Every law broken brings a particular blight. Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Therefore, a man would do well to examine himself to see that he is in harmony with all of God’s laws. “Wickedness never was happiness.” ( Alma 41:10.) Sin creates disharmony with God and is depressing to the spirit.
While a man may take some temporary pleasure in sin, the end result is unhappiness. 10:22.) “When I do good I feel good,” said Abraham Lincoln, “and when I do bad I feel bad.” Sin pulls a man down into despondency and despair. In the Book of Mormon we read that “despair cometh because of iniquity.” ( Moro. “He that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved.” ( JS-M 1:11.) To help us from being overcome by the devil’s designs of despair, discouragement, depression, and despondency, the Lord has provided at least a dozen ways which, if followed, will lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing.įirst, repentance. With the assurance that the Church shall remain intact with God directing it through the troubled times ahead, it then becomes our individual responsibility to see that each of us remains faithful to the Church and its teachings. For while we know that “peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion,” we are also assured that “the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst.” ( D&C 1:35–36.) Yet, of all people, we as Latter-day Saints should be the most optimistic and the least pessimistic. As the showdown between good and evil approaches with its accompanying trials and tribulations, Satan is increasingly striving to overcome the Saints with despair, discouragement, despondency, and depression. Suicide ranks as a major cause of the deaths to college students. (See D&C 45:26.) Many are giving up heart for the battle of life. We live in an age when, as the Lord foretold, men’s hearts are failing them, not only physically but in spirit. It is my hope and prayer that what I am about to say will be helpful, both physically and spiritually, in the difficult days ahead. Humbly and gratefully I approach this sacred responsibility.
0 kommentar(er)
