God does not expect us to solve our problems by ourselves
As we work with struggling individuals and families who are less-active in the Church here in the Baltimore area, we recognize a common thread that appears to be woven into the fabric of their trials: JESUS CHRIST IS NOT THE FOCUSED CENTER OF THEIR LIVES! Less active Church members seem to believe that they can either solve their own problems by themselves or that there is no hope of ever getting past the troubles and difficulties that they currently face.
Who or what is behind this condition that weakens the spiritual fortitude of the sons and daughters of men? It is Lucifer (also known as Satan or the devil) himself who was cast out of the presence of God for rebellion before this world was created.
Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; and he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice. (Moses 4:3-4)
He discourages individuals from turning to the Only Begotten Son of God when they need help. He wants us to believe that we are unworthy to be forgiven of our sins, but this is not true. Heavenly Father loves us and never intended that His children would overcome their weaknesses and shortcomings in mortality without the influence of the Holy Ghost and the atoning sacrifice of the Savior.
Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; and he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice. (Moses 4:3-4)
He discourages individuals from turning to the Only Begotten Son of God when they need help. He wants us to believe that we are unworthy to be forgiven of our sins, but this is not true. Heavenly Father loves us and never intended that His children would overcome their weaknesses and shortcomings in mortality without the influence of the Holy Ghost and the atoning sacrifice of the Savior.
One of Satan's great insidious lies is to tell people he is not real, but I testify that he exists. He has served as an evil influence in the lives of Heavenly Father's children since Adam and Eve first came to this earth . He casts doubt in our minds that by exercising faith in the Son of God, we would find peace in this troubled world and salvation that would lead us to happiness in the world to come beyond the grave.
President Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church tells us . . .
The world around you is not equipped to provide the help you need to make it through this often-treacherous journey. So many in our society today seem to have slipped from the moorings of safety and drifted from the harbor of peace. Permissiveness, immorality, pornography, drugs, the power of peer pressure—all these and more—cause many to be tossed about on a sea of sin and crushed on the jagged reefs of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and shattered dreams.
Is there a way to safety? Is there an escape from threatened destruction? The answer is a resounding yes! I counsel you to look to the lighthouse of the Lord. I have said it before; I will say it again: there is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what the lighthouse of the Lord can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls, “This way to safety. This way to home.” It sends forth signals of light easily seen and never failing. If followed, those signals will guide you back to your heavenly home.
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