I realize it has been a while since I have written about my husband and me. I suppose that is because there is not much to report. We are just enjoying our routine life. We are both taking classes, happy, and busy! But I guess that is normal. I wouldn't say our life it tedious, but it is regular, with a fixed schedule and routine.
I wanted just to say a few words about this life style, since it is typical of most people. We get into the "swing of things" and we are living the same day every day, week to week, month to month, (for us semester to semester). There is nothing wrong with this in of itself, but there is the tendency for us to think that our days are so familiar to us that nothing can change. Consequently, we let our guard down. If we have never been in trouble before then why would we get into trouble now? This is an association fallacy. Because we associate our day with the other days we have lived, we assume that this day will be no different than the others!
In Alma 15 we hear about a "great check" among the people (vs 17). What is a great check? It means the people checked themselves from time to time. They knew that over a duration of time their way of life could and would morph if they didn't keep it in check. It says that the people were "checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves before God."
I'd like to draw upon another example in the scriptures. In Helaman we read about the capture of Zarahemla. Now how does a Lamanite army manage to waltz into the center of the Nephite land and capture their capital city? It says in verse 18 that it was because the Nephites didn't have "sufficient guard in the land of Zarahemla; for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands to attack that great city Zarahemla." So it would seem that when they thought they were safe, they were the most vulnerable.
This is why we need to listen to the men in the watchtower (a.k.a. the prophets - past and present) and keep a constant watch on ourselves. We must vigilantly safegaurd ourselves by praying and reading the scriptures (Sunday School answers). We need to be doing these things regularly and with intent; exercising our faith. If we pray daily, we are promised eternal life. "...when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day" (Alma 37:37). We need that constant help. Just when we are too comfortable, we may think we don't need the help. Oh, but that is when we are most vulnerable to the most malicious of predators - those who wish to possess our soul.
Daily scripture study is also imperative to our personal defense. "It is certain that one who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then lets days go by before continuing. Not only should we study each day, but there should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without interference...The important thing is to allow nothing else to interfere with our study" (Howard W. Hunter).
In this wise, we will Never be left Alone to fight the battle - the battle that is ever present. In the armor of God there is only one offensive weapon: the sword. This particular sword represents the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). When we read our scripture we are becoming familiar with the word of God and when we sincerly pray we are beckoning the spirit to be with us. This companion - this great gift from our Father - can help us discern traps, equipped with a single flaxen chord, before we walk right into them. This invaluable ally must be sincerely sought. David A. Bednar, in this last Conference said: "We more readily receive and recognize the Spirit of the Lord as we appropriately invite Him into our lives. We cannot compel, coerce, or command the Holy Ghost. Rather, we should invite Him into our lives with the same gentleness and tenderness by which He entreats us."
I testify that this is true. We need to be steadily aware of our weaknesses, our follies, and our character that is so often subject to error. If we are aware of these things we will be more dependent on Christ and our Heavenly Father. We will develop a close bond with him. We will be able to cultivate His Spirit in our homes. We will feel a closeness to our Savior. We will not doubt where we stand with God. I testify T\these eternal ties will lift us up at the last day.
