Is the World Ending this Month? No

There is a small band of Latter-day Saints saying that the world is coming to an end starting this month.

The sentiment comes from two books published by Julie Rowe who claims to have had visions about the end times.

Some Latter-day Saints aren’t sure what to make of these claims.

The Church maintains a list of what they call “Spurious Materials.” The list is like an official LDS Snopes page. It addresses books or quotes that are false or incorrectly attributed. The list is distributed to seminary and institute instructors, but can be read by anyone.

The list does not address every false rumor. In fact. only two entries have been added since 2012. The most recent addition addresses the books of Julie Rowe:

[quote_box_center] Although Sister Rowe is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her book is not endorsed by the Church and should not be recommended to students or used as a resource in teaching them. The experiences she shares are her own personal experiences and do not necessarily reflect Church doctrine or they may distort Church doctrine.[/quote_box_center]

There are many reasons Latter-day Saints should already be able to distinguish these rumors as false.

First, there are many signs of the Second Coming. Some of which have not yet been fulfilled. Matthew 24:14, for example, states, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

A list of many of the signs is published in the “Gospel Principles” manual.

Latter-day Saints should also be skeptical of the source of these rumors.

In Matthew 24:36 Christ, speaking of the second coming says, “of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

It’s conceivable that Christ was only speaking about his own time, and that God would eventually inform someone about the time of the Second Coming. But there’s no question about who He would inform. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

Internet forums cannot replace our study of the scriptures.

Of course, the Prophet has been encouraging Latter-day Saints to be prepared for many years. Those who have recently been motivated to follow the prophet’s counsel to put together a 72-hour-kit or to start gathering food storage are on a prudent path.

All should keep in mind the D&C 45:35.

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.