When Shall These Things Be? Anchoring Our Hearts in the Doctrine of the Covenant

The perennial question echoes through the ages, a question that has prompted earnest inquiry in every generation of Latter-day Saints: “When shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

It is a natural human inclination to seek markers, to plot the accelerating rhythm of global turmoil against a timeline. We observe the rise and fall of nations, the increasing frequency of natural calamities—earthquakes, floods, and famines—and the temptation to extrapolate a precise date is strong. We are taught to study the scriptures, to pore over the words of the prophets, and to seek patterns in the unfolding drama of history.

Yet, as Elder Ballard so powerfully reminded us, the Lord’s response to the disciples was not a timetable, but a profound warning and a directive for discipleship. When we approach the subject of the Second Coming, we must guard against the spirit of presumption. The Savior taught, and the Spirit confirms, that the precise timing is known to none.

The Warning Against Deception

The initial counsel was stark: “Take heed that no man deceive you.” This is the doctrinal bedrock upon which our preparation must rest. The world, in its relentless pursuit of certainty, is rife with those who claim to possess divine knowledge or prophetic exception. To claim to know the precise day is to walk dangerously close to the very deception the Savior warned against. We are called to be discerning, relying not on sensationalism, but on the solid, enduring truths found in our doctrines and covenants.

The scriptures teach us that while the signs of the times—wars, pestilences, and kingdoms rising against kingdoms—are indeed unfolding with alarming regularity, these are not signs of immediate culmination, but rather signs of the ongoing struggle of the latter days. These events are to be endured, not feared, for they are part of the pattern of the Atonement and the work of the Restoration.

Where Our Focus Must Reside

If the *when* is veiled by divine prerogative, what then is the *how*? The answer, illuminated by the Spirit and confirmed by the words of our modern prophets, is crystal clear. Safety, peace, joy, and security are not found in predictive models or geopolitical analysis. They are found only in the life and mission of Jesus Christ.

“Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

Our response, as disciples, must mirror the profound commitment required of those who have been called to the covenant path. This means embracing the teachings, repenting diligently, and doing all that is within our power to come unto Him in a true spirit of discipleship. It is through His grace, after all we can do, that we are saved.

This principle must permeate our study, our calling, and our daily lives. The Spirit guides us away from the speculative and toward the sacred: the temple covenants, the study of the Book of Mormon, and the unwavering testimony of the restored gospel. We are not merely observers of history; we are active participants in the ongoing work of the Restoration, building our lives upon the Rock of Christ.

Let us take the counsel to listen—to put our ear to the curb, as the anecdote illustrated—and listen for the quiet, persistent whisper of the Spirit, rather than the loud clamor of temporal anxiety. That listening, that deep spiritual receptivity, is the most powerful tool we possess for these exciting, trying times.