Overlooking
I was having lunch with a friend when a waitress dropped a tray of dishes. Most of the people turned and looked at the person who dropped the tray. My friend did not look to see who dropped the tray, he just continued with our conversation as if nothing had happened.
I thought the person who dropped the tray would have liked to have had everyone in the restaurant overlook that incident. The more mature person has developed the discipline
to overlook, in others, a minor incident, a thoughtless act
or an embarrassing moment.
Missing Out of the Gospel
To overlook an act of no consequence or of little importance is a quality of graciousness and patience. The less mature person often tends to react, correct or chastise others over
Reaching For Virtue
IF all you think and worry about is to “Stop Doing Something” like: Stop lusting, Stop looking at pornography, or Stop masturbating.
YOU ARE ALREADY DEFEATED!
What is most important is have the courage to make correct choices and choose to focus on the positive-
“Light”!
Reaching for virtue is a goal with power. You can visualize and work towards it.
The Savior Jesus Christ promises those who follow Him: “Your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you” (D&C 88:67; see also 3 Nephi 13:22–23). As you fill your life with light, there will be no room for pornography or other sources of spiritual darkness. Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve observed:
“Light and darkness cannot occupy the same
Seasons of Addiction
Spring Season
Viewing pornography, masturbating or doing other inappropriate sexual behavior activates the body’s sexual chemistry and causes “joy” in the brain’s pleasure center. Thus, the initial season of sexual addiction can be compared to the Spring Season – seemingly full of beautiful flowers.
The scriptures associate the words “pleasure” and “joy” with the initial “season” of sin.
“… to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” (Hebrews 11: 25)
If it “is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season. . .” (3 Nephi 27:11)
In addition, the seed of disobedience is planted because you are abusing or misusing your SUPERNAL POWER.
Summer Season
In 3 Nephi 27:11 we learn
Satan Revealed
Satan is real!
“We Latter-day Saints need not be, and we must not be, deceived by the sophistries of men concerning the reality of Satan. There is a personal devil, and we had better believe it,” (Marion G. Romney, “Satan, the Great Deceiver,” Ensign, Feb. 2005, pgs. 52–57). He’s not a cartoon character. Satan does not have horns, cloven hoofs, a pointed tail or carry a pitch fork!
Satan doesn’t have a physical body. He only has a spirit body.
Satan wants you to believe that he does not exist! (2 Nephi 28:22).
Personal Battle
Satan has a plan. He knows us and our weaknesses.
-In Satan’s rebellion against God, he “sought to destroy the agency of man” (Moses 4:3).
-Satan has the “power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over
Doors
The Opening and Closing of Doors
You are free to choose and act.
You are NOT free to choose the consequences of your choices. The consequences may not be immediate, but they will always follow.
Moral Agency A Gift From God
Moral Agency is the ability and privilege God gives you to choose and to act for yourself. Moral Agency is essential in the plan of salvation. Without it, you would not be able to learn or progress or follow the Savior. With it, you are
“free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil” (2 Nephi 2:27).
In Pre-Earth Life You Chose
In the pre-earth life, Heavenly Father presented His plan, which included the
“Mormon-Lite” Anyone?
It’s 9:00 am and the High Priest Group Leader asks for volunteers to take the Sacrament to the Shut-ins after sacrament meeting. About 25 High Priests, many of which have been in bishoprics, stake presidencies, and have served on the high council were present. No hands went up. Next, in Gospel Doctrine class the teacher asks if anyone read the assignment for today’s lesson. Again no hands were raised. Finally, it was time for sacrament meeting. The chapel and the overflow were full. Several members snuck in having missed the earlier meetings in order to take the Sacrament. They crossed paths with others who were sneaking out just after taking the sacrament. In Sacrament meeting , the Bishop spoke on improving a very low home and
Pornography –I’m not hurting anyone!
But-Pornography is not Victimless
Most of the calls I used to get concerning marriages were for a variety of difficulties like communication, finances or some similar problem they were facing.
In recent years, however, most phone calls have to do with pornography.
“Dr. Brinley, how do you know if your husband is into pornography?” is a typical caller’s question.
I would ask the spouse why she was suspicious. I recall one woman responding,
“We don’t have a finished basement, except my husband’s office there. I went down the other night to kiss him goodnight. I was not wearing shoes. As I got close to his office, I heard things that sounded like terrible stuff and I was sure it was pornography. As soon as I appeared at the doorway, he
ValYOU meal 2-2 Song
Surprise
If you already indulge in pornography to any degree, you can stop. You have agency to choose your thoughts and actions. The adversary may have misled you in the past, but you have the final choice. You can regain the strength of the Spirit in your life. To do this, you need most of all to know that your Redeemer loves you. He has the power to help you. He died to pay for the sins of all who repent and follow Him. You can draw on the power of His Atonement for hope and strength as you repent. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). (“Filling Your Life with Light,” Let Virtue
ValYOU meal 2-1 Podcast
Surprise
“The Savior Jesus Christ promises those who follow Him: “Your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you” (D&C 88:67; see also 3 Nephi 13:22–23). Fill your life with truth, righteousness, peace, and faith. As you fill your life with goodness, there will be no room for pornography and other sources of spiritual darkness.” (“Filling Your Life with Light,” Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts,1969.)
Free Brad Wilcox Podcast
Pornography: Satan’s Counterfeit
valYOU meal: The Body Temple
The “Body Temple”
Church leaders have encouraged parents and leaders TO TEACH you about human intimacy.
“Talk to them plainly about sex and the teaching of the gospel regarding chastity.” M. Russell Ballard, “Like a Flame Unquenchable,” Ensign, May 1999.
The Salt Lake Temple- The Body Temple
The “Salt Lake Temple” is literally a house of the Lord. Your “Body Temple” is a literal house of your spirit. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Cor 3:16) Heavenly Father has provided your body for a divine purpose. Your body is a necessary part of His plan for our eternal progression. Because of the body’s importance, Heavenly Father has given you a stewardship to care for it. Respecting
