Question
Gramps,
What will happen before God cleanses the earth by fire?
Abby
Answer
Abby,
One of the most comforting aspects of Latter-day Saint doctrine is the belief in resurrection. The righteous who have passed away will be resurrected at the Second Coming. As stated in the Doctrine and Covenants,
But before the arm of the Lord shall fall, an angel shall sound his trump, and the saints that have slept shall come forth to meet me in the cloud” (D&C 45:45).
Joseph Smith said:
When I contemplate the rapidity with which the great and glorious day of the coming of the Son of Man advances, when He shall come to receive His Saints unto Himself, where they shall dwell in His presence, and be crowned with glory and immortality: when I consider that soon the heavens are to be shaken, and the earth tremble and reel to and fro; and that the heavens are to be unfolded as a scroll when it is rolled up; and that every mountain and island are to flee away, I cry out in my heart, What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness! (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 29.)
This resurrection is not merely a return to life; it is a transformation into a glorified state, free from the pains and sorrows of mortality.
The resurrection of the righteous dead is an event that signifies the triumph of good over evil. It is a moment of reunion, where loved ones are brought together in a state of eternal joy. In the New Testament, Paul writes,
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Sterling W. Still said:
At Christ’s coming a great number of very exciting things are going to take place. He is not coming alone; as Paul says, he will come with his mighty angels. (See 2 Thes. 1:7-8.) At his coming a great many of the faithful dead will be resurrected and caught up to meet the Lord in the air. And some of the righteous who are then living upon the earth will be changed from mortality to immortality in the twinkling of an eye to join that impressive company in the air. Certainly this is something to look forward to. (Conference Report, April 1966, First Day-Morning Meeting 20.)
The imagery of being “caught up” suggests a divine invitation to ascend to a higher plane of existence, away from the chaos and destruction that will engulf the wicked.
For those who are alive at the time of Christ’s return, the experience will also be transformative. The righteous will be lifted off the Earth to meet the resurrected saints. This event is often referred to as the “rapture” in other Christian traditions, but in Latter-day Saint theology, it is understood as a divine protection for the faithful. President Joseph Fielding Smith emphasized that the fire described in scripture is not merely figurative; it is a literal cleansing that will occur at the Second Coming. (Smith, J. F. (1956). Church History and Modern Revelation Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Company)
The righteous will be shielded from the consuming fire that will destroy the wicked. This protection is not just physical but also spiritual, as the faithful will be prepared to enter into the presence of God. The scriptures describe this state as one of glory and light, where the faithful will dwell in “everlasting burnings” (Isaiah 33:14). This phrase, often misunderstood, refers to the purity and holiness of God’s presence, which is likened to a consuming fire that purifies rather than destroys.
George Q. Cannon minced no words when he said:
O, you adulterers! O, you whoremongers! O, you drunkards! O you Sabbath-breakers! O you dishonest men, and you hypocrites who have a place and a name among the Latter-day Saints! I say, woe! unto you unless you repent of your sins, unless you forsake everything that is evil and humble yourselves before God, and ask forgiveness from Him; for I tell you the Spirit of God will be withdrawn from you, and you will be left to yourselves and become as withered branches only fit for burning, unless you heartily, sincerely, profoundly, from the bottom of your hearts, repent of all your sins and put them far from you. God will not bear with you any longer. The sinner in Zion will tremble. That day will come. Fear will come upon the hypocrite. (Isa. 33:14) Therefore, repent of your sins before it is too late. And if you do you may enter into the holy places which God has provided. (Journal of Discourses, 25:327)
The cleansing fire serves multiple purposes: it is a means of judgment, a tool for purification, and a precursor to the establishment of a new order. The Book of Mormon prophet Moroni warned that “the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must destroy the wicked by fire” (2 Nephi 30:10). This duality highlights the justice of God, who will not allow wickedness to persist in His creation.
The concept of purification through fire is not unique to Latter-day Saint theology; it is a common motif in many religious traditions. Fire is often seen as a symbol of transformation, capable of refining and purifying. In the Doctrine and Covenants, it is stated, “For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” (D&C 128:24). This imagery suggests that the righteous will undergo a process of refinement, emerging from the fire as pure and holy beings.
The purification process is essential for those who wish to dwell in the presence of God. As President Charles W. Penrose articulated, “the globe on which they passed their probation, having kept the law of its being, will come into remembrance before its Maker.” (Journal of Discourses) This statement emphasizes the belief that the Earth itself will be transformed and glorified, becoming a fit dwelling place for the righteous.
As the Earth is cleansed and renewed, the righteous will play a vital role in the establishment of God’s kingdom. The Book of Mormon teaches that “the Lord will come to reign in his glory” (Mosiah 15:5). This reign will be characterized by peace, righteousness, and the absence of wickedness. The faithful will be called to assist in this divine work, helping to build a society that reflects the values of the kingdom of God.
Gramps
