Alma 43

We are engaged in a war that began long ago (D&C 76):


25 And this we saw also, and bear record, that an ^aangel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who ^brebelled against the Only Begotten^cSon whom the Father ^dloved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son,
26 And was called ^aPerdition, for the heavens ^bwept over him—he was ^cLucifer, a son of the morning.
27 And we beheld, and lo, he is ^afallen! is fallen, even a son of the morning!
28 And while we were yet in the Spirit, the Lord commanded us that we should write the vision; for we beheld Satan, that old ^aserpent, even the ^bdevil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our ^cGod and his Christ—
29 Wherefore, he maketh ^awar with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about.

Our Father in Heaven knows that we battle with temptation and the powers of evil in this world. Every day, Satan is at work to pull us down and make us miserable like himself. But God did not leave us without armor and help in time of need. One important help he has given us is his word through a living prophet.


When Moroni wanted to determine what he should do as a military commander to defend his people in battle, he sought the prophet Alma and then did as Alma told him on faith alone.

23 But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the wilderness Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch their camp; and Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should ^ainquire of the Lord ^bwhither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
24 And it came to pass that the ^aword of the Lord came unto Alma, and Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people. And those messengers went and delivered the message unto Moroni.
25 Now Moroni, leaving a part of his army in the land of Jershon, lest by any means a part of the Lamanites should come into that land and take possession of the city, took the remaining part of his army and marched over into the land of Manti.

I know that if we follow the counsel of the living prophet and apostles whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators, that our lives will be blessed and we will be able to withstand the evil day.

Paul wrote the following admonition to the Ephesians (chapter 6):

10 Finally, my brethren, be ^astrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole ^aarmour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we ^awrestle not ^bagainst ^cflesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the ^drulers of the ^edarkness of this world, against spiritual^fwickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.