No Collateral Damage

For over two thousand years Christians have speculated on the end of the world. Even before our Lord carried-out His great Atonement His apostles were asking about the end. Jesus explained: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:7-8) He went on to say how the world would be in turmoil, that life will go on like before the flood when everyone was "marrying and giving in marriage" and didn't see the signs -- and died.

These words were repeated to the Prophet Joseph Smith in our times: "a desolating sickness shall cover the land... among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another." (D&C 45:31-33) These are times to be feared. Much damage will be done by man and nature.

Whenever the Lord describes the terrible events of that day He also tells them not to worry. To those who believe in Christ, the severe trials are just a sign of the times, and they should be joyous because they will know that the coming of their Lord to the Earth is near. He told His servants in the Latter-days, "My disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved."

There are two reasons the disciples of Christ are not moved by all the turmoil. The first is preparation. The Lord said "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30) If you know what is going to happen, and you're prepared to whether the storm, then there is no need to fear. Those who believe in Christ will listen to the prophets and prepare themselves.

The second is because they believe in His word. Those who believe in Christ are promised that the desolations of the last days won't touch them. Jacob explains, "None will he destroy that believe in him. And they that believe not in him shall be destroyed." (2 Nephi 6:14-15) Those who believe in Christ are separated from the world and are not affected by the wickedness around them. They will "stand in holy places" and will not be harmed by the scourges that will affect the wicked. Mormon explains, "the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished." (Mormon 4:5) The righteous do not punish the wicked, nor are they affected by their punishment.

Some Christians worry about being caught up in the disasters that are going to be a part of the last days. Those who fear are not righteous because "the fearful... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8) But those who believe in Him will be protected by their obedience. They will prepare, and trust in Him.  He has the power. The righteous need not fear. The righteous shall not fear. The Lord knows each one of His sheep by name, and "none will He destroy that believe in Him!" There is no collateral damage.