“As the Lord predicted in the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants, we now see the time when ‘the devil shall have power over his own dominion’ (D&C 1:35). Is it any wonder that some are dismayed and disturbed by what they see? Yet, my dear young friends, we do not find President Hinckley or the other apostles and prophets wallowing in despair, nor do we sense even the smallest touch of hopelessness. The opposite is true. As President Hinckley also said last conference: ‘Now, I do not wish to be an alarmist. I do not wish to be a prophet of doom. I am optimistic. I do not believe the time is here when an all-consuming calamity will overtake us. . . . There is so much of the Lord’s work yet to be done. We, and our children after us, must do it’ (in Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 89; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 74).”This hope and optimism comes because we know, with absolute certainty, that God is in His heaven and He is the Lord Omnipotent. God’s wisdom and knowledge and power are greater than all the combined forces of evil. He is able to work His will, and His purposes cannot be frustrated (see D&C 3:1). He has not left you and me to make our way alone in these perilous times. He is watching over His people.”

~ M. Russell Ballard, “Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might” (CES fireside for young adults, March 3, 2002), 1–2