mick silver
25th September 2015, 06:32 PM
'Blood Moon' seen as sign of end times by some Mormonshttps://media.zenfs.com/creatr-images/GLB/2015-04-20/94e89b90-e7b0-11e4-9ea9-23e8763fec68_Associated-Press.png (http://www.ap.org/) By BRADY McCOMBS 2 hours ago
http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/orK9YPUweTzDhOYBbVRh7g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9Mzc3O2lsPXBsYW 5lO3B4b2ZmPTUwO3B5b2ZmPTA7cT03NTt3PTY3MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/fdae79ead218d72a820f6a7067001f91.jpg (http://news.yahoo.com/blood-moon-seen-sign-end-times-mormons-213354860.html#)
. View photo
This Sept. 13, 2015 image provided by NASA shows the moon, left, and the Earth, top, transiting the sun together, seen from the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The edge of Earth appears fuzzy because the atmosphere blocks different amounts of light at different altitudes. This image was taken in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths, invisible to human eyes, but here colorized in gold. A total lunar eclipse will share the stage with a so-called supermoon Sunday evening, Sept. 27, 2015 as seen from the United States. That combination hasn't been seen since 1982 and won't happen again until 2033. (NASA/SDO via AP)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A rare confluence of a lunar eclipse and a supermoon set to happen this weekend has prompted such widespread fear of an impending apocalypse that the Mormon Church was compelled to issue a statement cautioning the faithful to not get caught up in speculation about a major calamity.
Related Stories
Pope and Change (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-m-granholm/pope-and-change_b_8191572.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592) Huffington Post
Top-ranking Mormon leader dies at 86; was in governing body (http://news.yahoo.com/top-ranking-mormon-leader-richard-g-scott-dies-203953724.html) Associated Press
I Was Fired From My Job For Being In Love (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/margie-winters/i-was-fired-from-my-job-for-being-in-love_b_8173750.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592) Huffington Post
Pope Francis Visit: What Catholics Think of Their Church (http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-visit-catholics-think-church-112258395.html) LiveScience.com
How to Manage Mormon Missionaries (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mette-ivie-harrison/how-to-manage-mormon-missionaries_b_8032206.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000 592) Huffington Post
Credit Cards Now Offer 0% Intro APR Through 2017 (https://beap.gemini.yahoo.com/mbclk?bv=1.0.0&es=lFj9PecGIS9U9rwUC9KR.pGre2BU1Nj0U86Rpb11yI8fXfn 35UwPWYYHm57DI7byOR2AdbWJa93kp.N4ERKULDzqpx1Lj3i1y 7_Vm0eguRObXLgCT0zafb8FmLWeH5133iQp0Rn8q8sotEkgU_F HHhH7yqvKgfGPr52tYtvnl5nWDGlnvCHf9hEnN8XnKGCZjhHbF oBvWQspdawrkWqVKcLjAGtxP21F0TUREMLqxiHi6Eb96leyE.e Ske_VPJ67DrFm2W1ock5WSnx293D8LXAu7FMQoeV3dV.adjQko mo7gqp9etsRKkHHAszmt5PhLN6OhyQkG3SnNoNR6UxxleYyxS. NkyDqg3Vw.QJtlvxpbh0hDOTj_xKDuLiCNOieYIWZGwtzCClcn 6_FSekY2LADP0D6g1cPXHO643heB.nBoJspOBXUJTXZuqzZIwr bYwtgRVa_tPDjrgBWW.0b8D8N5rN9B5tzWSRXRCZV3PwEyFDbs OYEEzInY4eU4xj7TTILHDQMCM0d9GKD.3JwxWEkVtBNzCsONfX 8Ts1nvOmbdEN87yv5yuciz5cAb6FH.aI.Wl3_aVpPCvYigi2K2 LlO81w.w7KCwmiBjH5cG6XE%26lp=) CompareCards.com (http://www.comparecards.com/best-credit-card-offers?k=YLI2534&utm_source=Yahoo_InStream&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=girl3&utm_campaign=Low_Interest_April_2015) Sponsored (https://help.yahoo.com/kb/SLN22774.html?impressions=true) (https://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/relevantads.html) Thank you for your feedbackWe'll review and make changes needed.Undo (http://news.yahoo.com/blood-moon-seen-sign-end-times-mormons-213354860.html#)
Why don't you like this ad ?
It's offensive to me
I keep seeing this
It's not relevant to me
Something else
DoneUndo (http://news.yahoo.com/blood-moon-seen-sign-end-times-mormons-213354860.html#)
I don't like this ad (http://news.yahoo.com/blood-moon-seen-sign-end-times-mormons-213354860.html#)
Sunday night's "blood moon" and recent natural disasters and political unrest around the world have led to a rise in sales at emergency preparedness retailers. Apocalyptic statements by a Mormon author have only heightened fears among a small number of Mormon followers about the looming end of time. The eclipse will give the moon a red tint and make it look larger than usual. It won't happen again for 18 years.
It's unclear how many Latter-day Saints buy the theory, but Mormon leaders were worried enough that they took the rare step this week of issuing a public statement cautioning the faithful not to get carried away with visions of the apocalypse.
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told its 15 million worldwide members that they should be "spiritually and physically prepared for life's ups and downs," but urged them not to take speculation from individual church members as doctrine and "avoid being caught up in extreme efforts to anticipate catastrophic events."
The Mormons preparing to hunker down Sunday night aren't alone. Some from other religions also fear a doomsday scenario. A Christian pastor in Texas has written a book predicting a world-shaking event.
Storing away enough food and water in case of disaster, job loss or something worse is part of the fundamental teachings of the religion. Many homes in Utah are equipped with special shelving for cans of beans, rice and wheat. The belief that regular history will someday end, bringing a second coming of Jesus, is embedded in the minds of Mormons and the church's official name.
Though most Latter-day Saints probably haven't even heard of this latest theory tied to the blood moon, the church's decision to address it publicly is significant and shows leaders felt the need to reassert their authority on the matter, Mormon scholars said.
"For it to filter up to that level means and for them to decide to send out a policy letter means that they felt there was something they needed to tamp down on," said Patrick Mason, the Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University in California
Kevin Allbee, spokesman for Utah-based Emergency Essentials, said his company has seen a steady rise since June with sales up 200 to 300 percent. He attributes it to a variety of events leading to more anxiety, including the earthquake in Nepal, Russian's intervention in the Ukraine and economic concerns in Greece and China. He said it goes well beyond Mormons in Utah. They do most of their sales online with customers outside the state.
The public pronouncement by the church comes after leaders earlier this month sent a memo to administrators and teachers in the church's education system telling them to be wary of Mormon author Julie Rowe's books.
Rowe writes about and speaks to audiences about a near-death experience in 2004 when she says she crossed over into the Spirit World and was shown tragic upcoming world calamities and told she would be expected to tell others in the future. "That time has come," her website proclaims. It is believed her teachings have fueled some of the speculation.
The church memo says that while Rowe is an active member of the religion, her books are not endorsed and should be recommended as a teaching resource.
Rowe's publisher, Spring Creek Book Co. in Idaho, did not return requests for comment. She issued a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune, which reported on the rise in apocalyptic worries among some Latter-day Saints.
Rowe said she doesn't intend to make her comments church doctrine, but chose to share her story to help people prepare for the "times we live in by increasing their faith in Christ and by looking to our prophet and church leaders for guidance."
Religion & Beliefs
Christianity
Mormon Church
Click to view comments
View Comments (333)
http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/orK9YPUweTzDhOYBbVRh7g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9Mzc3O2lsPXBsYW 5lO3B4b2ZmPTUwO3B5b2ZmPTA7cT03NTt3PTY3MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/fdae79ead218d72a820f6a7067001f91.jpg (http://news.yahoo.com/blood-moon-seen-sign-end-times-mormons-213354860.html#)
. View photo
This Sept. 13, 2015 image provided by NASA shows the moon, left, and the Earth, top, transiting the sun together, seen from the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The edge of Earth appears fuzzy because the atmosphere blocks different amounts of light at different altitudes. This image was taken in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths, invisible to human eyes, but here colorized in gold. A total lunar eclipse will share the stage with a so-called supermoon Sunday evening, Sept. 27, 2015 as seen from the United States. That combination hasn't been seen since 1982 and won't happen again until 2033. (NASA/SDO via AP)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A rare confluence of a lunar eclipse and a supermoon set to happen this weekend has prompted such widespread fear of an impending apocalypse that the Mormon Church was compelled to issue a statement cautioning the faithful to not get caught up in speculation about a major calamity.
Related Stories
Pope and Change (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-m-granholm/pope-and-change_b_8191572.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592) Huffington Post
Top-ranking Mormon leader dies at 86; was in governing body (http://news.yahoo.com/top-ranking-mormon-leader-richard-g-scott-dies-203953724.html) Associated Press
I Was Fired From My Job For Being In Love (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/margie-winters/i-was-fired-from-my-job-for-being-in-love_b_8173750.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592) Huffington Post
Pope Francis Visit: What Catholics Think of Their Church (http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-visit-catholics-think-church-112258395.html) LiveScience.com
How to Manage Mormon Missionaries (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mette-ivie-harrison/how-to-manage-mormon-missionaries_b_8032206.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000 592) Huffington Post
Credit Cards Now Offer 0% Intro APR Through 2017 (https://beap.gemini.yahoo.com/mbclk?bv=1.0.0&es=lFj9PecGIS9U9rwUC9KR.pGre2BU1Nj0U86Rpb11yI8fXfn 35UwPWYYHm57DI7byOR2AdbWJa93kp.N4ERKULDzqpx1Lj3i1y 7_Vm0eguRObXLgCT0zafb8FmLWeH5133iQp0Rn8q8sotEkgU_F HHhH7yqvKgfGPr52tYtvnl5nWDGlnvCHf9hEnN8XnKGCZjhHbF oBvWQspdawrkWqVKcLjAGtxP21F0TUREMLqxiHi6Eb96leyE.e Ske_VPJ67DrFm2W1ock5WSnx293D8LXAu7FMQoeV3dV.adjQko mo7gqp9etsRKkHHAszmt5PhLN6OhyQkG3SnNoNR6UxxleYyxS. NkyDqg3Vw.QJtlvxpbh0hDOTj_xKDuLiCNOieYIWZGwtzCClcn 6_FSekY2LADP0D6g1cPXHO643heB.nBoJspOBXUJTXZuqzZIwr bYwtgRVa_tPDjrgBWW.0b8D8N5rN9B5tzWSRXRCZV3PwEyFDbs OYEEzInY4eU4xj7TTILHDQMCM0d9GKD.3JwxWEkVtBNzCsONfX 8Ts1nvOmbdEN87yv5yuciz5cAb6FH.aI.Wl3_aVpPCvYigi2K2 LlO81w.w7KCwmiBjH5cG6XE%26lp=) CompareCards.com (http://www.comparecards.com/best-credit-card-offers?k=YLI2534&utm_source=Yahoo_InStream&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=girl3&utm_campaign=Low_Interest_April_2015) Sponsored (https://help.yahoo.com/kb/SLN22774.html?impressions=true) (https://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/relevantads.html) Thank you for your feedbackWe'll review and make changes needed.Undo (http://news.yahoo.com/blood-moon-seen-sign-end-times-mormons-213354860.html#)
Why don't you like this ad ?
It's offensive to me
I keep seeing this
It's not relevant to me
Something else
DoneUndo (http://news.yahoo.com/blood-moon-seen-sign-end-times-mormons-213354860.html#)
I don't like this ad (http://news.yahoo.com/blood-moon-seen-sign-end-times-mormons-213354860.html#)
Sunday night's "blood moon" and recent natural disasters and political unrest around the world have led to a rise in sales at emergency preparedness retailers. Apocalyptic statements by a Mormon author have only heightened fears among a small number of Mormon followers about the looming end of time. The eclipse will give the moon a red tint and make it look larger than usual. It won't happen again for 18 years.
It's unclear how many Latter-day Saints buy the theory, but Mormon leaders were worried enough that they took the rare step this week of issuing a public statement cautioning the faithful not to get carried away with visions of the apocalypse.
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told its 15 million worldwide members that they should be "spiritually and physically prepared for life's ups and downs," but urged them not to take speculation from individual church members as doctrine and "avoid being caught up in extreme efforts to anticipate catastrophic events."
The Mormons preparing to hunker down Sunday night aren't alone. Some from other religions also fear a doomsday scenario. A Christian pastor in Texas has written a book predicting a world-shaking event.
Storing away enough food and water in case of disaster, job loss or something worse is part of the fundamental teachings of the religion. Many homes in Utah are equipped with special shelving for cans of beans, rice and wheat. The belief that regular history will someday end, bringing a second coming of Jesus, is embedded in the minds of Mormons and the church's official name.
Though most Latter-day Saints probably haven't even heard of this latest theory tied to the blood moon, the church's decision to address it publicly is significant and shows leaders felt the need to reassert their authority on the matter, Mormon scholars said.
"For it to filter up to that level means and for them to decide to send out a policy letter means that they felt there was something they needed to tamp down on," said Patrick Mason, the Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University in California
Kevin Allbee, spokesman for Utah-based Emergency Essentials, said his company has seen a steady rise since June with sales up 200 to 300 percent. He attributes it to a variety of events leading to more anxiety, including the earthquake in Nepal, Russian's intervention in the Ukraine and economic concerns in Greece and China. He said it goes well beyond Mormons in Utah. They do most of their sales online with customers outside the state.
The public pronouncement by the church comes after leaders earlier this month sent a memo to administrators and teachers in the church's education system telling them to be wary of Mormon author Julie Rowe's books.
Rowe writes about and speaks to audiences about a near-death experience in 2004 when she says she crossed over into the Spirit World and was shown tragic upcoming world calamities and told she would be expected to tell others in the future. "That time has come," her website proclaims. It is believed her teachings have fueled some of the speculation.
The church memo says that while Rowe is an active member of the religion, her books are not endorsed and should be recommended as a teaching resource.
Rowe's publisher, Spring Creek Book Co. in Idaho, did not return requests for comment. She issued a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune, which reported on the rise in apocalyptic worries among some Latter-day Saints.
Rowe said she doesn't intend to make her comments church doctrine, but chose to share her story to help people prepare for the "times we live in by increasing their faith in Christ and by looking to our prophet and church leaders for guidance."
Religion & Beliefs
Christianity
Mormon Church
Click to view comments
View Comments (333)