The Chronology of the Signs of the Times
A reverent, scripture-anchored ordering of the major signs that precede and attend the coming of the Lord in glory.
The scriptures reveal a great many signs of the last days, and they sketch a general sequence in which those signs unfold. Yet we must be honest about what revelation does and does not give us: while the broad order is plainly taught, the precise timing of these events and the exact order of some of them are not fixed in scripture. The Lord declared that “of that day and hour knoweth no man” (Matthew 24:36). What follows, therefore, is not a dogmatic timetable but a reverent ordering of the major signs as the scriptures present them — a study aid, not a prophecy.
Why are signs given at all? Not to alarm the faithful, but to fortify them. They are given “that men might be saved” (Helaman 14:28–30), so that there might be no cause for unbelief, and so that the watchful may read the times and stand ready.
Phase One — The Restoration Begins
The chain of the last days begins not with catastrophe but with a book. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is itself a sign — the appointed signal that the Lord has commenced His final work and begun to fulfil His covenants with the house of Israel.
“When these sayings … shall come unto the Gentiles … ye may know that the covenant which the Father hath made with the children of Israel … is already beginning to be fulfilled.”
With the book comes the restored gospel and its preaching, opening the dispensation in which the Gentiles are first offered the fulness. This inaugurates the “times of the Gentiles” (D&C 45:25–30; Luke 21:24) — a season in which the gospel goes forth to the nations before it returns in power to scattered Israel.
Phase Two — Gathering and the Gospel to All the World
As the Restoration matures, the Lord sets His hand “again the second time to recover the remnant of his people” (Isaiah 11:11–12). The elect are gathered out of the nations (D&C 45), and the gospel is carried as a witness to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
This labor is the great preparatory work, sealed by the testimony of His servants who go forth “to prune the vineyard for the last time” (D&C 88:88–91). Only when the witness has gone to all the world is the end said to come.
Phase Three — Wars, Calamities, and Iniquity
Alongside the gathering, the world ripens. The Savior foretold “wars and rumours of wars,” nation rising against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes — and warned that “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:6–12).
“And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. … And the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them.”
A desolating sickness, earthquakes, and the elements in commotion mark this season (D&C 88:89–90) — the earth itself groaning toward its Redeemer’s return.
Phase Four — Signs in the Heavens
As the day draws near, the wonders move from earth to sky. Joel and the Savior both describe the sun darkened, the moon turned to blood, and the stars falling from heaven — followed by the sign of the Son of Man.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven … and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven.”
Heavenly Signs — Supporting Scriptures
- Joel 2:30–31 — Wonders in the heavens; sun darkened, moon to blood before the great and terrible day
- D&C 45:39–42 — The righteous look for the signs; sun darkened, moon to blood, stars fall
- D&C 88:87 — The sun, moon, and stars shall be made to tremble and refuse their light
Phase Five — The Two Prophets and Jerusalem
In the city of Jerusalem, two prophets are raised up to testify and to defend the gathered Jews during the final tribulation. They prophesy for three and a half years, are at last slain, and after three and a half days are raised in the sight of all — a witness of resurrection on the very threshold of the Lord’s coming.
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days. … And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet.”
The Doctrine and Covenants confirms these as “two prophets … raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration” (D&C 77:15).
Phase Six — The Second Coming in Glory
Then comes the central event toward which all the signs point: the Lord descends in glory. He sets His feet upon the Mount of Olives, which cleaves in two, delivering the besieged Jews — who at last behold the wounds in His hands and feet and recognize their Redeemer.
“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives … and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof … and the Lord shall be king over all the earth.”
The Lord Himself describes that meeting: “What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet? … I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God” (D&C 45:48–53; D&C 133:19–20). At His coming the righteous, living and dead, are caught up to meet Him (D&C 88:96–98; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17), while the wicked are consumed as stubble.
“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble.”
So shall the wicked be burned at His coming (D&C 29:9), and the earth cleansed by fire as once it was by water.
Phase Seven — The First Resurrection and Adam-ondi-Ahman
At the sounding of the trump of God, the graves of the just are opened and the first resurrection is completed — they who are Christ’s come forth to reign with Him (D&C 88:97–98). Joined to this is the great council at Adam-ondi-Ahman, where Adam, the Ancient of Days, gathers his righteous posterity and renders up his stewardship to the Son of Man.
“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.”
Daniel beheld that same scene in vision: the Ancient of Days seated in judgment, the books opened, and dominion given to one “like the Son of man” (Daniel 7:9–14).
Phase Eight — The Millennium
With the wicked removed, Christ reigns personally upon the earth. Satan is bound for a thousand years, having no power to tempt the hearts of men (Revelation 20:1–3; D&C 29:11). The earth is renewed and receives its paradisiacal glory.
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb … They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
In that day the earth is renewed and receives its paradisiacal glory (Articles of Faith 1:10), and the New Jerusalem is built upon this continent, a holy city for the remnant of Joseph (Ether 13:2–10).
Phase Nine — The End of the Millennium and the Celestial Earth
When the thousand years are ended, Satan is loosed for a little season and gathers his armies for the last battle, before he and his hosts are cast out forever (Revelation 20:7–15). The final resurrection and last judgment follow, and every soul stands before God to be judged out of the books.
“And then he shall be loosed for a little season … and the devil shall gather together his armies … and the great and last battle shall be fought.”
Then the earth itself is sanctified and made celestial, becoming a great Urim and Thummim — “a sea of glass and fire” — an eternal abode for those who inherit the highest glory (D&C 130:9). Thus the long chronology closes not in ruin but in glory.
Watch, and Be Not Troubled
“But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved … And I said unto them: Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.”
The signs were never given to terrify the Saints. The Savior’s own counsel to those who watch is steady and clear: “See that ye be not troubled” (Matthew 24:6). We are to read the times, stand in holy places, and prepare. To the faithful the promise is sure: “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).
This document is a study aid and personal chronology, not official Church doctrine. The order of the major signs is taught in scripture, but the precise timing of many events is reserved to the Lord. Always consult the Standard Works and living prophets for authoritative guidance on the signs of the times.