A talk by Elder Neal A. Maxwell titled "When All Hell is Moved," given in 1977 is reassuring to me. I hear and see opponents of the church and I am sometimes bothered by them, but Elder Maxwell helps me to see that these opponents are expected, but the work will carry on.

As this work progresses in its onward course, and becomes more and more an object of political and religious interest and excitement, no king, ruler, or subject, no community or individual, will stand neutral. All will at length be influenced by one spirit or the other; and will take sides either for or against the kingdom of God. (Messages of the First Presidency, p. 257, April 1845)

President Brigham Young observed that it would be at the very time when the Church was reaching out to all the nations of the world, when it was prospering and growing, that there would be in proportion to the spread of the gospel a rise in the power of Satan. We are in that very period of time now, too. The obscurity of the Church has given way to visibility.

When the Saints are spotlighted, it will not always be for us to take curtsies and bows; sometimes the spotlights will be searchlights.

Note, brothers and sisters, that it is the validity which draws the fire of the adversary. Combine validity and visibility, as in our time, and there is even more reaction. The adversary would scarcely pay any attention to a still numerically obscure Church unless he recognized what is underway for just what it is.  

It should not puzzle us, if we have studied scriptural history carefully—including what happened to the Savior—that defectors often cause more difficulty than disinterested disbelievers. 

We are Christ’s kingdom builders. Those who build the heavenly kingdom have always made nervous the people who are busy building worldly kingdoms. 

I have been having some thoughts lately--thoughts about myself, my life, and my marriage.  The thoughts have not been positive.

As I was sitting in church on Sunday, the clear impression came to me that these thoughts were a device of Satan to make me feel frustrated, discouraged, unhappy, and unsatisfied.  For a few minutes, I saw things clearly!  I saw that Satan's plan was to put these thoughts into my head and that I was taking the bait and listening to him!  Well,  I am talking back now and I have some positive statements to counter his negative ones.

I am of worth.  My worth is not defined by my worldly accomplishments.  I am a daughter of God and I am striving to live a good life and keep the commandments.  My Heavenly Father loves me and the Savior atoned for my sins.  (Satan--don't try to tell me that I am a nothing and that I have not accomplished enough.  I will follow the Lord's plan for me.)

I do not have everything that I want in life--meaning worldly possessions, but I have enough and I certainly have what I need.  When I focus on all the blessings that I do have instead of the few items that I do not, I feel much happier.  (Satan--don't sow seeds of discontent by bringing up the fact that I drive an old van and that the main bathroom has not been updated since the 80's.  In the grand scheme of things, these items don't matter.  I don't want my focus to be on material things.)

I married an imperfect person, but a wonderful person who has many, many fine qualities.  He is patient with me as I am more imperfect than he! We have a solid marriage and we are going to continue to be close and committed!  (Satan--don't point out people's faults.  I want to think of the positive and dwell on the good.)

Of course, when Satan plants a thought, I have the choice to reject it or to dwell on it, so I must be on guard and throw out the negative thoughts.

I want to be upright.  I want ot have good, positive thoughts.  I want to make sure that Satan knows where I stand and that is with the Savour!