The Last Days Before Our Eyes . . .

I cannot get the recent events in California off of my mind. Because we don't have cable and cannot receive even local channels, I googled the LA protest at the LA Temple. Below the video, many people for and against Proposition 8 commented.

One particular comment stood out to me. Someone let people know that for every person who donated $5 or more against Proposition 8, a same-sex organization/counsel would send a postcard to President Monson.

I keep thinking of the Tree of Life story in the book of Nephi. More people are making their way over to the great and spacious building and many are actually already there. Yet, all the while, like Noah, Abinadi, Samuel, Daniel, Joseph, Moses, and every other prophet to walk this earth, they are being called to repentance, to come back to the fold of Jesus Christ.

How can our world be so confused about a principle that was defined/laid out before the foundations of our world? That is that marriage is defined between one woman and one man. Heavenly Father placed Adam and Eve in the Garden together. We live in such a confused society. Satan has warped and scewed many people's vision on marriage, such a basic belief.

I've been thinking about how I can address this with many of my friends here in Texas. How can I convey to them the importance of this issue?

I guess that's where we are now required to make a stand. The line has been drawn. Which way will we stand? Will we follow the prophet only when it's convenient, or will we continue to hold onto the rod, as people are scoffing and scorning us from that lofty building, as Satan sends his servants to persuade us or persecute us into following his way?

I am convinced that Satan does not just chain us down; we submit our will to his by giving into sin. One step at a time, he slowly coaxes us into transgressing/diverting from Heavenly Father's way. Eventually that flaxen cord is wrapped around us so tightly that he has power over us and our choices are no longer our own. We are captive to him. "And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever."

The little choices we make each day matter. The thoughts we have impact our choices. "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly and then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God."

It starts with the clothes we wear. Are we justifying the length of a dress, because we purchased it from a really cool/nice store? Are we okay with wearing a two piece swimsuit because it looks really great on us when we've been counseled otherwise by our prophet? Are we letting ourselves slip a cuss word in because we're really upset, so it's justified? Is breaking the Sabbath okay because this concert or sporting venue only comes to town once? Are we feeling justified in our anger/lack of forgiveness to someone because they have really offended us and were clearly in the wrong? Are we listening to a song with not-so-great lyrics, because it has a really good beat or it's popular? Are we watching a tv show or movie with inappropriate scenes/talk/jokes--content, because it's funny or appealing?

Each of us has a commandment we struggle with or a temptation we give into from time to time.

More than ever, we need to stand strong against Satan. He's counting on us to not fulfill our potential and join the world in his cause of misery, captivity, and Hell.

"Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve."

"No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon."

In response to our friends, we need to take a stand. We need to remember to testify with kindness and with the spirit. We cannot condone sinful behavior. All children have the right to be born to a mother and father who love them (see Proclamation to the World: The Family). I know this is true. I know that this is Heavenly Father's plan for us. If we are struggling with a point of doctrine or a commandment, now is the time to "ask of God". He will testify to us of the truthfulness of His way and His light. As the world gets progressively more sinful, I testify that we can stand together and be more righteous. We can build Zion and the cause of Zion in our hearts, then our homes, families, wards, stakes, and throughout the world. We can be unified in the cause of righteousness and help prepare the world for the reign of the one true King, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Of this I testify, in His Sacred Name. Amen.