Without protection, the earth could not survive being in the presence of the sun. Through what are known as solar winds and flares the sun is constantly heaving the equivalent of 1 billion megatons of TNT at the earth. This can occur several times a day and without something to shield us our atmosphere would be ripped apart and earth would be scorched.
So why has Earth survived the sun's presence when planets like Mars have not? The earth’s iron core, which is over 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, stirs its liquid outer core and when combined with the planet’s rotation, a magnetic field is generated. This field is the cause of the northern lights and the reason a compass points to the north. But more importantly, it acts as a shield against the charged particles flying at us from the sun that would rip apart our atmosphere and destroy life on earth.
We know the sun is a symbol of Christ and the earth is the same for man. In our current telestial state, the same that the earth is in, we could not endure the presence of God unless a change came over us, something we call transfiguration. This involves the Holy Ghost acting as a shield between the individual and the glory of God, and without this shield they would be consumed. Jacob, who became Israel, experienced this change when the Lord appeared to him and he explained it in the following words: "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." Genesis 32:30
Interestingly, the north and south poles of our planet reverse about every 200,000 years and it has been more than twice that long since the last time it occurred. When this happens the magnetic field falls and earth is completely exposed to the fire of the sun. When Christ comes again He will have the same effect on the people of this planet as the sun would have on the earth without its magnetic field. Unless we are clean enough for the protection of the Holy Ghost we will be exposed to His glory and as the scriptures say, be "as stubble." The prophecies of this event are strongly tied to our sun and mankind being fully exposed to His and its glory.
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. Isaiah 60:2
But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day. D&C 38:8
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalms 84:11
Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound. Isaiah 30:26
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. Revelation 16:8
So if you're ever lucky enough to see Aurora borealis you will be witnessing more than an amazing light show, you are, in a sense, witnessing the transfiguration of our planet and the only thing protecting us from the glory of the sun.
