The Apocalypse Panel

3/5/2014

This week I am happy to announce the formation of the Apocalypse Panel. Why have just one author spouting crazy ideas about the end of the world when you can have seven of them? That’s right, I have been able to convince six other authors to join me in making all of you just a little more nervous about the current events we see on the news each night.

What we plan to do is tackle a question each month that relates to the apocalypse. At first, these questions will come from within the group, but I am hoping that as the Panel gains popularity our fans will submit them instead. With seven us involved you can expect some interesting responses.

Since you already know me let me introduce the other members of the Apocalypse Panel to you.

Angie Lofthouse

Angie went to school for particle physics, but ended up studying literature. This served her well in her career as a science-fiction writer. She lives in a little canyon and the base of the WasatchMountains and there plots the end of the world. Just in her books, not for really-real.

Her stories have appeared in NFG AlienSkin, Amazing Journeys, The Sword Review, Dragons, Knights and Angels, Irreantum, and Unparalleled Journeys. However, it is her novel, Defenders of the Covenant, which landed her a spot on the panel.


Wayne Roux

Wayne brings an international element to the panel. He hails from South Africa and started writing when he was about 15. He has written two books and his novel, December Dead, depicts a mother and son fighting not only for their own existence, but that of the
entire human race.

He has two books out and a third on the way.


Margot Hovely

Margot was raised in Washington State, across the river from the Hanford nuclear facility. As a kid during the Cold War she had plenty of “duck and cover” exercises at school. So, she grew up thinking about the apocalypse more than your average child.

Her first novel, Sudden Darkness, was published by Covenant in 2012 and the next the series, Glimmering Light, is due out later this month. Both of those stories had their birth when Margot wondered what it would be like if the Mormons made their trek back
to Missouriwithout vehicles.


Daron Fraley

Daron is from Wyoming, but has moved around a bit since then. He has visited
France, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, San Juan, St Thomas, and the Bahamas. He
describes himself as a writer by night and a Senior Data Center Engineer by day.
It is rumored that he once fixed a gas clothes dryer with photocopier parts. A
real-life McGuyver? You decide.

He has two novels out Thirty-Six and The Thorn, but it is his novella, Son of Liberty, that landed him his spot on the panel. His focus tends to be on the political aspects
of the apocalypse so expect some interesting insights in that area.


Tim Malone

Tim runs a blog that deals with a variety of LDS topics. His articles on The Last Days is the reason I asked him to participate in the panel. He is also working on a novel, Red Sky, that answers the question: what would we do if the sky actually fell? And for those of you, like me, who were wondering—Chicken Little is not the protagonist.


Anthony Larson

Anthony is a freelance journalist, a video producer, and a composer who brings something unique to the panel. He doesn’t write fiction. His books explain the relationship between science and the signs of the last days.

And the Moon Shall Turn to Blood, describes the catastrophic changes that will occur during the upcoming apocalypse. These are connected to the prophecies dealing with the events of the last dispensation. It is the first book in the Prophecy Trilogy.


That’s the panel. Now, for our first question.

Which situation or event that is currently happening do you think most easily could result in the apocalypse?

Check back next week to find out how everyone responded. And feel free to add your thoughts to the end-of-the-world smorgasbord as well.

22 Comments

Anthony E. Larson link

3/5/2014 09:11:02 am

Since I was listed last, it's appropriate that I respond first. (grin)

Like most Latter-day Saints, before I did my 30+ years of research, I would have answered the question at hand with a laundry list of recent natural and manmade disasters. It's likely that here some will. I won't.

To sum up my take on this question, I say that we have yet to see any signs that these are the last days. I know that prophets have said that those days will come. Some even say it will happen soon. I categorically declare, I do not know when. Nor does any man.

Some scholars like to fix a date, based on scant evidence. Joseph Smith was confronted with this very problem in the person of William Miller, instigator of the Adventist movement, who mistakenly predicted Christ's immanent return in 1842. Joseph called him a false prophet, saying that the Bible, from which Miller drew the evidence for his claim, lacked sufficient information to reach any such conclusion. Further, Joseph declared that the designated day was "far too beautiful for false prophets."

Mainstream Christianity has created a fiction out of whole cloth, regarding the last days, with flawed constructs such as, among others, the rapture, the anti-Christ, Armageddon and the latest fallacy, the blood moons. Christ told Joseph in the First Vision that they were in error and warned that he should join none of them. I believe that godly caution extends to their views of prophecy. Their take on prophecies of the last days has changed little since Miller. They are, to put it quite simply, wrong. Entirely wrong.

What Joseph did say about the last days on another occasion is most telling. He said, and I paraphrase, (you can read it for yourself in his journal, History of the Church, volume 5, page 337) that the last days will be instigated or incited by a cosmic body. He used the words "comet" and "planet" to describe the "grand sign," thereby indicating that this astral orb will be planet sized, but that it would also have a great comet-like tail. Since I side with Joseph Smith's teachings, it's my view that the catastrophes of the last days will be directly attributable to an intruding planet, impinging upon the Earth.

Rather than being discreet calamities, separated in time and location, each disaster prophesied for the last days is directly linked to one specific cause: the close approach to Earth of a rogue planet. Therefore, the distructions happen in rapid succession, one following immediately on the heals of the other, escalating in ferocity and extent, over a period of four or five months.

Joseph made reference to this in several discussions with early Latter-day Saints, who recorded these conversations for posterity. Sadly, all of those accounts have been marginalized and disparaged by LDS scholars over the years. But taken together, they paint a very clear picture of what a prophet of God believed about the last days, beginning with the "planet, comet" comment.

Therefore, the Exodus calamities or "miracles," as some describe them, are the pattern for such events. The "pillar of fire and smoke" recorded by Moses being the direct equivalent of Joseph Smith's "comet, planet." Many of the Exodus destructions are duplicated as well in the prophetic catalogue in the New Testament called Revelation or the Apocalypse of John. Thus, Exodus and the events of the Last days are nearly duplicate events. They are similar cosmic/planetary events, one in antiquity, the other in our future.

Bet you didn't see that one coming. (grin)

Randy Lindsay link

3/6/2014 03:13:34 am

You're right. I didn't see that one coming. And neither will most of the rest of the world. What an amazing response.

Angie Lofthouse link

3/6/2014 06:54:02 am

Ooo. I love that response!

Anthony E. Larson link

3/6/2014 10:43:23 am

Thanks, Randy and Angie. I hope you'll look further into my research, starting with my website. These are concepts that benefit everyone who explores them, a largely unacknowledged and unappreciated aspect of the Restored Gospel that ads immensely to our knowledge, understanding and testimony.

Adam

3/10/2014 06:06:13 am

Anthony,

I agree with your post regarding what Joseph Smith said. I don't remember dreams very much, but I do have one dream that was very vivid. I was standing in my parents back yard, they have passed, and I noticed a red object in the sky. As is got closer, I noticed that it was a red planet. No matter how much i yelled for people, no one would listen

Randy Lindsay link

3/10/2014 09:54:45 am

Thanks for joining the conversation, Adam. That's an interesting dream. I wonder how many of us have dreams like that? And how do these dreams fit in with the overall picture?

Wayne Roux link

3/6/2014 01:52:09 pm

Hi everyone!

Firstly, thanks to Randy for starting this panel! I was honored to be included! I must admit that the idea of an apocalypse is something that has fascinated not only myself, but countless others since the beginning of time! It would be fair to say that the first 'recorded' apocalypse was in the Bible, during Noah's time of the Great Flood. The human race almost entirely extinguished after 40 days and nights of floods. Prior to that, we have the extinction of the dinosaurs, various Ice Ages etc etc. The earth is forever shedding its old skin and starting fresh, and it is inevitable that it will do so many more countless times, in my opinion.

In reality though, these events are, more often than not, spread across many thousands of years, so Anthony is correct in saying it would be impossible to exactly predict the year, never mind the actual month or day, that this would happen again!

As for HOW? Well, let me count the ways... To be honest, in today's day and age there are hundreds of ways this could happen - nuclear war, asteroids, viruses... the list is endless and really only limited by one's own imagination. And seeing as we are a panel of authors, who probably have the wildest imaginations on the planet, let me throw my 'imaginary' hypothesis out there...

Quite ironically, I read in a local newspaper yesterday that scientists discovered a 30000 year old virus in a frozen Siberian tundra, and REVIVED it! You can read the full article here: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-giant-virus-revived-20140302,0,4662287.story#axzz2vFggtmFC

This had my mind spinning. Can you imagine a world infected by an ancient virus that humans know absolutely nothing about, and that quite possibly could have been the reason the dinosaurs were wiped out?. What chance would our weak genetic makeup have against such an unknown, ancient threat?

I could ramble on for hours about this, including scenarios and impact, but I believe Randy's posed question is designed to spark the imagination and promote discussion for whoever reads the responses. Have fun playing that one out... :)

My conclusion: We have already predicted the way our world will end one day when we came up with the phrase: "Curiosity killed the cat." :)

Adam

3/10/2014 06:52:48 am

WOW. That's all I got

Anthony E. Larson link

3/10/2014 08:09:50 am

That wasn't a dream, Adam. You are describing my life! (grin) I scream at the top of my lungs; I write until my fingers bleed; I pound the keyboard until the keys fail. Nobody listens!!! John, in his landmark book, Revelation, clearly identified the key planet in ancient history. He called it "destroyer." In Hebrew, it's name, he said, was "Abbadon." But it the Greek - and this puts a lock on its identification - it was "Apollyon." All comparative my

Anthony E. Larson link

3/10/2014 08:14:08 am

. . . opps. (keyboard malfunction) . . . All comparative mythologists agree, this refers to the Roman god Mars. Since all the planets we know today were named after their mythic equivalents, John accurately identified the warrior god of all ancient myth and the prime mover in Earth's ancient heavens: the red planet, the planet Mars. So, your dream was right on the mark. Congratulations.

Anthony E. Larson link

3/10/2014 08:04:28 am

Certainly, Wayne, we can imagine any number of end-of-the-world scenarios. Heaven knows science fiction writers have exploited most of them for literary purposes. But the point ALL the prophets made was that it would happen in exactly the same manner that it has before: planetary disaster. That's why Joseph called the "grand sign" a "planet, comet." That's why the "plagues" of both Exodus and Revelation are nearly identical. That's the key to unlocking the meaning of so much scripture that otherwise makes little sense or sounds strictly poetic. The planetary encounters of the past all share certain, identifiable earmarks. Those commonalities gave rise to a unique vocabulary comprised of easily identified metaphors, used by all the prophets, including Joseph Smith.

So for the purposes of fiction, we can let our imaginations wander to all sorts of scenarios. But for the purposes of deciphering scriptural imagery, there is only one story: planetary catastrophe. Period.

Kelly Martinez

3/6/2014 11:59:27 pm

Hello, all, I'm the marketer for Randy's book. I'm a sucker for a good apocalypse story, especially when it comes to the zombie apocalypse. (Yes, I'm a "Walking Dead" fan.) Perhaps my fascination with the undead is because the basis for their existence is so far fetched. Then again, it IS a virus that causes the dystopian settings in which zombies thrive. Perhaps this virus Wayne read about in the L.A. Times could be the spark that ignites a zombie apocalypse?

Probably not, but it DOES fit the premise upon which all good zombie stories are built.

I love the idea of this panel and will be following closely. Great comments thus far, especially from Anthony and Wayne.

Randy Lindsay link

3/9/2014 09:33:02 am

The Zombie Apocalypse. That sounds like a good basis for one of our monthly questions. I mean, how could we be the Apocalypse Panel if we didn't explore the possibility of the zombie infestation.

Glad to have you excited about our panel.

Tim Malone link

3/9/2014 03:25:44 pm

First, let’s agree on the definition of apocalypse. I’ll offer mine by expressing what it is not. The apocalypse is NOT the end of the world. Yes, it is a period of great destruction and catastrophe with billions of people killed by the natural events prophesied, but the world survives. And so do a lot of people. It is these natural events, including the close approach of another celestial body which Anthony has already described in his comments above that brings on the apocalypse.

Second, the apocalypse is not something we can control or avoid. The Lord has warned us and warned us over and over again in so many different scriptures it is already on its way. The arm of the Lord is a phrase that has great significance. It refers to something happening in the heavens that the world will see. The Lord has told us he is returning with the armies of heaven, and with the City of Enoch, a piece of this earth that was physically removed and taken up into heaven.

We read terrible things in the news that are significant to LDS theology and say to ourselves, “Ah, hah. Another sign of the times,” and indeed we are usually correct. Wars and rumors of wars, economic turmoil, man’s loss of natural affection for his brethren demonstrated by deeds of atrocity, nations coming to an end, rampant wickedness, corruption, immorality and the list goes on and on. I have one thing to say about all these: “Man, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.”

Obviously, Anthony and I are in agreement as this reflects what he has already stated. Even when we talk about hundreds of thousands killed by earthquakes and tsunamis, the size of these catastrophes are nothing compared to what will happen when a “great mountain burning with fire [is] cast into the sea,” or “there [falls] a great star from heaven,” or the sun moon and stars are smitten so that the sun is darkened and the moon glows red as blood with heat. Catastrophic!

In my mind, the event that is currently happening is the sun is not following the normal pattern scientists are used to seeing for many centuries of observation. The eleven-year cycle seems to be a little out of whack. Watch the signs in the sun. Coronal mass ejections from sunspots are the thing we really need to be watching. One massive CME can produce an EMP that could wipe out power grids and communication systems all across the globe. Stay tuned to SpaceWeather.com.

Randy Lindsay link

3/10/2014 03:46:07 am

Another excellent comment. I can see that this panel is going to be interesting. Especially since it's not going to be the end of the world.

Wayne Roux link

3/11/2014 03:59:00 pm

An excellent point, Tim! I agree - an apocalypse is NOT the end of the world... it's just a chance for it to start over! Apocalypse theories or stories would be no fun if there weren't some sort of survival aspect to them, in my opinion.

Oh, and to throw my small spanner, I tend to disagree that we have seen an actual increase in such natural phenomenon such as earthquakes, tsunami's, wars and economic turmoil... I just think that media coverage of it has improved significantly over thousands of years. :)

LDS Anarchist link

3/12/2014 06:11:55 am

<i>"Which situation or event that is currently happening do you think most easily could result in the apocalypse?"</i>

The Wikipedia entry on "Apocalypse" states:

<blockquote>Typically, the messengers of the apocalyptic revelation are described as angels. In the Bible, God may give a revelation or instructions through the medium of these heavenly messengers; they act as the seer's guide. God may himself give a revelation, as is shown in the Revelation of John through the person of Jesus Christ. The book of Genesis speaks of the "angel" bringing forth the revelation.</blockquote>

I can't say that I know of any recent angelic ministrations, so the apocalypse is still future. However, I do know, or at least have been told, by several people, that they are currently engaged in praying for a return of the ministration of angels. So it may be that that current event (people praying for angels to descend once again) could result in the apocalypse, if their prayers are answered.

Wayne Roux link

3/12/2014 05:24:14 pm

Wow. Interesting response LDS! So, in effect, you're saying: "Be careful what you wish for". :)

Randy Lindsay link

3/13/2014 04:37:22 am

Wouldn't that make for an interesting novel. "Cult of the Apocalypse." Imagine the dynamics of a group fervently praying for the end of the world.

LDS Anarchist link

3/14/2014 07:29:13 am

Randy's comment reminded me of some scriptures.

So, there was one group (the Ohio saints) that prayed to hold off the apocalypse:

"Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the people in Ohio call upon me in much faith, thinking I will stay my hand in judgment upon the nations, but I cannot deny my word. Wherefore lay to with your might and call faithful laborers into my vineyard, that it may be pruned for the last time. And inasmuch as they do repent and receive the fulness of my gospel, and become sanctified, I will stay mine hand in judgment." (D&C 39:16-18)

And they got their prayers answered with a conditional promise, because they prayed in faith. So the judgment has been temporarily stayed.

And there will be another group at a later date that will pray to bring about the apocalypse:

"And the servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice:

Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters

calling upon the name of the Lord day and night, saying:

O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.

And it shall be answered upon their heads; for the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth, and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil." (D&C 133:38-41)

Like the first group, their prayers will also be answered, because they will pray in faith, and will usher in the apocalypse (unveiling of the Lord's presence).

Randy Lindsay link

3/14/2014 10:22:51 am

I think that is what gives a story like this an especially spooky element. Not just the faith that goes into prayers for the end of the world, but the concept that God listens.

Adam

3/21/2014 02:08:08 am

The scriptures that you posted had past me by in reading. Great post Anarchist

The Apocalypse

Here are some of my recommendations for books dealing with the end of the world.

Damnation Alley
by Roger Zelazny

Alas Babylon
by Pat Frank

I Am Legend
by Richard Matheson

Folk of the Fringe
by Orson Scott Card

The Postman
by David Brin

Daybreak 2250 A. D.
by Andre Norton

Hiero’s Journey
by Sterling E. Lanier

The White Mountains
by John Christopher

The Apocalypse Panel

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