Step 7 – Taking Upon Yourself the Name of Christ

I hope today will be a good day. I feel a bit down today for a few reasons:

1. I stayed up a bit late last night just watching Sports Center.
2. I feel like going to Seven Peaks isn’t the best idea for me overall, but I realize it’s a family activity that the kids and Becky love to do. Not sure how to handle this…

I also feel I can be better at personal prayer and scripture study.

Yes, I’m working the steps of the program.

Yes, I feel good about my progress there; but I feel like there’s more I can do to show God I’m willing to do all I can to have my weaknesses and character flaws removed.

I don’t want to be too hard on myself, but I feel there is more I can do.

There is a power that flows into our lives when we read and study the scriptures on a daily basis that cannot be found in any other way. Daily prayer is another source of great power. Fasting for specific strength or special blessings can strengthen us beyond our normal ability.  (Ezra Taft Benson, The Law of Chastity)

Write about the feelings you experience when you think of His willingness to give you His name or reputation in exchange for all your shortcomings.

I feel this is pretty amazing. I’m not sure I completely comprehend what it means to have Christ give me His name or reputation in exchange for all my shortcomings.

I know Christ takes upon himself all my sins and imperfections. I feel I’m understanding that more now than ever before.

I know that as I continue to strive to look to Him in all my doings, that he will be there to help me and move me in the right direction.

I know that at times I take my will back and “do my own thing”, thinking my way is the better, funner, or more exciting way to go. This is selfish and prideful and really will never bring me the happiness I seek.

I’m learning WHY we have things like the Law of Chastity and the Word of Wisdom. They aren’t really “don’t do this” laws; they are more about “if you do this, your life will be a lot harder and you will have your agency stripped in some way or form.”

To me, the law of chastity has even more addictive tendencies than anything else. Once you look at something, or do something, it’s difficult to get it out of your mind.

My dear brothers and sisters, the law of chastity is a principle of eternal significance. We must not be swayed by the many voices of the world. We must listen to the voice of the Lord and then determine that we will set our feet irrevocably upon the path he has marked. (Ezra Taft Benson, The Law of Chastity)

“…swayed by the many voices of the world.” As I think about Seven Peaks, I feel it’s a big representation of how people are “swayed by the many voices of the world” – in particular, the media, who promotes sex, immodesty, and immorality.

“…determine that we will set our feet irrevocably upon the path he has marked.” One of the things I want to clearly define in my life is the path he has marked for me. If I’m honest with myself, I feel I already know the answer. The key is to REMEMBER and FOLLOW that path on a consistent basis.

“Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul” (Prov. 6:32).

“Ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of … righteousness” (Hel. 13:38).

“Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10).

Here the Lord is clearly stating, through the voice of His prophets, that not following the Law of Chastity will NEVER bring happiness, it will only bring pain and misery.

Do not be misled by Satan’s lies. There is no lasting happiness in immorality. There is no joy to be found in breaking the law of chastity. Just the opposite is true. There may be momentary pleasure. For a time it may seem like everything is wonderful. But quickly the relationship will sour. Guilt and shame set in. We become fearful that our sins will be discovered. We must sneak and hide, lie and cheat. Love begins to die. Bitterness, jealousy, anger, and even hate begin to grow. All of these are the natural results of sin and transgression…

There is an old saying that states: It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent. How true that is of the law of chastity. The first line of defense in keeping ourselves morally clean is to prepare ourselves to resist temptation and prevent ourselves from falling into sin. (Ezra Taft Benson, The Law of Chastity)

Six Steps of Preparation and Prevention

1. Decide now to be chaste.
2. Control your thoughts. The Savior taught that even when a man looks upon a woman to lust after her, or in other words, when he lets his thoughts begin to get out of control, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart (see Matt. 5:28; D&C 63:16).
3. Always pray for the power to resist temptation. “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work” (D&C 10:5).
4. If you are married, avoid flirtations of any kind.
5. If you are married, avoid being alone with members of the opposite sex wherever possible.
6. For those who are single and dating, carefully plan positive and constructive activities so that you are not left to yourselves with nothing to do but share physical affection.

We must do more than simply remove the negative influences from our lives. We must replace them with righteous activities that fill us with the strength and determination to live as we should.

I’m grateful for this study today and feel it has helped me fight off temptation.

I know with God’s help I can do ANYTHING!

Hasta luego!

Nate