be built, by those who believe in the true Messiah. Its construction will be, in some respects different from the Temples now being built. It will contain the throne of the Lord, upon which he will, at times, personally sit, and will reign over the house of Israel for ever. It may also contain twelve other thrones, on which the twelve ancient Apostles will sit, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel."
More recently Bruce R. McConkie
stated, "Who are those 'that are far off' who shall come to Jerusalem to build the house of the Lord? Surely they are the Jews who have been scattered afar. By what power and under whose authorization shall the work be done? There is only one place under the whole heavens where the keys of temple building are found. There is only one people who know how to build temples and what to do in them when they are completed. That people is the Latter-day Saints. The temple in Jerusalem will not be built by Jews who have assembled there for political purposes as at present. It will not be built by a people who know nothing whatever about the sealing ordinances and their application to the living and the dead. It will not be built by those who know nothing about Christ and his laws and the mysteries reserved for the saints. But it will be built by Jews who have come unto Christ, who once again are in the true fold of their ancient Shepherd, and who have learned anew about temples because they know that Elijah did come, not to sit in a vacant chair at some Jewish feast of the Passover, but to the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836, to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. The temple in Jerusalem will be built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 'They that are far off,' they that come from an American Zion, they who have a temple in Salt Lake City will come to Jerusalem to build there another holy house in the Jerusalem portion of 'the mountains of the Lord's house.'"
, which is to take place near Megiddo or the Valley of Jezreel. After three and a half years, they will be killed by their enemies, and their bodies will lie in the street for three and a half days. Then a large earthquake will occur and they will rise miraculously and will ascend into heaven. Any of the twelve apostles could be considered a prophet
, as they are called as prophets, seers and revelators.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
adherents, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that there will be a Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth sometime in the future. The LDS Church and its leaders do not make any predictions of the actual date of the Second Coming.
According to LDS Church teachings, the true gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
will be taught in all parts of the world prior to the Second Coming. It is also believed that there will be increasingly severe wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other man-made and natural disasters prior to the Second Coming.
Purpose
The LDS Church believes that GodGod in Christianity
In Christianity, God is the eternal being that created and preserves the universe. God is believed by most Christians to be immanent , while others believe the plan of redemption show he will be immanent later...
loves the people on the earth, both those who are present on the earth, as well as those who have been on the earth previously. He wants all those who have been on the earth to be able to progress and to be saved as much as they are willing to. Similar to other Christian religions, the LDS Church also believes that in order to gain salvation
Salvation
Within religion salvation is the phenomenon of being saved from the undesirable condition of bondage or suffering experienced by the psyche or soul that has arisen as a result of unskillful or immoral actions generically referred to as sins. Salvation may also be called "deliverance" or...
there are certain ordinances a person needs which need to be performed while on the earth; including baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
. Since God is seen as a loving God, the LDS Church believes that God will provide a way for those who have not received the required ordinances to have the work done for them. They will not be lost just because they were not baptized, but they will have the opportunity to accept these ordinances after they have died.
It is believed that those who have died who have not received these ordinances, or do not know or understand about Christ, will be taught in the afterlife
Afterlife
The afterlife is the belief that a part of, or essence of, or soul of an individual, which carries with it and confers personal identity, survives the death of the body of this world and this lifetime, by natural or supernatural means, in contrast to the belief in eternal...
. This work is done similar to missionary work is done in life. It is believed that in the afterlife, a person still retains their beliefs, knowledge and agency, and they will still be able to choose for themselves what they desire. Having the work done for them does nothing unless they desire it. It will not change their religion, beliefs, or feelings, unless they themselves decide to accept the work done for them.
The majority of this work will be organized and done after the Second Coming, during a period referred to as the Millennium
Millennialism
Millennialism , or chiliasm in Greek, is a belief held by some Christian denominations that there will be a Golden Age or Paradise on Earth in which "Christ will reign" for 1000 years prior to the final judgment and future eternal state...
. The LDS Church believes that Christ will return to the earth to prepare for this work to be done for all those who have been on the earth, and to prepare the earth to have its mortal work completed.
Timing
According to the Doctrine and CovenantsDoctrine and Covenants
The Doctrine and Covenants is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement...
which is considered scriptural canon in the LDS Church, "... [the Son of Man] now reigneth in the heavens and will reign till he descends on the earth … which time is nigh at hand … but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes."
According to this doctrine, the LDS Church believes that no person on earth will be given the knowledge of when the Second Coming is to occur, therefore most members of the church will not speculate about an exact time, or date. It is believed however, that he shall come as a thief in the night, which they believe means that most of the world will not be expecting his coming.
Although the exact time and date is not known, he has given signs that precede His coming.
Events
When Christ comes again, the LDS Church believes that he will come in power and great glory. They believe that this is the same person who ascended into heaven and that he will still have the marks of the nails in his hands and feet.Signs
It is believed that all the world will know of His coming, both those who believe in him, and those who do not, and all the world will know that He has come again.Events that occur at the Second Coming include:
- There will appear a great sign in the heaven, and all the people shall see it.
- The righteous that are upon the earth will be caught up to meet him.
- Angels will announce his return, which all the inhabitants of the earth will hear, and every knee shall bow.
Actions of Christ
LDS Doctrine is fairly specific about the events that will occur at the Second Coming. It is believed that Christ will do the following things, though not necessarily in this order:- Christ will complete the First Resurrection. The LDS Church believes that there is a temporary place for those that have died, similar to HeavenHeavenHeaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
and HellHell in Christian beliefsChristian views on Hell vary, but in general traditionally agree that hell is a place or a state in which the souls of the unsaved suffer the consequences of sin....
, which the Church refers to as Spiritual ParadiseParadiseParadise is a place in which existence is positive, harmonious and timeless. It is conceptually a counter-image of the miseries of human civilization, and in paradise there is only peace, prosperity, and happiness. Paradise is a place of contentment, but it is not necessarily a land of luxury and...
and Spiritual Prison, but that this is not the souls final resting place (see Spirit World). They believe that all the people of the earth will be resurrectedResurrection of the deadResurrection of the Dead is a belief found in a number of eschatologies, most commonly in Christian, Islamic, Jewish and Zoroastrian. In general, the phrase refers to a specific event in the future; multiple prophesies in the histories of these religions assert that the dead will be brought back to...
and receive their physical body again, however, depending on their righteousness, this resurrection may occur at a different time for some. They believe that after being judged, the souls of man will be placed in one of three separate kingdomsDegrees of gloryIn The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' theology, there are three degrees of glory which are the ultimate, eternal dwelling place for nearly all who lived on earth after the Spirit world.Joseph Smith, Jr...
. Those who will obtain the highest kingdom will be resurrected first, followed by those who will obtain the second kingdom. This completes the First Resurrection. Those who obtain the lowest or no kingdom remain in spirit prison until the completion of the millennium.
- He will judge the nations, and divide the righteous from the wicked.
- At this time, the wicked will be removed from the earth. All things that are corrupt will be burned, and the earth will be cleansed with fire. Those who are good people, regardless of faith or beliefs, will remain.
- The JewishJewsThe Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
people who are living at the time will be able to see, touch and feel the nail marks in his hands and feet, and will mourn because they, as a people, had rejected him as the Messiah.
- He will take his rightful place as King of Heaven and earth. He will establish his government, and will the usher in the Millennium.
The Millennium
According to LDS doctrine, the MillenniumMillennialism
Millennialism , or chiliasm in Greek, is a belief held by some Christian denominations that there will be a Golden Age or Paradise on Earth in which "Christ will reign" for 1000 years prior to the final judgment and future eternal state...
is believed to be a 1000 year period of peace and righteousness. During this time, Christ
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
will personally reign on the earth, and Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
will be bound and have no power over the people.
During the first part of the Millennium, missionaries will be sent out throughout the world to bring truth and knowledge to all people. However as time progresses, this will not be as necessary as the people shall all know.
During the Millennium, the majority of the work and ordinances necessary for salvation for those who have died will be completed. The LDS Church believes that the individual still retains their agency, and that this will allow those who have chosen to accept these ordinances the option to do so. Through divine guidance, this work will be completed for all the people of the earth, all the way to Adam
Adam
Adam is a figure in the Book of Genesis. According to the creation myth of Abrahamic religions, he is the first human. In the Genesis creation narratives, he was created by Yahweh-Elohim , and the first woman, Eve was formed from his rib...
. This work will be made possible through the help of those who have been resurrected at or before the Second Coming of Christ.
It is believed that organizations and families will continue through the Millennium similar as they are now.
Close to the end of the Millennium, it is believed that Satan will be loosed for a short period of time or season. At this point, the Archangel
Archangel
An archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible...
Michael
Michael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
, who is believed to be Adam, will lead the righteous in a great and final battle against Satan and his followers, and they will be cast out forever. It is believed that Satan is not worthy enough to receive any kingdom, and that he will be cast into a place that the LDS people refer to as outer darkness
Outer darkness
In Christianity, the outer darkness is a place referred to three times in the Gospel of Matthew into which a person may be "cast out", and where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth"...
, as well as all those who followed him from the pre-existence
Pre-existence
Pre-existence , beforelife, or pre-mortal existence refers to the belief that each individual human soul existed before conception, and at conception one of these pre-existent souls enters, or is placed by God, in the body...
. It is believed that because Satan and his followers have never received a physical body, they still have a full and undeniable knowledge of Jesus Christ and his gospel, and as such have committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against Holy Ghost by trying to deceive the people who inhabit the earth. The only people that lived on the earth that will be cast out with Satan are those who have gained the undeniable witness of the gospel and the Savior, and then denied or falsified this truth. These are known as the Sons of Perdition.
It is believed at the close of the Millennium, with all the work complete, all men shall be judged, and the earth and its entire works will be presented to God. The Earth will then receive its paradisaical glory or become "celestialized" and those who lived on this earth and worthy of celestial glory, will inherit it and live with God and Christ.
Major signs preceding
The LDS Church believes that no man shall know the hour of the coming of Christ, however there are signs which have been given which will show that the Second Coming is approaching. Some of the major events, and their believed fulfillment states that have been prophesied, are listed below:Restitution of all things
In Acts it reads, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." It is believed that this means that there must be a restitution of all things before the Second Coming. In Revelations it says, "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people". This gospel believed to be the same church that was on the earth when Christ was here initially, and that it must be restored to the earth. It would then be established throughout the world. The LDS Church believes that the true church that was originally formed became corrupted within decades of being established by Jesus Christ. Since God is the same yesterday, today and always, this restoration would need to be done through divine revelation, the same as it has been done in times of old.- Believed fulfillment state: Majority Fulfilled (more yet to come)
- The LDS Church believes this was done with Joseph Smith, Jr. and that he did receive divine revelation, and was called to be a prophetProphetIn religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
in modern times. The LDS Church believes itself to be the true church and that it has all of the signs in scripture about the workings of the true church. They also believe "... in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth". , there were over 14 million members of the LDS Church around the world.
Opposition to the restoration
It is believed that if there is truly a God, there must truly be a devil. If there was true doctrine taught from God, then there must truly be a force that would do everything in his power to make men believe anything but the truth. That means that if there was a true Church established by revelation, that there must be great opposition to the truth, and that those people that followed it would be seen as strange and peculiar by most.- Believed fulfillment state: Fulfilled
- The LDS Church believes this has been fulfilled, both with the persecution of the early saints, and the way that many view the LDS Church and its people now. There are many rumors that persist which are blatant falsehoods about the people in the church, ranging from the practice of polygamyPolygamyPolygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
to members having horns.
Elijah
In the book of Malachi, it is prophesied the before the Second Coming, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers..."- Believed fulfillment state: Fulfilled
- It is believed that Elijah appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith Jr. on April 3, 1836, and conferred upon him the keys to the current dispensationDispensation of the fulness of timesIn Christianity, the dispensation of the fulness of times is thought to be a world order or administration in which the heavens and the earth are under the political and/or spiritual government of Jesus...
. Although many faiths believe that Elijah will come before the Second Coming, the LDS Church is the only major Christian denomination that believes that he already has.
Gathering of Judah
"And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." The LDS Church believes in both a literal gathering, and a figurative gathering. The ensign is believed to be the church, and the figurative gathering is the gathering of members into the church. The literal gathering of the dispersed of Judah is believed to be a gathering back into the Holy Land
Holy Land
The Holy Land is a term which in Judaism refers to the Kingdom of Israel as defined in the Tanakh. For Jews, the Land's identifiction of being Holy is defined in Judaism by its differentiation from other lands by virtue of the practice of Judaism often possible only in the Land of Israel...
.
- Believed fulfillment state: Fulfilled and in progress
- In 1841 the LDS Church sent an apostle, Elder Orson HydeOrson HydeOrson Hyde was a leader in the early Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles...
to the Holy Land to dedicate the land for the return of the Jewish people. At the time there were fewer than 5,000 people in the entire land of PalestinePalestinePalestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
. , there were approximately 7 million Jewish people within IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
Proselytizing in Israel
One of the next major signs that could take place would be the commencement of missionary work within Israel. The LDS Church believes that before the return of Christ, that the gospel must be taught to those who are in Israel, and the church must be legally established within those bounds.- Believed fulfillment state: Pending
- Currently, religious proselytizing is not allowed within Israel.
Temple in Jerusalem
The LDS Church believes that there will be a temple built within Jerusalem. The LDS Church is one of only a few churches that believe in the building of templeTemple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
s. They are usually built within an area where they can benefit an existing congregation. This means that there most likely will be members in Israel before this temple is built as a result of missionary work. The temple within Jerusalem is believed to be built with one additional distinguishing feature that all other LDS temples do not have. This temple will contain a throne, which, at times, the Savior will personally sit and reign over the house of Israel.
Concerning the temple in Jerusalem, Orson Pratt
Orson Pratt
Orson Pratt, Sr. was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles...
stated, "By and by there will be a Temple built at Jerusalem. Who do you think is going to build it? You may think that it will be the unbelieving Jews who rejected the Savior. I believe that that which is contained on the 77th page of the Book of Mormon, as well as in many other places, in that same book, will be literally fulfilled. The Temple at Jerusalem will undoubtedly be built, by those who believe in the true Messiah. Its construction will be, in some respects different from the Temples now being built. It will contain the throne of the Lord, upon which he will, at times, personally sit, and will reign over the house of Israel for ever. It may also contain twelve other thrones, on which the twelve ancient Apostles will sit, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel."
More recently Bruce R. McConkie
Bruce R. McConkie
Bruce Redd McConkie was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 until his death...
stated, "Who are those 'that are far off' who shall come to Jerusalem to build the house of the Lord? Surely they are the Jews who have been scattered afar. By what power and under whose authorization shall the work be done? There is only one place under the whole heavens where the keys of temple building are found. There is only one people who know how to build temples and what to do in them when they are completed. That people is the Latter-day Saints. The temple in Jerusalem will not be built by Jews who have assembled there for political purposes as at present. It will not be built by a people who know nothing whatever about the sealing ordinances and their application to the living and the dead. It will not be built by those who know nothing about Christ and his laws and the mysteries reserved for the saints. But it will be built by Jews who have come unto Christ, who once again are in the true fold of their ancient Shepherd, and who have learned anew about temples because they know that Elijah did come, not to sit in a vacant chair at some Jewish feast of the Passover, but to the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836, to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. The temple in Jerusalem will be built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 'They that are far off,' they that come from an American Zion, they who have a temple in Salt Lake City will come to Jerusalem to build there another holy house in the Jerusalem portion of 'the mountains of the Lord's house.'"
- Believed fulfillment state: Pending
- Since proselytizing is not allowed within Israel, a temple cannot be built at this time.
Two witnesses in Jerusalem
It is believed that two people will be called to preach the gospel in the land of Jerusalem, and that they will have the faith and power to cause miracles as seen in the book of Revelations. Since they are given the rights to prophecy, it is believed that they are prophets. These prophets will be called to teach the gospel during a time of great conflict, and will be able to keep the nations gathered against Israel at bay for their ministry. This conflict is believed to be part of the battle of ArmageddonArmageddon
Armageddon is, according to the Bible, the site of a battle during the end times, variously interpreted as either a literal or symbolic location...
, which is to take place near Megiddo or the Valley of Jezreel. After three and a half years, they will be killed by their enemies, and their bodies will lie in the street for three and a half days. Then a large earthquake will occur and they will rise miraculously and will ascend into heaven. Any of the twelve apostles could be considered a prophet
Prophet
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
, as they are called as prophets, seers and revelators.
- Believed fulfillment state: Pending
- Proselytizing is not allowed within Israel, and would need to be available before this could occur.
Other signs preceding
According to one Latter-day Saint commentator, there are many signs, many of which have already passed.| Sign | Believed fulfillment state | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apostate darkness covers earth | Fulfilled | This is believed to be the time before the church was restored. |
| Many false churches | Fulfilled | |
| Spirit to be poured out on all flesh | Fulfilled | Most LDS members believe this to be the pouring out of knowledge and wisdom, and can be attributed to many discoveries, and the progression of ages (i.e.: the progression out of the Dark Ages) |
| Discovery and use of printing | Fulfilled | |
| Protestant reformation Protestant Reformation The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led... and age of renaissance Renaissance The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not... |
Fulfilled | |
| Discovery Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the... and colonization of America Americas The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily... |
Fulfilled | |
| Establishment of the American nation United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Fulfilled | |
| Translation and printing of the Bible Bible The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations... |
Fulfilled | |
| Establishment of U.S. Constitution | Fulfilled | |
| Latter-day revelation Revelation (Latter Day Saints) Latter Day Saints teach that the Latter Day Saint movement began with a Revelation from God . They also teach that revelation is the foundation of the church established by Jesus Christ and that it remains an essential element of His true church today... |
Fulfilled | |
| Coming forth of the Book of Mormon Book of Mormon The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr... |
Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
| Opposition to the Book of Mormon | Fulfilled | See above: There will be opposition to the restoration |
| Restoration of keys and priesthood Priesthood (LDS Church) In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , the priesthood is the power and authority to act in the name of God for the salvation of humankind... |
Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
| Restoration of the gospel | Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
| Messenger to precede second coming | Fulfilled | "And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people, and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me." It is generally seen by LDS members that the gospel itself is the messenger, however it could be considered that other messengers have been sent, including Elijah and a modern day prophet, Joseph Smith Jr. |
| Church and kingdom set up again | Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
| Growth of the church | Fulfilled | See above: There must be a restitution of all things |
| Gathering of Israel Israel The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea... |
Fulfilled | See above: The descendants of Judah will gather from the four corners of the earth |
| Times of Gentiles being fulfilled | Fulfilled | It is believed that the coming of the Book of Mormon to the American people fulfills this prophecy. |
| Return of Tribe of Judah Tribe of Judah According to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Judah was one of the Tribes of Israel.Following the completion of the conquest of Canaan by the Israelite tribes after about 1200 BCE, Joshua allocated the land among the twelve tribes.... to Jerusalem |
Fulfilled | See above: The descendants of Judah will gather from the four corners of the earth |
| Jews to begin to believe in Christ Jesus Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity... |
Fulfilled | As Christ taught primarily amongst the Jewish people during his life, most of the early converts to Christianity were Jewish, however according to the Jewish Encyclopedia Jewish Encyclopedia The Jewish Encyclopedia is an encyclopedia originally published in New York between 1901 and 1906 by Funk and Wagnalls. It contained over 15,000 articles in 12 volumes on the history and then-current state of Judaism and the Jews as of 1901... , "The number of post-Mendelssohnian Jews who abandoned their ancestral faith is very large". Though there is an ongoing process of people being converted to and from the Jewish faith, it is believed that most of the Jewish faith will not believe in Christ until the second coming. |
| Building of latter-day temples Temple (LDS Church) In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time... |
Fulfilled | |
| Lord to come suddenly to temple | Fulfilled | "As shown in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, after his resurrection, Jesus Christ can, and also does, appear to people in this latter-day dispensation of the gospel. When these sacred manifestations are for personal instruction, they are not spoken of openly. However, when it is appropriate, the divine communication is made public. It is a principle of the gospel that the Lord Jesus Christ can, and will, manifest himself to his people, including individual members, in his own time, and 'in his own way, and according to his own will' (D&C 88:86)." One such occasion is as follows: "One week following the dedication of the Kirtland Temple the Prophet Joseph Smith, with Oliver Cowdery, the Council of the Twelve, and several brethren of the priesthood, partook of the sacrament in the lower room of the temple. After having performed this service to the brethren of the priesthood, Joseph and Oliver retired to the pulpit on the west side of the room, and the veils that secluded them from the other brethren were dropped. The two young men then bowed their heads in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following glorious vision burst before them: We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us;" |
| Spirit of Elijah and genealogical research Genealogy Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members... |
Fulfilled | See above: Elijah the prophet is to return to the earth |
| Persecution of the saints | Fulfilled | See above: There will be opposition to the restoration |
| Persecution of the Jews Jews The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation... |
Fulfilled | |
| Peace taken from earth | Fulfilled | Modern prophets have stated that peace has been removed from the earth, and will not be restored until the Second Coming. |
| Refusal of men to believe signs of times | Fulfilled | |
| Ten tribes Ten Lost Tribes The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel refers to those tribes of ancient Israel that formed the Kingdom of Israel and which disappeared from Biblical and all other historical accounts after the kingdom was destroyed in about 720 BC by ancient Assyria... to return |
Fulfilled and in progress | According to LDS doctrine, the gathering of Israel is believed to be both the gathering of the tribes of Israel into the membership of the church, and the literal gathering of the tribes of Israel. It is believed that the house of Israel was scattered abroad across the earth, and most people on the earth have some lineage from the literal house of Israel. A patriarchal blessing given to faithful members is believed to contain within it the lineage from the house of Israel from which the person is descended. If one is not descended from the literal lineage, it is believed that they are 'grafted' or adopted into the house of Israel when the person is baptized. |
| True gospel to be preached to all the world | Fulfilled and in progress | The LDS Church currently has missionary work in countries throughout the world, and many more countries without missionary work contain members. |
| Worldly knowledge to increase | Fulfilled and in progress | |
| Scientific and inventive progress | Fulfilled and in progress | |
| Disease, plague, pestilence to sweep earth Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets... |
Fulfilled and in progress | |
| Elements in commotion | Fulfilled and in progress | This is commonly believed to be upsets in common weather patterns, possibly caused by global warming Global warming Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades... and other issues. |
| Disasters and calamities to abound | Fulfilled and in progress | |
| Social unrest, corruption Corruption Corruption usually refers to spiritual or moral impurity.Corruption may also refer to:* Corruption , an American crime film* Corruption , a British horror film... , violence Violence Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g... to increase |
Fulfilled and in progress | |
| Latter-day wickedness | Fulfilled and in progress | |
| Holy Spirit Holy Spirit Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of... ceasing to strive with wicked |
Fulfilled and in progress | In the Book of Mormon, those who the Spirit ceased to strive with often became violent and uncaring about their own salvation, or the souls of others. This oftentimes resulted in the warfare and destruction of entire groups of people. Recent current events that could be seen in such a manner could include the drug trafficking wars on the border of Mexico and the U.S., and some extreme terrorist acts. |
| Angels now reaping the earth | Fulfilled and in progress | It is commonly believed that this term refers to both missionary work, and to the destruction of the wicked. At this time missionary work is in progress, however the destruction of the wicked will not occur until the Second Coming. |
| War War War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political... s and rumors of wars |
Fulfilled and in progress | |
| Famine Famine A famine is a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors including crop failure, overpopulation, or government policies. This phenomenon is usually accompanied or followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic, and increased mortality. Every continent in the world has... s, depressions, and economic turmoil |
Fulfilled and in progress | |
| Lamanites to blossom as the rose | Fulfilled and in progress | According to the footnotes on Doctrine and Covenants 49:24, this is referring to the gospel going to the Lamanites, which are believed to be the American Indians. |
| Sorrow and fear | Fulfilled and in progress | It is believed that this will get worse as we get closer to the Second Coming. |
| Beginning of the construction of the Temple of the New Jerusalem Temple Lot The Temple Lot, located in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, is the first site to be dedicated for the construction of a temple in the Latter Day Saint movement... in Independence, Missouri Independence, Missouri Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area... |
Pending | In August 1831, the temple grounds were marked with a cornerstone by the leadership of the church, however the Latter-day Saints were evicted from Independence in 1833. A temple was started by the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) in 1927, but was soon abandoned. |
| Signs on earth and heavens | Fulfilled | The prophecy of Joel was declared fulfilled by then President Gordon B. Hinckley in a talk titled "Living in the Fulness of Times" in the 2001 October General Conference. (http://lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/living-in-the-fulness-of-times?lang=eng) While some may say that the moon turning to blood can be seen (for example, gazing at it through the smoke of a forest fire will give it a red color), most LDS members do not believe this is a fulfillment of this prophecy yet, and that there is a more dramatic appearance yet to be had. However there is one recorded experience of such an event that covered a fairly wide area known as New England's Dark Day New England's Dark Day New England's Dark Day refers to an event that occurred on May 19, 1780, when an unusual darkening of the day sky was observed over the New England states and parts of Canada. The primary cause of the event is believed to have been a combination of smoke from forest fires, a thick fog, and cloud... . |
| The gathering at Adam-ondi-Ahman Adam-ondi-Ahman Adam-ondi-Ahman is an historic site along the east bluffs above the Grand River in Daviess County, Missouri. According to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , it is the site where Adam and Eve lived after being expelled from the Garden of Eden... |
Pending | It is believed that Adam will convene a meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman to officially turn the government of the human family over to Jesus Christ. It is also believed that other patriarchal prophets throughout the Bible will gather there to return keys of their dispensation to Christ. Such an event as this would most likely not be made public knowledge because of the sacredness of the event; thus, fulfillment would be difficult to verify. |
| Final great war | Pending | It is believed that the nations will gather near Megiddo or the Valley of Jezreel which is located in the north part of Israel near the coast. |
| Fall of the great and abominable church Great and abominable church In the Latter Day Saint movement, the great and abominable church is an actual or metaphorical church described in the Book of Mormon and other revelations by Joseph Smith, Jr... |
Pending | |
| Special mission in Jerusalem of two latter-day prophet Prophet In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people... s |
Pending | See above: Two witnesses will be called to prophecy and preach within the land of Jerusalem |
See also
- Christian eschatologyChristian eschatologyChristian eschatology is a major branch of study within Christian theology. Eschatology, from two Greek words meaning last and study , is the study of the end of things, whether the end of an individual life, the end of the age, or the end of the world...
- End time: Mormonism
- EschatologyEschatologyEschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
- Mormon cosmologyMormon cosmologyMormon cosmology is the description of the history, evolution, and destiny of the physical and metaphysical universe according to Mormonism, which includes the doctrines taught by leaders and theologians of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Mormon fundamentalism, the Restoration...
- Second Coming of Christ