When the Shaking Comes: Finding the Light in the Prophetic Storm

Brothers and sisters, sometimes the world feels less like a steady stream and more like a tidal wave—a series of unprecedented shakings, pandemics, and global anxieties. When the headlines are screaming about mystery, catastrophe, and what seems utterly inexplicable, it’s easy to feel adrift. We look at the chaos, and we whisper, “What is the pattern? What is the meaning?”

It can feel overwhelming, can’t it? Like the veil is thinning, and all the ancient questions are being shouted into the open air. As returned missionaries, we’ve seen the world through the lens of the gospel—through the intensity of missionary discussions, the quiet moments of revelation in the field, and the profound commitment of the covenant path. And what we learn, time and time again, is that even in the deepest fog, the Spirit whispers the pattern.

Recently, I was reading up on some of the prophetic writings, and I came across a discussion about ancient mysteries—the kind that make you pause and think, “Wait, is there a thread connecting all of this?” It touches on prophecies that seem to speak directly to the timing and nature of modern crises. It reminds me so much of our time studying the Book of Mormon, where every record, every passage, seems to point toward a central, unfolding truth about the Restoration.

It’s natural to want to fit every modern event into a neat, prophetic box. But as we disciples of Jesus Christ, we must remember that the ultimate mystery isn't the *timing* of the shaking; it’s the *response* to it. The core message, the one that never changes, is the call to return to our God. The Lord is calling us back, and He is doing it as never before.

What struck me most, after watching that talk, was the emphasis on the *wake-up call*. These events, whether they are plagues, global shifts, or personal trials, are designed to shake us out of complacency. They are divinely orchestrated opportunities—or perhaps, divinely allowed moments—for us to turn our hearts back to the covenants we’ve made.

This brings to mind the beautiful principle of becoming Christlike. When we feel overwhelmed by the world’s noise, where do we anchor ourselves? We anchor ourselves in the Spirit, in the teachings of the restored gospel, and in the sacred fellowship of the Church. Our mission preparation isn't just about memorizing questions; it’s about developing the spiritual resilience to answer the hard questions with grace, knowledge, and love.

If you’re feeling the pull of these big questions right now, I want to suggest something practical. Instead of just reading about prophecy, let's study the scriptures together. I’ve been diving deep into the social scripture study layer in LivingBook lately, focusing on passages related to covenants and vigilance. It’s a wonderful way to engage in deep scripture-discipleship without needing a formal group setting.

For those of you who are feeling the call to serve, whether you're preparing for your own mission, or if you're a seasoned returned missionary feeling the pull back into the field, remember that every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Don't wait for the assignment; live the assignment.

To help us keep digging into these deep truths, I highly recommend checking out some of the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. If you want to talk through some of the tougher doctrinal points—the kind of questions that make you pause and think—I’ve been using Davee as my co-pilot. He’s fantastic at walking through the hard questions an investigator might ask, really helping you build your confidence for those crucial missionary discussions.

If you’re looking for community to discuss these ideas further, consider joining a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. Let’s keep the light burning brightly, no matter how dark the surrounding world gets. The Lord is calling us home, and we are ready.