When Jesus described the last days, He named something quieter and closer to home: because iniquity would abound, the love of many would wax cold (see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:30; Matthew 24:12). That line can sound bleak if we hear it only as a forecast of cruelty. Heard in the Savior’s full counsel, it is a diagnosis that invites a cure. Where love cools, disciples are called to kindle it again in Christ.

Latter-day Saints find the same sign in Doctrine and Covenants 45 and in living prophets who refuse both naïveté and despair. This article names that sign honestly and invites hope. The signs are not a countdown meant to panic us. They are a call to stand closer to Christ and practice charity in ordinary places.

What the Scriptures Teach

Joseph Smith—Matthew preserves this sobering couplet: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of men shall wax cold; but he that shall not be overcome, the same shall be saved” (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:30). Sin becomes common or shrugged at; then compassion thins. Immediately the Savior adds hope: the one who is not overcome shall be saved. Cold love is real—but it is not an unbreakable fate for every heart.

Doctrine and Covenants 45 echoes the sign—“And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound” (D&C 45:27)—then gives Saints their posture: stand in holy places; gather to Zion’s peace (see D&C 45:32, 66–71). The Lord does not pretend the moral climate will be warm. He does promise power over His Saints and a path of holiness inside the storm (see D&C 1:35–36).

The Book of Mormon answers a cold age with charity. Mormon’s plea is survival truth for the last days: pray with all energy of heart to be filled with the pure love of Christ (see Moroni 7:47–48). Where love waxes cold, the antidote is not louder outrage—it is charity from Christ. Section 121 adds that priesthood power operates only by persuasion, gentleness, and love unfeigned (see D&C 121:41–42).

What This Means

Prophets have long connected this sign to conflict, immorality, dishonesty, and family breakdown—without stopping at diagnosis. President Dallin H. Oaks listed iniquity abounding among major latter-day signs and described a spiritual commotion in which evil once hidden is often paraded. He did not use that portrait to frighten Saints into the Church. He called for spiritual preparation and reminded them that if we are prepared we need not fear (see D&C 38:30).

In a world where love waxes cold, counterfeit versions appear—love without truth, or truth without love. Prophetic teaching holds both together. Christlike love is not permission for every behavior. It is also not permission for cruelty toward those who struggle. Gathering Israel—helping people make and keep covenants—is itself an act of love in a cooling world.

Recognizing the Sign in Our Day

It is fair—and faithful—to notice, without sensationalism, that “love waxing cold” is not abstract. Public speech often rewards contempt faster than patience. Many feel loneliness and pressure on marriage and family. Compassion fatigue is real: some hearts serve; others grow numb.

At the same time, millions still forgive, raise children in faith, and choose kindness when it costs something. The sign of cold love is visible; it is not universal or final. If a hard conversation unsettles you, let it send you toward charity and the Prince of Peace—not toward cynicism or date-setting.

What You Can Do

If this sign feels heavy, start with the Savior’s promise: you need not be overcome. Then choose a few concrete acts.

Pray for charity. Ask to be filled with the pure love of Christ for family, ward members, strangers, and even those who wound you.

Practice love close to home. Speak more gently. Repair a quarrel. Refuse to share a cruel post. That is Restoration Christianity in ordinary clothes.

Stand in holy places. Keep the Sabbath. Take the sacrament worthily. Attend the temple when you can. Make your home a place where love is spoken aloud.

Hold love and law together. Keep commandments without contempt for those who do not. Invite without coercion.

If you are seeking, you do not need to fix every cultural wound before you talk with missionaries. You only need a willing heart.

An Invitation to a Warmer Way

If you have felt the chill—online, in your community, even in your own heart—consider that feeling as a doorway rather than a verdict. The Lord foresaw this season. The restored gospel does not ask you to be afraid enough or angry enough. It asks you to come unto Christ and let Him teach you how to love again.

You can begin today. Read Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:30, Doctrine and Covenants 45:26–32, and Moroni 7. Then, if you feel drawn to learn more, talk with missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will not ask you to buy fear. They will invite you to learn of Christ, to pray, and to discover whether the Book of Mormon and the Restoration are true.

A simple place to start is the Church’s invitation to chat with a missionary or explore faith at ComeUntoChrist.org. Ask your questions. Bring your grief about a colder world—and your hope that God still softens hearts. The sign of love waxing cold is real. So is the pure love of Christ.

For Readers Who Want to Go Deeper

Primary scriptures for this theme include Matthew 22:37–40; 24:12; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:30; Doctrine and Covenants 1:35–36; 45:26–32; 121:41–46; and Moroni 7:44–48.

Helpful prophetic addresses include Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” April 2004; Thomas S. Monson, “Be of Good Cheer,” April 2009; and living prophets’ invitations to minister, gather Israel, and hold love and law together.

None of these sources exist to make you anxious. They exist so you can see clearly, trust Christ more deeply, and help someone else find the same refuge.

A tool we recommend: Scripture Notes is a Latter-day Saint scripture study site and app for searching the scriptures, keeping notes by verse, and finding patterns faster—built to help you get more revelation in less time. We support their work; if you’re going deeper on these passages, it’s worth a look.

If you’d like to put into words what you believe, you can share a testimony at https://myldstestimony.com/.

Independence note: Witness the Signs is an independent project and is not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Church. Content here reflects our own study and opinions; for official doctrine and materials, visit ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Witness the Signs writes about prophesied latter-day conditions so readers can recognize God’s hand, feel hope, and take a next step toward Jesus Christ and His restored Church. We are not here to frighten anyone into faith. We are here to point to the Prince of Peace—and to the living invitation to come and see.