(Isa. 54:17; 1 Ne. 14:3; D&C 71:7–10; 109:24–25; refer in Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Bassett, to 1 Ne. 22:16–17; Hel. 5:20–52)
The word this in “this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord” refers back to all of the ways in which the Lord will redeem the desolate woman in 3 Nephi 22. He will protect Zion from harm; he will build a House for her that cannot be moved; he will bless her with children in the House of the Lord. The most important feature of Zion’s redemption is the gift of life, the endowment of having children: “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Ps. 127:3).
(Cynthia L. Hallen, “Redeeming the Desolate Woman,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, vol. 7, no. 1:47.)
Now, I think we all understand that this great latter-day kingdom has been set up for the last time, never again to be destroyed, and that never again will the necessity arise for another and future restoration… . But there is one great thing about this dispensation which differs from all the dispensations of the past. It is that this time, with the opening of the heavens and the revealing of the gospel in our day, there came the positive, unqualified assurance that the gospel was to remain on earth; that the kingdom was to be secure; that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was to remain among men to prepare a people for the second coming of the Son of man.
(Bruce R. McConkie, Conference Report, Oct. 1958, 114–15.)
[A portion of the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple] “We ask thee, Holy Father, to establish the people that shall worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in this thy house, to all generations and for eternity; That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself.”
(Joseph Smith, as quoted in Hoyt W. Brewster, Jr., Isaiah Plain and Simple[Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], 271.)
No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independently, till it has penetrated every continent, visted every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
(Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:540.)
We are constantly fed a steady and sour diet of pessimism, faultfinding, second-guessing, and evil speaking one of another… . Surely this is the age and place of the gifted pickle sucker!
A sustained diet of a negative point of view has serious repercussions… . This spirit of negativism grows and begins to hang as a cloud over the land … reaching down to the individual man and woman and influencing attitudes, outlook, and even values… .
There is too much fruitless carping and criticism of America. What might become of this land if we spoke less of its weaknesses and more of its goodness and strength, its capacity and potential? Without doubt, we shall have days of trial… . But if we will turn our time and talents away from vituperative criticism, away from constantly looking for evil, and will emphasize instead the greater good, America will continue to go forward with the blessing of the Almighty and stand as an ensign of strength and peace and generosity to all the world. This is a great land, a choice land, a chosen land.
I am an optimist! … With that frame of reference, my plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight… . I am not suggesting that our conversation be all sweetness and honey… . What I am suggesting is that we have had missing from our society a buoyant spirit of optimism. What I am asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our culture and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live … that optimism replace pessimism; that uncertainty and worry be pushed aside by an enduring feeling of hope… .
We are creatures of our thinking. We can talk ourselves into defeat, or we can talk ourselves into victory… .
We all tend to worry about the future. And yes, there may be lean days ahead for many of us… . But we must not despair or give up. We must look for the sunlight through the clouds… .
Criticism and pessimism … spread a shroud of gloom over entire nations. We must resist partaking of the spirit of our times. We need rather to look for the good all about us… . To the extent we cultivate this virtue of optimism, we will bless all the world’s peoples.
(Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing For Something [New York: Random House, Inc., 2000], 103, 106–107.)
But bear in mind that the Lord is directing this world. We are frequently reminded that conditions have been so developed in the powers of warfare that an accident or a rash move could set in operation those powers which might destroy our civilization. But let us bear in mind that this world is in the hands of God. All these things will happen only so far as they are in accordance with his plans and his purposes. And let us not waste our time and our energy and get into a nervous condition about what is going to happen to the world… . The Lord will take care of that. It remains for us to be devoted to the upbuilding of his kingdom and facing whatever conditions may come to us.
(George Q. Morris, Conference Report, April 1959, 102; italics added.)
The day is not far distant when this nation will be shaken from centre to circumference. And now, you may write it down, any of you, and I will prophesy it in the name of God. And then will be fulfilled that prediction to be found in one of the revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Those who will not take up their sword to fight against their neighbor must needs flee to Zion for safety. And they will come, saying, we do not know anything of the principles of your religion, but we preceive that you are an honest community; you administer justice and righteousness, and we want to live with you and receive the protection of your laws, but as for your religion we will talk about that some other time. Will we protect such people? Yes, all honorable men. When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States, the Elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men, and extending the hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations.
(John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, 21:8.)
Neither this nation nor any other nation can do anything more than God permits. He sets up one nation, and puts down another, according to the counsels of his own will… . All men are but human; their breath is in their nostrils, and they have no power but that which God gives them. Anything beyond this they are powerless to do; and why, then, should His people fear? We certainly have a work to perform on the earth, and God our Father has selected us for that purpose.
(John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, 23:333.)
Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail… . Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won’t fail… .
I plead with you not to preach pessimism… . It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through.
(Harold B. Lee, Ye Are The Light of the World [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 350–51.)
Yes, it was here under a free government and a strong nation that protection was provided for his restored Church. Now God will not permit his base of operations—America—to be destroyed. He has promised protection to this land if we will but serve the God of the land. He has also promised protection to the righteous even, if necessary, to send fire from heaven to destroy their enemies (Ether 2:12; 1 Ne. 22:17).
No, God’s base of operations will not be destroyed. But it may be weakened and made less effective.
(Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, Apr. 1962, 104.)
Can you tell me where the people are who will be shielded and protected from these great calamities and judgments which are even now at our door? I’ll tell you. The priesthood of God who honor their priesthood, and who are worthy of their blessings are the only ones who shall have this safety and protection… . They are at our very doors; not even this people will escape them entirely… . If you do your duty, and I do my duty, we’ll have protection, and shall pass through the afflictions in peace and in safety.
(Wilford Woodruff, The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, ed. G. Homer Durham [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1946], 230.)
We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said:
“Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction… .”
The sentiments of John Adams were these:
“But whatever may be our fate, be assured that this [Constitution] will stand… . It may … cost us blood before we are through. It is my conviction, however, that when the Lord comes, the Stars and Stripes will be floating on the breeze over this people.
(Ezra Taft Benson, The Constitution, a Heavenly Banner [Salt lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1987], 28, 32–33.)
Opposition has always existed whenever and wherever the gospel has been taught, but God has set bounds and limits to its influence, and everyone that shall revile against the truth will stand condemned and ultimately fall.
By chapter’s end, the relationship between the Lord and his children of covenant is seen fully and poetically.
(Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1997], 291.)
Opposition is not new to the Church. We have had opposition in the past, and we shall continue to have opposition in the future. Do not become discouraged by what others say or do. Stay on the strait and narrow path. You do this by holding fast to the iron rod—the words of God as contained in the scriptures and as given by His living servants on this earth.
I carry with me a statement of the Lord from the Book of Mormon, which my brethren of the Twelve have heard me quote. The passage reads as follows: … (3 Ne. 22:17).
(Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1984, 8.)
“These are perilous times—times of great international turmoil… .
We are confronted with economic problems, we are confronted with great faces of evil which wash over us like a flood… . I would just like to say that whatever happens in the world … that God will be with us. He will watch over us. He will protect us. He will see that we are provided for. And we shall endure under His watchful care if we will be true and faithful and obedient and harken to His word.”
President Hinckley told Church members they may be inconvenienced, they may suffer a curtailment of some of their liberties, they may find themselves in more economic difficulties.
“But,” he promised, “the peace of the Lord will be with us sustain us and help us go forward if we will be faithful and true unto the Lord.”
(Gordon B. Hinckley, Church News, Feb. 22, 2003, 3.)
“If we will do our part, and if we will fulfill our destiny we will achieve exactly what the Lord has for us, and we will be protected in doing it… . You do not need to fear about anybody. Just serve the Lord and keep his commandments and build the Kingdom, and as you do so you will be protected in these last days. God will have his hand over you, and you can plan your lives in confidence”
(Mark E. Peterson, CR, Oct. 1960, 81–83).