Because Thursdays are now set aside for "throwbacks", I wanted to share a post I wrote for my mission blog just before I set out to serve. Remember: Satan is sneaky.
"My journal has been sitting on my desk, untouched, for months and months. So, I figured I’d pick it up and get a kick out of some of the entries. I had forgotten, however, that this particular journal was set aside for spiritual promptings and general conference notes. I read anyways. Ten minutes and two paper-cuts later, I came to the notes I had taken on President Uchtdorf’s talk regarding the light of Christ in his conference address earlier this year. So incredibly moving. I feel that we are forgetful that God is purposefully throwing us curve balls while, however, not leaving us completely alone to fight through the trial at hand. The trials I typically think of are small--ones blamed on allowing the adversary to grab hold of me from time to time. President Uchtdorf gave a brilliant reminder in his address: 'We will make mistakes. We will falter, but the darkness will fade because it cannot dwell in the presence of light.' He went on to say that, 'Christ is the ultimate entrance into divine light. Even after the darkest night, God will lead you to the brightest dawn.' That rings true to my heart. We’ve been given the gift of the Atonement to allow us to repent of the things we do that are not in harmony with the teachings of the Savior, as well as to be comforted by His spirit when no one else can. Remember, He knows how you feel when trouble comes over you. Satan will get us from time to time because we are imperfect beings. He carries out his plan of attack when we are at our weakest. Whether it be a moment of despair, a moment of weakness, a moment of agony, remember it can be overcome by the power of our Savior through the Atonement. Light and darkness cannot coexist. Good will always triumph over evil. So long as you choose the Lord’s side, the darkness will fade and light will fill your heart."
Naturally, with recent events in the Church, I thought of our members who are simply giving up because of the ill-lit path to salvation: questions, confusion, anger. These are the moments when we need to extend our hand and grab hold of the iron rod; we need to, in moments of darkness, grab hold of the Savior, whose hand is extended at all times towards each of us. When Lehi had the vision of the Tree of Life, the mist of darkness was so thick that nobody could see where they were going. The same "mist of darkness", at times, covers the path we are walking--so much, in fact, that it's hard to find our way out. Lehi saw the Iron Rod as a tool, as a guide, for those seeking eternal life to find and hold on to. While we are blinded by the darkness, at times, so long as we have our hands clutched onto the Word of God--Christ (John 1:1)--only then will we make it through to the tree. We must have faith that the rod will lead us to safety. When we wander off-course, the adversary has full control to send us in directions of which we know not the destination. In my experience, it's a safer bet to travel by blind faith than to be led blindly on unknown paths. I would much rather have something to hold on to--as well as know where I'm headed--than be afraid of the unknown.
As mentioned in my post from two years ago, Satan attacks when we least expect it. Even when we let the gospel go just a little bit, he'll sneak up and get us; he's beguiling. Satan didn't force Eve to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, rather, he enticed her to the point of her choosing to eat of it by way of free will. The adversary is just the same with us today. Satan doesn't run rampant and cause chaos because God doesn't care. In fact, God allows him to wreak havoc in the world because we need to choose the gospel, rather than be forced to live it. Trials--while they bring sorrow, despair, discomfort, and pain--if we rise triumphant, will cause ourselves to be enveloped in the arms of God's love. He will always provide a way to help us beat the heat.
Curve balls are thrown our way constantly, but that shouldn't scare us into quitting. To be a successful baseball player, when the batter realizes the pitcher has tricks up their sleeve, he should only become more aware, and try harder; the batter should send a message to the opposing team by not giving in to their tricks. Even if they strike out, they can try again, because the Coach will always let their batters have another turn--it's in the rule book! When we wake up every day, we put on our helmets and we step up to the plate, ready to face the adversary. Be alert to his tactics--he's always developing new ones to sway us to opt out. Don't let him. Rely on the Savior to help, making him the focus of your play. Try, and try again until you hit the ball--temptations--and beat Satan.
"My journal has been sitting on my desk, untouched, for months and months. So, I figured I’d pick it up and get a kick out of some of the entries. I had forgotten, however, that this particular journal was set aside for spiritual promptings and general conference notes. I read anyways. Ten minutes and two paper-cuts later, I came to the notes I had taken on President Uchtdorf’s talk regarding the light of Christ in his conference address earlier this year. So incredibly moving. I feel that we are forgetful that God is purposefully throwing us curve balls while, however, not leaving us completely alone to fight through the trial at hand. The trials I typically think of are small--ones blamed on allowing the adversary to grab hold of me from time to time. President Uchtdorf gave a brilliant reminder in his address: 'We will make mistakes. We will falter, but the darkness will fade because it cannot dwell in the presence of light.' He went on to say that, 'Christ is the ultimate entrance into divine light. Even after the darkest night, God will lead you to the brightest dawn.' That rings true to my heart. We’ve been given the gift of the Atonement to allow us to repent of the things we do that are not in harmony with the teachings of the Savior, as well as to be comforted by His spirit when no one else can. Remember, He knows how you feel when trouble comes over you. Satan will get us from time to time because we are imperfect beings. He carries out his plan of attack when we are at our weakest. Whether it be a moment of despair, a moment of weakness, a moment of agony, remember it can be overcome by the power of our Savior through the Atonement. Light and darkness cannot coexist. Good will always triumph over evil. So long as you choose the Lord’s side, the darkness will fade and light will fill your heart."
Naturally, with recent events in the Church, I thought of our members who are simply giving up because of the ill-lit path to salvation: questions, confusion, anger. These are the moments when we need to extend our hand and grab hold of the iron rod; we need to, in moments of darkness, grab hold of the Savior, whose hand is extended at all times towards each of us. When Lehi had the vision of the Tree of Life, the mist of darkness was so thick that nobody could see where they were going. The same "mist of darkness", at times, covers the path we are walking--so much, in fact, that it's hard to find our way out. Lehi saw the Iron Rod as a tool, as a guide, for those seeking eternal life to find and hold on to. While we are blinded by the darkness, at times, so long as we have our hands clutched onto the Word of God--Christ (John 1:1)--only then will we make it through to the tree. We must have faith that the rod will lead us to safety. When we wander off-course, the adversary has full control to send us in directions of which we know not the destination. In my experience, it's a safer bet to travel by blind faith than to be led blindly on unknown paths. I would much rather have something to hold on to--as well as know where I'm headed--than be afraid of the unknown.
As mentioned in my post from two years ago, Satan attacks when we least expect it. Even when we let the gospel go just a little bit, he'll sneak up and get us; he's beguiling. Satan didn't force Eve to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, rather, he enticed her to the point of her choosing to eat of it by way of free will. The adversary is just the same with us today. Satan doesn't run rampant and cause chaos because God doesn't care. In fact, God allows him to wreak havoc in the world because we need to choose the gospel, rather than be forced to live it. Trials--while they bring sorrow, despair, discomfort, and pain--if we rise triumphant, will cause ourselves to be enveloped in the arms of God's love. He will always provide a way to help us beat the heat.
Curve balls are thrown our way constantly, but that shouldn't scare us into quitting. To be a successful baseball player, when the batter realizes the pitcher has tricks up their sleeve, he should only become more aware, and try harder; the batter should send a message to the opposing team by not giving in to their tricks. Even if they strike out, they can try again, because the Coach will always let their batters have another turn--it's in the rule book! When we wake up every day, we put on our helmets and we step up to the plate, ready to face the adversary. Be alert to his tactics--he's always developing new ones to sway us to opt out. Don't let him. Rely on the Savior to help, making him the focus of your play. Try, and try again until you hit the ball--temptations--and beat Satan.
