Remaining Steadfast Against Opposition

I have been hearing about the end of the world lately. With the recent United States presidential election, many people have exclaimed that it didn't matter who we voted for. Both candidates were evil and they seemed to find reassurance in the idea that the end of the world would get here faster either way. From what I read this week in the New Testament, that does not seem to be the case.

The end of the world is referenced in Matthew 24:14 when it says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." 

What is meant by "the end"? 

Joseph Smith said the following: "According to the Savior’s language, the end of the world is the destruction of the wicked; the harvest and the end of the world have an allusion directly to the human family in the last days, instead of the earth, as many have imagined.” So, the end of the world is not the end of the earth but the end of wickedness."

That phrase gave me a great deal of hope as well as those around me who were struggling with who to vote for. We know that the world does not have to be more wicked. It has already passed the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. What do we need to do to withstand the evil forces around us?

The answer is in Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:11. It says, "But he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved."  

Elder David A. Bednar explained how we can remain steadfast. He said, "A person who is steadfast and immovable is solid, firm, resolute, firmly secured, and incapable of being diverted from a primary purpose or mission. A building or structure that is stable and immovable must be built upon a strong foundation. If you and I desire to become steadfast and immovable disciples of the Master, we must build appropriately and effectively upon Him as our foundation. As we become more spiritually mature and increasingly steadfast and immovable, we focus upon and strive to understand the fundamental and foundational doctrines of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Disciples who are steadfast and immovable do not become fanatics or extremists, are not overzealous, and are not preoccupied with misguided gospel hobbies.”

This does not mean that we stand still, however. Sometimes we have to be like Joseph and run! On Sunday our bishop told us about a documentary on iguanas. As soon as they hatch, their instinct is to cross the Galapagos Island and get to the other side. They barely crack out of their shells and snakes are trying to catch and destroy them. You can watch it here:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv9hn4IGofM&list=PLsbiKtJbTLpOpq1XHYilA98Zfz-7E21O0&index=8

As I watched this segment of the video, I pictured our youth and young adults out in the world. They are noticed and targeted. Satan is trying his best to capture and destroy them. I love the part in the video where the snakes have the iguana and then he gets away. All of us get caught and need a way to escape. Jesus Christ made our escape possible. We can turn to Him and through His Atonement, be rescued and have another chance to work toward eternal life.

In A.D. 70 the Jews were suffering in great tribulation and if the Lord would not have intervened, they would have been completely annihilated. We have been promised that the Lord will need to intervene in the last days for His people to survive. Knowing that we are not left alone and remembering that the righteous will win the war gives me strength to carry on with hope each day.