The Signs of The Times

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Signs of the Times: Are We Getting Closer to the Second Coming?

Introduction

For a long time—basically since the time of Christ—people have been watching for signs of His return. The scriptures teach us to stay awake spiritually, to be ready, and to pay attention. As members of the Church, we’re taught that before the Savior comes again, there will be signs in the world and even in the heavens.

Not all of those signs are big and dramatic. Sometimes they’re quiet, personal, or only noticeable if we’re really paying attention. But when you start to look at everything happening—personal experiences, messages from prophets, world events—it can feel like things might be building toward something important.

We don’t know exactly when the Savior will come again. But sometimes it feels like maybe it’s closer than we think.

A Personal Call to Change

For me, this became real in a very personal way.

Back in 2017, my husband Jorge and I were sitting in a restaurant, just having a normal day. And at the exact same moment, we both felt something very strong—that God was calling us to change our lives and come back to church.

It wasn’t subtle. It was clear, and it was powerful.

So we listened. We went back to church, and not long after that, we were sealed in the temple in 2018.

Looking back now, that experience feels like more than just a coincidence. It felt like a loving nudge from God—a reminder to get ready, to come back, to prepare.

And I don’t think we’re the only ones having experiences like that. It seems like God may be calling a lot of people back to Him right now.

Messages from Church Leaders

Another thing I’ve noticed is how often our church leaders have been talking about preparation.

In recent General Conferences, there’s been a clear and repeated message: prepare for the Second Coming.

President Nelson has said things like, “It’s time for you and for me to prepare,” and even that “time is running out.” That kind of language feels pretty direct.

Elder Bednar has also talked about how the faithful are being prepared to witness incredible things—things the world has never seen before.

And other leaders have spoken in ways that just feel… urgent. Not fearful, but serious. Like this isn’t something far off in the future—it’s something we should be thinking about right now.

The Ten Virgins

One story that keeps coming up is the parable of the ten virgins.

You remember it—ten women waiting for the bridegroom. Five were ready, and five weren’t. The ones who were prepared had oil in their lamps. The others didn’t.

What stands out to me is that all ten were waiting. They all believed. But only half were ready when the moment came.

We hear this parable referenced a lot lately—in talks, lessons, even in artwork. The message is pretty clear: don’t wait until the last minute to prepare.

Preparation is something we do little by little—through faith, repentance, keeping our covenants, and staying close to the Lord.

Signs in the Heavens

The scriptures also talk about signs in the heavens, and over the past several years, there have been some interesting things.

There have been multiple solar eclipses crossing North America, some even passing over places important to Church history.

Now, you can look at those as just natural events—and that’s totally fair. But for some people, they feel symbolic. Like reminders that God is aware, and that His plan is moving forward.

There’s also been talk about a celestial object that might be visible during the April 2026 General Conference—which also happens to fall on Easter and is expected to be a solemn assembly.

That combination has led some people to feel like something special could happen. There’s even been speculation—maybe a little bold—that something truly extraordinary could take place.

We don’t know. But it’s interesting to think about.

Unusual Events Closer to Home

There have also been some unusual events, especially here in Utah.

Back in 1999, there was a tornado in downtown Salt Lake City. That almost never happens here.

Then in 2020, there was the earthquake that caused the trumpet to fall from the Moroni statue on the Salt Lake Temple. That moment stuck with a lot of people.

And of course, that same year, we had the COVID-19 pandemic. Missionaries came home, churches closed, and everything shifted.

But something interesting—right before all of that, the Church had already introduced home-centered learning with “Come, Follow Me.”

It was like we were being prepared ahead of time without even realizing it.

What’s Happening in the World

On a global level, things feel intense too.

There are ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world, especially involving places we read about in scripture.

At the same time, technology is moving faster than ever. News spreads instantly. Big events seem constant. It can feel like everything is accelerating.

Even things like artificial intelligence raise big questions about the future and where things are heading.

Some people feel like the world isn’t just changing—it’s speeding up.

The Gathering of Israel

One of the clearest signs we’ve been told to watch for is the gathering of Israel.

And that is happening in a huge way.

Temples are being announced and built all over the world. Missionary work is expanding. Family history work is growing.

It really does feel like the Lord is gathering His people—on both sides of the veil—and preparing the world.

A Sense of Urgency

Some of the metaphors used by prophets are interesting too.

President Nelson once compared our time to the “last half of the ninth inning.” That’s basically the end of the game.

And years ago, President Benson talked about being in the “last inning.”

When you put those together, it kind of gives you the feeling that we’re getting close—not necessarily tomorrow, but closer than before.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, we don’t know when the Second Coming will happen. Only Heavenly Father knows that.

But we are told to watch, to be ready, and to prepare.

When you look at personal experiences, prophetic counsel, world events, and even things in nature, it can feel like everything is pointing in the same direction.

But the most important thing isn’t trying to predict when it will happen.

It’s making sure we’re ready—whenever it happens.

Just like the wise virgins, we want to have oil in our lamps. We want to be steady, faithful, and prepared.

Because whether the Savior comes soon or later, the invitation is the same:

Come closer to Him. Stay ready. And keep your light burning.