If the lead story on the news tonight was about atmospheric conditions changing due to global warning and a forecast of a day with longer sunlight hours, would I think twice about it? If they said that their computers models show a sunspot heading toward us that might give us a night or two like Alaska, would I recognize the symbol of the second coming of Jesus Christ? If that was forecast, would the prophet let us all know that it was THE sign not just a freak weather phenomenon?
It worries me a little that these days we have a scientific answer for everything. We explain everything in advance. There are press conferences to tell us that someone is going to announce something. With the technology we have, are we better off than the Nephites, or just more callous to the signs of our time?
I was reading the first couple chapters of 3rd Nephi the other day and some things jumped out at me.
8 . . . they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.
Am I steadfastly watching for the signs now? Do I go outside every night hoping that it won't get dark so that I know my faith isn't in vain? Maybe I should. Maybe I should be that excited and diligent.
9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.
Is it going to get down to the very last night this time--when all those who believe will be put to death if they don't deny? With the spread of anti-Christian belief all around the world, I'm beginning to wonder.
10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.
It sounds pretty dire when a prophet is praying that his people won't be killed because of their faith, but he got the answer:
14 . . . And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.17 And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth.18 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.19 And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.
Today, in our modern world, would we see the sign? Would we be "greatly astonished?"
21 And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be lyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.
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