A seemingly "never-ending march of progress in the modern world" is offset by a "relentless onslaught of soul-destroying distractions such as pornography, illegal drug use and abuse of spouse and children. There is a parade of false philosophies, which are trumpeted as new and modern answers to the problems of the world."
New communication technologies have been appropriated for evil purposes that constantly bombard our homes, which in times past have been havens against the world. "To retain that peace now takes almost unrelenting vigilance."
Church members are not left defenseless. Jesus "is the answer to the longings of the human heart for certainty. He is the answer to our individual sins and our sorrows. He is our protector in a world constantly seeking to solve problems through violence."
The Book of Mormon "came in a day and time when the Lord knew it would, when the dislocations caused by wickedness would be very intense."
The promise that those who read the Book of Mormon with honest intent will receive a witness of its truth "has been fulfilled not only in my life, but in the lives of hundreds of thousands, even millions of people. Setting aside prejudices and biases, readers can come to a testimony of the Savior and of the truth of the latter-day work.
"In the midst of our trials and challenges, we will find patience knowing that in the end, it will be all right. We will find serenity in the face of affliction . . . peace in this life even as chaos swirls around us."