Signs may or may not be miraculous manifestations. They may indicate something that has taken place, and also be a token of a continuance of some certain blessing. For instance, the Lord covenanted with Noah, and with every living creature, that he would not again destroy all flesh from the earth with a flood.
As a token of this covenant the Lord said to Noah, "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud." The Lord further assured Noah, "And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth;" Gen. 9. 9-17.
They may also indicate that certain things shall take place periodically, as "God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years;" 1. 14.
The prophets have foretold signs that should precede great events that were to take place on the earth. Speaking of the birth of our Savior, the prophet Isaiah says, "The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son;" 7. 14.
The Lamanite prophet, Samuel, foretold to the Nephites in the city of Zarahemla, that for two days and one night preceding the birth of Christ there should be no darkness, and that a new star should arise, such an one as the Nephites had never before beheld; Hel. 14. 3, 5. These signs appeared as Samuel predicted; 3 Nephi 1. 13-21.
He also predicted terrible judgments that should destroy the wicked among the Nephites and Lamanites when the Savior should die. Simultaneously with that event there should be thunderings, lightnings, tempests and earthquakes. These should continue for many hours, and darkness should cover the land for three days; Hel. 14. 21-27. Chapters 8, 9, and 10, of 3 Nephi, give us a very vivid description of these judgments that were predicted by Samuel.
In the sacred writings, many signs are predicted that should precede the coming of the Son of Man, in the latter days. The Jewish apostles of our Savior manifested great interest in this matter. On a certain occasion when Jesus sat upon the Mount of Olives, they asked concerning the destruction of Jerusalem; after which they especially inquired, "What is the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?" P. of G. P., page 38.
Jesus first answered them concerning the destruction of the Temple and the Jews. He told his disciples that they should be afflicted and killed, and be hated of all nations for his name's sake. "Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another; and many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many; and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; but he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved."
"When you, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem (Dan. 12. 11), then you shall stand in the holy place." In this paragraph, continuing on to page 39, Christ says, "In those days, shall be great tribulation on the Jews, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, such as was not before sent upon Israel of God, since the beginning of their kingdom until this time; no, nor ever shall be sent again upon Israel."
After these judgments should come upon Jerusalem and the Jews, then false Christs and prophets should arise, and shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that they would deceive the Elect according to the covenant, if it were possible.