Signs As Divine Witness
From The Encyclopedia of Mormonism
See this page in the original 1992 publication.
Author: Shute, R. Wayne
Signs have been given by the Lord to manifest his power "both in heaven and in earth" (Jacob 7:14); to witness that Jesus Christ shall come (Jacob 7:14; D&C 39:23;68:10); to strengthen the faith of believers (D&C 35:8;58:64;84:65); and to ratify the condemnation of unbelievers (D&C 63:11).
In revealing his power in the heavens and on earth, God has used numerous signs and wonders. He "hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons; and their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets,…and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power" (D&C 88:42-47). Miracles performed by the power of God are signs of his might and majesty (cf. Ex. 7:3). He parted the Red Sea for the children of Israel after bringing the ten plagues upon the Egyptians (Ex. 7-12;14:1-31). He confirmed Gideon's divine call by several signs (Judg. 6:17-23, 36-40).
During his mortal ministry the Lord filled empty nets with fish after the disciples had fished all night but caught nothing (Luke 5:6). He healed the sick, raised the dead, caused the lame to walk and the blind to see, and calmed the storm (see Miracles). The foregoing, and with hundreds of other instances, attest to the power and might of God, both in heaven and on earth.
Signs strengthen the faith of believers and therefore are beheld by those who already believe in Christ as confirmations of their belief. Jesus Christ revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, "I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name" (D&C 35:8) and "he that believeth shall be blest with signs following, even as it is written" (D&C 68:10). Signs that follow faithful believers are many. They "shall heal the sick,…cast out devils, and shall be delivered from those who would administer…deadly poison," and if occasion warrants, they could even "raise the dead" (D&C 124:98-100; cf. Mark 16:17-18). In addition, faithful Saints have a comforting assurance, which comes to those who recognize the signs, that God's plans will not be frustrated (D&C 3:1;10:43)
In addition to manifesting God's power, signs have been given as a witness of the coming of Christ to earth. Latter-day Saints believe that signs were given to prepare the people for his coming in the meridian of time. King Benjamin declared, "And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming" (Mosiah 3:15). Mormon reports that among the Book of Mormon people, signs and wonders abounded prior to the birth of Christ in the Holy Land (3 Ne. 1:4-22) and before his visit to the Western Hemisphere (3 Ne. 8-10).
Of particular interest in the present dispensation of the fulness of times are signs pertaining to the second coming of Christ (see Second Coming of Jesus Christ). The Lord has revealed the signs of the times (1 Thes. 5:1-2) to guide the faithful in their preparation for the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" (D&C 110:14)-that is, for Christ's second coming to the earth. Thus, the faithful watch for the signs so that when the hour comes, it will be great, but not dreadful to them (cf. 1 Thes. 5:2-4).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie noted at least fifty-one different signs, many of which pertain to natural phenomena, that have been foretold, pointing to the second coming of Christ. These include earthquakes, famines, depressions, economic turmoil, strikes, anarchy, violence, disasters, calamities, disease, plague, and pestilence. At the same time, both worldly knowledge and gospel knowledge increase, holy temples are built throughout the earth, Israel is gathered, and the true gospel is preached in all the world (MD, pp. 715-34).
[edit] Bibliography
Smith, Joseph. TPJS, pp. 160, 198, 224, 262.
R. WAYNE SHUTE
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