Howard W. Hunter
"Today another battle of far more serious consequence is being waged. It is a battle being fought for the souls of men. Its outcome likewise depends on the steadiness of the soldiery. The clarion call of the chieftain is heard above the fierce artillery of the archenemy, ’Stand firm! Be true!’
“I am grateful that most Latter-day Saints today are standing firm and remaining true to the kingdom of God. Like Helaman’s stripling warriors, ’they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come.’ (”Alma 58:40Alma 58:40.) I am referring to those members of the Church who live their Christian beliefs in the quiet commonplace of their daily lives.
“On November 1, 1831, at a conference of the Church in Hiram, Ohio, the Lord revealed in the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants that this is the ’only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually.’ (”D&C 1:30D&C 1:30.) This should raise a question in our minds of eternal significance: We know that this is the true and living church institutionally, but am I a true and living member individually?
“This question may appear as a play on the words of the Lord when he said this is the true and living church. When I ask, ’Am I a true and living member?’ my question is, Am I deeply and fully dedicated to keeping the covenants I have made with the Lord? Am I totally committed to living the gospel and being a doer of the word and not a hearer only? Do I live my religion? Will I remain true? Do I stand firm against Satan’s temptations? He is seeking to cause us to lose our way in a storm of derision and a tide of sophistry. We can have victory, however, by responding to that inner voice calling ’Stand firm!’” (That We Might Have Joy, p. 149)