Watching and reading President Ezra Taft Benson’s testimony from 1988 is like reading today’s new. The prophet said:
I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. (See D&C 1:14–16; D&C 84:49–53.) It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world. (See Ether 8:18–25.)
I testify that the church and kingdom of God is increasing in strength. Its numbers are growing, as is the faithfulness of its faithful members. It has never been better organized or equipped to perform its divine mission.
I testify that as the forces of evil increase under Lucifer’s leadership and as the forces of good increase under the leadership of Jesus Christ, there will be growing battles between the two until the final confrontation. As the issues become clearer and more obvious, all mankind will eventually be required to align themselves either for the kingdom of God or for the kingdom of the devil. As these conflicts rage, either secretly or openly, the righteous will be tested. God’s wrath will soon shake the nations of the earth and will be poured out on the wicked without measure. (See JS—H 1:45; D&C 1:9.) But God will provide strength for the righteous and the means of escape; and eventually and finally truth will triumph. (See 1 Ne. 22:15–23.)
I testify that it is time for every man to set in order his own house both temporally and spiritually. It is time for the unbeliever to learn for himself that this work is true, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom which Daniel prophesied God would set up in the latter days, never to be destroyed, a stone that would eventually fill the whole earth and stand forever. (See Dan. 2:34–45; D&C 65:2.) It is time for us, as members of the Church, to walk in all the ways of the Lord, to use our influence to make popular that which is sound and to make unpopular that which is unsound. We have the scriptures, the prophets, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Now we need eyes that will see, ears that will hear, and hearts that will hearken to God’s direction.
And of course here is the good news:
I testify that not many years hence the earth will be cleansed. (See D&C 76:41.) Jesus the Christ will come again, this time in power and great glory to vanquish His foes and to rule and reign on the earth. (See D&C 43:26–33.) In due time all men will gain a resurrection and then will face the Master in a final judgment. (See 2 Ne. 9:15, 41.) God will give rewards to each according to the deeds done in the flesh. (See Alma 5:15.)
This is excellent—thank you for sharing!
Not only in your land there. It would apply to my country Paraguay as well as in Argentina and Brazil. And it has been going on for quiet a while.
Nothing new really.
Unfortunately, we just have to learn to live with it.
I find that there’s about a 5-15 year gap between what the General Authorites warn us about and the time when those warnings become directly relevant.
In the early 00s, they emphasized food storage, staying out of debt, and keeping our financial houses in order. A few years later, we got the Great Recession.
In the 90s, they gave us the Family Proclamation. About a decade later, we got gay marriage and the transgender movement.
In the 80s, they warned us of secret combinations. About a decade later, we got the Clintons.
So what do we have to look forward to in 5 to 15 years, based on what the General Authorities are saying today? President Nelson’s warning comes to mind, about not being able to survive spiritually if we don’t know how to receive personal revelation from the Holy Ghost. From this and other warnings, as well as current cultural trends, I believe we are entering a time when opposition to religion generally will become so great that it will be impossible to be merely a social latter-day saint.
Joe, amen and amen. I think the most important manifestation of personal revelation will be in the form of the Spirit witnessing to us individually that “what the prophet is saying is true.” Regardless of whatever he says.
I was fortunate to see President Benson in person in the mid 1980s when he travelled the USA to hold special regional conferences. I had just returned home from my mission. The buildings were packed with members. The conference message was very serious, warnings were ominous and some have come to pass. President Benson didn’t appease certain factions in the church the way current leadership does today.
President Benson told it like it was.
The LDS world church has not had great leadership since President Benson.
Tulan, I am going to agree with you that President Benson was awesome, I am going to completely disagree with you that the church has not had great leadership since Pres. Benson. All of the prophets and apostles since he died have been very great men providing great leadership. I support and sustain them all and am appreciative of the time they have given to Christ’s church on the Earth.