I have always been amazed at how the Holy Ghost utilizes
simple phrases, and sometimes only an ordinary word, to enlighten my
understanding about a certain scripture.
His ability to guide me in such an unelaborated manner, yet with such
penetrating depth, has intensified my testimony of Him, and has solidified my
convictions regarding His wondrous role.
I am becoming more cognizant of the way He teaches me, and can
discern the distinctive beat of my heart when I come across something during my
scripture study that has a deeper meaning for me. It has taken me some time to recognize what I am to do when
I feel His voice, for I feel Him much
more frequently than I hear Him. I
have learned to straightaway stop, provide all my attentions, and allow Him to
teach me. It doesn’t matter if it
is a word, or a page, each time I permit Him to be my instructor, my
comprehension seems to blaze with heightened illumination, which can only come
from a divine source of light.
I encountered such an opportunity the other day, and the
experience has not left my memory.
It was especially tender, and although plain, proved to be quite
profound to me, as I sought to liken it to current day circumstances, both
personally, as well as extensively.
I discovered this teaching in the tenth chapter of Mosiah, specifically
verses eleven through seventeen.
This chapter describes Zeniff and his people. Zeniff was the Nephite leader, who
originally acting as a spy, found the land of his fathers, Lehi and Nephi, and
desired to live within it. With a
group of others who had identical yearnings, he traveled to this land, and was
given access to portions of it by the devious Lamanite king. Ultimately, the king’s true objectives
were revealed, and Zeniff and his people were in bondage to the Lamanites. This chapter discusses one battle that
took place between Zeniff, his people, and the Lamanites.
I have read this chapter before, and originally my markings,
which in my study suggest that I had found a unique teaching in a prior session,
were sparse. However, as I came
upon verse eleven, I felt that distinct beat signaling the opportunity to dig
deeper. This specific portion of
the verse was kept in my memory throughout the rest of the study, and has been
a recurring phrase that as echoed in my mind:
Now, the Lamanites knew
nothing concerning the Lord, nor the strength of the Lord, therefore they
depended upon their own strength. Mosiah 10:11
The chapter goes on to explain that the Lamanites knew nothing
of the Lord because they were taught by, and believed in, the tradition of their fathers.
It
details throughout the following verses all of the corrupt ideas that the
Lamanites had regarding the Nephites, which stem directly to the dishonest
accounts of Laman and Lemuel regarding Nephi.
Can you
believe that! Nearly four hundred
years later, two men, which seems to be an unbelievably insignificant number
compared to the, no doubt, thousands of descendants which have emerged since
their time, had the ability to affect, alter, and modify the attitudes and
beliefs of an entire people. That
is truly incredible to me.
This
example is an extremely accurate illustration of the power of our decisions,
choices, and especially, of our testimony, but also as equally forceful, the
power of our sins. If understood
and accepted, it can motivate and empower us to choose the right, and to ensure
that we are living a life that emulates goodness and encourages others,
especially our future generations, towards Christ.
My Sins Are “Mine”
I am intrigued
by one of Satan’s tactics, which I like to refer to as the “mine”
strategy. I am fascinated about it
because it mimics a childlike behavior, which as adults we normally seek to
train the child out of. However,
what seems to happen in the world today, is that we return to this “mine”
mentality.
Now, I am
an unlearned woman, one who holds little advanced education. I am sure there is a study on this
concept which seeks to explain this happening. However, regardless of the temporal explanations, it is still one of Satan’s snares.
We see
this tactic used frequently to justify, or rationalize, the reasons why we make
the decisions we do. Here is a
common example I seem to hear ever constantly: It is my body. It doesn’t
matter what I do to it, what I place in it, or how I treat it. It is mine.
It is a
very common expression, but could be no further from the truth. Our bodies are not ours. They were created and presented to us
by a loving Father in Heaven. He
provided them as a blessed gift, one which we hungered after, upon entering
this mortal sphere. Although He
has counseled us how to care for it, He does not force us to do anything, and
that includes not compelling us to protect the gift of our bodies. This agency does not denote that this
creation is our own. It is still His. It will forever be His. The way we decide what goes on it, what we determine goes in
it, is simply our opportunity to show gratitude to a merciful Creator.
Utilizing
this concept, in conjunction with the scripture, I have pondered continuously on how Satan utilizes this
technique relating to our sins. I
do believe that there are some sins that we make ignorantly, however, I feel,
from my own experience, that most of the time we have a firm understanding when
we engage in something we should not do.
In fact, most of the serious sins are banned, or restricted, even within
our mortal setting. Enticements to
these sins are led by Satan, but perhaps, the part we overlook most frequently
is the constant whisperings which encourage the “mine” attitude: Don’t worry, these are your
sins. The effects will only come
upon yourself. You are free to make your own choices, and no one should be
worried about what you decide to do or not to do.
Do you
see what Satan is doing here? He
is finding every way possible to attack the portion of this mortal life that he
detested the most: agency. Can you
recall how terribly against agency he was in the premortal sphere? He absolutely opposed it, and was so
passionate about canceling the idea, that he impudently brought forth a plan
that was contrary to the Father’s.
Do not be deceived, he still hates agency. That is why our agency is depleted and destroyed when we
follow after him through sinning. He
continually utilizes any and every opportunity to defile it. It is, and always has been, apart of
his main objectives. Here he is
displaying the eat, drink, and be merry philosophy. Use
your agency, he declares, your
choices will only affect you.
He is desecrating a divine gift from the Father.
Satan first
works to have us commit sin. Next,
he seeks to persuade us to excuse that sin in whatever way we can find. He strives to keep us from repentance,
for the Atonement allows us to recognize the seriousness of our errors and
motivates us to avoid it in the future.
In
opposite fashion, Satan wants us to accept the sin, and apply it as a customary
habit. Once the sin is adjusted to
life, our vision will be distorted in two ways. One: we no longer see the severity of the sin and begin to
defend it, or two: we recognize that the sin carries consequences, but what we
“get” from the sin is worth the repercussion. We adopt the “mine” perspective, feeling that our sins are
our own, and that others should have no part, for we will be the only one who
will experience the effects of our choices.
Make no
mistake, this is where he is
deceiving you the greatest. For
our actions, and the consequences for those decisions, are never delivered to ourselves alone. We are naïve to believe that any decision we make will only have to ability to benefit or hinder
ourselves. Choices, especially
those in regards to sin, always involve a set of consequences for others.
If you
view the plan of our Father, it is made to be as such, although He desires that
our choices are always for the betterment of those around us. Our purpose on this mortal sphere is individual, however, it is also
deeply-rooted with the emotional and spiritual connections to a multitude of
God’s children. These attachments
are found in every aspect of life, within every sort of relationship we acquire. We need each other, and are dependent
upon each other for everything, even, and especially, for our salvation. This patterns much of our life on
earth. We necessitate others, and
they require us.
The Effects of Sin
Sinful,
unrighteous, unvirtuous decisions and actions deliver consequences. These ill effects are not only
administered to ourselves, but instead, are trickled down into the lives of
others that surround us. I do not
believe that there is any sin which has
the ability to only inflict sorrow upon ourselves alone. Sins always have repercussions for others, and I would be bold enough to
declare, that in a majority of cases it is the innocent that become wounded.
From
personalized experience I can only describe the anguish that accompanies these
consequences as suffocating. It
can make life seem unendurable to manage the oppressive weight that partners
another’s bad decision. Truly, it
has the ability to completely obliterate a heart. It has the capability of disorganizing and demolishing
another’s life as they know it. If
it occurs in a child’s beginning years, it may have the potential to alter
their entire existence. I know I
am not alone when I recount these specific effects, for I would say that each
one of us, at some time, has encountered this type of heartache.
Additionally,
from personalized experience, I can describe the regret and despair that occurs
on the other end, watching another suffer because of a wrong decision that I
have made. It is a deep form of
agony to observe someone you hold dear suffer because you have engaged in a sin
that has broken their heart. No
matter how you seek to rectify it, the deed is done.
When you
view both sides, it is made evident that sin, and its disastrous consequences,
are nothing to trifle with. Satan
makes them look intriguing, and may even convince us that the ramifications are
worth the sin, but in the end we are left alone,
gasping for breath, for he never stands by his followers. He has been an abandoner from the
beginning.
I learned
from a wise mentor that one should never talk about sin, without also discussing
the healing power of the Atonement.
I have never forgotten that counsel, nor have I misplaced the way it
saved a sinner such as I. It is
essential that we recognize that when we have sinned, or when another’s sin has
caused a burden to fall upon us, we are not left to withstand the sorrow
alone. Our Savior can mend all
things. And not only mend, but can
completely restore. He is the only
one who can rebuild what we have destroyed. He is the only one who can heal even the deepest torture. We have faith in Him and know that
because of His Atonement we can be rescued, whether we are the offended or the
offender.
However,
it must also be acknowledged that the Atonement cannot relieve us from all
earthly consequences. There are
effects that come from our sins that may completely transform parts of our
lives. We may lose relationships, we
may battle with an inescapable addiction, or we may have destroyed something,
or someone, that can never be replaced in mortality. Our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ have entrusted
us with agency, and they have the ability to heal our wounds, but they cannot
reverse outcomes, because it may impede on another’s agency. The best way to avoid these regretful
occurrences is to avoid sin with all seriousness, and utilize the Atonement
daily, because we are all currently imperfect.
Perhaps,
the greatest effect of sin is clarified through the scripture found in
Mosiah. Laman and Lemuel’s evil
and wicked decisions created an entire group of people whose main objective was
to destroy the Nephites. They did
not seek to kill them because they had been personally offended, but instead
held firm to the traditions of their fathers, which was based on a corrupted
version of the truth.
The
consequence that Laman and Lemuel received for their actions was a separation
from God. The consequence their
posterity received was distance from God for they knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the strength of the Lord. They knew nothing because they had been
taught nothing. And the next seven
words explain in detail how severe the consequence was upon them: Therefore, they depended upon their own
strength.
That
sentence makes me shudder. Can you
imagine not having the strength of the Lord with you, and all that you had to
buoy you up during good or bad, thick or thin, was your own strength?
I can perfectly
visualize such an existence, for I remember a time in my life, not too long
ago, when I, too, had distanced myself from God and all I depended on was
myself. It was horrific. Life was overwhelming in every
aspect. I had a great outward display
of confidence, but inside all that filled me was panic. Sheer panic. The
meaning of life was chaotic and jumbled and peace was a feeling that I rarely ever
encountered. Relying on your own
strength in place of God’s is like trying to row a steamboat with a paddleboat
oar. You don’t go far.
This recorded
result illustrates how deeply our unrighteous decisions can affect our
posterity. When we fail to follow
the Lord, His ways become strange to us.
Seeking to provide explanation for His puzzling methods, we may create
artificial beliefs or ideologies which begin to be carried down throughout our
generations. Our fabricated ideas,
become our posterity’s reality.
Our
choices do, and will, have an effect on our posterity. Never allow Satan to persuade you
otherwise. This scripture is proof
of how extensive our consequences can run.
Lastly, by
recognizing that our decisions affect our future generations, I am absolutely not
declaring that our choices limit our posterity’s agency. Never. Indeed, we all have our own agency to decide what is right
and wrong. Just because we come
from a line of people who have made unrighteous decisions, does not denote that
we, too, will follow after. There
are examples in the scriptures, and in everyday life, of individuals who
utilize their agency for good, even when surrounded by evil or falsified
ways.
Similarly,
there are many examples of unrighteous seed who have sprung from righteous
progenitors. This scripture story
houses a perfect example, for the righteous King Zeniff fathered King Noah who
was a wicked and vile leader that corrupted the Nephite people.
We all
have the gift of agency and it is not restricted nor controlled by another’s
decisions. However, our choices do
have the ability to produce undesired effects that can add difficulty, and
heartache, to another’s existence.
The Affects of Righteousness
Additionally,
and identically, when we make righteous, virtuous, steadfast decisions we benefit
others, especially, but not limited to, our own posterity. Although we may not see the results of
our righteousness, goodness and virtue always
have a tumbling effect.
Zeniff
and his people, which are on the opposite side of this story, are a great
example. Zeniff made poor
decisions in acquiring the land of Lehi-Nephi because of his overzealousness to
exist there. His consequences were
the bondage that the Lamanites placed not only on himself, but on all of his
people. However, the Nephites had been taught of the Lord. They knew His ways, they understood
what they must do to be released from their bondage, and they knew of, and
trusted in, His strength.
Their
knowledge and ability to have access to the Atonement and to the strength of
the Lord came from the righteous decisions of Nephi, and was continued forward
by their own virtuous actions.
Nephi’s good choices, as well as the continued obedience of the
Nephites, enabled his posterity four hundred years later, to be forgiven of
their sins and to have power over their oppressors.
We may
never know what the affect of our righteous decisions will be. Although we may not witness anything
during mortality, it does not suggest that we have not created an influence. The tumbling affect of our
righteousness will occur, whether we
inhabit this mortal sphere, or are in the heavens. We must never be disheartened.
Knowing
that righteousness will undoubtedly add influence, we must be careful with how
we define failure. Perhaps, we
feel we have failed because of the current
status of our present posterity. There
may be some who have made decisions that have taken them away from the Lord. However, as we continue on a path of
righteousness we are setting an example that they may look towards when they
seek to come back to His arms.
The
Lord’s timing is unmatched and is perfected. Our success cannot be determined based on our own
timetables. Never lose hope. Not in yourself, nor in the Lord. Continue forward with fervent
dedication to what you know is true.
I have a
very strong testimony of the truthfulness of this, for I was once the one who
had made decisions that had taken myself away from the Lord. However, I was
blessed to utilize the stalwart example of my Grandmother, who never waivers in
righteousness, nor in her love for me. When I finally decided to embark on the pathway home again, her
faithful example helped me to understand what I must do to gain access to the
Spirit of the Lord. My journey was
individual, but was continuously inspired by her goodness, by her virtue.
Additionally, we must not feel overwhelmed by understanding
that what we do has an influence on others. We know our flaws so well, that we may worry that our
imperfection may cause unintended consequences to fall on those we love, or
onto those that follow after us.
This should not burden us. Following the Lord’s ways will never add
weight. As we seek to walk with the Lord,
all things will be made right.
We do not have to be perfect to have a righteous affect. In fact, the moments where we are not
perfect, but humbly utilized the Atonement, may be the spark that teaches
another who is struggling and desperately wants to find their way home
again. The gospel is not for a
perfected people, it is a sanctuary and refiner for the currently
incomplete.
Depend Upon the Strength of the Lord
Our
decisions and choices are truly not our own. What we decide to do upon this earth has a lasting affect,
whether for good or bad. The lie
that Satan seeks to convince you, the one that labels sins and their consequences
as “mine”, is a deception. It is
one that is abusing and defiling your divine gift of agency. Do not allow him to manipulate you in
such a manner.
We have
been taught of the Lord. We know
of Him, of His ways, and of His strength.
Because of this we have been blessed with the ability to overpower the
temptations of the destroyer. When
we call upon the Lord, He will add His strength unto us and we will be
victorious, every single time. Because we have been blessed with
access to such divine light and knowledge, our responsibility is to emulate
what we know to be true. As we do
so, others around us will be motivated and encouraged towards good.
We cannot
lose the understanding that we need each other. We are sent to this earth in family units, and are continuously
surrounded by others, that we may all come together in our journey back
home. We have the ability to
righteously affect everyone we come
into contact with.
Most
importantly, we have been given a divine and serious responsibility to teach
and prepare our posterity to walk in the ways of the Lord. It is true that this is accomplished by our words, but it is our behaviors and decisions that are most significant. Words, no matter how eloquently
delivered, are only muffled phrases released by a overtaxed tongue, if our
actions are not parallel.
Our
righteous decisions will have the ability to influence, steady, stimulate, and
enliven our future generations.
Our agency has been provided, and it is a divine gift from a trusting
Father in Heaven. One who has
confidence that our life, and the choices we decide to make, will allow our
posterity to have knowledge of Him, and above all, that they will know how to
depend upon the strength of the Lord.
