Coming Trials
I thought the linked
article about the Dead Sea was interesting,
I think it's applicable to the last days in
general. Just as it seems the Dead Sea has signs that it can return to life,
but most people haven't noticed the signs of life all around (and apparently at
the bottom of the sea as well), the signs of the last days are all around us.
Those who are heeding the words of the prophets are becoming prepared for the
changes that are coming.
I think it's always
interesting to discuss the signs of the times, and possible timelines, or I
should say possible sequences of events since giving an actual time table is
more speculative.
The test of faith is
what we can all expect. I do not think most have had trials enough to really
test their faith, which is a big reason I do not believe an invitation to
gather (the call-out) will happen until after several big events occur. I know
there are some who seem to think the call-out happens before the Utah
earthquakes, but there will be at least one big Utah earthquake (not including
aftershocks) before a gathering occurs. And the invitation to gather, and
resulting camp, will be a time of trials as well.
For most people,
life is fairly "normal" and this normal is what we expect. We need to
be aware of normalcy bias, because this blinds us to events that could severely
disrupt our lives. Becoming prepared, and continually working on our preparedness
helps us fight normalcy bias. In an event that disrupts our "normal"
life faith can be severely tested if we have not already learned to trust in
the Lord. Because there has not been a huge normalcy affecting event in Utah
(such as a big earthquake), I don't think the faith of most has been really
tested.
When that first
quake happens, faith will be tested. Some will essentially take it in stride,
trusting in the Lord. Some will wake-up from their normalcy bias and realize
things are not as they seem, and the prophesied events are unfolding and
happening all around. Hopefully you will have already stocked up your food and
supplies before that event because those who wake up will be rushing to get
their food storage. But, there will be many who will just be glad the
earthquake wasn't worse, and believe it will be a long time before another
really big earthquake strikes. These people will seek to return to their
"normal" life as quickly as possible and continue to ignore the
warnings all around. Many will accuse those who say a worse quake is coming as
fearmongering.
It is my opinion the
first real earthquake (probably a 7.0 or higher) will likely be the point the
Lord refers to in D&C 112:25 "And upon my house shall it begin, and
from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord."
Actually, I think
this may refer to both the beginning of the real times of turmoil, and then
possibly the monster quake that occurs later may be the beginning of the more
destructive calamities, sometimes referred to as judgment-level destructions,
or cleansing events.
How long after this
first warning earthquake will the really big one happen? From some readings it
seems it could be less than a year. I think it could be 3-7 years later,
depending on how many people become repentant, return to God, and then how
quickly the majority return to wickedness.
As for the diseases
and plagues, I do not know what will happen or when. I believe we have already
started to see the beginnings of these. Part of it, I think, is also applicable
to more antibiotic resistant bacteria strains beginning to be seen. Lesser known
diseases becoming more common, such as Zika, Dengue, and Ebola, are another
part. And, previously unheard of diseases (at least to western civilization,
such as the tick-borne disease,called Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, showing
up in western Europe) or how diseases are transmitted are beginning to make an
appearance. In February 2016, the CDC announced the discovery of a new
Lyme-disease-causing bacteria. Even diseases thought to be eradicated or left
in history, like the bubonic plague, are showing up again (thankfully in small
numbers).
Other possible
diseases might even be from the past. A virus was resurrected from the
permafrost after 30,000 years (http://www.livescience.com/43800-giant-virus-found-permafrost.html),
but it doesn't pose a threat except to single-cell organisms, and doesn't
resemble pathogens known to be harmful to humans. But what if it mutated and
could spread to humans? Another example is a discovery of a 500,000 year-old
bacteria in the permafrost with intact DNA. The specimen was
"sterilized…with a massive dose of Gamma-rays" to "prevent any
(and hypothetical) contamination of involved researches" (http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/history-of-geology/mammoth-mummies-mysteries/).
Sounds very much along the lines of science fiction, but then again science
fiction from the past is becoming the reality of today.
And there are
genetically engineered diseases. Most, to my understanding, are modified from
existing pathogens.
Consider this: If
you were going to invade or attack what is considered the most powerful nation
in the world, it would be prudent to disable that nation as much as you can. If
you could kill or disable a quarter to a third (or more) of the population, and
very likely overwhelm the emergency response system, including stretching thin
the resources of the National Guard, and law enforcement, that would be a
valuable pre-emptive strike. The best type of bio-engineered pathogen would be
highly contagious, airborne transmissible, and able live for a long time
outside of a host. So, the best time (I think) to launch such an attack would
be late spring or summer when more people are outside, and then to target a few
key venues where a lot of people will go through in a short time. A pathogen
requiring close or physical contact to be passed on would work better in the
winter when people are more confined indoors.
If you could affect
that nation's economy at the same time, maybe through an oil embargo, it would
be a bonus.
After that (maybe
after a time period of several weeks to a few months) you could take out much
of the communication and electrical infrastructure with several EMP strikes,
followed by a few nukes on major cities and key military installations, and
then the actual invasion, which would need to come from at least the two
coasts, but ideally from the coasts as well as the north and south borders. If
you believe the invasion can be quick, mid-to-late fall might be a good time
for the main invasion. That way any survivors would still have to face the
winter, and it may make their surrender/submission easier. And your forces
could mostly hunker down for the winter if it gets too bad while the populace
tries to recover (with fewer people) from the bio-attack and downed electrical
infrastructure.
The ideal time to
launch the bio-strike would be after multiple natural disasters, such as after
some big earthquakes on the west coast and maybe a hurricane on the east, that
stretch the nation's resources to the limit.
Until that time, you would just continue to build up your military and
try to perfect the bio-weapons, including a possible vaccine for your own
people in case the bio-weapon got out of control.
And, before the
bio-attack maybe you could, through foreign operatives, engage that nation's
military in foreign conflicts (outside of your own country) to stretch their
resources and divide their strength on multiple fronts, during which time you
would be able to monitor and observe tactics, strategies, and capabilities.
Maybe some uprisings in former Soviet countries to return to Russian control?
Maybe a rogue nation attacking a neighboring country? Along with whatever
terrorist events might come along the way.
Based on what I've
read, I think the invitation to gather will very likely come before the
outbreaks of some very serious, plague-level, diseases. Whether they are
natural, man-made, and/or bio-terrorist acts doesn't really matter, because
they are coming. I think these will be included among the "overflowing
scourge," "desolating sickness" and "desolating
scourge" events mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants, but there are
probably others as well.
It is my
understanding that those who have gathered will not be completely exempt, but
there will be far fewer who fall ill and the effects will generally be
lessened, due to prayers, fasting, and priesthood blessings.
Regarding
quarantines, I think we may see some level of self-quarantine for areas that
have not been hard hit. But in the event of massive outbreak, the government
could very well take control and forcibly quarantine people, testing everyone
and essentially triaging them into healthy/uninfected, possibly-infected, and
infected locations (maybe camps or designated buildings).
An outbreak that
kills many of those who get infected would negatively affect the economy.
It would not take
much of the population to die for the economy to be adversely affected. Maybe
as little as a tenth and definitely a quarter would have severe consequences on
the economy. If a third will killed off, the economy would be devastated. Think
about everyone you come in contact with on a daily basis who has a job. If a
third of those people died, and nobody was able to fill the openings, what kind
of ripple effect would it have? Imagine how expensive things would get if a
third of the truckers (and others involved with transportation of goods) were
removed and there was nobody to take over the demand. It would only get worse
if half the population were gone.
And, seeing how the
economy is constantly being propped up, instead of allowing for more market
corrections, those plagues, combined with the natural disasters that will be
happening, will help the economy collapse. I think there may be a short time
(maybe as short as a couple months) of hyper-inflation, as goods become more
scarce, followed by a dollar collapse, when printed money becomes worthless.
That is when silver
and gold would be more useful as a means of barter and exchange. But, if the
gathering (the first call) has already taken place, those who have gathered
won't have much use for the gold and silver unless they need to return to
"civilization," such as for a rescue mission. There will be some who
will be asked to stay behind, after the initial call to gather, for a short
time. Gold and silver may be useful to those people. I don't think the use of
gold and silver will last long (again, maybe only a few months) before the
government completely takes over and full martial law is implemented, which
would likely result in all gold and silver being confiscated. By then
biometric-personal-ID systems (chips) will most likely be in full use and any
commonly accepted "currency" will be digital, and the use of physical
money may become outlawed.
A side note
regarding the economy, I am not a financial consultant, investor, economist,
accountant, tax advisor, etc. I believe we shouldn't ignore retirement
planning, because things may end up being years away. But, we must be prepared
physically. As the saying goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Food storage, supplies, camping equipment, and related items must be top
priority. In a long-term emergency, having food on hand will be more valuable
than millions of dollars locked up in financial accounts.
If anyone thinks
they will be able to withdraw all the money from their account(s) or close/sell
off investments in a hurry, such as when it looks like things will fall apart,
they will be sadly disappointed. There are limits to how much you can withdraw
and transfer, limits in amounts and time constraints. If you try to get more
than $10,000 you will likely be facing a waiting period. It took over a week
before I was able to pay off a big credit card balance, even though I had the
funds available. If the market is crashing, it's probably too late anyway. So,
be aware that your money, in whatever financial institution or instrument it is
in, will likely not be available in the event of an emergency. And, depending
on what is happening, you might end up losing it all. But, we are counseled to
include a financial reserve among our preparations. And, for now, unless the
Spirit directs you otherwise, a financial institution (my preference is a local
credit union) is generally the safest place for your money. We need to be wise
with our finances, and get out of debt.
We definitely need
to increase our physical and spiritual preparations. There are a lot of people
who have been feeling the need to get better prepared.
I think the really
big events are still a few years away, but not necessarily the first Utah
earthquake. However, I think the opportunity to get prepared, and to increase
preparations, is short. I think we may have one or two more years before it
becomes difficult to get much food storage and extra supplies. Those who are in
tune with the Spirit have been receiving the promptings to get prepared and to
increase their preparations.
Those who will build
up Zion are those who will have been "chastened and tried, even as
Abraham" (D&C 101:4). The Lord will test our faith, and we must become
sanctified to become his people. Included with the trial of faith, I think, is
that things often do not happen as soon as, or when, we expect, which may be
part of the reason why the hearts of men "shall fail them, and they shall
say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth" (D&C
25:26). We too easily get caught up in somebody's prediction based on some
justifiable analysis (such when the Jubilee year is, blood moons, etc.), or
think someone has made a made a date prediction, when they didn't but someone
else interpreted what was said as setting a timeframe or date. We, generally
speaking, need to be better at trusting in God and not what man says.
Part of our trials
include whether we follow the counsels of the prophets (including getting
prepared and storing food and supplies), listen to and heed the promptings of
the Spirit, and put our trust in the Lord. Then we can be ready if something
happens in the next few months, in 4 years, 7 years, or if we are to be
teaching our children to be ready.
Those are some of my
thoughts. I appreciate the insights, thoughts, and comments of others.
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