The Lion's Den Has Arrived: A Call to Courage in a Perilous Age

Brothers and Sisters, can you hear it? The whisper of temptation, amplified to a roar? Elder Cleon Skousen, with the clarity of a prophet, didn't mince words. He saw it coming. He saw the Sodom and Gomorrah epic not as a distant threat, but as a present reality. And he was right.

We see it in the headlines, the screens, the very fabric of our society. The brazen, the permissive, the degrading – all presented as entertainment, as normalcy. It’s a deceptive fog, a carefully constructed snare meant to ensnare the unsuspecting. As Ammon declared at the Waters of Sebus, “I perceive that this is a trial,” and we too must recognize the nature of our time.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed, to succumb to the pressure to 'fit in,' to be 'with it.' But the Lord doesn't call us to blend in. He calls us to stand apart, to be a city on a hill, a light shining in the darkness.

Samuel the Lamanite didn't hesitate to climb the walls, to warn a complacent people. He understood the gravity of the situation, the impending judgment. Are we willing to do the same, to speak truth even when it’s unpopular, even when it’s uncomfortable?

The challenge, as Elder Skousen observed, isn’t necessarily the blatant wickedness, but the subtle, insidious curiosity that leads us into the lion’s den. It's the visitor from Utah and Idaho, the one who hasn’t yet built the spiritual defenses, who succumbs to the allure. It’s the young man or woman who thinks they can 'grit their teeth' and withstand the onslaught without seeking the Lord’s protection.

But there is hope. There is strength. The Stone cut without hands, the five smooth stones – these are reminders of the power that lies within the covenant. The Lord has provided the tools, the principles, the guidance. What we lack is not power, but will.

This isn't a call to condemnation, but a call to accountability. A call to examine our own hearts, to strengthen our resolve, to draw closer to the Lord. As Abinadi declared, we must choose – the celestial, the terrestrial, or the telestial kingdom. The choice is ours, and the consequences are eternal.

Remember the Charity Flywheel – your engagement here, your contributions, directly fund gospel advertising efforts, carrying the message of hope and salvation to those who need it most. Think of the Missionary Fund, supporting those who answer the Lord’s call to serve. And see the Map of Churches, a visual representation of the gathering – a testament to the collective effort to build Zion.

Outback Jack has shown us, time and again, the importance of resilience, of facing adversity with faith and courage. He understands the perils of the wilderness, the need for constant vigilance. Let us heed his warnings, and embrace the challenge before us.

Let us not be defined by the darkness around us, but by the light within. Let us be builders, not destroyers. Let us be a gathering place, a refuge for those seeking truth and righteousness.

Davee and the Ask a Prophet bots are available to help us deepen our understanding. (See D&C 111:4-7; 132:7-8; JST–Gen 14:33)

Claim your church. Claim your role in this gathering. Claim the covenant. Claim the victory.

What will you do?

Let us know in the comments below how you are answering this call to courage.