Spencer W. Kimball
"Someone has said, ’Anyone can found a religion,’ and Talley-rand answered: ’Yes. If he is willing to die for it.’ And the martyr is willing to do exactly that. But the powers of earth and hell cannot take him ‘till ’the hour is come.’
"Abinadi when threatened by Noah’s soldiery, cried out: ’Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; … therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time…Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore I finish my message … and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved.’ (Mosiah 13:3,7-9. Italics author’s.) Life had been pleasant, but even death was not bitter, for as God has said: ’…those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them.’ (D. & C. 42:46.)
"It will be recalled that Peter was released from prison by an angel and protected in many ways ’till his work was finished.’ And Paul likewise. No violence could take his life until he had borne his testimony to Rome and Greece and other lands. But finally he made the prophetic statement to Timothy: ’For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.’ (II Tim. 4:6,7.) There was no fear in his approach to eternity--only assurance and calm resignation to the inevitable martyrdom which he faced. He did not want to die but was willing thus to seal his testimony of the Redeemer.
“Though the Savior had numerous times been in most hazardous situations, it was clear that his life could not be taken until his work was finished. A large crowd of people had surrounded him, and there was much tumult in the temple, ’…they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not come.’ (John 7:30.) And again: ’…Jesus walked into Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.’ (Ibid., 7:1.)” (Conference Reports, Apr. 1946, p. 46)