A desolating scourge and judgment will be poured out upon the earth, but the promise of the Lord is that the righteous may be saved “inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation.” The wheat will be gathered out from the tares, and the wise virgins will be spared only if they receive the truth, take the holy spirit as their guide and avoid deception.

King Benjamin’s angelic tutoring showed him exactly how his people could be completely reborn as children of Christ and receive their true endowment of the Holy Ghost. Moroni also taught the doctrine of Christ with purity and power, that our generation might escape the apostate and corrupted teachings of our day and become the sons and daughters of Christ through a true spiritual rebirth.

The “abomination of desolation” was shown to the prophet Daniel and cautioned by Jesus Christ during his ministry. In the latter days, it’s still a major emphasis in many revelations to Joseph. Destruction and captivity of Jerusalem happened as prophesied, despite those who couldn’t believe that it was possible. The parallels to the last days are crystal clear, as is the warning “I tell you these things even as I also told the people of the destruction of Jerusalem, and my word shall be verified at this time as it hath hitherto been.”

Moroni, like many true prophets boldly declares “I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face.” Men of God in every generation have tried to teach the people to come unto Jesus Christ and let Him heal you, convert you, minister to you and even show Himself to you. The possibility is real, but we’re taught that like the prophets of old, we too will “receive no witness until after the trial of [our] faith.”

True Christians denounce war and proclaim peace. God despises tyranny, oppression and every violation of universal human rights to life and liberty. When one’s fundamental rights are breached by wicked men, is violence or murder ever justified under God’s law? Under what conditions does the Lord declare warfare to be just, authorize its use, and expect godly men to use deadly force in the protection of human life?