Daniel spoke prophetically of a day when there would be “the abomination that maketh desolate” (Dan. 11:31; 12:11), and the phrase was recoined in New Testament times to say “the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet” (Matt. 24:15).
Conditions of desolation, born of abomination and wickedness, were to occur twice in fulfillment of Daniel’s words. The first was to be when the Roman legions under Titus, in A.D. 70, laid siege to Jerusalem (Matt. 24:15; JS—M 1:12). Speaking of the last days, of the days following the Restoration of the gospel and its declaration “for a witness unto all nations,” our Lord said: “And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled” (JS—M 1:31–32). That is, Jerusalem again will be under siege.
Part 2: The First Fulfillment
Prophecies often have dual fulfillments, the historical one being a "type" or foreshadowing of the future one. Daniel was well-acquainted with "the abomination that maketh desolate," for he had already experienced it when he was taken captive by the armies of the New Babylonian Empire who had conquered Jerusalem. He foretold of a time far in his own future when the abominations of the Jews and their refusal to forsake all gods, but Jehovah would again cause their city to be surrounded and destroyed, their temple once again razed to the ground.
Jesus told His Apostles that the temple would be utterly destroyed. He gave them a sign which would precede that destruction.
Matthew 24:15-18
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judæa flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Part 3: The Coming Fulfillment
When asked by His Apostles about the signs of His return, Jesus warned that Jerusalem would once more find itself surrounded by armies' intent on conquest, and that this state of siege would be brought about by the refusal of the Jews to follow Messiah, the incarnate Jehovah, who is Jesus Christ.
This final siege of Jerusalem is often called Armageddon, named for Har-Megiddo, the valley wherein all the armies of the earth shall gather to annihilate the city.
How can we know the sign is about to be fulfilled again? There are three conditions which must prevail. First, it will come at a time when the whole world is in commotion.
Doctrine and Covenants 45:26, 31
26 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, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.
31 And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.
President Russell M Nelson said:
"As followers of Jesus Christ, living in a day when the COVID-19 pandemic has put the whole world in commotion, let us not just talk of Christ or preach of Christ or employ a symbol representing Christ. Let us put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ into action!" - (Opening the Heavens for Help)
In April 2021, he further reinforced this identification:
Often when the Lord warns us about the perils of the last days, He counsels thus: “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.” - (What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget.)
The 2 there denotes a footnote to the talk, which is:
Matthew 24:15
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
So the whole world is in commotion, and the “desolating sickness” has struck, but what of the final sign, the cessation of the daily sacrifice?
Daniel 12:11
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Only Latter-Day Saints can understand this sign without explanation, because only we build temples. On March 25, 2020 the Prophet announced that all temples would close at the end of business that day. The daily sacrifice, as it were, had been taken away. If you count 1290 days from March 25, 2020, the day of closing, you get October 7, 2023.
I find it interesting that on the day of October 7th, 2023, Israel was attacked.
