Passages are numerous in the inspired writings which assert that the wicked shall be destroyed. The prophet Isaiah, speaking of the latter times, says, "Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed;" 1. 27, 28.
The Lord further declared through the same prophet, that, because the inhabitants of the earth had defiled it, the curse had devoured it; "And they that dwell therein are desolate;" 24. 5, 6. "For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;" 26. 21.
Many of the sayings concerning the destruction of the wicked are general in their application, to all times in which wickedness is prevalent. But there are many passages in the inspired writings which point to the latter times for a general destruction of the ungodly, and the cleansing of the earth from wickedness.
The following from Isaiah are of this character. "For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies. * * For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion;" 34. 2-8.
"For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many;" 66. 16.
The Book of Doc. & Cov. being a record of revelations concerning the dispensation of the fulness of times, it says much concerning the destruction of the wicked, and the redemption of man, and of the earth.
It is evident that the visions of the prophet Joseph were vivid and well defined on this subject, for the Lord said through him, "The hour is nigh, and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe: and all the proud, and they that do wickedly, shall be as stubble, and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth;" 29. 9, 14-21. Sec. 64. 24.
The records of the times are a daily testimony of the fulfilment of the following: "And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them;" sec. 45. 26. And men shall be standing in that generation in which these things shall appear, "That shall not pass, until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land;" verse 31.
"Among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices, and curse God and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another;" verses 32, 34.
The testimony of the elders is the great preparatory work for the destruction of the wicked in this dispensation. Their labors are "To bind up the law and seal up the testimony, and to prepare the saints for the hour of judgment which is to come;" sec. 88. 84. And, after their testimony, "cometh wrath and indignation upon the people;" verse 88.