Times of Tribulation

Tumultuous events that will occur prior to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ are known as the End Times, Times of Tribulation, or the Signs of the Times.

In what is known as the Olivet discourse, Jesus Christ answered his disciples’ question, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” by foretelling conditions and events that would serve as warning signs to His faithful followers.

Clarification through Revelation

The New Testament accounts of Christ’s sermon on the Mount of Olives to His Apostles intersperse His statements about the destruction of Jerusalem with the end of the world. In 1831, the Lord clarified to Joseph Smith, first president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what He had told His disciples anciently. Joseph Smith—Matthew, which is a revised text of Matthew 24, first details the trials that will come upon the Jews and Jerusalem, one of the questions His disciples asked (see Matthew 24:1–3). Then the text details the second coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world, answering His disciples’ other question. Through this reorganization, the revelation given to Joseph Smith clarifies the New Testament text. Without this clarification, it seems that Jesus is saying that His return would coincide with the destruction of the temple. Some of the signs occur both anciently and at the end of the world.

List of the Signs

False Christs and false prophets will deceive many (Matthew 24:5, 11, 24; JS—Matthew 1:22).

Wars and rumors of wars will be widespread (Matthew 24:6; JS—Matthew 1:23).

Nations will rise against nations (Matthew 24:7; JS—Matthew 1:28–29).

False reports of Christ’s return will occur (Matthew 24:26; JS—Matthew 1:25–26), but the Second Coming of Christ will be obvious (Matthew 24:27; JS—Matthew 1:26).

The Lord’s elect will be gathered (Matthew 24:28; JS—Matthew 1:27).

Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes will take place in divers places (Matthew 24:7; JS—Matthew 1:29).

Because iniquity will flourish, love toward each other will diminish, or wax cold (Matthew 24:12; JS—Matthew 1:30).

The gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached throughout the world (Matthew 24:14; JS—Matthew 1:31).

The Coming of Jesus

Thankfully, the Lord promises that these days of tribulation will be shortened for His elect’s sake (see Matthew 24:22; JS—Matthew 1:20). Immediately following the Times of Tribulation, Christ will come.

After the tribulation of those days, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken, then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. (JS—Matthew 1:36; see Matthew 24:29)

Purpose for the Signs

Jesus Christ wants His followers to watch for His Second Coming and prepare for it (see Matthew 24:42; JS—Matthew 1:46). The signs act as a promise of His return, and a source of peace for those who wait faithfully for Him.

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Prophetic Counsel

Latter-day prophets have spoken about these Times of Tribulation. President Russell M. Nelson spoke during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, "In the past several weeks, most of us have experienced disruptions in our personal lives. Earthquakes, fires, floods, plagues, and their aftermaths have disrupted routines and caused shortages of food, staples, and savings. Amidst all of this, we commend you and thank you for choosing to hear the word of the Lord during this time of turmoil by joining with us for general conference. The increasing darkness that accompanies tribulation makes the light of Jesus Christ shine ever brighter." ("Hear Him," April 2020 General Conference)

He has continually offered counsel about living in Times of Tribulation prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:

• I assure you that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, love you. They are intimately aware of your circumstances, your goodness, your needs, and your prayers for help. Again and again, I pray for you to feel Their love for you. Experiencing Their love is vital, as it seems that we are accosted daily by an onslaught of sobering news. You may have had days when you wished you could don your pajamas, curl up in a ball, and ask someone to awaken you when the turmoil is over. But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,” He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful. ("Overcome the World and Find Rest," October 2022 General Conference)

• I am optimistic about the future. It will be filled with opportunities for each of us to progress, contribute, and take the gospel to every corner of the earth. But I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation. Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. ("Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives," April 2018 General Conference)

• Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority. In a world filled with dizzying distractions, how can we do this? Regular worship in the temple will help us. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him. As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world. We experience the pure love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in great abundance! We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world. Here is my promise to you: Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple. You will feel His mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions. You will better comprehend the joy of His gospel. ("The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again," October 2024 General Conference)