HOW TO SURVIVE IN ENEMY TERRITORY
What is “enemy territory”? It could be any extremely uncomfortable tense – even fearful situation that we are in – it could be facing choices we have to make – it could be at home or at work – in could be in the churnings of our own mind – as we travel through our life on this earth.
The following thoughts are abstracted from an address given by Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titled: “Commemorating 100 Years of Seminary” at the Conference Center, SLC 1/22/12. Seminary is religious study for an hour every school day – usually before school – available to all youth 14 through 18 year old.
While President Packer’s comments were directed toward seminary teachers and students, they really apply to all of us.
Wisdom Will Help You Combat the Enemy
“You are growing up in enemy territory. …The adversary has infiltrated the world around you. He is in homes, entertainment, the media, and language - everything around you. In most cases his presence is undetected” Throughout the scriptures it says to get wisdom – it is a defense against the enemy. Take the initiative to get wisdom.
Strengthen Yourselves With the Words of Christ
The Gift of the Holy Ghost Will Protect You
“You have been taught all your lives about the Gift of the Holy Ghost, but teaching can only go so far. You can and, in fact, you must go the rest of the way alone to discover within yourself how the Holy Ghost can be a guiding and protective influence. … Once you have made this discovery for yourself, you can live in enemy territory and not be deceived or destroyed . … That means each of you will never make a serious mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Holy Ghost.” It’s what you do – the action or inaction you take after the prompting that shapes the outcome!
How you live your life determines whether the line of communication remains open and uncluttered. The Holy Ghost does not hang around if the environment is not conducive to spiritual communication. “You must learn to seek the power and direction that is available to you, and then follow that course no matter what.”
Prayer is an Important Line of Communication
“First on your “to do” list, put prayer. … Your prayers are always heard. You are never alone!”
Keep Your Spiritual Receptors Strong
Don’t do things that corrupt – unclean living corrupts our ability to receive direction from God – unclean living goes beyond “morality” and what He has asked us not to do. Keep your “spiritual receptors” strong and uncluttered by doing what God has asked us to do - such as following the commandments and reaching out to serve and lift up others - choose the right and do it and stick with it no matter what.
Use Your Agency to Keep or Regain Safe Ground
The first gift that Adam and Eve received was agency. “Thou mayest choose (right from wrong) for thyself, for it is given unto thee.” Agency goes beyond the choosing right from wrong, but also includes make good decisions in tough situations as well as making decisions between “goods” in a given situation.
Prophetic Counsel Teaches What Is True
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, abut he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
Lasting Peace Comes by Repenting Often
Repenting means learning from our mistakes and taking corrective action – This means changing our thoughts and behavior to be in line with God.
Go Forward with Hope and Faith
“Do not fear the future. Do not fear what is ahead. Go forward with hope and faith … you will be blessed.”
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Each one of us has had the necessary navigational tools made available to us. The choice and initiative to take possession of them and then use them is up to each one of us individually – We can travel successfully in enemy territory.
As Julia’s Dad, Bill Holton, frequently said, “Onward and upward!” I add “Keep calm and carry on.”
Joe Todd
November 2012
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