Then-Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Council of the Twelve
Apostles said: “There has been a war between light and darkness, between good
and evil, since before the world was created. The battle still rages and the
casualties seem to be increasing.” (Henry B. Eyring, “The Power of Teaching
Doctrine,” Ensign, May 1999, p. 73)
Elder M. Russell Ballard said: “We are in a war. This war is
the same war that raged in the premortal world. Lucifer and his followers are
committed to an evil direction.” (M. Russell Ballard, “Filling the World with
Goodness and Truth,” Ensign, July 1996, p. 12.)
Reading 2 - President Ezra Taft Benson, spoke of his concern
about the spiritual warfare of our day: “We live in a day of great
challenge. We live in that time of which
the Lord spoke when he said, ‘Peace shall be taken from the earth, and the
devil shall have power over his own dominion.’ (D&C 1:35.) We live in that day which John the Revelator
foresaw when ‘the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with
the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ.’ (Rev. 12:17.)
The dragon is Satan; the woman represents the Church of Jesus Christ.
Satan is waging war against the members of the Church who have testimonies and
are trying to keep the commandments. And
while many of our members are remaining faithful and strong, some are
wavering. Some are falling. Some are fulfilling John’s prophecy that in
the war with Satan, some Saints would be overcome. (Ezra Taft Benson, “The
Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986)
Reading 3 – Alma 24:15-18
Reading 4 – Alma 53:13-15
Reading 5 – Alma 53:16-18
Reading 6 - President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Men and women
who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out
of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision,
quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply
their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up
friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God
will find eternal life” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 361)
Reading 6 – Alma 53:19, 22
President Harold B. Lee said: "The power of Satan will increase; we
see it in evidence on every hand....
"Now the only safety we have as members of this church
is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church
was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that
the Lord shall give through his prophet, 'as he receiveth them, walking in all
holiness before me;…as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.'
(D&C 21:4-5.) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You
may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict
your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere
with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from
the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that
'the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will
disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake
for your good, and his name's glory'." (Conference Report, Oct 1970, p152)
Reading 7 – Alma 56:44-47
Reading 8 - President Spencer W. Kimball said: “To be a
righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second
Coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s
strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil
times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the
home—which is society’s basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in
society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the
home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst
of storm and strife” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L.
Kimball [1982], 326–27).
Alma 56:48
Reading 9 – Alma 57:19-20
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