Be an Example and a Light -- Part Six

"...we are to be pure, which means that we are clean in body, mind, and spirit. We know that our body is a temple, to be treated with reverence and respect. Our minds should be filled with uplifting and ennobling thoughts and kept free from those things which will pollute. In order to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we must be worthy. Brothers and sisters, purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises. Said He, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”"

-- President Thomas S. Monson, Be an Example and a Light, October 2015

One of Satan's biggest tactics is to get us to disrespect and pollute our bodies and minds.  Because he knows the power of the pure -- those who are clean in body, mind, and spirit.  Satan doesn't have and never will have a body and he's extremely upset about that.  Everybody with a body is more powerful than Satan.  He knows that.  That's why he tries so hard to tempt us.  He wants us to be as miserable as he is.  The easiest way for him to do that is to get us to break God's commandments regarding our bodies and minds.  Sadly though, many people fall into his trap. 

Being natural men and women it is easy to fall into Satan's trap if we don't keep our guard up.  We must work every day on putting on the armor of God.  As previously mentioned, daily Scripture study and prayer are vital.

We all know people who, sadly, have chosen to pollute their bodies and minds.  Whether it be by breaking the word of wisdom -- alcohol, drugs, etc. or by breaking the law of chastity which includes polluting the mind with pornography, or any other way in which people disrespect and pollute their bodies and minds.  All of those things can lead to addictions -- which is ironic.  Most people in choosing to break the Lord's laws think they are freeing themselves from the restrictions of God's commandments.  When in reality they are actually becoming slaves to their addictions. Thereby becoming much more restricted than those who choose to keep God's commandments and remain free.  Oh the irony.

Obviously by disrespecting and polluting our bodies and minds we also harm our spirits and offend the spirit of the Lord.  I think often times we take for granted the gift of the Holy Ghost.  But that is really the most important gift we could ever receive.  By choosing to break God's commandments and disrespect our body, mind, and spirit we lose that most precious gift.  That is not insignificant.

Interesting that President Monson would include being pure in his talk about being an example and a light.  Because just by keeping ourselves pure we stand out as an example and a light to the world.

That's my two cents.