Winning The War

Winning the War Against Evil President Uchtdorf, the second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder Ballard, one of the Twelve Apostles, were invited and attended last Tuesday’s historical inauguration of our next President of the United States. In an interview after, President Uchtdorf said some things that resonated with me as I was preparing for today’s topic; he said, We feel we were in the right place with all . . . [of our] brothers and sisters, to pray for this presidency, for this administration, and with them to pray for all the governments around the world to bring again peace and prosperity and unity to all countries. What stood out to me here is that they prayed not only for “this presidency,” “this administration,” and “all the governments around the world,” but specifically “to bring again peace.” Observing what is going on with the prominent wars in the world today, I believe that war is the worst thing that happens on earth. Soldiers and innocent civilians on all sides, all children of God, suffer in so many ways from so many different angles: there’s death, hate, loss of limbs, psychological scarring, poverty, families torn apart, hate, tears, losing friends and family members. And yet, because war is not going away, we need heroes, guardians of liberty, who, with the spirit of service, lead and fight in the defense of principles that are true such as freedom, equality, hope, and happiness. Intricate medals of honor decorate our heroes and beautiful memorials, including the Tomb of the Unknowns, help us not to forget brave men and brave women. As we strive to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we understand that we are embroiled in a war against evil. One of the basic doctrines of the gospel is that there was a War in Heaven. Understanding that doctrine helps us put into context our ongoing spiritual struggles in the war against Satan and his legions. This war is no less tragic than the wars we see today--as many of our brothers and sisters suffer in so many ways from so many differ-

ent angles. And, similarly, the war against evil is no less in need of heroes and leaders, guardians of truth and righteousness, who in the spirit of service and prayer, teach faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. The War in Heaven John the Divine received the revelation of Jesus Christ, in which John was shown “things which must shortly come to pass.” In that revelation John saw that “there was a war in heaven: Michael and his angles fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” Revelations 12:7. Elder Hamula of the Seventy, in the October 2008 Priesthood Session, said that “[t]his war commenced before the foundations of the world and has been pursued with awful consequence throughout the world’s history. I speak of the war between the followers of Christ and all those who deny Him as their God." What this pre-mortal war was about is summarized by Elder Hamula, and I’ll paraphrase him: Satan started it by rebelling against God’s plan of salvation and rejecting the Christ who was chosen to make the plan work. Lucifer’s Fall When learning and talking about the war in heaven, I’m always struck by the consequence of Satan’s “fall from heaven” and how tragic that was: Section 76 of the Doctrine Covenants, one of the great revelations given to the prophet Joseph Smith, which talks in great depth and length about the plan of salvation, including the revelation of the three degrees of glory, addresses the war in heaven. The prophet Joseph Smith saw how tragic the war in heaven was: He saw “an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God,” “who rebelled,” and was “thrust down from the presence of God and the Son.” “The heavens wept over him.” Here’s the Prophet Joseph: “And we beheld, and lo, he is fallen! is fallen, even a son of the morning!” Doctrine and Covenants 76: 25-27. 2

Here’s John the Revelator: “and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp.” Revelations 8:10. And Isaiah: “How art though fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” Isaiah 14:12. Furthermore, Jesus told his disciples in Luke 10:18: “I beheld Satan as lightening fall from heaven.” War Continued . . . Satan was not the only one cast out of heaven--”his angels were cast out with him.” Revelations 12:9. Elder Hamula makes the observation that those who were cast out with him have come with “great wrath” and, from Doctrine and Covenants 76:29, we learn that they “maketh war with the saints of God.” Elder Hamula states further that “Satan is marshaling every resource at his disposal to entice [us] into transgression.” We need to beware how resources are utilized by Satan to entice us. To me, there’s no better example then when Satan, the tormented one, came to tempt the Lamb of God, our Redeemer Jesus Christ. In Matthew 4, we learn that Jesus was fasting 40 days and 40 nights just before beginning his ministry. Satan tempted Jesus to turn the rocks to bread; Jesus did not succumb to those physical appetites. Satan tempted Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the temple, basically taunting Jesus that his angels would catch him; Jesus did not succumb to abusing his power and authority. And Satan tempted Jesus by telling him that he could have all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him; Jesus did not give into idol worship. We may be certain that when we choose to do something good, like getting an education, going on a mission, getting married, or having a family, that we will be tempted to give into our physical appetites, to abuse our power and authority, and to worship idols. So, a great war against evil is going on right now on a spiritual level that we fight everyday, every week, every month, every year. This war against evil is a prominent theme in our “selection of sacred hymns” where the Lord “delights” in the songs of our heart and where our “righteous” song “may be a prayer” that 3

shall be answered with a “blessing upon our heads.” With that revelation to Emma Smith (Doct. Cov. 25) in mind, here’s a sampling of some titles and lines: Hope of Israel

the

“Zion’s Army” “Sound the War-Cry” “Foe in Countless Numbers” “Marshaled in the Ranks of Sin” “On to Battle” “Flash the Sword Above the Foe! Every Stroke Disarms a Foeman; Every Step we Conquering Go.”--echoes of Ammon in Book of Mormon doing a little flashing of the sword and disarming.

Onward, Christian Soldiers “Marching as to War” “Christ, the Royal Master, Leads against the Foe.” “Satan’s host doth flee” “Like a Mighty Army Moves the Church of God” Scripture Power (Primary Song)

“I’ll find the sword of truth in each scripture” “I’ll take the shield of faith from these pages” “I’ll wear each vital part of the armor of the Lord,” “And fight my daily battles, and win a great reward.” Behold a Royal Army “Marching for the Conquer 4

On Life’s Great Battle Field” “Its Ranks are Filled with Soldiers United, Bold, and Strong Who Follow their Commander” “Victory, Victory, Victory Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!” We are Enlisted “Come Join the Ranks, Come Join the Ranks! We are waiting now for Soldiers; who’ll Volunteer?” “Fight for our Savior; come, come away!” Battle Hymn of the Republic “As he died to make men holy, let us live to make me free, While God is marching on.” We’ll Bring the World His Truth (Primary Song) “We are as the army of Helaman” “We will become the Lord’s Missionaries” “To bring the world His truth”--my mission If you ever wonder why so much of the Book of Mormon covers wars, the doctrine of the War in Heaven may very well be an answer. There we find the 2000 Stripling Warriors and we learn about Moroni, the Commander of the Nephite armies, hoisting the Title of Liberty, which read: “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” Alma 48:11-13. And how about Paul in the New Testament teaching the Ephesians the spiritual meanings of breastplates, girt loins, shod feet, shields, helmets, and swords? Paul taught, [B]e strong in the Lord, and the power of his might. Put on the full armor of God, that ye may be able to stand 5

against the wiles of the devil. . . . [T]hat ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-18. The Lord’s kingdom will come. The war against evil will be won. The question is whether we, having done all, will stand. How will you and I win the war against evil? Elder Hamula counsels, “[T]here is only one way to win the war against Satan, and that is to win it in the same way it was won in the beginning.” When we lived in the pre-mortal world, we chose God’s Plan of Salvation and accepted Christ as our Savior. We need to do the same now in this mortal world, which, as Elder Hamula points out, is: (1) having faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, (2) maintaining a steadfast testimony, and (3) devoting ourselves to God’s work. How will you know your winning? “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things. . . . Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

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