This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2001 conference.
Another great session; in fact, I've long believed that members who skip out of the Sunday afternoon session miss out on some of the best talks. This was no exception.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave some prophetic counsel:
Strange, in a time otherwise obsessed with entitlements, how little concern there is over our becoming entitled to the blessings of heaven.
One of the best ways we can put off the "natural man" is to starve him (Mosiah 3:19). Weakened, he is more easily dislodged. Otherwise, he insists on getting his ticket punched at every stop on the temptation train.
Those who live "after the manner of happiness" (2 Ne. 5:27) also wisely develop protective, spiritual manners. These manners are reflected in their proper dress, language, humor, and music, thereby sending the signal of determined discipleship (see Prov. 23:7).
We can see the value of this counsel today as we battle the degeneration all around us. I don't think it matters where we live, near church headquarters, or out in Babylon, evil is everywhere, blatant and loud.
Elder Maxwell spoke of the seventh commandment being a shield for us. He uses such poetic language too. "Likewise, husbands and wives can deliberately avoid drifting apart by refusing to relax their loyalties and by not being caught in the strong currents leading to waterfalls."
I know from personal experiences that Elder Maxwell was correct! The commandments are a blessing to us, keeping us safe from the consequences of giving up and giving in to temptation. The commandments help us learn what heaven is like and prepare us for life there.
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