Winning the War Against Evil

My thoughts on Elder Hamula's talk "Winning the War against Evil"

I really loved this talk. I loved it so much that when my husband asked me to give the sacrament talk in our Sunday sacrament meeting when we couldn't make it to church because of 24 inches of snow, I pulled this talk out and shared it with my children.

In fact most of it is highlight and it would probably be faster for me to cut and paste the parts I didn't highlight ~smile~.

I guess what really impacted me was that once again they are calling for our youth--my children--to stand up and fight! I remember talks like this some 30 years ago when I was a teen. They asked us to win the war against evil then too. I guess the more things change the more they stay the same. The enemy is the same, but using different tactics. He will fight to the bitter end and we must endure to that end no matter what.

I know this talk was aimed at our young men, but it hit me personally as their mother and as someone who was once called "noble and valiant" when I still had a spring in my step--well a spring that really sprung. I believe I'm in the army of God as well, only now my weapons are a bit different. I'm a teacher and defender.

But speaking of today's youth...
"To ensure its ultimate success, the final restoration of God’s kingdom has been commenced with unprecedented spiritual power and is being sustained by that same spiritual power and something more. Reserved to come forth in these last days and labor for our Father and His Son are some of the most valiant and noble of our Father’s sons and daughters. Their valiance and nobility were demonstrated in the pre-earth struggle with Satan. There, “being left to choose good or evil,” they “[chose] good” and exhibited “exceedingly great faith” and “good works.” Such are the traits that are now needed to sustain the work of God in the earth and to save the souls of men from the intensifying wrath of the adversary."

We have to remember that we already were warriors in a battle that we won and we cannot give up that fight--just the battle field has changed and we are no longer in physical contact with our commander. We must listen to His servants and the Holy Ghost to lead and direct us.

He then speaks to the young men of today--how powerful!

"Now, my young friends of the Aaronic Priesthood, you are these valiant and noble sons of our Father! You are the strength of the Lord’s house, His warriors! You are those who chose good over evil and who exhibited “exceedingly great faith” and “good works.” And because of your personal history, you were entrusted to come to the earth in these last days to do again what you did before—to once again choose good over evil, exercise exceedingly great faith, and perform good works—and to do so in behalf of the kingdom of God on the earth and your fellowman!"

I only hope my young sons internalize this! They are good! They have history of being good. PLEASE, I pray, let them remember.

"Satan is marshalling every resource at his disposal to entice you into transgression."
Never was a more true statement said! I see it, you see it and but do my sons see it? I hope their eyes are open wide to this threat to their eternal welfare.

"He knows he can draw you into transgression, he may prevent you from serving a full-time mission, marrying in the temple, and securing your future children in the faith, all of which weakens not only you but the Church."

I have seen this happen way too many times, even in my own family. How horrible for those who come after to miss the blessings because one of our noble and great ones falter and succumb to the temptations of Satan.

"Make no mistake about it—the focus of his war is now on you—you who seek to “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”"

He is after those who are still fighting. He doesn't have to fight those who are already sinning for he has won them. It is those who are keeping the commandments that he needs to fight against.

Oh, I just love this next part. Sober!
"Being sober means being earnest and serious in assessing your circumstances, and careful and circumspect in weighing the consequences of your actions. Soberness therefore yields good judgment, as well as measured conduct."
I love this! It is so simple to understand both in the earthly manner as well as in a spiritual manner. May my sons be sober every day of their life.

He then talks about the many vices and sins that are out there to snare our youth (and adults) and says this about them.
"You cannot do these things and be victorious in the battle for your own soul, let alone be a valiant warrior in the great struggle for the souls of all the rest of our Father’s children."

Elder Hamula then gives us the formula of winning this war:
1. Pray
"The more regular and earnest the prayer, the more frequent the revelation. When received, revelation provides the evidence or assurance of things unseen, which is the foundation of faith."

2. Learn to hear the voice of the Lord
"His is a still, small, and whisper-like voice. It is one that is felt more than it is heard. It comes in the form of thoughts, feelings, and impressions. To hear such a voice, you must be still and quiet in your own soul, laying aside your excess laughter and light-mindedness."

3. Obey the word of the Lord
"Do as He bids you to do, no matter how hard it may seem to you, and do it now."

"Let me assure you that these qualities are already within you. You simple need to recover them."
What a sweet promise and may we all take advantage of it.