The Key to Spiritual Protection

Sister Kirk presented the talk by Elder Packer from the October 2013 conference. She began with a quote from Moroni where he says we should do good continually. We need to be watchful and diligent in these last days, heeding the council of our leaders past and present. In spite of all the evil things that accost us daily, our leaders are optimistic, which I think shows great faith as well as divine guidance. We are counseled to do good continually, creating a Christ centered life. Through living a Christ centered life, we will protection ourselves from the adversary. If we read and study the scriptures daily, we will come closer to a gospel centered home.

"The Apostle Paul prophesied and warned that “in the last days perilous times shall come.

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

“Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”¹

Paul also prophesied, “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”²

These verses serve as a warning, showing which patterns to avoid. We must be ever watchful and diligent. We can review each of these prophecies and put a checkmark by them as being present and of concern in the world today:"  To stop reading here would not be a good thing for you could become bogged down in negativity, so read on.

"Moroni also spoke of the wickedness of our day when he warned:

“When ye shall see these things come among you … ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation. …

“Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved." Don't you feel better knowing that all is not lost or horrible? Have faith in our savior and his atonement and nurture your faith in scripture reading. As Elder Packer stated, scripture holds the key to our spiritual protection; it is our safety net in life, sturdily tied beneath us.

I liked the antidote about a ward that was having trouble minding other's business. Pres. Young told the apostle to take this council to them when asked for guidance, 

"He answered simply, “Tell them to read the scriptures.”

I asked, “Which scriptures?”

He said, “It really doesn’t matter. Tell them to open up the Book of Mormon, for instance, and begin to read. Soon the feeling of peace and inspiration will come, and a solution will present itself." Doesn't it sound like a simple plan for happiness and peace? Rememeber the man who wanted to be healed of a disease and he was told to dip in the river and he couldn't believe the solution could be so simple?

If you have a family and are struggling with the language of the scriptures, try one of the LDS scripture books written for families. Any reading will make you "susceptible" to the promptings of the spirit. Even in the "best" of families as shown in Alma, children make bad choices but can repent and correct their course if they are taught. "The sons of Mosiah fought against the Church for a time but later repented and underwent a dramatic change. In Alma we read, “These sons of Mosiah … had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God."

A few favorite scriptures were shared by sisters: a perfect love casteth out fear, live with an eye single to the glory of God- each decision can be made by imagining if the result will make our God pleased or not, follow peace, Look unto me in every  thought- - -doubt not fear not. These ideas are all there for us in time of need which is probably every day.

If you have forsaken God, there is that marvelous gift of repentance where we can change. If need be, we can confess to the proper authority and resolve our transgression and receive forgiveness. NO ONE  should live without hope of a way back to the Lord.

How do we know if we have been forgiven? Read and study the scriptures for answers. If you begin to feel the spirit as you work out your problem you are on the right track. The spirit will not dwell in an unclean vessel. Be steady and true and our Father will gradually guide you back. We know that none of us is perfect but we can work toward perfection with the Savior's help and our hard work. Bask in the scriptures.

Your bloggess,

Janice