The Story of Lachoneus: A Pattern of Defense
Against Evil in the Last Days

Bruce Satterfield
Brigham Young University-Idaho


I. The Forces of Evil in the Last Days

To the Relief Society General Conference in September 1998, Pres.Gordon B. Hinckley declared,

"The home is under siege."

Further,

"Never before, at least not in our generation, have the forces of evil been so blatant, so brazen, so aggressive as they are today. Things we dared not speak about in earlier times are now constantly projected into our living rooms. All sensitivity is cast aside as reporters and pundits speak with a disgusting plainness of things that can only stir curiosity and lead to evil. . . ."

He then gave this admonition:

"Sisters, guard your children. They live in a world of evil. The forces are all about them." (Ensign, Nov. 1998, pp. 98-99)



II. War between the Church of the Devil and the Church of the Lamb

Prophets in the Book of Mormon foresaw the siege of wickedness in the last days and taught how we can defend our families against it. In a vision concerning the last days, Nephi witnessed the war between good and evil (1 Nephi 14:10-14).

He saw evil as a "the church of the devil" trying to destroy "the church of the Lamb" or the saints of God. He saw the church of the devil spreading its influence over the whole earth. And though the church of the Lamb had also spread its influence over all the earth, its numbers and influence were small because of the overwhelming wickedness of the church of the devil. However, against such staggering odds and influence, God's people "were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory."

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III. The Story of Lachoneus (3 Nephi 3-4)

President Benson taught:

"in the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ's coming to America. By careful study of that time period we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet" (Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6-7).

In the story of Lachoneus (3 Nephi 3-4), which happened just a few years before the coming of Christ to the Nephites, an answer is given to how we successfully arm our families with righteousness and the power of God against the overwhelming wickedness that is besieging our homes in the last days.

Just as in our day, Lachoneus faced an opposing enemy much larger than his own people, the Gadianton robbers under the leadership of Giddianhi. He faced a war that threatened to annihilate his people. However, Lachoneus took certain steps that armed his people with righteousness and the power of God. In so doing, rather than being destroyed by the Gadianton robbers, they utterly defeated them.

By studying the story of Lachoneus we learn a pattern of how to defend our families against the wickedness that has besiege every home in the last days. The steps Lachoneus took to prepare his people against the Gadianton robbers are as follows:


(1) He could not be frightened. (3 Ne. 3:12)

Fear comes from doubt. Doubt is spawned by lack of knowledge. To overcome fear and doubt, one must study the doctrines of the kingdom, particularly those concerning God and his plan of salvation.


(2) He gathered his people into one place. (3 Ne. 3:13)

Unity within the family, ward, stake, and Church are essential in the combat against evil. We must be unified in doctrine and our allegiance to the prophet.

Quotes on Unity

Marion G. Romney
Only a united people, keeping God's commands, can expect the protection which he alone can give when the floods come, and the rains descend, and the winds blow, and beat upon our house.  (Ensign, May 1983, 18)

Brigham Young
A perfect oneness will save a people, because intelligent beings cannot become perfectly one, only by acting upon principles that pertain to eternal life. Wicked men may be partially united in evil; but, in the very nature of things, such a union is of short duration. The very principle upon which they are partially united will itself breed contention and disunion to destroy the temporary compact. Only the line of truth and righteousness can secure to any kingdom or people, either of earthly or heavenly existence, an eternal continuation of perfect union; for only truth and those who are sanctified by it can dwell in celestial glory. (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.282)

David O. McKay

A child has the right to feel that in his home he has a place of refuge, a place of protection from the dangers and evils of the outside world. Family unity and integrity are necessary to supply this need. (Conference Report, April 1969, p.8)

Heber C. Kimball
Brethren, we have all got to learn one thing, and that is, to be one with our leader; and this oneness should extend from the least member up to the Prophet and Seer--every man standing in his order and place, just as the branches of a tree are one with the stock and root. (Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, p.123)

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
The oneness must come, brethren, through being one with him who stands at the head of the Church. And it is the duty and obligation of every officer of the Church to square himself fully, wholly, unreservedly, without deception, without equivocation, to the mind and will of the Lord as revealed to our prophet, seer, and revelator. I say again, this principle relates to all the things that affect the well-being of the Church. (Conference Report, April 1944, p.114)
(3) One who had the spirit of revelation and prophecy was placed as their general. (3 Ne.3:18-19)

The Church is unified under the direction of a prophet. From him we receive instructions and warnings necessary in the fight against evil. Adherence to the teachings of the prophets is essential in the combat against evil.
Henry B. Eyring
The Savior has always been the protector of those who would accept His protection. He has said more than once, "How oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not" (3 Ne. 10:5).  ...

There seems to be no end to the Savior's desire to lead us to safety. And there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. And those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety.

When tensions ran high in northern Missouri in the fall of 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith called for all the Saints to gather to Far West for protection. Many were on isolated farms or in scattered settlements. He specifically counseled Jacob Haun, founder of a small settlement called Haun's Mill. A record of that time includes this: "Brother Joseph had sent word by Haun, who owned the mill, to inform the brethren who were living there to leave and come to Far West, but Mr. Haun did not deliver the message" (Philo Dibble, in "Early Scenes in Church History," in Four Faith Promoting Classics [1968], 90). Later, the Prophet Joseph recorded in his history: "Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took counsel. None had ever been killed who [had abided] by my counsel" (History of the Church, 5:137). Then the Prophet recorded the sad truth that innocent lives could have been saved at Haun's Mill had his counsel been received and followed.

In our own time, we have been warned with counsel of where to find safety from sin and from sorrow. One of the keys to recognizing those warnings is that they are repeated. For instance, more than once in these general conferences, you have heard our prophet say that he would quote a preceding prophet and would therefore be a second witness and sometimes even a third. Each of us who has listened has heard President Kimball give counsel on the importance of a mother in the home and then heard President Benson quote him, and we have heard President Hinckley quote them both. The Apostle Paul wrote that "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" (2 Cor. 13:1). One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and
fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time.

Looking for the path to safety in the counsel of prophets makes sense to those with strong faith. When a prophet speaks, those with little faith may think that they hear only a wise man giving good advice. Then if his counsel seems comfortable and reasonable, squaring with what they want to do, they take it. If it does not, they consider it either faulty advice or they see their circumstances as justifying their being an exception to the counsel. Those without faith may think that they hear only men seeking to exert influence for some selfish motive. ("Finding Safety In Counsel," Ensign, May 1997, pp. 24-26)

(4) He had fortifications built and guards set up to protect his people. (3 Ne. 3:14)

The prophets have instructed us how to fortify our homes through things as family home evening, family prayer, family scripture study, etc. Fathers and mothers are to be in the home to guard their children against evil.  (See First Presidency Letter 11 February 1999)


(5) He caused his people to repent. (3 Ne. 3:15)

Repentance is key in the war against evil. Repentance can be defined as the change of heart and mind that comes when one learns of and adopts a new view. As one studies the doctrines of the kingdom, he comes to understand God's view regarding "the world and the wisdom thereof" (1 Nephi 11:35). When that view is adopted, his behavior will change. Rather than living the ways of the world, he will follow the teachings of God. The Lord blesses those who have repented with the gift of the Holy Ghost that empowers God's children against evil.