NEVER leave your religion at the door

man, i'm sorry to anyone who missed the ces fireside tonight.  you can watch it here.
elder holland.  what a powerful speaker.

in sunday school we were studying about the gadianton robbers (Helaman 6). it refers to satan and how he came to posses the hearts of the nephites in very astute ways.  it started out with small things that lead to a downward spiral.  i began to think about the ways there are gadianton robbers among us today.  i began to think about pop culture, music, clothing, television, politics, leaders, current world issues. there are so many voices constantly telling us how to live.  just as God needs instruments to bring about His work here on earth, so does Satan.  he takes hold of our hearts through the small things.  his instruments are telling us how to dress, what to say, what to listen to, what to think.  most of them don't even realize they are instruments in Satan's hands.  the scariest part, though, is that most of us don't realize they are Satan's tools either.  i began to think how often i do something or listen to something or say something that drives away the Spirit.  how often i try to keep one foot in babylon and one in zion without even realizing it, simply because i want to fit in.

everyone is born with the light of Christ to illuminate their way in the darkness.  those who have been baptized have received the Spirit's constant companionship.  and we must stay worthy of it if we are to make our way back to our Heavenly Father, with all of the misty clouds of temptations swirling all around us. so i resolved to make a change.  to be more aware of the sensitivity of my Spirit.  to notice when i don't feel that sweet, sacred influence at any given moment. i invite you all to do the same.  and to NEVER leave your religion, your love for Jesus Christ, your desire to be like Him, at the door.
peace+love