When the Sun Went Dark: Solar Storms & Sacred Signs
Heaven and Earth Reacted
Have you ever stopped to wonder what truly happened in the heavens and on the Earth when Jesus Christ was crucified?
The scriptures tell us that the sun went dark, the earth quaked, and a thick darkness covered the land. In Jerusalem, this lasted three hours. Across the ocean, the Book of Mormon records that the darkness in the Americas lasted three days, accompanied by earthquakes, tempests, and fire.
It’s one of the most extraordinary shared testimonies in scripture — two hemispheres witnessing the same cosmic event.
Faith Meets Science
As I began exploring the scientific side of this story, I discovered that both 1 AD and 34 AD correspond to likely solar maximums — peaks in our sun’s activity cycle that bring increased solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These immense bursts of charged particles can disrupt Earth’s magnetic field, triggering geomagnetic storms, earthquakes, and even volcanic eruptions.
When we line up the timing, the Book of Mormon’s description of “a mist of darkness so thick that no fire could be kindled” suddenly takes on new depth. Volcanic ash can blot out the sun, ignite lightning, and cause literal darkness at noon.
Could it be that the heavens — the very sun, the Earth, and her elements — reacted to the death of their Creator?
Patterns in the Past
History gives us remarkable parallels:
- AD 536 — The “Year of Darkness,” when volcanic dust dimmed the sun for 18 months.
- AD 1815 — Mount Tambora’s eruption triggered “The Year Without Summer.”
- AD 34 — The time of the Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ — when both scripture and nature testify of three hours and three days of darkness.
Each of these moments reminds us that creation is not separate from the divine story — it participates in it.
The Signs for Our Day
The Book of Mormon was written for our day. Its accounts of heavenly signs and earthly upheaval aren’t meant to frighten us but to prepare us. As we see solar activity rising again, earthquakes increasing, and the sun and moon behaving in prophetic ways, we can remember the Savior’s words:
“Look to me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” — Doctrine & Covenants 6:36
Just as the heavens reacted to His first coming, they will surely declare the signs of His return.
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Signs of the Times with Marnie Pehrson Kuhns explores the intersection of faith, creation, and prophecy — helping us recognize how God speaks through both scripture and the natural world.
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If something in this reflection stirred something in you—if you sense God inviting you into a new season but you’re not quite sure what that looks like—that’s exactly what Flow & Grow sessions are for. They’re gentle, Spirit-led conversations where we create space to listen, notice, and discern together. If you’d like to explore what God may be inviting you into, I’d love to walk alongside you.
