Question
Gramps,
I’ve heard that there will be a whole year of no rainbows (and rain presumably), which is a sign that Christ will return the following year. Where did that come from?
Scott
Answer
Scott,
The rainbow first appears in the Bible in the Book of Genesis, following the great flood that Noah and his family survived. In Genesis 9:13-15, God establishes a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again, and the rainbow serves as a sign of this covenant. This is crucial for understanding the significance of rainbows in Latter-day Saint theology. The rainbow is not merely a meteorological phenomenon; it is a divine promise that signifies hope and renewal after destruction.
Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, received revelations that further elaborated on the significance of rainbows. According to a revelation recorded on March 10, 1844, Smith prophesied that the appearance of a rainbow would indicate a year of prosperity, with seed time and harvest assured. Conversely, he warned that the absence of a rainbow would herald desolation and calamity, suggesting that such a year would not witness the Second Coming of Christ. This revelation displays the belief that rainbows are not only symbols of hope but also indicators of divine favor and impending events in the eschatological timeline.
Joseph Smith said:
“I have asked of the Lord concerning His coming; and while asking the Lord, He gave a sign and said, ‘In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign and token that in any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not come; but there should be seed time and harvest during that year: but whenever you see the bow withdrawn, it shall be a token that there shall be famine, pestilence, and great distress among the nations, and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant'” (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” Section Six 1843-44, p.341).
The belief that there will be no rainbows before the Second Coming is based on the prophetic teachings of Joseph Smith and subsequent leaders of the Church. The absence of rainbows is interpreted as a sign of significant turmoil and distress among nations, as prophesied by Smith. He stated that in the year when the rainbow is not seen, it would mark the beginning of calamities, including famine and widespread suffering. This interpretation aligns with the broader Latter-day Saint understanding of the signs of the times, which includes various natural disasters and societal upheavals leading up to the Second Coming.
In addition to Joseph Smith, other leaders of The Church have echoed similar sentiments regarding the signs of the times. President Joseph Fielding Smith, for instance, spoke of the turmoil and distress that would precede the Second Coming, emphasizing that the elements would become angry, leading to natural disasters and societal chaos. These teachings reinforce the notion that the absence of rainbows is a significant indicator of the spiritual and physical state of the world as it approaches the Second Coming.
While there is some discussion over whether or not the absence of rainbows in the sky is figurative or literal, Bruce R. McConkie seemed to think it was a literal sign of the Second Coming. In his book, The Millennial Messiah, McConkie also affirms the absence of rainbows as a sign of the Second Coming and lists it with other visual events.
“And the signs in heaven above are like nothing man has ever seen. Blood is everywhere; fire and vapors of smoke fill the atmospheric heavens. No man has seen a rainbow this year” (Bruce R. McConkie, “The Millennial Messiah,” Chapter 2: Eternity and the Seven Ages).
Despite the ominous interpretations surrounding the absence of rainbows, it is important to recognize their role as symbols of hope and redemption. In Latter-day Saint theology, rainbows represent the possibility of renewal and the promise of God’s mercy. They serve as reminders that even in times of distress, there is hope for a brighter future. The teachings of the Church emphasize the importance of faith and preparedness in the face of adversity, encouraging members to store provisions and cultivate spiritual resilience.
Furthermore, rainbows are also seen as symbols of the eventual return of Zion. The return of Zion is associated with the establishment of a holy city where righteousness prevails. The appearance of a rainbow is interpreted as a sign that the conditions for the return of Zion are being met, as it symbolizes the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people. This duality of rainbows as both a sign of impending calamity and a symbol of hope reflects the complexity of Latter-day Saint beliefs regarding the end times.
Gramps
