Although a relentless onslaught of soul destroying distractions into homes faces Church members, the Lord has provided a defense against the wicked elements, said Elder L. Aldin Porter of the Presidency of the Seventy.

Elder L. Aldin Porter

In addressing the Saturday afternoon session of conference, Elder Porter said that, of all people, Latter-day Saints should have optimism.

"We are not left without defense against the wicked elements that would bring us sorrow and despair here, and would deny us the joys of eternity hereafter," said Elder Porter of the Presidency of the Seventy.

He quoted John 6:35: "Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

The Savior, Elder Porter said, "is the answer to the longings of the human heart for certainty. He is the answer to our individual sins and to our sorrows."

The violence with which the world seeks to solve its problems will eventually disappear as the lamb lies down with the lion, Elder Porter affirmed. "The Lord, of course, saw our day. He saw the devastating effects of transgression and He prophesied that He would provide protection for His people."

Part of that protection is the Book of Mormon, which is "to bless and guide the lives of the people of this day. It came in a day and time as the Lord knew it would when the dislocations caused by the wickedness would be very intense."

Elder Porter quoted the familiar promise of Moroni and expressed a concern that it may have become so commonplace that members overlook its promise:

"And when ye shall receive these things, [meaning the Book of Mormon] I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4.)

"Do not treat lightly the revelations of God," he said. With the knowledge of the Book of Mormon's truthfulness comes a testimony of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, Elder Porter continued. Also included is "a sure knowledge that Joseph Smith told the truth when he said he had seen the Father and the Son on that spring morning of 1820."

This promise applies to those investigating the Church, members who have lost enthusiasm for the work, and those whose transgression and faithless living have led them to despair over eternal things. "When this sacred witness comes, our love for Him will increase without bounds; our desire to know Him will increase," said Elder Porter.

This witness, he concluded, will bring peace in the midst of trials and challenges, knowing that in the end it will be all right.

"We will find serenity in the face of affliction."