Is Ebola the desolating sickness spoken of in the scriptures?
Question
Gramps,
My questions is one of speculation, But do you think that perhaps the Ebola virus could be the desolating sickness spoken of in the scriptures that shall cover the land in the last days? Thanks.
Dev
Answer
Dear Dev,
Although D&C 5:19 talks about a desolating scourge, there are also other scriptures that speak of plagues, pestilences and diseases. I see no reason why ebola might not be one of the latter-day scourges, but we also need to remember that every time a new epidemic starts (think AIDS), people start wondering if “this is it”. I don’t think we need to wait for “it”. These are the last days. Of this we can be certain because our prophet declared it. In 2001, Pres. Hinckley stated:
The era in which we live is the fulness of times spoken of in the scriptures, when God has brought together all of the elements of previous dispensations. Living in the Fulness of Times
Gramps
Mental illness comes to mind when I hear “desolating scourge” but it could be anything these days.
Dev,
I’m not so sure about Ebola, since scientists have already created a trial vaccine, and there are plenty of other diseases that spread more easily and are quite deadly, too. I can think of another couple of bad ones like MERS and the avian flu (when it spreads to humans) right off the top of my head.
The desolating scourge may not actually be a disease, either. It could just as easily be something like radiation poisoning from somebody nuking the United States like we saw in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, but worse since the nukes these days are serious dirty bombs. I also know there are countries out there that have crazy regimes like Iran who specifically chant “Death to America” and would probably have no qualms killing us if they had the chance and knew they could get away with it.
But the honest truth is we shouldn’t speculate, because all we’ll do is waste time and mental energy for something we can’t know. It’s better to focus on what we do know and if you’re living right, I have no doubt you’ll be protected by God however that works out.
In D&C 122:9 it says:
“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”
I’ve wondered if it could be referring to pornography.