We are acquainted through the Book of Mormon with the contrast of divergent causes that motivate men: deception and fraud on the part of tyrants such as Amalickiah, and devotion and faith on the part of the defenders of freedom such as Moroni, Lehi, and Teancum. Mormon reminds us in the midst of his account: “Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men” (Alma 46:9). We of the twentieth century are well aware of the truth of this statement, for we have lived through the horrendous consequences of tyrannical dominance imposed by evil men upon countless millions of human beings. But tyranny is not indomitable. The light of the gospel, illuminating the hearts of devoted sons and daughters of God, can cause tyranny to wilt and dissipate under the inexorable onward force of God’s plan.
What do latter-day prophets say concerning the ongoing struggle we face in the war for truth and right? Here are a few excerpts:
• Brigham Young: “I do not hate any man on earth or in hell. The worst wish I have for the wicked is that they may be obliged to live according to good and wholesome laws… . There is not a man or woman on this earth that I hate; but I do most cordially hate their wicked acts. I am at war with false principles—with wickedness, sin, and abomination; and I expect to continue my warfare until I overcome. (Discourses of Brigham Young, comp. John A. Widtsoe [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1954], 456–457.)
• Ezra Taft Benson: “It was here under a free government and a strong nation that protection was provided for His restored Church. Now God will not permit America, His base of operations, to be destroyed. He has promised protection to this land if we will but serve the God of the land (see Ether 2:12). He has also promised protection to the righteous even, if necessary, to send fire from heaven to destroy their enemies (1 Nephi 22:17).
“No, God’s base of operations will not be destroyed. But it may be weakened and made less effective. One of the first rules of war strategy—and we are at war with the adversary and his agents—is to protect the base of operations. This we must do if we are to build up the kingdom throughout the world and safeguard our God-given freedom.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], 571–572.)
• Bruce R. McConkie: “As members of the Church, we are engaged in a mighty conflict. We are at war. We have enlisted in the cause of Christ to fight against Lucifer and all that is lustful and carnal and evil in the world. We have sworn to fight alongside our friends and against our enemies, and we must not be confused in distinguishing friends from foes. As another of our ancient fellow Apostles wrote: ‘Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.’ (James 4:4.) … And it is now as it has always been. The Saints can only overcome him and his forces ‘by the blood of the Lamb, … by the word of their testimony,’ and if they love ‘not their lives unto the death’ (Revelation 12:11).” (Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1998], 360.)