First Presidency Letter, dated 1 December 1983

[gregoryboucher]

Hello!

I'm looking for the First Presidency letter, dated 1 December 1983, counseling us in dealing with persecutions from without the Church. Would someone please provide me with a link to the letter? Thank you very much!

Brother Greg

[sbradshaw]

I doubt that a letter that old would be online through the main Church website. You could try using the "Ask Us" link at the Church History Catalog website:
https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng

[russellhltn]

While it doesn't have the letter, this link does have excerpts: Dealing with Opposition to the Church

[lajackson]

While it doesn't have the letter, this link does have excerpts: Dealing with Opposition to the Church

That link includes an excellent summary of the letter and, in fact, includes most of it. Back then, letters from the First Presidency came in a white envelope weekly to each Church leader. I probably have a copy of the letter but do not plan to look for it.

There were a number of specific things happening around that time that caused the letter to be written and sent to priesthood leaders. And even though that letter did not specifically mention any of them, it still provides excellent counsel for those who are in a position to be dealing with opposition to the Church.

It is also well to remember that Satan is alive and well and will make every effort to oppose the progress of the Church until the Second Coming of the Savior, at which point the contest will be over. Nothing really has changed in that regard.

[russellhltn]

There were a number of specific things happening around that time that caused the letter to be written and sent to priesthood leaders. And even though that letter did not specifically mention any of them, it still provides excellent counsel for those who are in a position to be dealing with opposition to the Church.

Which makes me wonder why it seems so hard to find similar resources now.

Traditionally, Letters were only valid until the next Handbook revision where they'd be incorporated into the revised text.