--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The devil knows that if the elders of…" description: "\"The devil knows that if the elders of Israel should ever wake up, they could step forth and help preserve freedom and extend the gospel. Therefore the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db3/ezra-taft-benson-443_christianity_the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-is_2686035.jpg" --- # The devil knows that if the elders of Israel should ever… ![“The devil knows that if the elders of Israel should ever wake up, they could step forth and help preserve freedom and extend the gospel. Therefore the devil has concentrated, and to a large extent successfully, in neutralizing much of the priesthood. He has reduced them to Sleeping Giants.” quote by Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db3/ezra-taft-benson-443_christianity_the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-is_2686035.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db3/ezra-taft-benson-443_christianity_the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-is_2686035.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db3/ezra-taft-benson-443_christianity_the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-is_2686035.jpg) > “The devil knows that if the elders of Israel should ever wake up, they could step forth and help preserve freedom and extend the gospel. Therefore the devil has concentrated, and to a large extent successfully, in neutralizing much of the priesthood. He has reduced them to Sleeping Giants.” [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The devil weakens the priesthood, turning leaders into dormant forces, threatening freedom and gospel spread. **In simple terms:** Spiritual leaders can become inactive. Key Takeaway Vigilance against complacency. Themes religion spiritual warfare leadership Mood serious determined Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - church governance - community outreach - social justice Key Concepts institutional decay faith activism Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders stay active? - What safeguards protect spiritual vitality? A Different Perspective Complacency can be unintentional. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Devil Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil-knows-400276/) [Elders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elders/) [Elders Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elders-israel-2450066/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Giants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giants/) [Gospel Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gospel-devil-2619331/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Neutralizing Priesthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neutralizing-priesthood-2619329/) [Priesthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priesthood/) [Priesthood Reduced](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priesthood-reduced-2619330/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps/) [Wake up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wake-up/) ## Related quotes > [We have come to this earth upon a mission ... that we may have power to go forth and warn the nations of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-homer-durham/we-have-come-to-this-earth-upon-a-mission-that-we-may-have-power-to/) [G. Homer Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-homer-durham/) > [I expect to see the day when the Elders of Israel will protect and sustain civil and religious liberty and every Constitutional right bequeathed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigham-young/i-expect-to-see-the-day-when-the-elders-of-israel-will-protect-and/) [Brigham Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigham-young/) > [“9Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and  d seventy of the elders of Israel  e went up, 10and they  f saw the God of Israel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/9then-moses-and-aaron-nadab-and-abihu-and-d-seventy-of-the-elders-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Give me a young man who has kept himself morally clean and has faithfully attended his church meetings. Give me a young man who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/give-me-a-young-man-who-has-kept-himself-morally-clean-and-has/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Every member of the priesthood should understand the divine plan designed by the Lord to raise up the first free people in modern times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/every-member-of-the-priesthood-should-understand-the-divine-plan/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [I testify to you that God's hand has been in our destiny. I testify that freedom as we know it today is being threatened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/i-testify-to-you-that-god-s-hand-has-been-in-our-destiny-i-testify/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [In the beginning, God placed a woman in a companion role with the priesthood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/in-the-beginning-god-placed-a-woman-in-a-companion-role-with-the/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Now, brethren, do not expect perfection in your choice of a mate. Do not be so particular that you overlook her most important qualities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/now-brethren-do-not-expect-perfection-in-your-choice-of-a-mate-do-not/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The privilege of holding the priesthood, which is the power and authority to act in God's name, is a great blessing and privilege and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-privilege-of-holding-the-priesthood-which-is-the-power-and/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [When our children obey the Lord and go to the temple to receive their blessings and enter into the marriage covenant, they enter into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/when-our-children-obey-the-lord-and-go-to-the-temple-to-receive-their/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Disobedience is essentially a prideful power struggle against someone in authority over us. It can be a parent, a priesthood leader, a teacher, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/disobedience-is-essentially-a-prideful-power-struggle-against-someone/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Surely no child should fear his own father - especially a priesthood father. A father's duty is to make his home a place of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/surely-no-child-should-fear-his-own-father-especially-a-priesthood/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [If you are a single parent, make friends with others in similar situations and develop friendships with married couples. Counsel with your priesthood leaders.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/if-you-are-a-single-parent-make-friends-with-others-in-similar/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [If I grapple with sin in my own strength, the devil knows he may go to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/if-i-grapple-with-sin-in-my-own-strength-the-devil-knows-he-may-go-to/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [If you're going through hell keep on going don't slow down if you're scared don't show it you might get out before the devil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-re-going-through-hell-keep-on-going-don-t-slow-down-if-you-re/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Ezra Taft Benson > [What would God have me do with my life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/what-would-god-have-me-do-with-my-life/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Records, radio, television, movies, magazines-all are monopolized by the money managers who are guided by one ethic, the words wealth and power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/records-radio-television-movies-magazines-all-are-monopolized-by-the/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/every-latter-day-saint-should-make-the-study-of-this-book-a-lifetime/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Do not be caught up in materialism, one of the real plagues of our generation-that is, acquiring things, fast-paced living, and securing career success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/do-not-be-caught-up-in-materialism-one-of-the-real-plagues-of-our/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/most-of-us-think-of-pride-as-self-centeredness-conceit-boastfulness/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The high cost of low living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-high-cost-of-low-living/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“We must each of us do our home work. 'My people are destroyed,' said Hosea, 'for lack of knowledge.' We must be wise as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/we-must-each-of-us-do-our-home-work-my-people-are-destroyed-said/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“Man…need not stand alone. Prayer will open doors; prayer will remove barriers; prayer will ease pressures; prayer will give inner peace and comfort during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/man-need-not-stand-alone-prayer-will-open-doors-prayer-will-remove/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity. It does not mean fear. A man can be humble and fearless. A man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/humility-does-not-mean-weakness-it-does-not-mean-timidity-it-does-not/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-scriptures-record-remarkable-accounts-of-men-whose-lives-changed/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [That government is best which governs the least, so taught the courageous founders of this nation. This simple declaration is diametrically opposed to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/that-government-is-best-which-governs-the-least-so-taught-the/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [No nation which has kept the commandments of God has ever perished, but I say to you that once freedom is lost, only blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/no-nation-which-has-kept-the-commandments-of-god-has-ever-perished/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Someone has said it is better to appreciate the things you don't own than to own things you don't appreciate. I hope we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/someone-has-said-it-is-better-to-appreciate-the-things-you-don-t-own/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“In framing that great document which Gladstone declared ‘the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/in-framing-that-great-document-which-gladstone-declared-the-most/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/godly-sorrow-is-a-gift-of-the-spirit-it-is-a-deep-realization-that/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) [Explore all 556 Ezra Taft Benson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) ## More Christianity quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“some of my good Baptist brethren in Georgia had done a little preaching from the pulpit against the KKK, I would have a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-moss/some-of-my-good-baptist-brethren-in-georgia-had-done-a-little/) [Norman Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-moss/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“every church can treat each discipleship class and each worship service as an opportunity for continual rehearsal of what the words, stories, symbols, rituals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/every-church-can-treat-each-discipleship-class-and-each-worship/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [The notion of a non-religious Christmas is ridiculous. But so is the insistence on the part of Christians that politicians and retailers carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/the-notion-of-a-non-religious-christmas-is-ridiculous-but-so-is-the/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Because the truth is that gossip is as good as gospel in this town. You can save face but you won't ever save your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/because-the-truth-is-that-gossip-is-as-good-as-gospel-in-this-town/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/how-else-but-through-a-broken-heart-may-lord-christ-enter-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/every-saved-person-this-side-of-heaven-owes-the-gospel-to-every-lost/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) [Browse all 14,385 Christianity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The devil knows that if the elders of Israel should ever wake up, they could step forth and help preserve freedom and extend the gospel. Therefore the devil has concentrated, and to a large extent successfully, in neutralizing much of the priesthood. He has reduced them to Sleeping Giants.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ezra Taft Benson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-israel-should-ever-wake-up-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christianity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-israel-should-ever-wake-up-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db3/ezra-taft-benson-443_christianity_the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-is_2686035.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db3/ezra-taft-benson-443_christianity_the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-is_2686035.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db3/ezra-taft-benson-443_christianity_the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-is_2686035.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The devil knows that if the elders of Israel should ever wake up, they could step forth and help preserve…” — Ezra Taft Benson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ezra Taft Benson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The devil knows that if the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-israel-should-ever-wake-up-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-devil-knows-that-if-the-elders-of-israel-should-ever-wake-up-they/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```