My friend Caryn suggested an alternative to going private. When she was faced with comment problems, she simply removed the comments feature. What a concept! I'll give it a try and see if this feels more comfortable. If you would like to send a note about a post or just to say hello, send it to conradhome (at) hotmail (dot) com.
The cute poem he related, illustrating the boundless energy of youth, made me smile. As old age creeps up and makes one look to slow to be relevant, youth would do well to pay attention and be patient to know the way to success. With his experience, he tells us how to get to where we should to go and what we should be. The assurance that Satan and his followers have little power over us unless we relinquish control is very comforting and empowering. We are stronger than these fallen angels, because we kept our first estate and gained the blessing of physical bodies. We can win the battle Satan began against God's children in heaven if we remember who we are. Obedience to Heavenly Father’s commandments is our weapon and protection against the adversities and trials in this life.
How do we know the right way to go? “The gift of the Holy Ghost, if you consent, will guide and protect you and even correct your actions. It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought or a feeling put into your heart." This is a real and true promise. Many times I have been guided away from incorrect, unsafe paths and into better ones. Also, there are the words of prophets, modern and ancient, which are the words of God. He did not send us here to fail but gave us instructions and guidance if we choose to listen.
Another thing Brother Packer touched on was especially comforting in this day of political and economic turmoil. “Sometimes you might be tempted to think as I did from time to time in my youth: “The way things are going, the world’s going to be over with. The end of the world is going to come before I get to where I should be.” Not so! You can look forward to doing it right—getting married, having a family, seeing your children and grandchildren, maybe even great-grandchildren.” Although we are commanded to prepare for the future, physically, mentally, temporally, emotionally, and spiritually, nobody knows the hour or the day of the end. Recently, I've changed my mindset to reflect this idea, prepare to thrive and not just survive.
“You shall be guided through the whisperings of the Holy Spirit and you shall be warned of dangers. If you heed those warnings, our Heavenly Father will bless you...." IF I rely on the Holy Ghost, IF I study scripture, IF I pray, IF I serve God's children, IF I attend Sabbath meetings and the temple, If I repent, If I keep the commandments, If I repent, IF I choose the right, If I dress modestly, If I talk reverently, If I listen to uplifting music, IF I avoid immorality and personally degrading practices, If I take hold of my life, If I order myself to be valiant, and If I repent, Heavenly Father will bless me far beyond the great and wonderful blessing of the resurrection. IF I accept and allow Jesus' grace to work in my life and allow the Holy Ghost to guide my paths, I will be protected, be reunited with my family in the next, and be able to enter into the presence of the Father and the Son and dwell with them in the Celestial Kingdom eternally.
