Our world is becoming grey, full of mists and clouds, and everyone is being encouraged to follow their own path. Lehi’s dream is the perfect visual for us to see what the world offers, verses what the Lord promises. I choose the Lord.

“There is safety for us only on the Lord’s side of the line…Finding fault with the things that God has given to us for our guidance is not on the Lord’s side of the line.” (pg. 191-92)

“Every once in a while we hear somebody say, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t be so particular. The Lord is not going to be very severe with us if we just go part way.’ The one who is talking that way is already on the devil’s side of the line…Nobody talks that way who has the Spirit of the Lord.” (pg. 192)

George A. Smith’s quote should be cross-stitched on a pillow as a constant reminder, which face it–we all need:

“There is a line of demarcation well defined between the Lord’s territory and the devil’s territory. If you will stay on the Lord’s side of the line you will be under his influence and will have no desire to do wrong; but if you cross to the devil’s side of that line ONE INCH you are in the tempter’s power and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly because you will have lost the Spirit of the Lord.” (pg. 191)

By reading the scriptures daily; By praying and listening to revelation from the Lord; By obeying the counsel from our loving Heavenly parent, we will know “that which at one time seemed to bear the harsh name of law to me is now the loving and tender advice of an all-wise Heavenly Father.” (pg. 194)

The world teaches us to be cynical. The world mocks spirituality in its righteous form. The world makes us feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, and guilty for choosing the Lord. We have to see the world for what it is and stand strong and immoveable, confident, and happy at the choice we make.

The story about the man indignant over accusations of being full of the devil shows how the devil is a deceiver. Pres. Smith, because of the spirit he had, could see clearly and answer, “My brother, did you ever know anybody that was full of the devil and knew it?” (pg. 195)

On the contrary, she who is full of the spirit “has their own intelligence and by their own power they can gain eternal life.”  There’s that word power. We have power to choose, and with that power comes the promise of eternal life. After that promise, who even cares about the wimpy power the world offers?

The Book of Mormon teaches us best about how Satan works. Through the examples of the Anti-Christs, we get a feel for every possible foil presented by the devil. We need to be reading that book every day so that we cannot be fooled.

Satan is so tricky to the unwise. Read 2 Ne 28:19-23 to understand how Satan works. Remind yourself that he is always watching to wrap his flaxen cord around you. Flax, by the way, becomes a very thin, shiny, and surprisingly strong thread that is woven into linen. One thread, with some effort, can be snapped, but five threads, ten threads, fifty threads will hold you prisoner for as long as he desires to have you.

We can’t forget the other precious books of scripture though. Examples, and statements of warning, are everywhere. Rev. 3:15-16 says,

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Don’t be one of those who has to be spued out by the Lord, sisters. Let the Lord choose you by choosing Him first.

I know a dear sweet sister who has allowed herself to be deceived. I love her and my heart breaks after hearing her questions and wavering spirit. She’s been a member of the Church all of her life. I don’t know all of her story, but a decision she and her husband made, at one time, was to stop attending Church. Instead, her husband found a clever way to pipe Sacrament Meeting into their home, so they sat and listened in their pajamas, without having to walk next door. Years of excuses and rationalizations, and not partaking of the Sacrament, and not being a true participator, hardened her ability to remember the Lord. She lost a granddaughter in a car accident, and now questions if she will ever see this beloved child again. Her knowledge of the Plan of Salvation has faded. Her faith is no more. Her oil well is dry and she merely hopes for a better life.

“Now, my brethren and sisters, that is the condition of the world today…the adversary is at work…Because our Heavenly Father desired to preserve his children from the evil of that teaching and of that belief he sent the boy prophet, Joseph Smith, into the world, commissioned him with divine authority, organized His Church, and began again to teach the truth to the children of men…we have equal resistance with him (Satan).” (pg. 196-97)

We want to be on the Lord’s side, but we’re not perfect. Jesus loves us so much He offers to take our sins away so we can get back up, wipe our backsides off, and get back on the right path. Our goal can be refreshed each time to “stay there, because that means eternal happiness in the companionship of the best men and women that have lived upon the earth…and that means eternal happiness” (pg. 199). I, for one, pray that my mistakes are minimized, and my chosen side becomes obvious to anyone who looks at me at all times, and in all things, and in all places (Mosiah 18:9).