JOEL - When this phrase is used in the context of man's dealings with other men, the "means" employed usually involves some unethical or immoral actions that if successful are rationalized to be considered acceptable if a greater good is achieved. I know of no scriptural doctrine or church prophet that supports this philosphy applied to humans. Elder Albert E. Bowen of the twelve Apostles of the LDS Church once said:

"it is sometimes argued that where the objective is good, the end to be achieved worthy, the means employed to attain it are justified, however bad in themselves they may be. The idea is crystallized in the saying: "The end justifies the means." It is a monstrously false doctrine. If this is a moral universe, as I believe it to be, no methods for effecting change, however desirable the end sought, can properly be resorted to which are not in themselves consistent with that end. (October Conference Report, 1944)

There have been some instances in the scriptures where it appears that God seems to use this tactic in His dealings with His children. For example where Nephi kills Laban to obtain the brass plates, God told him,
"It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief." (1 Nep. 4:13).

Then there are the plagues that God inflicted on Egypt where many suffered and died, but for the end purpose of freeing His children from bondage.
And of course there is the ultimate "end justifies the means" event; the atonement of Jesus Christ, whose terrible suffering brought about the salvation of all man.
There are others but notice that they are what God decides to do for the greater blessing of His children. Only He is all powerful and all-knowing enough to judge when such actions can be used. For us it is always better and safer to achieve a righteous end by using righteous means.