Conversion: What Lack I Yet? How to Deepen our Conversion

Earlier this week I was listening to Elder Lawrence's General Conference talk from October 2015, "What Lack I Yet?" Here is the part I was focusing on and trying to understand how to implement in my own life: 

The journey of discipleship is not an easy one. It has been called a “course of steady improvement.” As we travel along that strait and narrow path, the Spirit continually challenges us to be better and to climb higher. The Holy Ghost makes an ideal traveling companion. If we are humble and teachable, He will take us by the hand and lead us home.

However, we need to ask the Lord for directions along the way. We have to ask some difficult questions, like “What do I need to change?” “How can I improve?” “What weakness needs strengthening?”

President Harold B. Lee taught, “Every one of us, if we would reach perfection, must [at] one time ask ourselves this question, ‘What lack I yet?’”

Then this morning I was reading a talk by Elder Ballard that he gave to Church Education System teachers in February 2016 discussing how to help ourselves and others deepen our conversion. He suggested that each of us should take some time and ask ourselves some personal interview questions. He provided 3 references in the scriptures that we can use to ask ourselves how we are doing. He said:

May I suggest you hold a personal interview with yourself on occasion and review 

·         2 Nephi 26:29–32 

·         Alma 5:14–30

·         Doctrine and Covenants 121:33–46. 

That will help to identify the kinds of temptations we all may face. If something needs to change in your life, then resolve to fix it.

I did my own personal interview this morning, pausing after each sentence in each of these verses. It was a powerful and humbling experience. If anyone else has found similar references I would love to add them to the list.

Then later, as my daughter and I were discussing how to make this all happen in our own life, she shared with me this great message from President Henry B. Eyring. It is long, but very worth it:

Now your impressions will not have been quite like mine, but you have felt a tug, maybe many tugs, to be someone better. And what sets those yearnings apart from all your daydreams is that they were not about being richer, or smarter, or more attractive, but about being better. I am sure you have had such moments, not just from my experience, but because of what President David O. McKay once said. Listen very carefully:

“Man is a spiritual being, a soul, and at some period of his life everyone is possessed with an irresistible desire to know his relationship to the Infinite. … There is something within him which urges him to rise above himself, to control his environment, to master the body and all things physical and live in a higher and more beautiful world” (True to the Faith: From the Sermons and Discourses of David O. McKay, comp. Llewelyn R. McKay [1966], 244).

That pull upward is far beyond what you would call a desire for self-improvement. When I felt it, I knew I was being urged to live so far above myself that I could never do it on my own. President McKay had it right. You feel an urging to rise above your natural self. What you have felt is an urging from your Heavenly Father to accept this invitation:

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

“And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot” (Moroni 10:32–33).

That urge to rise above yourself is a recognition of your need for the Atonement to work in your life, and your need to be sure that it is working. After all you can do, after all your effort, you need confidence that the Atonement is working for you and on you.

Using our Time Wisely: Prophets Counsel on Time Management and Going to Bed Early

THE IMPORTANCE OF USING OUR TIME WISELY

President Russell M. Nelson, “Prophets, Leadership, and Divine Law”

[President Thomas is Monson] has shown us how to reach out and rescue the one. He has taught us by example that taking care of people is always more important than management of time, or meetings, or schedules.

Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” October 2008

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do.

“Pay attention to what the Lord requires of you and let the balance go.” --Brigham Young,

2 Nephi 9:27 Wo unto him that ...has all the commandments of God...and wasteth the days of his probation.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Oct. 2007

The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.

Some uses of individual and family time are better, and others are best. We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer,” Apr. 1997

Study the things you do in your discretionary time, that time you are free to control. Do you find that it is centered in those things that are of highest priority and of greatest importance? Or do you unconsciously, consistently fill it with trivia and activities that are not of enduring value nor help you accomplish the purpose for which you came to earth?   

Pres. Russell M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power,” April 2016

President George Albert Smith taught that “we are not here to while away the hours of this life and then pass to a sphere of exaltation; but we are here to qualify ourselves day by day for the positions that our Father expects us to fill hereafter. 

HOW TO SET OUR PRIORITIES

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “To Always Remember Him,” Ensign, April 2011

We can begin by stripping everything out of our lives and then putting it back together in priority order with the Savior at the center. We should first put in place the things that make it possible to always remember Him—frequent prayer and scripture study, thoughtful study of apostolic teachings, weekly preparation to partake of the sacrament worthily, Sunday worship, and recording and remembering what the Spirit and experience teach us about discipleship.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Atonement and Faith,” Ensign, June 2010

We should always put the Savior first. This powerful idea—that we must have faith and put the Lord first in our lives—seems simple, but in practice many find it difficult.

President Brigham Young (1801–1877) gave us some practical advice on how to recognize Him whom we follow. “The difference between God and the Devil,” he said, “is that God creates and organizes, while the whole study of the Devil is to destroy.” 1 In that contrast we have an important example of the reality of “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). 

Remember that our Savior Jesus Christ always builds us up and never tears us down. We should apply the power of that example in the ways we use our time, including our recreation and our diversions. 

M. Russell Ballard, “Keeping Life’s Demands in Balance,” Ensign, May 1987

I have a few suggestions that I hope will be valuable to those of you concerned with balancing life’s demands. These suggestions are very basic; their concepts can easily be overlooked if you are not careful. You will need a strong commitment and personal discipline to incorporate them into your life.

First, think about your life and set your priorities. Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. Jesus, our exemplar, often “withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did. Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants you have made with the Lord as you write down your daily schedules.

Second, set short-term goals that you can reach. Set goals that are well balanced—not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance. Pray for divine guidance in your goal setting.

ARISE EARLY AND RETIRE EARLY – KEY TO SUCCESS AND MORE REVELATION

Doctrine & Covenants 88:124 Cease to be ^aidle; cease to be ^bunclean; cease to ^cfind fault one with another; cease to ^dsleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be ^einvigorated.

Elder Boyd K. Packer

How can students increase personal spirituality?

You’ve got to learn to work. The scriptures tell us to retire to bed early and then to rise early. Both are very hard for college students — especially if you’ve got noisy roommates. ... Practice it, and it answers itself.”

Elder Neal A. Anderson in The Voice of the Lord:

Boyd K. Packer said once:

“I heard President Harold B. Lee begin many a statement about matters involving revelation with an expression something like this: ‘In the early hours of the morning, while I was pondering upon that subject …’ He made it a practice to work in the fresh, alert hours of the early morning on the problems that required revelation.

“The Lord knew something when He directed in the Doctrine and Covenants, ‘Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.’ (D&C 88:124.) …

“I’ve learned the power of the dictum, ‘Early to bed, early to rise.’ When I’m under pressure, you won’t find me burning the midnight oil. I’d much rather be in bed early and getting up in the wee hours of the morning, when I can be close to Him who guides this work” (Teach Ye Diligently [2005], 244–45).

Elder Joe J. Christensen, in “Observing the Laws of Physical Health”

President Romney shared some of his personal experiences from when he was first called to serve as a General Authority in 1941. He had been serving as a stake president at the time and had gone to general conference. To his amazement, he was sustained as a new General Authority—an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve—without his prior knowledge; no one had talked to him about the calling before the session started. He was shocked and very nervous. He felt that he needed some advice, so he went to Elder Harold B. Lee, a relatively new member of the Quorum of the Twelve and a former contemporary as a stake president. 

Elder Romney asked him for advice about how to be successful as a General Authority.

Elder Lee spoke about the necessity of receiving personal revelation in order to be effective and said: “If you are to be successful as a General Authority, you will need to be inspired. You will need to receive revelation. I will give you one piece of advice: Go to bed early and get up early. If you do, your body and mind will become rested, and then in the quiet of those early-morning hours, you will receive more flashes of insight and inspiration than at any other time of the day.”

President Romney said: “From that day on, I put that counsel into practice, and I know it works. Whenever I have a serious problem, or some assignment of a creative nature with which I hope to receive the influence of the Spirit, I always receive more assistance in the early-morning hours than at any other time of the day. Following that counsel has helped me a great deal through the years.”   In my own life, I also know that is true.

Using our Time Wisely: Prophets Counsel on Limiting our Media Time

President Hinckley, BYU Speeches, 16 October 1990

We are constantly reminded that there is cause for alarm in our nation. It is shocking to read, for instance, that illiteracy is on the rise. ...One of the reasons for this condition lies in the way in which so many spend much of their time. I deplore the terrible waste of the intellectual resources of so many people of this nation who devote countless hours watching mindless drivel.

In the Wall Street Journal was a column written by the former editor of the Chicago Tribune. He wrote of certain aspects of television and then asked:

What is the mystery...about a society that has the manners of a rock band, the morals of a soap opera, the decision-making ability of the Simpsons and wants to pay for government with Visa and American Express? Why should we be surprised that our underlying culture is constructed from the ratings-based, give-them-what-they-want, remote-controlled, quick-zap world of commercial television? [Jim Squires, “Television’s Civil War,” Wall Street Journal, 8 October 1990, p. 10]

To you I say, don’t be a couch potato. Be a man or a woman with a mind and a will and a bit of discipline, with a zest for learning.

Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Be Strong in the Lord,” Ensign, July 2004.

“One of the ways Satan lessens your effectiveness and weakens your spiritual strength is by encouraging you to spend large blocks of your time doing things that matter very little. I speak of such things as sitting for hours on end watching television or videos, playing video games night in and night out, surfing the Internet, or devoting huge blocks of time to sports, games, or other recreational activities.

“Don’t misunderstand me. These activities are not wrong in and of themselves (unless, of course, you are watching salacious programs or seeking out pornographic images on the Internet). Games, sports, recreational activities, and even television can be relaxing and rejuvenating, especially in times when you are under stress or heavily scheduled. You need activities that help you to unwind and rest your minds. It is healthy to go onto the soccer field or the basketball court and participate in vigorous physical activity.

“But I speak of letting things get out of balance. It is not watching television, but watching television hour after hour, night after night. Does not that qualify as idling away your time? What will you say to the Lord when He asks what you have done with the precious gift of life and time? Surely you will not feel comfortable telling Him that you were able to pass the 100,000-point level in a challenging video game.

“One devastating effect of idling away our time is that it deflects us from focusing on the things that matter most. Too many people are willing to sit back and let life just happen to them. It takes time to develop the attributes that will help you to be a well-balanced person.”

COUNSEL TO YOUTH

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Rise Up, O Men of God,” Oct. 2016

Young men, rise up and discipline yourself to take advantage of educational opportunities. Your education will strengthen your service in the Church.”

Gordon B. Hinckley “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth” Ensign, Jan. 2001

You are moving into the most competitive age the world has ever known. All around you is competition. You need all the education you can get. Sacrifice a car; sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of the world. That world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth, and your worth will increase as you gain education and proficiency in your chosen field.

You belong to a church that teaches the importance of education. You have a mandate from the Lord to educate your minds and your hearts and your hands.

                 

 “We cannot waste time entertaining ourselves when we have the chance to read or to listen to whatever will help us learn what is true and useful. Henry B. Eyring

Elder M. Russell Ballard “Raising the Greatest Generation of Missionaries,” 2003 BYU Women’s Conference

1. Limit the amount of time spent playing computer or electronic games. How many kills or baskets or points one can score in a minute with a computer game will have zero effect on children’s ability to be a good missionary and may, in fact, dull their senses, emotions, and receptivity to the Spirit.
2. Limit the time watching television, and go to movies, and watch videos. And beware—be fully aware of what our youth are watching on all kinds of media.
3.  Accepting responsibility for decisions and master self-control.

4.         Learn not to waste time. Focus on things that matter most, such as how to serve and find joy in putting the happiness of others ahead of our own.

“Of the time that is allotted to man here on the earth there is none to lose or to waste. After suitable rest and relaxation there is not a day, hour or minute that we should spend in idleness, but every minute of every day of our lives we should strive to improve our minds and to increase the faith of the holy Gospel.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 290)

Elder David R. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” October 2011

It is no coincidence that FamilySearch and other tools have come forth at a time when young people are so familiar with a wide range of information and communication technologies. Your fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work of the Lord—not just to communicate quickly with your friends. The skills and aptitude evident among many young people today are a preparation to contribute to the work of salvation.

As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.

Young people increasingly need to be learners who act and thereby receive additional light and knowledge by the power of the Holy Ghost—and not merely passive students who primarily are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26).

You will count your many blessings as young people devote more time to family history work and temple service and less time to video games, surfing the Internet, and Facebooking. 

President Spencer W. Kimball, “On Cheating Yourself,” New Era, April 1972

I have interviewed many young men for missions, and I have asked them this question: “What were your grades in high school or college?” A little embarrassed, many have answered, “Oh, about a C average.” I have then asked, “Was that the best you could do?” And almost without exception their answers have been, “No, I was capable of better work. I fooled around and wasted my time quite a bit.” Such young men then realize that they have cheated themselves. 

Book of Mormon Themes: Being Directed Continually by the Hand of the Lord

When I look at the big picture of the stories from the Book of Mormon, one the lessons they illustrate for me is how to receive the Lord's guidance so I navigate through life better. This is especially apparent in the stories of Lehi's family and the story of the Brother of Jared.

1 Nephi 16:16, 28 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. I Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.

1 Nephi 17:13 I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.

1 Nephi 18: 1-3 And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship. Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men. And I, Nephi, did go into mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.

Ether 2:5-6 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into that quarter where there never had man been. And it came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel. And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord.

Ether 2:24-25 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth. And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come.

Ether 3:2-3 O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee; O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.

Ether 6:7-8 7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them; therefore, when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters. And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.

Wandering in the Wilderness due to Iniquity – i.e., if we are righteous, we won’t have to wander through life, we can take a more direct course.

1 Nephi 17:4 And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness.

Alma 37:41-43 41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions. And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow.

Ether 3:3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock.

Book of Mormon Theme: Taking a Direct Path Through the Wilderness of Life

As we go through life, there are so many choices to make. I try to weigh my options and make a well-thought-out decision, but I have learned for myself that the scripture in Isaiah  55:8-9, is one of the most important principles to remember:

Isaiah 55: 8 For my ^athoughts are not ^byour thoughts, neither are your ^cways my ^dways, saith the Lord.

Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ^aways ^bhigher 

than your ways, and my ^cthoughts than your thoughts.

So this is what I think is one of the important related scriptural themes:  When we receive and follow promptings from the Holy Ghost we will take a more direct course in our lives and we do not suffer so much “in the wilderness.”  It is found throughout the scriptures including the stories of Lehi and his family and the story of the Jaredites:

 Read in Alma 37:40-42 where he talks about the Liahona:

40 And it did work for them according to their ^afaith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.

41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by ^asmall means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were ^bslothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;

42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.

THEME: He points out that “they forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased and they did not progress in their journey; therefore they tarried in the wilderness or did not travel a direct course. 

·      Lehi’s family didn't have to be in the wilderness for 8 years!  (See 1 Nephi 17:4)

So again, this is what I think is one of the important scriptural themes:  When we receive and follow promptings from the Holy Ghost we will take a more direct course in our lives and not suffer so much “in the wilderness.” 

Here is an example from my “Journal of Spiritual Promptings” that illustrates what I have learned:

12/17/2011  I was remembering tonight that a year ago this fall I was applying at BYU.  I had the application all filled out and called our executive secretary to set up my appointment with the bishop for my ecclesiastical endorsement, which was the final step in the application process.  As soon as I hung up the phone I had a very negative feeling.  I called him back and canceled my appointment and decided it must not have been the right time to start back to BYU.  I didn’t know why, but I knew it wasn’t the right time. Tonight as I remembered the incident, I realized that if I had continued with my application to BYU last year then I would have been starting classes two weeks after our daughter’s accident.

[Our oldest daughter, Tricia, and her family were traveling to Utah for our son’s wedding when they were in a car accident. Their 3-year old daughter was killed, and our daughter was in ICU with a broken back, punctured lung, and shattered knee. After 10 days in the hospital, we had a hospital bed and a wheel chair brought into our home and I took care of her and her other 2 girls while her husband returned to work. I wouldn’t have been able to attend BYU that semester.]

Here is an earlier example, also from my journal:

3/2/2007  Now that all of the kids are in school, I have been working towards going back to school at BYU to finish my bachelor’s degree. I have spent a lot of time researching majors and careers and how much they would pay and be flexible.  My application is officially turned in at BYU and I should hear back any time.   I was really excited when I decided to do the Marriage, Family and Human Development major because they are all classes about parenting and families.  I would be a social worker.  I went down to campus yesterday and talked with a MFHD counselor and declared that as my major.  But after I walked out of the office I felt that it wasn’t the right major for me.

[I worked on some general online classes, but it took more months of research and time before I chose to major in Family History-Genealogy. I now have only 4 classes left to graduate and I love this major; so grateful for the prompting that redirected the direction I was taking.]

In looking back on these two experiences, I think of how much harder things would have been if I hadn't listened to the promptings. The Holy Ghost gives us promptings that make our lives easier. Especially if we are in tune enough to hear them.

A few of the other scriptures in the Book of Mormon which I feel really fits this theme include:

   Ether 2:5

And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness. , yea, into that quarter where never had man been. And it came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel.

 Ether 3:3

Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us.

[The whole story of the Brother of Jared and his family’s journey in the wilderness is a parable of life.]

Mosiah 2:36

And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved.

Mosiah 1:16-17

And the ball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him.

Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey.

I have pages in my journal filled with similar experiences of how the Holy Ghost blessed me to take a better path. I can’t put into words what great blessings I have received and how much these blessings help me feel how much my Heavenly Father loves me.

Book of Mormon Themes: The Methods of Satan and the Effects of Sin

I.        Statement of Principle: Satan uses subtle ways to tempt us:

·         The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means. First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and his gospel.  Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time. Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, May 1975, 63

• 2 Nephi 28:2 And the things which shall be written out of the ^abook shall be of great ^bworth unto the children of men FOR IN THAT DAY: (2 Nephi 28 lists many of Satan’s methods)

Reference                Subtlety of Satan                                                         

Isaiah 5:20               Woe unto them that call ^aevil ^bgood, and good evil

Isaiah. 47: 10           Thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None ^aseeth^• me.

1 Nephi 3:5               Sometimes we say it is a hard thing the Lord requires of us

1 Nephi 13:9            He wants us to desire the praise of the world

2 Nephi 2:18            Satan desires all men to be miserable

2 Nephi 2:29            The will of the flesh is sometimes evil

2 Nephi 26:22          Satan starts with small things:  he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.

2 Nephi 28:5            They say unto the people: there is no God today

2 Nephi 28: 7-8       Eat, Drink and be merry for tomorrow we die and it shall be well with us

2 Nephi 28:20          Satan stirs people up to anger against good                                                                          

2 Nephi 28:21          Satan will lull us away into carnal security so we think all is well in Zion    

2 Nephi 28:22          He wants us to think there is no devil

2 Nephi 32:8            For the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray

Jacob 2:13                 Because of the costliness of your apparel, ye persecute your brethren

Alma 10:25              Why hath Satan got such great hold upon your hearts that he may have power over you, to...

Alma 30:15               Ye cannot know of things which ye do not see.

Alma 46:8                 Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord, yea how quick to do iniquity

Helaman 2:8            It was the object of all those who belonged to his band to gain power

Helaman 12:2          They do harden their hearts and do forget the Lord, and this because of their ease and exceeding prosperity.

Moroni 7:17             For the devil persuadeth no man to do good, no not one.

II.     Statement of Principle: There are effects from sin:

·          2 Nephi 9:47 Ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I ^bteach you the consequences of sin. 

·          Enos 1:23 And there was nothing save it was exceeding ^aharshness, ^bpreaching and prophesying and continually

reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction.

Reference            Consequence                                                                     

2 Peter 1:1-9       But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off

1 Nephi 16:2        The wicked take the truth to be hard

2 Nephi 4:27        He destroys my peace

Mosiah 2:36         If ye should transgress, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved

Alma 41:11           They have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness

Helaman 4:13      Because of their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength they were left in their own strength

Helaman 4:24      The Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples

Mormon 2:13       The Lord would not always allow them to take happiness in sin.

Mormon 5:18       They are led about by Satan as a vessel without sail or anchor or anything to steer

Moroni10:22        And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity

III.    Statement of Principle: We can overcome the temptations of Satan:

Helaman 3:29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the ^aword^• of God, which is ^bquick^• and powerful, which shall ^cdivide^• asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and ^dnarrow^• course across that everlasting ^egulf^• of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked

Reference            Solution                                                                              

Isa. 58: 6               Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the ^abands^• of wickedness

1 Nephi 15:3        Things are hard to understand if we don’t inquire of the Lord

2 Nephi 1:13        We need to “awake from a deep sleep”, or take a look at where we are at

2 Nephi 4:31        Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

2 Nephi 8:7           Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings

2 Nephi 9:49        Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart ^adelighteth in righteousness

Jacob 2:8               The pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul

Mosiah 3:19         The natural man is an enemy to God, and will be forever unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit^.

Mosiah 5:2           Because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty ^achange in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

Mosiah 18:10       Ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

Alma 5:57             Come ye out from the wicked, and be ye ^bseparate, and touch not their unclean things

Alma 13:28          But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and ^awatch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear

Alma 31:5             Preaching of the word had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword or anything else.

Alma 38:12           See that ye bridle all your passions.

Alma 39:14           Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.

Alma 48:11,17     Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ.  If all men were like unto Moroni, the very powers of hell would have been shaken, yea the devil would have no power

Alma 53:20           They were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted

Alma 62:41           And many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God

Helaman 3:35      Nevertheless they did ^afast and ^bpray oft, and did wax firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, yea, even to the ^dpurifying and the ^esanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their ^fyielding^• their hearts unto God.

Helaman 5:9        Remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the ^batoning^• blood of  Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to ^credeem the ^dworld.

Helaman 5:12      Remember, remember that it is upon the ^arock^• of our Redeemer, that ye must build your ^bfoundation^•; that when the devil shall send all his hail and his mighty ^cstorm^• it shall have no power over you

3 Nephi 18:7        And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you

3 Nephi 18:15      I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil.

Mormon 9:28       Ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation.

Ether 6:7               When they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again

Ether 12:27          If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  For if they humble themselves before me and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong.

Moroni 6:4           They might be nourished by the good word of God

Moroni 7:13         That which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually.  Do not judge that which is evil to be of God.

Moroni 7:27         Wherefore my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased?

3 Nephi 18:32      Come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal you.

 

Other Insights into How Satan Works:

By reclaiming an erring brother, we save both him and ourselves. Our sins are hidden (remitted) because we ministered for the salvation and blessing of another member of the kingdom. In principle this special reward for Christ's ministers applies also to those who preach the gospel and bring souls into the kingdom. The minister is rewarded with salvation and, of necessity, in the process, is freed from his own sins. (D&C 4:1–4.) (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966–73], 3:279.)

James E. Faust – Ensign, June 2006

Today we are barraged by multitudes of voices telling us how to live, how to gratify our passions, how to have it all. At our fingertips we have software, databases, television channels, interactive computer modems, satellite receivers, and communications networks that suffocate us with information. There are fewer places of refuge and serenity. Our young people are bombarded with evil and wickedness like no other generation. As I contemplate this prospect, I am reminded of the poet T. S. Eliot’s words: “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”11

It may be harder for our rising generation to be faithful, perhaps in some ways even more challenging than pulling a handcart across the plains. When someone died in the wilderness of frontier America, that person’s physical remains were buried and the handcarts continued west, but the mourning survivors had hope for their loved one’s eternal soul. However, when someone dies spiritually in the wilderness of sin, hope may be replaced by dread and fear for the loved one’s eternal welfare.

Many in the younger generation have been conditioned by the world to want it all and to want it now. They do not want to save or work. Such self-centered, impatient desires make them susceptible to temptation. [In 1 Nephi 22:23] the Book of Mormon identifies four categories of enticements that Satan appeals to:

• Getting gain.

• Gaining power over the flesh.

• Gaining popularity in the eyes of the world.

• Seeking the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world.

Marion G. Romney, “The Price of Peace,” Ensign, Oct 1983, 3

I know that there are some in the world who deny the existence of a personal Satan. This denial is false, being sponsored by the father of lies himself, but there is nothing new about it.” 

Richard G. Scott, BYU Aug. 1997

Recognizing that you are a person who wants to live worthily and be obedient to Father in Heaven, how would Satan strive to lead you from the path to happiness? Surely he would not be successful by tempting you to commit serious transgression—at least not initially. He would more likely fill your mind and heart with visions of many, many worthwhile things—none of which could be criticized as being wrong, but, taken together, they would so occupy your time that you would not do those things that are absolutely essential for eternal life with Father in Heaven and his Beloved Son. Nephi warned of that approach.

 

Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence’,” Ensign, Mar 2000, 7

“The reminder is that we cannot sign on for a battle of such eternal significance and everlasting consequence without knowing it will be a fight—a good fight and a winning fight, but a fight nevertheless. I suppose every returned missionary and probably every convert reading these words knows exactly what I am talking about.”  

James E. Faust, “Ten Things to Know Before You Go,” New Era, Jul 2002, 4

You must know that Satan will oppose you, and be prepared for his opposition. Do not be surprised. He wants you to fail. Discouragement is one of the devil’s tools. Have courage and go forward. Recognize that the gospel has been preached with some pain and sorrow from the very beginning of time. Do not expect that your experience will be otherwise.  

Sin is addictive; self-degenerating; conducive to other strains of corruption; deadening to spirituality, conscience, and reason; blinding to reality; contagious; destructive to mind, body, and spirit. Sin is spiritually corrosive. Unrestrained it becomes all-consuming. It is overcome by repentance and righteousness.

Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", Ensign, Nov. 2009

I share a warning. Satan is extremely good at blocking spiritual communication by inducing individuals, through temptation, to violate the laws upon which spiritual communication is founded. With some, he is able to convince them that they are not able to receive such guidance from the Lord.