--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the Church were not true, our enemies…" description: "\"If the Church were not true, our enemies would be bored rather than threatened, and acquiescent rather than anxious. Hell is moved only when things mov..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/neal-a-maxwell-925_anxious_if-the-church-were-not-true-our-enemies_425741.png" --- # If the Church were not true, our enemies would be bored… ![“If the Church were not true, our enemies would be bored rather than threatened, and acquiescent rather than anxious. Hell is moved only when things move heavenward.” quote by Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/neal-a-maxwell-925_anxious_if-the-church-were-not-true-our-enemies_425741.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/neal-a-maxwell-925_anxious_if-the-church-were-not-true-our-enemies_425741.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/neal-a-maxwell-925_anxious_if-the-church-were-not-true-our-enemies_425741.png) > “If the Church were not true, our enemies would be bored rather than threatened, and acquiescent rather than anxious. Hell is moved only when things move heavenward.” [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If the church’s truth is false, opponents lose fear and become passive; only divine action provokes real change. **In simple terms:** False belief makes enemies passive; only divine action moves things. Key Takeaway Recognize the power of belief in motivating action. Themes faith power motivation divine action Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - political campaigns - religious debates - social movements - personal belief systems Key Concepts theology psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How does belief shape our perception of threat? - What role does divine intervention play in societal change? A Different Perspective If belief is strong, enemies may still act aggressively despite doubt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious/) [Bored](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bored/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [“The thought of him was a smoky cloud from hell that moved and crept in her head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-anne-porter/the-thought-of-him-was-a-smoky-cloud-from-hell-that-moved-and-crept/) [Katherine Anne Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-anne-porter/) > [“Relationships with your enemies; you need to cultivate those, because: "Only true enemies stab you in the front.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/relationships-with-your-enemies-you-need-to-cultivate-those-because/) sir kristian goldmund aumann > [Our true enemies are: ignorance and limitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanna-bonta/our-true-enemies-are-ignorance-and-limitation/) [Vanna Bonta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanna-bonta/) > [“They persistently refused to support either armed party and believed that both sides were but the reflection of one reality, and the true enemies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/they-persistently-refused-to-support-either-armed-party-and-believed/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [The true enemies of Social Security and Medicare are those who defend an imploding status quo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-daniels/the-true-enemies-of-social-security-and-medicare-are-those-who-defend/) [Mitch Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-daniels/) > [Success can breed fake friends and true enemies...Keep your circle tight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/success-can-breed-fake-friends-and-true-enemies-keep-your-circle-tight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If we turn on the lights in the dark, we would then gain the ability to see our true enemies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saaif-alam/if-we-turn-on-the-lights-in-the-dark-we-would-then-gain-the-ability/) [Saaif Alam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saaif-alam/) > [When your true enemies are too strong, you have to choose weaker enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/when-your-true-enemies-are-too-strong-you-have-to-choose-weaker/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [“True enemies aren't always the ones who hate each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/true-enemies-aren-t-always-the-ones-who-hate-each-other/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [There can be no true friends without true enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dibdin/there-can-be-no-true-friends-without-true-enemies/) [Michael Dibdin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dibdin/) > [Success will win you false friends and true enemies - succeed anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/success-will-win-you-false-friends-and-true-enemies-succeed-anyway/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [We can tolerate our true enemies, but not the back stabbers and betrayers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanji-paul-arvind-2/we-can-tolerate-our-true-enemies-but-not-the-back-stabbers-and/) Sanji Paul Arvind > [If you are successful, you will win some false friends & some true enemies: Succeed anyway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/if-you-are-successful-you-will-win-some-false-friends-some-true/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [“I began to write fiction on the assumption that the true enemies of the novel were plot, character, setting and theme.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hawkes/i-began-to-write-fiction-on-the-assumption-that-the-true-enemies-of/) [John Hawkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hawkes/) > [When you become successful,you will get many false friends and true enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-become-successful-you-will-get-many-false-friends-and-true/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Neal A. Maxwell > [Clearly, when we baptize, our eyes should gaze beyond the baptismal font to the holy temple. The great garner into which the sheaves should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/clearly-when-we-baptize-our-eyes-should-gaze-beyond-the-baptismal/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [We should not assume; however, that just because something is unexplainable by us, it is unexplainable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/we-should-not-assume-however-that-just-because-something-is/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Naive optimism and pervasive pessimism are both to be avoided, therefore. It's not an easy balance to maintain, to be asked to work away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/naive-optimism-and-pervasive-pessimism-are-both-to-be-avoided/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Occasionally some individuals let the seeming ordinariness of life dampen their spirits. Though actually coping and growning, others lack the quiet, inner-soul satisfaction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/occasionally-some-individuals-let-the-seeming-ordinariness-of-life/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The acceptance of the reality that we are in the Lord's loving hands is only a recognition that we have never really been anywhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-acceptance-of-the-reality-that-we-are-in-the-lord-s-loving-hands/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [We can't dwell upon another's ingratitude without using up our time and talents unprofitably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/we-can-t-dwell-upon-another-s-ingratitude-without-using-up-our-time/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The winds of tribulation, which blow out some men's candles of commitment, only fan the fires of faith of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-winds-of-tribulation-which-blow-out-some-men-s-candles-of/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Power is most safe with those who are not in love with it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/power-is-most-safe-with-those-who-are-not-in-love-with-it/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Ultimate hope constitutes the anchor of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/ultimate-hope-constitutes-the-anchor-of-the-soul/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Frequently, we busily search for group service projects, which are surely needed and commendable, when quiet, personal service is also urgently needed. Sometimes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/frequently-we-busily-search-for-group-service-projects-which-are/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The cumulative weight of all mortal sins--past, present, and future--pressed upon that perfect, sinless, and sensitive Soul! All our infirmities and sicknesses were somehow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-cumulative-weight-of-all-mortal-sins-past-present-and-future/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [“When we feel so alone, we cannot presume to teach him who, at the apogee of his agony, trod “the winepress alone” anything about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/when-we-feel-so-alone-we-cannot-presume-to-teach-him-who-at-the/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [How myopic it is to view His ministry as all crucifixion and no resurrection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/how-myopic-it-is-to-view-his-ministry-as-all-crucifixion-and-no/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Patience stoutly resists pulling up the daisies to see how the roots are doing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/patience-stoutly-resists-pulling-up-the-daisies-to-see-how-the-roots/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Our little pebble of poor performance helps to start, or to sustain, an avalanche.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/our-little-pebble-of-poor-performance-helps-to-start-or-to-sustain-an/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) [Explore all 328 Neal A. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) ## More Anxious quotes > [Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/most-people-do-surprisingly-poorly-when-dealing-with-a-relative-who/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [According to Shakyamuni Buddha, it's normal for human beings to be anxious, because it's normal for human beings not to understand themselves. 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Any kind of adversity and I become very anxious, but if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-woods/i-d-like-to-be-able-to-do-complex-math-in-my-head-any-kind-of/) [Zach Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-woods/) > [There were times when depression, anxiety, whatever, would keep me from writing. I still get depressed and anxious, but I just don't let it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-st-john/there-were-times-when-depression-anxiety-whatever-would-keep-me-from/) [David St. John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-st-john/) > [The millennials were raised in a cocoon, their anxious parents afraid to let them go out in the park to play. So should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/the-millennials-were-raised-in-a-cocoon-their-anxious-parents-afraid/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) > [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. 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