Withstand the Forthcoming Perils

President Nelson declared in this past general conference, “My dear brothers and sisters, these are the latter days. If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” This is a similar message to other statements he has made warning us of the challenges in our day and which are coming. He warned, “During these perilous times of which the Apostle Paul prophesied, Satan is no longer even trying to hide his attacks on God’s plan. Emboldened evil abounds. Therefore, the only way to survive spiritually is to be determined to let God prevail in our lives, to learn to hear His voice, and to use our energy to help gather Israel.” He also said, “Admittedly, the Lord has spoken of our day in sobering terms. He warned that in our day ‘men’s hearts [would fail] them’ and that even the very elect would be at risk of being deceived. He told the Prophet Joseph Smith that ‘peace [would] be taken from the earth’ and calamities would befall mankind.” In the footnote to this statement he added, quoting 2 Timothy 3:1, “The Apostle Paul prophesied that ‘in the last days perilous times [would] come. That would make our day spiritually treacherous.” So difficult will be the challenges ahead that it “will not be possible to survive spiritually unless we have “the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

                And yet, despite these warnings and sobering prophecies of the future, President Nelson has repeatedly spoken in optimistic terms about the future and what it can hold for us. He stated, “The Lord has also provided a vision of how remarkable this dispensation is. He inspired the Prophet Joseph Smith to declare that ‘the work of … these last days, is one of vast magnitude. … Its glories are past description, and its grandeur unsurpassable.’” He further said, “I am not saying that the days ahead will be easy, but I promise you that the future will be glorious for those who are prepared and who continue to prepare to be instruments in the Lord’s hands. My dear sisters, let us not just endure this current season. Let us embrace the future with faith!” He also declared, “We live in the day that ‘our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation.’ We have front-row seats to witness live what the prophet Nephi saw only in vision, that ‘the power of the Lamb of God’ would descend ‘upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.’ You, my brothers and sisters, are among those men, women, and children whom Nephi saw. Think of that!” He wants us to look forward with faith towards the blessings that the Lord has for the faithful: “I know the Lord has great and marvelous plans for us—individually and collectively. With compassion and patience, He says: ‘Ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath … prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.’” He similarly affirmed, “This is the dispensation when no spiritual blessing will be withheld from the righteous. Despite the world’s commotion, the Lord would have us look forward to the future ‘with joyful anticipation.’” The days ahead will indeed hold great challenges for us, but the blessings promised to the faithful are even greater. If we are prepared, we shall not fear: “The Lord has declared that despite today’s unprecedented challenges, those who build their foundations upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era.” We have the Lord’s promise that if we are faithful He will be with us: “Therefore, be faithful; and behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end” (Doctrine and Covenants 105:41).