The scriptures tell us that in the latter-days, when perilous times come, the righteous need not fear. Not fearing, however, does not mean ignoring perilous events. On the contrary, the Lord has instructed the righteous to learn the signs of the times and to look for them, that they may know when the coming of the Lord is nigh at hand.
One of the signs of the times that may soon come to pass is a sharp increase in disease and pestilence resulting from global warming (regardless of the cause, whether it be greenhouse gas emissions and/or changes in solar activity).
A recent article in Scientific American reports that recent global warming will likely lead to an increase in diseases if the warming trend continues. Researchers expect a rise in diseases caused by pathogens that thrive in warmer climates. Twelve diseases expected to rise with global warming are: cholera, bird flu, ebola, parasites, lyme disease, plague, red tide (poisonous algae blooms in coastal waters), sleeping sickness, tuberculosis, rift valley fever (a newly emergent, deadly virus carried by mosquitos), babesiosis (a malaria-like disease carried by ticks), and yellow fever.
Now let me offer a non-scientific explanation for why these diseases and pestilences will increase in the earth: the wickedness of humanity. We were reminded in the last general conference (Oct. 2008) that we are living in times that equal the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. The only reason the Lord has not destroyed the wicked today is that He is letting the wheat (righteous) grow up with the tares (wicked). But the Lord will not allow this situation to go on indefinitely.
In D&C 38:11-12 the Lord tells us that the heavens and eternity are pained because of the wickedness upon the earth. At this very moment there are angels waiting for the command from God to unleash destruction upon the face of the earth – destruction that will destroy the wicked. This destruction will include a sharp increase in disease and pestilence.
Based on the teachings of Wilford Woodruff, this outpouring of destruction may already be underway. He wrote, “But I want to tell you now, that those angels have left the portals of heaven, and they stand over this people and this nation now, and are hovering over the earth waiting to pour out the judgments. And from this very day they shall be poured out."
As diseases, pestilences, famines, and natural calamities increase in the world, science will always be there to offer a natural explanation, and it should. But let's not forget the other explanation for these signs of the times in the latter days – the wickedness of humanity.
So when a country is ravaged by famine and thousands die, sure, let’s blame changing weather patterns, but let’s not forget the possibility that an utterly corrupt government may have something to do with it.
And when a modern city is destroyed by a massive flood from a hurricane, sure, let’s blame a poorly constructed levy/dike, but let’s not forget the possibility that a city full of black magic and riotous living may have something to do with it.
And when an entire region of the earth witnesses widespread death and destruction from a tsunami, sure let’s blame an earthquake that happened hundreds of miles away in the ocean, but let’s not forget the possibility that wickedness may have something to do with it.
We cannot be certain that wickedness caused these events; we only know that such events will increase in the last days because of wickedness. Our responsibility is not to judge. Our responsibility is to be prepared (because wickedness is all around us, similar calamities could occur in our communities), and to know the signs of the times.
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