Comments about Professor Millet's Second Coming Articles

About a month ago I read an article on LDS Living by Robert L. Millet. He's a Professor Emeritus of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University.

Last September I'd read another of his articles, titled 5 Second Coming Myths and the Truth Behind Them, also on LDS Living. This article, found at

http://www.ldsliving.com/5-Second-Coming-Myths-and-the-Truth-Behind-Them/s/76618?utm_source=ldsliving&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=popular&utm_content=pop2170915, I thought was really good.

Here is the majority of his article, along with some highlights and comments of mine:

Myth #1: Every person on earth will have heard the message of the restored gospel before the Lord returns in glory.  

I suppose this idea has spread because of the Savior’s declaration on the Mount of Olives: “And again, this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come, or the destruction of the wicked” (Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:31).  

Elsewhere we read that “the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every creature, with signs following them that believe” (D&C 58:64). 

Yes, every man and woman who comes to planet earth will have an opportunity to hear and receive the fullness of the gospel, in his or her own tongue (D&C 90:11). But we all know that many of our Father’s children do not have that opportunity in this life; hence the powerful and expansive work of preaching the gospel that is going forward beyond the veil of death in the spirit world (D&C 138).  

In addition, the work of gathering—which is really missionary work, the process by which the people of the earth are gathered to Christ, his gospel, his doctrine, his Church, and to the congregations of the faithful (see 1 Nephi 15:13-15; 2 Nephi 6:10-11; 9:1-2; 10:7-8)— will go forward in the great Millennium, after his coming in glory. This gathering will be of such a magnitude as to cause all previous gatherings to almost fade into insignificance (see Jeremiah 16:14-17; 1 Nephi 22:24-25; 2 Nephi 9:2; 30:6-18; 3 Nephi 21:25-26). All will hear, to be sure, but not necessarily before the Master returns.   

Myth #2: Before Christ returns in glory, the faithful members of the Church will be asked to move to Missouri, to the Center Stake of Zion. 

For many years, persons who joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were expected to gather to Zion, to the headquarters of the Church—to Kirtland, Independence, Nauvoo, and the Great Basin. “Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered,” the Lord said in 1833. That is, the Center Stake of Zion is located in Independence, Missouri, and that will not change.  

However, Independence is not the only place Saints gather today or will gather in the future. “And behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed. . . for the work of the gathering of my saints—until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion” (D&C 101:17, 20-21; emphasis added). 

All of the people of the Church cannot, to use Isaiah’s metaphor, move to the center of the tent of Zion; we have been instructed to “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; . . . lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes” (3 Nephi 22:2).
In a future day, Independence and its surrounding areas will play a very significant role in the unfolding story of the Restoration, and individuals will be called and assigned by those in authority to work there. But the call to relocate to Missouri is not now, and will not be in the future, a charge to the Church membership as a whole. 

True Saints do not run before they are sent, nor do they run before their leaders. As the Church has grown and expanded throughout the earth, the Brethren have instructed members of the Church to remain in the wards and branches in the towns and cities where they are baptized, to help to establish Zion there. In our day, every ward and branch, every stake and district, is the gathering place for its members.  

While what Brother Millet has said is true, is is not complete. The New Jerusalem will be built before the Second Coming, so at least some of the faithful members will be called to return to the Missouri area. But, it certainly will not be ALL of the faithful members.

Myth #3: The faithful Saints will be spared the trials, calamities, and changes that will come upon the world before the Savior comes.While we must be positive and assume a wholesome and affirmative stance toward national and world conditions, in the end, what will be will be. The prophetic picture does not suggest that the world will get better, that everyone will suddenly (or even gradually) begin to keep the commandments and incorporate the teachings of Jesus into their lives.
All who stay on the gospel path will know the protection that comes only through faithfulness. The Prophet Joseph explained, however, that “it is a false idea that the Saints will escape all the judgments, whilst the wicked suffer; for all flesh is subject to suffer. . . . [Y]et many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease, to pestilence, etc. . . . So that it is an unhallowed principle to say that such and such have transgressed because they have been preyed upon by disease or death, for all flesh is subject to death; and the Savior has said, ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged’” (History of the Church 4:11).

I've read this myth in a few places. I think where the misunderstanding comes from is there are comments that many (but not all) of the faithful saints may be spared the worst of the the tribulations (plagues, destruction, etc.), if they are living so that they can be guided by the Holy Ghost. But, they will still face trials, tests, and other calamities in their lives.

And there are scriptures that state the righteous will be caught up at the last day, and won't be destroyed with the wicked at the Second Coming. However, the myth is that the Saints will be spared ALL the trials, calamities, and destruction that happens during the last days.

Myth #4: If we will live the gospel and purify our lives, we can hasten the Lord’s coming and help to usher in the glorious Millennium.To be sure, Latter-day Saints far and wide can strive to create a spiritual environment in their own homes that is, as President David O. McKay used to describe it, a little bit of heaven on earth.
We can seek to establish and move forward the cause of Zion (D&C 6:6; 11:6; 14:6; 21:7). We can assist Zion to acquire its destined beauty and holiness (D&C 82:14). We can help to “redeem” Zion (D&C 100:13; 103:15) through living the law of the celestial kingdom (D&C 105:5, 32). In summary, we can hasten the establishment of the earthly City of Holiness (Moses 7:19, 62), the place of the pure in heart (D&C 97:21), no matter where we live.
But the day of the Second Coming of the Lord in glory is fixed, set, established, just as was the day of his first coming. Isaiah or Nephi or Abinadi did not call upon the people to repent so that the Holy One of Israel could come into mortality sooner. The Second Coming may not be postponed by unbridled wickedness nor hurried by consummate righteousness.
“The God of heaven has ordained that day,” President Gordon B. Hinckley stated. “The prophets of all dispensations have spoken of it. We know not when it will come, but its dawning is certain.” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 1997, 577; emphasis added; see also Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, 1982, 26-27, 405.)

This is definitely another myth I've heard and read. I have long felt that we cannot change the time of the Second Coming. What we can "hasten" is preparing the world for the Great Day. We can hasten our efforts to become more faithful in keeping our covenants. If everyone in the world would repent and return to God it might be that there would be no destruction or calamities. But, since that is a highly unlikely possibility, and the scriptures are prime examples of how quickly people return to sin and become worse than before, we can expect the prophesied calamities to come.

Myth #5: No one, not even the most faithful Saints of God, will know the time of the Savior’s return. He will come “as a thief in the night.”Well, that’s certainly what the scriptures say (Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:40; D&C 39:21). We are told in the Bible that the Lord Jesus Christ will come “as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3). That is, he will come suddenly, unexpectedly, when the generality of humankind is unprepared, unready, not watching.
This need not, however, be the case with the Lord’s Saints. The Master clarified: “And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night—therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief” (D&C 106:4-5; emphasis added).
We may not know the specific hour or the day when our Lord will come, but we can know the season. In distinguishing between the children of darkness and the children of light, the apostle Paul used the analogy of a very pregnant woman (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6).
If Paul will excuse my wresting of his analogy, try to imagine a conversation with a woman who is horribly uncomfortable and extremely impatient for the delivery. “So, you’re going to have a baby, are you?” a rather insensitive man asks. “Yes, that seems to be the case,” she answers as she rolls her eyes. He asks: “And so when is the baby coming?” Stretch your imagination and try to picture her answering as follows: “Oh, I don’t know. I suppose no one really knows. It may be in a year or so, perhaps in a couple of years. I really cannot tell for sure.” Ridiculous, isn’t it? Her response would more likely be something like this: “Listen to me: I don’t know the exact minute when the baby will come, but this much I can say—It will be soon! It must be soon! The signs in my body tell me that it is any time now.”

I liked Millet's furthering of the example of the woman in labor. From all that I've read and studied I strongly agree that we can know the season of the Lord's Second Coming. I believe that when that day is nearer, it may be that our Prophet will be told of the day.

What Millet failed to mention about the "thief in the night" is that if the home owner knew when to expect the thief--that is what watch during the night--he would have been prepared and watching. Similarly, we can know the season and be watching.

Those who “are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived” (D&C 45:57) will sense and recognize the nearness of the return of the King of kings and Lord of lords. The spiritually sensitive members of the Lord’s Church, the body of Christ, will be in a readiness to read the signs and thus be prepared, even enthusiastic for that day that has been described as both great and dreadful. 

What I am concerned about is how many members of the Church, the body of Christ, are having their spiritual senses dulled, so they are not as sensitive as they should be, and need to be.

It is my hope that we will search the scriptures and attend carefully to the words of the Lord’s anointed servants. Only in this way will we avoid confusion, error, and distraction. Indeed, may we read the signs of the times by the lamp of humility and as guided by the Light of the world and those seers and revelators who represent him. 

This cannot be emphasized enough. There are too many who do not follow the Lord's anointed prophets, seers, and revelators.

Unfortunately there are also many who point to the prophets and say they will tell us when events will be happening. And, since none of the Prophets or Apostles have given us revelations concerning coming events we should ignore those who claim to have had visions and dreams of coming events.

As for the May article I read, here's that one, http://www.ldsliving.com/7-Things-That-Must-Happen-Before-the-End-of-the-World/s/80029?page=2#story-content, along with my comments.

Before I go on with the article, and my comments, I do not believe the Second Coming is likely to happen within the next few years. It'd be great if it did, though. It is also important to note that the world actually ends AFTER the Millennium, although there is the destruction of the wicked and baptism of the earth by fire at the Second Coming. I do find Millet's tone to be a little along the lines of "all is well" and we don't need to be concerned with the coming days.

7 Things That Still Need to Happen Before the World Ends

byRobert L. Millet | May 21, 2018 This seems to happen in a cycle, about every 30 or 40 years. I remember very well attending the October 1972 general conference and hearing President Harold B. Lee chasten and warn the holders of the priesthood about paying too much attention to what he called “loose writings” among them, cautioning us against jumping on every bandwagon and attaching ourselves to every eschatological craze, assuring us that we did not need to stress over “the coming crash” of our economy or our society.
Only weeks before he died, President Lee spoke to the students at Ricks College (now Brigham Young University-Idaho) and said: “Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, . . . and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. . . . This is the place of the New Jerusalem. . . This is the place . . . where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won’t fail.” President Lee then beckoned: “I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the location that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may have to pass through” (Ye Are the Light of the World, Deseret Book, 1974, 350-51).

The United States of America, is a promised land, and it was founded on the principles of Christianity and the belief in God. Throughout history, whenever a nation was founded in a similar manner, soon after they turn away from God, God ceases to support them as a nation. America is at that point.

Yes, we need to focus on the positive and good. But, we cannot afford to be blinded that "all is well."

President Lee's comments were in 1974. President Kimball and President Benson both had comments in later years about the state of the nation, along with warnings.

We cannot risk believing God will continue to favor America, and keep it from failing indefinitely, when the majority of the nation is turning from God, openly disobeying and flaunting God's established commandments and morals, and even beginning to force the acceptance of such disobedience.

Yes, this is the land where the New Jerusalem will be built, and where the Savior will appear in his temple. It is still a promised land. But, it is not a promised land to those who are wicked.

That’s still pretty wise counsel. For some strange reason, however, too many of us too often and too easily have our heads turned and our attention drawn to the sensational.

We absolutely need to watch ourselves so we are not caught up in the "sensational."

In much the same way that our society tends to flock to movies or other forms of entertainment that are loud or violent or that prey upon the lowest instincts of human nature, so there are Latter-day Saints who are always scurrying about in preparation for some new trauma in society—some feared tragedy that is about to strike the earth. Why do we fall for such stuff when in fact we have prophets and apostles who have been charged to direct the destiny of the Church of Jesus Christ in these last days? It was the prophet Amos who declared that the Lord would do nothing that He would not make known to and through His prophets (Amos 3:7).

This comment, or iterations of it, that just because God will reveal things to his prophets they will then tell us, raises my hackles (if I had any).

Yes, God WILL reveal things to his prophets. They will know of what God is going to do.

But, there is nowhere in any scripture that states the prophets will tell the people everything the Lord has revealed to them!

There are a number of accounts where prophets, particularly in the Book of Mormon, state that they want to be able to tell the people everything, but they are commanded NOT to do so.

There are even instances (Alma is one) where a prophet makes a prophesy but specifically states it is not to be revealed until after it happens.

It was to a small group of men who would be called to the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation that this significant word came: “And unto you it shall be given to know the signs of the times, and the signs of the coming of the Son of Man” (D&C 68:11; emphasis added).
My point is this: if the Lord Jesus Christ will be coming in a short while, wouldn’t His anointed servants be given some divine direction to help prepare the members of the household of faith for that great and terrible day? That the Brethren today seldom talk about this subject is a powerful affirmation that we need not panic about some impending doom or be too excited about the imminent return of the Savior.

At the same time, it may be that the Brethren seldom talk about this because members become too fixated and ignore what is more important: getting our homes and lives in order, where we are living faithfully and guided by the Holy Ghost. It has been my impression that the Brethren have become more focused on the the importance of faith, testimony, being guided by the Holy Ghost, receiving personal revelation, following the prophet, developing priesthood power, keeping our covenants, going to the temple, searching and pondering the word of God in the scriptures, keeping the Sabbath Day holy, obeying the commandments of God, etc.

To me it seems that the Brethren are more concerned that we are spiritual ready and prepared for what is coming than in specific signs of the last days.

Remember, the Church is global and the General Authorities speak generally when they speak to us in conferences. It would be highly unlikely for the prophet to warn people of an earthquake during General Conference when the warning would be more appropriate for a small region, if he was told to warn the people. It would also be less effective to give a region-specific warning in a general setting, than it would be to issue a warning to the people in the specific region. The other problem is too many members would take things out of context and believe such a warning would be applicable elsewhere, or try to find "hidden" meanings and messages.

Because of the seemingly increased emphasis on the basics of the Gospel, it seems to me that we do need to become better prepared. While physical preparedness can keep you alive, spiritual preparedness can guide you in the preparations, keep you safe, and help you thrive in the face and aftermath of a calamity. 

There are many, many things that must take place before Jesus Christ returns to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Second Coming will not take place next week or next month! While you and I certainly desire to be ready and fully prepared for His coming, we should not allow ourselves in the meantime to be ensnared by the newest faith-promoting rumor or to be caught up in the next spiritual fad. So what are some things that must take place before Christ begins to reign on planet earth?
 1. The gospel needs to be preached to every part of the world.“This gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end [of the world] come, or the destruction of the wicked” (Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:31). The Church has made tremendous strides in spreading the message of the restored gospel, but there are many, many untouched areas in the world, and not a few formidable frontiers that will require the hand of divine Providence before we are permitted to preach the restored gospel. President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled us: “If we will go forward, never losing sight of our goal, speaking ill of no one, living the great principles we know to be true, this cause will roll on in majesty and power to fill the earth. Doors now closed to the preaching of the gospel will be opened. The Almighty, if necessary, may have to shake the nations to humble them and cause them to listen to the servants of the living God. Whatever is needed will come to pass” (Conference Report, October 1997, 92).

This is interesting in how it relates to the first myth in Millet's previous article. While the Gospel will not necessarily be preached to every single person on the world in this life, it will be preached around the world.

A fallacy we can fall into, though, is to believe that the nations of the world will remain as they are until the Second Coming. There will be many nations which will change, either borders or as they are politically, between now and the Second Coming.

Some of the changes will be as metaphorical or physical barriers are broken down and the Gospel is allowed to enter the nation.

Other changes will happen due to war and destruction. There will be nations that will be humbled, and some will fall.

 2. Congregations of saints must be found all over the earth.“And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth” (1 Nephi 14:12; emphasis added). “This pertains to a day yet future,” wrote Elder Bruce R. McConkie. “The Saints of the Most High are not yet, as a people and with organized congregations, established upon all the face of the earth” (The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, Deseret Book, 1983, 55). In a general conference address he observed: “We see the Lord break down the barriers so that the world of Islam and the world of Communism can hear the message of the restoration; and we glory in the fact that Ishmael—as well as Isaac— and Esau—as well as Jacob—shall have an inheritance in the eternal kingdom” (Conference Report, April 1980, 98).

Congregations of the Church ARE found all over the earth. They may not be in every nation, and the congregations may be only a few members, but they are all over the earth.

Millet uses a quote from 1983 as justification that the day congregations will be found all over the earth is still in the future. It's been 35+ years and Saints are found in all corners of the world. Granted, the Gospel cannot, or is not able to, be preached in all areas of the world due to various political, religious, or other factors. But, if sometime like the sequence of events I recently posted about happens, http://fulnessoftimes.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-possible-sequencing-of-events-to.html, then there is still time for the Gospel to be preached around the world...but the world will be very different within another decade.

 3. Baptisms for the dead need to take place in the Holy Land (Jerusalem).“It is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for the dead” (D&C 124:36; emphasis added). At this point in time, we are not even in a position to conduct missionary work in the Holy Land, much less to build a temple and conduct baptisms for the dead. The Lord must first open the doors in that blessed land to the message of salvation, in order that the following prophecy may be fulfilled: “And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb” (Ether 13:11; emphasis added). That is, they must first hear and accept the message, be baptized by proper authority, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and unite with local Latter-day Saint congregations. In speaking of the Jews, Jacob, brother of Nephi, reminded his people that Jehovah had spoken to the Jews “by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God” (2 Nephi 9:2; emphasis added).

4. Church headquarters must be moved to Missouri.“The place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward” (D&C 57:3). Also, “Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered. . . . And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed” (D&C 101:17, 20). The Center Stake of the New Jerusalem, the headquarters of the Church, must be established in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. One need only take a moment and reflect on the enormity of the task of relocating Church headquarters one day in the future to realize that nothing of the sort foretold by “the preparers” of today will come to pass any time soon.

While I agree with Millet's statement that this won't happen anytime soon, I do have a couple issues with his statement.

First, there is nothing in the business or religious world that states an organizations headquarters has to also be its center of operations. The New Jerusalem is the center stake, but that doesn't mean most of the business operations of the Church could not still be done from Salt Lake City.

There are numerous business entities who have multiple "headquarters" but usually only one is where the leadership is location, and many of the other day-to-day operations occur at from other locations.

Why would anyone think the Church would completely move all its operations to the New Jerusalem? It makes more sense to set up a new headquarters for the Church leadership, and only move some parts of the Church's operations to the new headquarters when it becomes more practical.

However, this is assuming the New Jerusalem could be built.

Is there any way, in our current geo-political environment and increasing hostility towards religion, that the Church could possibly build the New Jerusalem in Independence and Jackson County, Missouri?

The simple answer is, no. There is no way, under the current, and worsening, state of affairs that Zion could be built.

There is no way politically that the Church will be allowed to build the New Jerusalem, even if the Church owns all of the land. The enemies of the Church will do all they can to put up regulations, restrictions, and other barriers to prevent the construction of a city, especially where a current city stands.

The most likely scenario is a cleansing of the area. But, even that would not be sufficient. The Federal government would then get involved, to restore land rights to the previous owners or relatives, or they would come in and claim eminent domain and seize control of everything.

So, the cleansing would have to include the Federal government as well, which means a cleansing of the nation is needed.

5. The Savior needs to appear in His temple.“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:1). This ancient prophecy, repeated in modern revelation (D&C 36:8; 42:36; 133:2), refers to one of the Savior’s preliminary appearances, a coming to his temple in Independence, Missouri, that takes place prior to His coming in glory. Elder Orson Pratt pointed out the Savior “will suddenly come to his Temple, and he will purify the sons of Moses and of Aaron, until they shall be prepared to offer in that Temple an offering that shall be acceptable in the sight of the Lord [see Malachi 3:3; D&C 13; 84:31]” (Journal of Discourses 15:365-66).

This is one of the appearances of the Savior prior to the official Second Coming. Obviously this can't happen until the temple in the New Jerusalem is built.

While this isn't likely to happen within the next few years, if you follow my possible sequence of events, it may happen as early as a decade from now. 

6. The great council/sacrament meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman needs to take place.“Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet” (D&C 116; see Daniel 7:9-14). This is another preliminary appearance of the Savior, a great priesthood council, the occasion for a large sacrament meeting, a time when the Son of Man will partake of the fruit of the vine once more with his earthly friends. And who will be in attendance? The revelations specify Moroni, Elias, John the Baptist, Elijah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Adam, Peter, James, John, “and also,” the Savior clarifies, “all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world” (D&C 27:5-14), multitudes of faithful Saints from the beginning of time to the end. It will be a leadership meeting, a time of accounting, an accounting for priesthood stewardships.
President Joseph Fielding Smith observed: “This . . . will be one of the greatest events this troubled earth has ever seen. At this conference, or council, all who have held keys of dispensations will render a report for their stewardship. . . . We do not know how long a time this gathering will be in session, or how many sessions will be held at this grand council. It is sufficient to know that it is a gathering of the Priesthood of God from the beginning of this earth down to the present, in which reports will be made and all who have been given dispensations (talents) will declare their keys and ministry and make report of their stewardship” (The Progress of Man [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1964], 481-82; compare McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, 582-84).

As Millet points out, this is another appearance of the Savior before the Second Coming. We don't know when this great council will take place, whether it's before, after, or during the building of the New Jerusalem.

Because most of the world, and even the membership of the Church, will not know when this event is happening, it's hard to justify this as a sign that we should look for. Still, it is an event that will happen before the Great Day of the Lord.

7. The sun must be darkened, the moon turned to blood, and the stars fall from the sky.“Before this great day shall come [before the Savior returns and the first resurrection resumes] the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall be turned into blood, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and there shall be greater signs in heaven above and in the earth beneath” (D&C 29:14; see also 34:9; 45:42).  The astral phenomena so often spoken of in apocalyptic literature (in Ezekiel, Daniel, Matthew 24, and the book of Revelation) has not taken place, nor will it until it is time for the Bridegroom to return and take his Bride, the sanctified Church of Jesus Christ.

I have some personal thoughts on this.

First, I do not believe this is a normal eclipse-like event. This event needs to be seen and witnessed around the world, not just confined to a relatively small region like an eclipse.

While there will likely be other phenomena in the skies and space, I suspect heavy pollution of the atmosphere to be the most likely cause for the sun to be darkened (the sun is still visible, it's just darkened), moon to be turned to blood, and for the stars to fall from view. The pollution will be caused from volcanic eruptions and numerous fires around the world. It could also be from heavy bombings, including nuclear explosions.

We could go on and on, enumerating signs of the times and prophetic events that have not as yet come to pass or been fulfilled. While we are certainly closer to the Second Coming than we were a year ago, and although many of the signs of the times have indeed been fulfilled, there is yet a great deal for the Lord to accomplish on this earth before Zion will be redeemed, the Saints have been sanctified, the work of the restored Church brought to fruition, and Zion communities established throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 

To be sure, we have work to do to prepare ourselves for the end of the world, the destruction of the wicked at the time of the Lord’s Second Coming in glory (Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:4, 31). Part of that work of preparation, however, is not to either create or spread an emotional frenzy or to frighten the Saints. It is not to assume an authority or presume to hold a stewardship that is reserved for the apostles and prophets. Such tactics are foreign to the Master’s way of operating His kingdom and in this case properly readying His people for that which is to come. Our task is to live a sane and balanced life, to proceed on the gospel path in a dignified and determined manner, to be active and involved and always in the mainstream of the Church. Therein is our safety. If we do these things, we have no need whatsoever to be alarmed.

I absolutely agree with Millet's final two paragraphs. We are getting closer to the Second Coming, but there is still a lot that needs to happen, and which we need to do.

We should not be in the market of fear-mongering, and we need to "live a sane and balanced life."

But, we need to remember that this "sane and balanced life" includes living the Gospel, being guided by the Spirit, and following the Lord's prophets. There are too many members who do not do these things.

While the calamities and destructive events of the last days should not be a sole focus, we cannot afford to ignore the fact that they will happen.

Part of being prepared is having an idea of what is likely to happen. Knowing possible events can help our preparedness. Ignoring the warnings makes us vulnerable.

If we are prepared spiritually and physically we can see the signs of the last days as they are: signs that the Lord's Second Coming is coming and is getting nearer!

If we are prepared we will not fall as easily to the fear and "emotional frenzy" that stirs people up to extremes.

If we are prepared, and following the Spirit, we can be better guided in our preparations, we can be ready for whatever happens, and we will be better positioned to serve when catastrophic events do occur.

In our travelling, the journey is not about the signs on the road. The signs are helpful markers, they are not our destination.

Our hopeful destination is the Great Day of the Lord, his Second Coming.

However, in the progress of our journey we need to be aware of the signs that have passed, and especially those to watch for. Without being knowledgeable of and prepared for the signs of the journey, we are setting ourselves and family up for a more challenging and difficult trek.