3 Nephi 21-24
(and a little 25, 26 and 30, too)
Prophecies
Signs of the Times
3 Nephi 21
What does each of these signs mean?
Signs of the Times
3 Nephi 21
What are signs used for?
Signs of the Times
3 Nephi 21
Why is it important that a sign be posted properly and
that the message on the sign be easy to understand?
Signs of the Times
3 Nephi 21
The scriptures speak of the “signs” of the times. Why
would it be important to know about these signs?
What evidences do we have that an
Apostasy occurred?
3 Nephi 26:9-10
APOSTASY OR RESTORATION EVENTS
0
30
33
33-96
320
785
1000
1100
Christ born
Began ministry
Crucified
Apostles taught and were killed off
Constantine holds council at Nicea
Second Nicean Council- Saint Worship
Pope Joan (?)
Great Schism
APOSTASY OR RESTORATION EVENTS (con’t)
1200 Pope Innocent III – Indulgences /
Printing Press
1300 Renaissance
1492 Columbus
1515
Martin Luther
1523 Martin Luther excommunicated
1534 Henry VIII – Episcopalian Church
1540 John Calvin - Presbyterians
1560 John Knox – Puritans
1575
Bartholomew Day
APOSTASY OR RESTORATION EVENTS (con’t)
1620
1776
1805
1820
1829
1830
Puritans move to Boston
Revolutionary War – 3 Nephi 21:4
Joseph Smith born
First Vision
The Priesthood is Restored - 3 Ne 29:1-2
The Church is Restored - 3 Ne 21:5,7
APOSTASY OR RESTORATION EVENTS (con’t)
1836 - (3 Ne 25:5-6)
1844 - (3 Ne 21:9-10)
1846 - (3 Ne 21:23-25)
1947 - (3 Ne 21:26-28)
2013 - (3 Ne 24:8-11, $7B)
2012 - (3 Ne 22:2, Sierra Leon)
TODAY - (3 Ne 30:2)
Who has a testimony of the Apostasy and
Restoration?
Only True God, Jeffrey R. Holland, Oct. 2007
Signs of the Times
Based on commentary made by
Elder Bruce R. McConkie
(Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], 734.)
1. SPIRIT TO BE POURED OUT ON ALL
FLESH.
This promise was made by Joel and renewed by Moroni when he
appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith on Sept. 21, 1823. (Joel 2:2832; Jos. Smith 2:41, D. & C. 84:44-48.)
Working in the hearts of men in the dark ages, it caused them to seek
light, to translate the Bible. This is the spirit inspiring good men and
honest truth seekers in every nation, which has led to the great
discoveries, inventions, and technological advances of our modern
civilization.
2. DISCOVERY AND USE OF PRINTING
Perhaps no important discovery in world history ever faced such
intense and bitter opposition as arose over the use and spread of
printing. "We must root out printing," said the Vicar of Croydon from
his pulpit, "or printing will root us out." (Progress of Man, pp. 206215.)
Real freedom of the press itself was not assured for any reasonable
segment of mankind until the final adoption of the Constitution of the
United States in 1789.
3. PROTESTANT REFORMATION AND AGE
OF RENAISSANCE
Beginning in the 14th century, the Lord began to
prepare those social, educational, religious,
economic, and governmental conditions under
which he could more easily restore the gospel for
the last time among men. The spirit of inspiration
rested upon Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Zwingli,
Calvin, Knox, and others, causing them to rebel
against the religious evils of the day and seek to
make the Bible and other truth available to all who
would receive such.
4. DISCOVERY AND COLONIZATION OF
AMERICA
This land is "choice above all other lands" (Ether 2:7-12). Nephi noted
the spirit, “wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of
captivity, upon the many waters." Nephi saw the Revolutionary War,
with the new inhabiters of this new land being delivered by "the power
of God," while the wrath of God rested upon "their mother Gentiles." (1
Ne. 13:1-19.)
5. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AMERICAN
NATION.
We know by revelation that the United States was established so that
the Book of Mormon, containing as it does the fulness of the gospel,
might come forth with its message of salvation and so that the Lord's
true Church might be set up again on earth,
It was to be a nation in which no kings would be raised up, a nation
which would be fortified "against all other nations," so that all who
fought against it "shall perish. For he that raiseth up a king against me
shall perish." (2 Ne. 10:9-19.)
6. TRANSLATION AND PRINTING OF
BIBLE.
During the dark ages reading, writing, and a knowledge of the
scriptures were confined, almost without exception, to church
leaders. Because the people lacked the knowledge of the truth
they were more easily kept in bondage. The translation and
printing of the Bible became a mighty force opening the door to
progression and advancement in every field.
7. ESTABLISHMENT OF U.S.
CONSTITUTION
"No government can exist in peace, except such laws are
framed and held inviolate as will secure to each
individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and
control of property, and the protection of life." (D. & C.
98:4-10; 134.)
And for this purpose have I established the Constitution
of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up
unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the
shedding of blood." (D. & C. 101:76-80.)
8. LATTER-DAY REVELATION
The Father and the Son appeared personally to the
Prophet. Angels again minister to the faithful. The
gift of the Holy Ghost is poured out on thousands
of righteous church members. Visions, revelations,
gifts of the Spirit abound. By all these means the
predictions of the ancient scriptures as pertaining
to the last days are being fulfilled.
9. COMING FORTH OF THE BOOK OF
MORMON
The price in faith, toil, and blood which brought
forth this record in our day is incalculable. Many
prophets foretold events surrounding its
preparation, preservation, and final coming forth
in the latter-days as a sign that the restitution of
all things had commenced. (Isa. 29; Ezek. 37; 2
Ne. 3; 27; 29; 3 Ne. 21; Morm. 8.)
10. OPPOSITION TO THE BOOK OF
MORMON
Strange as it may seem to present day enemies of
the truth, their very opposition to the Book of
Mormon is one of the signs of the times. "A Bible!
A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be
any more Bible," brings forth this severe rebuke
from the Lord: "Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible,
we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. ...
Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall
receive more of my word?" (2 Ne. 29.)
11. RESTORATION OF KEYS AND
PRIESTHOOD
The priesthood and its keys becomes a sign that
the work reserved for the dispensation of
dispensations has commenced. John the Baptist,
Peter, James, and John, Michael, Gabriel, Elijah,
Elias, Moses, and Moroni have all come restoring
their keys, powers, and authorities. (D. & C. 13; 27;
128.)
12. RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL
Isaiah devoted so many whole chapters to the
great era of restoration (Isa. 2; 4; 5; 10; 11; 13; 18;
24; 29; 33; 34; 35; 51; 52; 54; 60; 63; 64; 65; 66.)
The promised restoration, destined to come by
revelation and angelic ministration, was seen by
John as taking place just before the day of
judgment. (Rev. 14:6-8; D. & C. 133:36-41.)
13. MESSENGER TO PRECEDE SECOND
COMING
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way
before me," (Mal. 3:1-6.) Both John the Baptist and the Prophet
Joseph Smith have ministered in our day in fulfilment of this
ancient prediction (D. & C. 45:9.)
14. CHURCH AND KINGDOM SET UP
AGAIN
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
the kingdom of God on earth. It is the kingdom set
up in the last days. (Dan. 2:31-45.) The keys of the
kingdom were given to Joseph Smith and Oliver
Cowdery in June, 1829, and the formal
organization of the kingdom took place on April 6,
1830. (D. & C. 20; 128:20.)
15. GROWTH OF THE CHURCH
The newly established kingdom would break in pieces all earthly
kingdoms and would remain forever. (Dan. 2:44 and Moses 7:6066.)
There will be an eventual millennial day when every living soul on
earth will come to Christ, for the knowledge of God shall cover the
earth as the waters cover the sea (Isa. 11:9; Hab. 2:14).
16. GATHERING OF ISRAEL
The apostles asked: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore
again the kingdom to Israel?" In reply the Lord said: "It is
not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the
Father hath put in his own power." (Acts 1:6-11.) In other
words, the promised gathering of Israel was yet future;
The keys of that gathering were conferred upon Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery by Moses on April 3, 1836, in
the Kirtland Temple (D. & C. 110:11), and since that day the
scattered remnants of Jacob have been leaving friends and
temporal pursuits in all nations, and with the spirit of
gathering resting mightily upon them.
17. TEN TRIBES TO RETURN
The gathering of Israel has been limited primarily
to the scattered Ephraim who had the birthright,
and to Manasseh, Judah and other tribes. But the
time is near when the lost tribes "who are in the
north countries shall come in remembrance before
the Lord," and shall come to Zion "with songs of
everlasting joy," to be crowned with blessings by
those of Ephraim who stand at the head. (D. & C.
133:26-34.)
19. RETURN OF JUDAH TO JERUSALEM
Judah is commanded to flee to Jerusalem in the
last days (D. & C. 133:13), and their return is given
as one of the signs that the times of the Gentiles is
being fulfilled. (D. & C. 45:25.)
20. JEWS TO 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.
Those able to abide that day will ask: "What are these
wounds in thine hands and in thy feet? Then shall they
know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them:
These wounds are the wounds with which I was
wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was
lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son
of God." (D. & C. 45:51-52; Zech. 12:8-14; 13:6.)
21. BUILDING OF LATTER-DAY TEMPLES
Isaiah foretold that the house of the Lord would be established
in the tops of the mountains just before the Second Coming.
(Isa. 2:1-5.) Micah repeated the same prophecy. (Micah 4:1-7.)
Ezekiel foretold the placing of a similar holy sanctuary (Ezekiel
37).
22. LORD TO COME SUDDENLY TO
TEMPLE
Malachi 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, as far as the Kirtland Temple
on the 3rd of April in 1836. (Mal. 3:1; D. & C.
110:1-10.)
23. SPIRIT OF ELIJAH AND
GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
Since the coming of Elijah, the hearts of people
everywhere, both in the Church and out, have
turned to their fathers. The time when
genealogical societies were first organized
constitutes relevant evidence that Elijah actually
came.
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. The saints have
been tormented, pushed about, persecuted,
reviled; when men join the Church, it begins;
when they leave the truth, their persecutors
become their friends.
25. PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS
The Lord said that thou "shalt be removed into all the
kingdoms of the earth. ... And thou shalt become a
byword among all nations whither the Lord shall lead
thee." (Deut. 28).
In Germany, Russia, Poland, and many nations, they
have been slaughtered, burned, driven, and scourged;
yet they have maintained their distinctive race and are
now and will continue to return to Jerusalem. Indeed,
their very persecutions have helped cause them to flee
unto Jerusalem
26. TRUE GOSPEL TO BE PREACHED IN
ALL THE WORLD
Missionaries work a modern miracle in carrying
again to the world the same identical gospel
preached by Christ and his apostles. (Jos. Smith
1:31; D. & C. 133:37.) Where else is there any
church or organization which can call upon scores
of thousands of its members to volunteer two or
three or more years of their lives, pay their own
expenses, and go forth carrying a message to the
world?
27. WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE TO
INCREASE
Never in the entire history of the world has there been
anything to compare with the great flood of worldly
knowledge that has swept the globe in modern times.
Every field — scientific, historical, sociological, artistic,
medicinal, governmental, economic, inventive, atomic,
judicial.
At "the time of the end," said Daniel, "many shall run to
and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Dan. 12:4.)
However, "in the last days," said Paul, men shall be "Ever
learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the
truth," that is, the truth about God and salvation. (2 Tim.
3:1-7.)
28. SCIENTIFIC AND INVENTIVE
PROGRESS
We have already seen the discovery and world-wide
use of radio, television, telephones, and wireless; of
steam engines, automobiles, airplanes, and railroads;
of electricity, atomic energy, and destructive weapons;
of medicinal advances, surgical achievements, and
wonder drugs. Some of the ancient prophets were even
permitted to see the latter-day use of airplanes and
armored tanks (Rev. 9:5-10), of trains and
automobiles (Nah. 2:3-5), and perhaps other
achievements, and to make records of their visions in
such descriptive terms as were then available to them.
29. DISEASE, PLAGUE, PESTILENCE
TO SWEEP EARTH
Men's hearts shall fail them. (Luke 21:26.) New
and unheard of diseases will attack the human
system. After the times of the Gentiles comes in
there shall be an overflowing scourge, and "a
desolating sickness shall cover the land." (D. &
C. 45:31.) The plagues and pestilences of the
past will be as nothing compared to what is yet
to be as the great winding up scene
approaches.
30. ELEMENTS IN COMMOTION
“There shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in
divers places" (Jos. Smith 1:29; D. & C. 45:33); when there
shall be "the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause
groanings in the midst of her [the earth], and men shall fall
upon the ground and shall not be able to stand." This is the
day when we shall hear "the testimony of the voice of
thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of
tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving
themselves beyond their bounds." (D. & C. 88:89-90.) In our
day there are to be dust storms, whirlwinds, tornadoes,
floods, and "a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the crops
of the earth." (D. & C. 29:16.)
31. DISASTERS AND CALAMITIES TO
ABOUND
"There are many dangers upon the waters, and
more especially hereafter. For I, the Lord, have
decreed in mine anger many destructions" (D. & C.
61:4-5, 14-15.)
32. STRIKES, ANARCHY, VIOLENCE, TO
INCREASE
The Lord's decree for this age is: "The whole earth
shall be in commotion." (D. & C. 45:26.) Signs of
this commotion are seen daily in the untempered
strikes and labor troubles that rock the economic
world; in the violence, compulsion, and
destruction; in an overthrow of the governments
of the world by force and violence.
33. LATTER-DAY WICKEDNESS
"Iniquity shall abound" (Jos. Smith 1:30).
Murder, robbery, rape, whoredoms, every form of
sex immorality, and all forms of crimes against
persons and property truly abound. And all these
iniquities receive anything but deterrence from the
common run of movies, radio and television
broadcasts, comic books, and other cheap and
degrading so-called literary efforts.
34. SPIRIT CEASING TO STRIVE WITH
WICKED
“I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth" (D. &
C. 63:32), "for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith
the Lord of Hosts." (D. & C. 1:33.)
When men rebel, the spirit ceases to strive with them; they are
left entirely to their own devices and to the influence of the devil,
and then they are ripe for destruction.
"The Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan
had full power over the hearts of the people; for they were given
up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their
minds that they might be destroyed." (Ether 15:19.)
35. PEACE TAKEN FROM EARTH
The Lord said: "The hour is not yet, but is nigh at
hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth,
and the devil shall have power over his own
dominion." (D. & C. 1:35.) Later Elder George A.
Smith said: "Peace is taken from the earth, and
wrath and indignation among the people is the
result; they care not for anything but to quarrel
and destroy each other.” (Journal History, Sept.
23, 1855.) Never again will there be peace on earth
until the Prince of Peace comes to bring it.
36. ANGELS NOW REAPING THE EARTH
"The angels are waiting the great command to reap down the
earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and,
behold, the enemy is combined." (D. & C. 38:12.)
President Wilford Woodruff said: "Calamities and troubles are
increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things.
... Great changes are at our doors. The next 20 years will see
mighty changes among the nations of the Earth." (Discourses
of Wilford Woodruff, p. 230) It is interesting to note that
almost 20 years later to the day, June 28, 1914, the Archduke
Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated, thus initiating the first
World War
37. WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS
"I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the
earth," the Lord has said as pertaining to our day, "and the wicked
shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man." (D. & C.
63:33.)
Warfare as we know it, modern warfare, commenced with the Civil
War. Probably there has not been a day since April 12, 1861, when the
first shots were fired on Fort Sumpter. When a shaky peace comes in
one place, blood begins to flow in another, which condition will
continue until it is climaxed by the great war.
38. FAMINES, DEPRESSIONS, AND
ECONOMIC TURMOIL
There will be depressions, famines, and a
frantic search for temporal security. We may
expect to see the insatiable desire to get
something for nothing result. Economic
inequalities cause riots, bloodshed, hunger,
commotion, turmoil, and panics. These are all
signs of the times.
39. APOSTATE DARKNESS
COVERS EARTH
As Paul wrote to Timothy: "This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come(2 Tim. 3:1-5.) By modern revelation we are
told: "Darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of
the people.” (D. & C. 112:23-24.)
40. MANY FALSE CHURCHES IN LATTERDAYS.
"There shall also arise false Christ, and false prophets, and
shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if
possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect
according to the covenant." (Jos. Smith 1:22; Rev. 13:13-14.)
“There shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it
mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But
wo unto such for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the
bonds of iniquity (Morm. 8:26-41.)
41. REFUSAL OF MEN TO BELIEVE SIGNS
OF TIMES
"There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own
lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were?" (2 Pet. 3:3-4.)
That is, in effect, these scoffers are saying, "Why be so gullible as to
believe that earthquakes, floods, famines, pestilence, wars, iniquity,
and all similar conditions are signs of the last days? Have not these
same conditions existed from the beginning of time?"
42. SIGNS ON EARTH AND IN HEAVENS
"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." (D. &
C. 45:39-42; Joel 2:30-31.)
Perhaps atomic and hydrogen bombs are a prelude to a yet greater
fulfilment of this revelation. Certainly modern wonders as now seen in
the heavens and on earth.
43. LAMANITES TO BLOSSOM AS THE
ROSE
"Before the great day of the Lord shall come, the Lamanites shall
blossom as the rose. Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon
the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I
have appointed." (D. & C. 49:24-25.)