Panic-buying in Utah as Mormon 'preppers' get ready for 'doomsday' later this month

The moon glows red over Los Angeles City during a total lunar eclipse on April 15, 2014. Such an eclipse, also called a ‘Blood Moon,’ is expected to occur on Sept. 27-28 this year over North America, which some Mormons believe is another doomsday sign.Reuters

In Matthew 24:36, the Bible tells us that no human being can ever know when the apocalypse will take place: "About that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

However, some Mormons in Utah are stocking up on food supplies and emergency kits, believing that "doomsday" will come later this month.

At the Bountiful Store, for instance, salesman Jordan Jensen is currently making a fortune out of selling 72-hour emergency kits to Mormons. He described the current situation in the store as "crazy busy, sales up by definitely a large amount."

"[The kits] are almost impossible to keep on the shelves, and we get a shipment every day," Jensen said.

Why exactly are these Mormons, also known as "preppers," doing a mad dash to prepare for the supposed apocalypse? The factors for their panic-buying range from the upcoming blood moon to fear of an economic collapse.

These Mormons believe that history is divided in seven-year periods, based on the Hebrew notion of "shemitah" or Sabbath.

The preppers noted that in 2008, or exactly seven years after the devastating Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, the United States stock market crashed, bringing about an economic recession that burdened the lives of many Americans.

Now, another seven years after, a similar circumstance is happening: Wall Street has fluctuated wildly after the Chinese stock market crashed due to the devaluation of the yuan.

Also, another supposed doomsday sign coming by the end of September is the moon turning full red, or what is called the "blood moon." Preppers also believe that a major earthquake will happen in or near Utah.

Some of the Mormons also believe that America will experience invasion and technological disruptions due to its "wickedness."