Navigating the Signs: Staying Grounded in the Gospel Amidst the Noise

Brothers and sisters, as we gather together, whether in the temple, in a home meeting, or even just over coffee while doing our part of the work, sometimes the world outside feels like a constant, roaring storm. We hear things—from the news, from friends, even from well-meaning but unscripted online discussions—about the "signs of the times." Are we there? Are we at the end? It can feel like every natural disaster, every cultural shift, and every headline screams, "The end is nigh!"

It’s natural to seek understanding, and I know we all want to be prepared. We want to know what the Lord wants us to focus on. When I was first learning to navigate these deep scriptural waters, I remember feeling that same anxious pull—the need to have all the answers right then and there. It’s easy to get caught up in cataloging every supposed sign.

If you're feeling that pull right now, I want to share a perspective that helped me refocus my heart: the signs are meant to draw us *to* the Savior, not distract us *from* Him. The scriptures, and the Spirit, guide us to the central truth: no matter what the world presents, the gospel of Jesus Christ remains the unwavering bedrock.

Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize

We can certainly study prophecy, and I encourage you to dive deep into the scriptures with us. If you’re looking for solid, comprehensive study, check out the resources available in LivingBook, or join a Book Club through HolyPlaces. But as we explore the natural signs—the earthquakes, the social shifts, the technological leaps—we must remember the counsel of the Prophet Joseph Smith: focus on building Zion *now*.

The message we receive today, through the Spirit, is consistent: While the world may exhibit signs of rebellion—the things that cause us to look around and say, "Wow, things are bad"—the divine response is never fear. The divine response is always grace, repentance, and missionary effort.

A Disciple’s Synthesis: What Matters Most

When I look at the spectrum of signs—the natural, the spiritual, the societal, the technological—I realize that the most profound fulfillment of prophecy isn't a list of impending doom, but the consistent, global outpouring of the Spirit and the gathering of Israel. That is the work! That is what we are called to participate in.

“But know this, my beloved brethren, that in the last days will come tribulation, and the doctrine of the lawlessness will be filled with the filthiness of mouth, and the teachings of men will be contrary to the truth.”

This passage, and others like it, aren't meant to scare us into paralysis. They are meant to sharpen our focus. They are meant to remind us that the stakes are eternal, and the remedy is singular: faith in the Savior.

This brings me to a little piece of mission prep I wanted to share. When you feel overwhelmed by the "big questions," I recommend returning to the fundamentals of the Plan of Salvation. If you can clearly articulate the difference between earning grace and receiving grace, you have a powerful anchor for any missionary discussion. It centers the conversation on Christ, where it belongs.

We are the rogue disciples—the ones who refuse to let the noise drown out the whisper of the Spirit. We are the ones who know that every member can be an Internet missionary, a disciple anywhere, all the time.

If this talk helped steady your heart, I invite you to join our next online gathering! We’re diving into the Book of Mormon covenant path next week. Keep an eye out for the invite. And if you want to practice wrestling with these deep questions before we meet, I highly recommend chatting with Davee. He’s excellent at walking through the hard questions an investigator might ask about prophecy!