Another day.

Yesterday went really well.

• I had lunch with Josh C. who gave me lots of ideas and connections to network with for CF.
• I called all the dance studio owners to remind them about calendaring their recitals with us.
• I mapped out a proposal for the “low hanging fruit” concept for CF dealing with their authors first and not hiring yet.
• I avoided temptation in a lot of ways I think by having a meaningful study in the MORNING.
• I played with the kids quite a bit.
• I painted the downstairs guest room while Becky was at YW.
• The Cougars beat UNLV in basketball!

So I’m looking forward to another great day.

As I looked through the conference talks to study today, one by Elder Neil A. Andersen (a new member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) caught my attention. It’s titled “Never Leave Him” and the sub-title is this:

As you choose not to be offended or ashamed, you will feel His love and approval. You will know that you are becoming more like Him.

I liked this because, either this morning or last night I was thinking about searching for the phrase:

“How to Not Even Have the Desire to Sin”

To me, becoming like Him is the answer to that question.

The way to become like Him is to do His will, to practice, to study, to pray, and to ask for His help.

The road of discipleship is not for the spiritually faint of heart. Jesus said: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” ⁹ “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” ¹⁰ As we follow the Savior, without question there will be challenges that confront us.

How do we remain true to the Savior, His gospel, and the ordinances of His priesthood? How do we develop the faith and strength to never leave Him?

Jesus said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” ¹¹ We need the believing heart of a child.

Through the power of His Atonement, we are to become “as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father.” ¹² This is the mighty change of heart. ¹³

We soon see why a change of heart is necessary. Two words signal danger ahead: the words are offended and ashamed.

Both these words are synonyms with PRIDE! The “proud” are easily offended. The “proud” are ashamed – like the people in the Book of Mormon who had partaken of the fruit of the tree of life, but, when they saw their “friends” mocking them, they were “ashamed”, changed their minds, and walked away from the truth.

What is Being Offended?

Offense comes in many costumes and continually finds its way onstage. People we believe in disappoint us. We have unanticipated difficulties. Our life doesn’t turn out exactly the way we were expecting. We make mistakes, feel unworthy, and worry about being forgiven. We wonder about a doctrinal issue. We learn of something spoken from a Church pulpit 150 years ago that bothers us. Our children are treated unfairly. We are ignored or under-appreciated. It could be a hundred things, each very real to us at the time. ¹⁶

In our weakened moments, the adversary seeks to steal our spiritual promises.

Interesting. Being offended happens more often that I’d like to admit. Resentments are a form of offense. Life not turning out the way we expect, people doing things that we feel are wrong or hurtful, feeling unworthy, making mistakes, people disappointing us, being ignored or under-appreciated: all these situations have the potential to cause offense.

I think the last sentence is interesting too, especially in regards to my addictions. Most of the time, if not ALL of the time, I fall back in to error or sin because of resentments that come first. I’m bugged, frustrated, annoyed, feel under-appreciated, etc. and then I justify why I should be able to do “whatever I want to do”. “In [my] weakened moments, the adversary seeks to steal [my] spiritual promises.”

It goes on to say:

If we are not watchful, our injured, childlike spirit will retreat back into the cold, dark crust of our former bloated ego, leaving behind the warm, healing light of the Savior.

Where Much Is Given, Much Is Required

Some ask, “Do I have to be so different from others?” “Can’t I be a disciple of Christ without thinking so much about my behavior?” “Can’t I love Christ without keeping the law of chastity?” “Can’t I love Him and do what I want on Sunday?” Jesus gave a simple answer: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” ³²

Some ask, “Aren’t there many of other faiths who love Christ?” Of course there are! However, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having a witness of His reality not only from the Bible but also from the Book of Mormon; knowing His priesthood has been restored to the earth; having made sacred covenants to follow Him and received the gift of the Holy Ghost; having been endowed with power in His holy temple; and being part of preparing for His glorious return to the earth, we cannot compare what we are to be with those who have not yet received these truths. “Unto whom much is given much is required.” ³³

Here’s one of the most direct answers to my main question for today about not even having the desire to sin:

Perfection does not come in this life, but we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keep our covenants. President Monson has promised, “Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe.” ³⁸ We push our spiritual roots deep, feasting daily on the words of Christ in the scriptures. We trust in the words of living prophets, placed before us to show us the way. We pray and pray and listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Ghost that leads us along and speaks peace to our soul. Whatever challenges arise, we never, never leave Him. (emphasis added)

I’m grateful for this study today. To me, it’s a confirmation that doing the little things on a consistent and daily basis will help me to develop the change of heart necessary to not even have the desire to sin.

I’m grateful for my family.

I’m grateful for the talents God has blessed me with that are helping me support my family.

I’m grateful for the opportunities that seem to be popping out the nowhere.

I hope that I can always be worthy to be guided by “the quiet voice of the Holy Ghost that leads [me] along and speaks peace to [my] soul.”

I’m happy that I was able to have another quality study today.

I plan to write at least two letters today to people who I need to make amends to who I either can’t get a hold of or have no idea how to get a hold of them.

Hasta manana!

Nate