what do you pray to god when you are suffocating from unhappiness and disappointment

As I have looked forward to and prepared for this opportunity to larn with you, I accept come to better understand the strong feelings of Jacob, the brother of Nephi. He said, "I this solar day am weighed down with much … desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls" (Jacob 2:3). The bulletin I want to share with you today has over time distilled upon my "soul as the dews from heaven" (D&C 121:45). I invite your hostage attention to a serious subject that has both immediate and eternal implications. I pray for the Holy Ghost to be with and teach each of united states during our time together.

I long take been impressed with the simple and clear definition of truth prepare forth in the Book of Mormon: "The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth non. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they actually are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto u.s. evidently, for the conservancy of our souls" (Jacob 4:13; run across also D&C 93:24).

Nosotros will focus upon the get-go major chemical element of truth identified in this verse: "things as they actually are." We start will review several key elements of our Heavenly Father's program of happiness as the doctrinal foundation for knowing and understanding things as they really are. We and so will consider methods of attack used by the adversary to distract us from or inhibit our capacity to discern things as they actually are. And finally, nosotros will talk over the responsibilities that rest upon you lot every bit the rising generation. You volition need to exist obedient, to honor sacred covenants, and to discern things consistently as they really are in today's world that grows e'er more dislocated and wicked.

Our Divine Destiny

In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles declare that as spirit sons and daughters of God, we "accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical torso and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as heirs of eternal life."¹ Please note the primary importance of obtaining a concrete body in the process of progressing toward our divine destiny.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught with clarity the importance of our physical bodies:

"We came to this world that we might have a trunk and present it pure before God in the angelic kingdom. The swell principle of happiness consists in having a trunk. The devil has no body, and herein is his punishment. He is pleased when he can obtain the tabernacle of man, and when cast out by the Savior he asked to go into the herd of swine, showing that he would adopt a swine'south body to having none. All beings who have bodies have ability over those who accept not. …

"The devil has no power over us just as nosotros allow him; the moment we defection at annihilation which comes from God, the devil takes power."²

Our physical bodies make possible a breadth, a depth, and an intensity of experience that but could not be obtained in our premortal manor. President Boyd Grand. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has taught, "Our spirit and our trunk are combined in such a way that our body becomes an instrument of our mind and the foundation of our graphic symbol."³ Thus, our relationships with other people, our capacity to recognize and act in accordance with truth, and our ability to obey the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ are amplified through our physical bodies. In the classroom of mortality, we experience tenderness, dearest, kindness, happiness, sorrow, thwarting, pain, and even the challenges of physical limitations in ways that prepare united states for eternity. Simply stated, there are lessons nosotros must learn and experiences nosotros must have, as the scriptures describe, "according to the mankind" (ane Nephi 19:6; Alma 7:12–13).

Apostles and prophets consistently take taught the mortal and eternal importance of our bodies. Paul declared:

"Know ye non that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

"If whatever man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1 Corinthians three:xvi–17).

And in this impunity the Lord revealed that "the spirit and the body are the soul of human being" (D&C 88:xv). A truth that actually is and e'er will exist is that the body and the spirit constitute our reality and identity. When trunk and spirit are inseparably connected, we can receive a fulness of joy; when they are separated, we cannot receive a fulness of joy (come across D&C 93:33–34).

The Begetter's plan is designed to provide direction for His children, to help them become happy, and to bring them safely dwelling to Him with resurrected, exalted bodies. Lucifer labors to make the sons and daughters of God confused and unhappy and to hinder their eternal progression. The overarching intent of the father of lies is that all of us become "miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27), and he works to distort the elements of the Father's program he hates the almost.

Satan does non have a body, and his eternal progress has been halted. Just as water flowing in a riverbed is stopped past a dam, so the antagonist'south eternal progress is thwarted considering he does not take a concrete body. Because of his rebellion, Lucifer has denied himself all of the mortal blessings and experiences made possible through a tabernacle of flesh and bones. He cannot learn the lessons that simply an embodied spirit can acquire. He cannot ally or bask the blessings of procreation and family life. He cannot abide the reality of a literal and universal resurrection of all mankind. I of the potent scriptural meanings of the word damned is illustrated in his inability to continue developing and becoming like our Heavenly Father.

Because a concrete trunk is so central to the Father'south plan of happiness and our spiritual evolution, we should non be surprised that Lucifer seeks to frustrate our progression by tempting us to use our bodies improperly. One of the ultimate ironies of eternity is that the adversary, who is miserable precisely because he has no physical body, invites and entices the states to share in his misery through the improper employ of our bodies. The very tool he does not take and cannot utilise is thus the master target of his attempts to lure us to physical and spiritual devastation.

The Adversary'south Attacks

The adversary attempts to influence us both to misuse our concrete bodies and to minimize the importance of our bodies. These two methods of assault are important for us to recognize and to repel.

When any of Heavenly Father's children misuse their physical tabernacles by violating the law of chastity, by using drugs and addictive substances, by disfiguring or defacing themselves, or by worshipping the false idol of body prototype, whether their own or that of others, Satan is delighted. To those of us who know and understand the plan of conservancy, any defiling of the trunk is rebellion and a denial of our true identity every bit sons and daughters of God (run across Mosiah ii:36–37; D&C 64:34–35).

Now, brothers and sisters, I cannot tell you all the ways whereby y'all may misuse your bodies, "for at that place are defined ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them" (Mosiah four:29). You know what is right and what is wrong, and you have the individual responsibility to acquire for yourself "by study and as well past organized religion" (D&C 88:118) the things yous should and should not exercise and the doctrinal reasons yous should and should not do those things. I testify that as y'all desire to so learn, as y'all "sentry yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and find the commandments of God, and keep in the faith of what ye take heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives" (Mosiah 4:30), you will be spiritually enlightened and protected. And according to your faithfulness and diligence, you will have the power to discern the charade and repel the attacks of the adversary as he tempts you to misuse your physical trunk.

Satan also strives to entice the sons and daughters of God to minimize the importance of their physical bodies. This particular type of attack is most subtle and diabolical. I want to provide several examples of how the adversary can pacify and lull usa away into a sense of lecherous security (run across 2 Nephi 28:21) and encourage united states of america to put at gamble the earthly learning experiences that caused us to shout for joy in the premortal existence (meet Job 38:7).

For instance, all of usa tin can find enjoyment in a wide range of wholesome, entertaining, and engaging activities. But we diminish the importance of our bodies and jeopardize our physical well-being past going to unusual and dangerous extremes searching for an ever-greater and more exhilarating adrenaline "blitz." We may rationalize that surely nothing is wrong with such seemingly innocent exploits and adventures. Withal, putting at risk the very instrument God has given us to receive the learning experiences of bloodshed—but to pursue a thrill or some supposed fun, to bolster ego, or to proceeds acceptance—truly minimizes the importance of our physical bodies.

Sadly, some young men and young women in the Church today ignore "things as they actually are" and neglect eternal relationships for digital distractions, diversions, and detours that have no lasting value. My eye aches when a young couple—sealed together in the house of the Lord for time and for all eternity by the power of the holy priesthood—experiences marital difficulties considering of the addicting effect of excessive video gaming or online socializing. A young human being or woman may waste countless hours, postpone or forfeit vocational or academic achievement, and ultimately sacrifice cherished human relationships because of mind- and spirit-numbing video and online games. As the Lord declared, "Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment … : One thousand shalt not idle away thy fourth dimension, neither shalt thou coffin thy talent that it may not be known" (D&C 60:13).

You lot may at present be asking yourself, "But, Blood brother Bednar, you began today past talking about the importance of a physical body in our eternal progression. Are y'all suggesting that video gaming and various types of calculator-mediated communication can play a role in minimizing the importance of our physical bodies?" That is precisely what I am declaring. Let me explicate.

We live at a time when applied science can exist used to replicate reality, to broaden reality, and to create virtual reality. For example, a medical doctor can use software simulation to gain valuable feel performing a complicated surgical operation without always putting a man patient at hazard. A pilot in a flying simulator repeatedly tin practice emergency landing procedures that could relieve many lives. And architects and engineers can apply innovative technologies to model sophisticated design and construction methods that subtract the loss of human being life and damage to buildings acquired by earthquakes and other natural disasters.

In each of these examples, a loftier degree of fidelity in the simulation or model contributes to the effectiveness of the experience. The term allegiance denotes the similarity between reality and a representation of reality. Such a simulation can be constructive if the fidelity is loftier and the purposes are skilful—for instance, providing feel that saves lives or improves the quality of life.

Please find the fidelity between the representation of reality in the computer rendering (beginning image below) and the reality of the completed room (second paradigm).

Rendering of sealing room in Newport Beach California Temple by Craig Lofgreen © IRI

Photograph of actual sealing room in Newport Beach California Temple by Welden C. Andersen © IRI

In the example, loftier allegiance is employed to accomplish a well-nigh important purpose—the blueprint and construction of a sacred and beautiful temple. However, a simulation or model can pb to spiritual impairment and danger if the allegiance is loftier and the purposes are bad—such as experimenting with actions opposite to God's commandments or enticing united states of america to call up or exercise things we would not otherwise think or do "because it is only a game."

I raise an apostolic vocalisation of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls. The concerns I raise are not new; they apply equally to other types of media, such equally goggle box, movies, and music. But in a cyber world, these challenges are more pervasive and intense. I plead with you to beware of the sense-dulling and spiritually destructive influence of cyberspace technologies that are used to produce high fidelity and that promote degrading and evil purposes.

If the adversary cannot entice u.s.a. to misuse our physical bodies, then 1 of his most strong tactics is to beguile you and me every bit embodied spirits to disconnect gradually and physically from things equally they really are. In essence, he encourages us to think and act as if we were in our premortal, unembodied state. And, if we let him, he can cunningly employ some aspects of modern technology to attain his purposes. Please exist careful of becoming and then immersed and engrossed in pixels, texting, earbuds, twittering, online social networking, and potentially addictive uses of media and the Internet that you lot fail to recognize the importance of your physical trunk and miss the richness of person-to-person communication. Beware of digital displays and data in many forms of computer-mediated interaction that can displace the full range of concrete chapters and experience.

Read advisedly the following quote describing an intense romantic human relationship a woman had with a internet beau. And notation how the medium of advice minimized the importance of the concrete torso: "And then PFSlider [the human being's screen proper noun] became my everyday life. All the tangible stuff fell away. My body did not exist. I had no peel, no hair, no bones. All desire had converted itself into a cerebral electric current that reached nix but my frontal lobe. In that location was no outdoors, no social life, no weather. There was only the computer screen and the phone, my chair, and maybe a drinking glass of water."^iv

In contrast, we need to listen the admonition of Paul: "That every one of yous should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and accolade" (1 Thessalonians iv:iv).

Consider again the case I mentioned earlier of a young couple recently married in the house of the Lord. An young or misguided spouse may devote an inordinate corporeality of time to playing video games, chatting online, or in other ways allowing the digital to dominate things equally they actually are. Initially the investment of time may seem relatively harmless, rationalized equally a few minutes of needed relief from the demands of a hectic daily schedule. But of import opportunities are missed for developing and improving interpersonal skills, for laughing and crying together, and for creating a rich and enduring bond of emotional intimacy. Progressively, seemingly innocent entertainment can get a course of pernicious enslavement.

To feel the warmth of a tender hug from an eternal companion or to run into the sincerity in the eyes of some other person as testimony is shared—all of these things experienced as they really are through the instrument of our physical torso—could be sacrificed for a high-fidelity fantasy that has no lasting value. If you lot and I are not vigilant, we tin can go "past feeling" (1 Nephi 17:45), every bit did Laman and Lemuel long ago.

Let me provide some other instance of disconnecting gradually and physically from things as they really are. Today a person can enter into a virtual world, such as Second Life, and presume a new identity. An private can create an avatar, or a cyberspace persona, that conforms to his or her ain appearance and behavior. Or a person can concoct a counterfeit identity that does non correlate in whatever way to things as they really are. All the same closely the causeless new identity approximates the individual, such beliefs is the essence of things as they really are not. Earlier I defined the fidelity of a simulation or model. I now emphasize the importance of personal fidelity—the correspondence betwixt an bodily person and an causeless, cyberspace identity. Delight note the lack of personal allegiance in the following episode as reported in the Wall Street Journal:

Ric Hoogestraat is "a burly [53-year-old] human with a long greyness ponytail, thick sideburns and a salt-and-pepper handlebar mustache. … [Ric spends] 6 hours a nighttime and often 14 hours at a stretch on weekends equally Dutch Hoorenbeek, his half dozen-foot-nine, muscular … cyber-self. The character looks like a younger, physically enhanced version of [Ric]. …

"… [He] sits at his computer with the blinds drawn. … While his wife, Sue, watches television in the living room, Mr. Hoogestraat chats online with what appears on the screen to be a tall, slim redhead.

"He'south never met the adult female outside of the computer world of Second Life, a well-chronicled digital fantasyland. … He'due south never then much as spoken to her on the telephone. But their relationship has taken on curiously real dimensions. They own two dogs, pay a mortgage together and spend hours [in their internet world] shopping at the mall and taking long motorcycle rides. … Their bond is so strong that three months ago, Mr. Hoogestraat asked Janet Spielman, the 38-year-old Canadian woman who controls the redhead, to become his virtual wife.

"The woman he'southward legally wed to is not amused. 'Information technology'south really devastating,' says Sue Hoogestraat, … who has been married to Mr. Hoogestraat for vii months."⁵

Brothers and sisters, delight understand. I am not suggesting all technology is inherently bad; it is not. Nor am I saying we should non use its many capabilities in appropriate ways to learn, to communicate, to lift and burnish lives, and to build and strengthen the Church; of course nosotros should. Just I am raising a alert voice that we should not squander and damage accurate relationships by obsessing over contrived ones. "Virtually 40% of men and 53% of women who play online games said their virtual friends were equal to or better than their real-life friends, co-ordinate to a survey of thirty,000 gamers conducted by … a recent Ph.D. graduate from Stanford University. More than than a quarter of gamers [who responded indicated that] the emotional highlight of the by week occurred in a computer world."^vi

Photo illustration past David Stoker

How of import, how enduring, and how timely is the Lord'south definition of truth: "things as they really are." The prophet Alma asked, "O so, is not this real?" (Alma 32:35). He was speaking of light and good then discernible they can exist tasted. Indeed, "they who dwell in [the Father's] presence … see every bit they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace" (D&C 76:94).

My love brothers and sisters, beware! To the extent personal fidelity decreases in computer-mediated communications and the purposes of such communications are distorted, perverted, and wicked, the potential for spiritual disaster is dangerously loftier. I implore yous to plough away immediately and permanently from such places and activities (see two Timothy 3:5).

Now I would like to accost an additional characteristic of the adversary's attacks. Satan oftentimes offers an alluring illusion of anonymity. Lucifer ever has sought to accomplish his work in secret (encounter Moses five:30). Remember, however, that apostasy is not anonymous merely because it occurs in a blog or through a made identity in a chat room or virtual world. Immoral thoughts, words, and deeds always are immoral, even in cyberspace. Deceitful acts supposedly veiled in secrecy, such every bit illegally downloading music from the Internet or copying CDs or DVDs for distribution to friends and families, are nonetheless mendacious. We are all accountable to God, and ultimately we will be judged of Him according to our deeds and the desires of our hearts (see Alma 41:3). "For as [a homo] thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

The Lord knows who we really are, what we really think, what we actually do, and who nosotros really are becoming. He has warned us that "the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their hole-and-corner acts shall exist revealed" (D&C one:3).

I have raised a voice of warning nearly only a few of the spiritual hazards in our technologically oriented and apace changing world. Let me say once more: neither engineering science nor rapid change in or of itself is good or evil; the real challenge is to empathise both inside the context of the eternal plan of happiness. Lucifer will encourage you to misuse and to minimize the importance of your physical body. He will endeavor to substitute the monotony of virtual repetition for the infinite diversity of God's creations and convince usa nosotros are but mortal things to be acted upon instead of eternal souls blessed with moral agency to act for ourselves. Deviously, he entices embodied spirits to forfeit the blessings and learning experiences "according to the flesh" (1 Nephi 19:6; Alma 7:12–thirteen) that are made possible through the Father's programme of happiness and the Atonement of His Only Begotten Son.

For your happiness and protection, I invite you to study more diligently the doctrine of the plan of conservancy—and to prayerfully ponder the truths we take reviewed. I offering ii questions for consideration in your personal pondering and prayerful studying:

1. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life?

2. Does the time you spend using various technologies and media overstate or restrict your chapters to live, to dearest, and to serve in meaningful ways?

Yous volition receive answers, inspiration, and teaching from the Holy Ghost suited to your individual circumstances and needs. I repeat and affirm the teaching of the Prophet Joseph: "All beings who have bodies accept power over those who have not. The devil has no ability over us only equally we permit him."

These eternal truths about the importance of our concrete bodies volition fortify you lot against the deception and the attacks of the adversary. I of my deepest desires for you is an ever-increasing testimony of and appreciation for the Resurrection—even your own resurrection with a celestial, exalted torso "considering of your faith in [the Lord Jesus Christ] according to the promise" (Moroni 7:41).

The Rising Generation

I would like to speak specifically to you lot as you really are. Y'all actually are the rising generation in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-twenty-four hour period Saints. In October of 1997, Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited Brigham Young University–Idaho to speak in a devotional. During the mean solar day he was on the campus, we talked together about a multifariousness of gospel topics in general and about the youth of the Church building in item. I recall Elderberry Maxwell making a statement that greatly impressed me. He said, "The youth of this generation have a greater capacity for obedience than whatsoever previous generation."

He and then indicated that his argument was based upon a truth taught by President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), First Advisor in the First Presidency: "God has reserved spirits for this impunity who take the courage and determination to face the earth, and all the powers of the evil i, visible and invisible, to proclaim the gospel and maintain the truth and establish and build up the Zion of our God fearless of all consequences. He has sent these spirits in this generation to lay the foundation of Zion never more than to be overthrown, and to enhance up a seed that will be righteous, and that will award God, and honour Him supremely, and be obedient to Him under all circumstances."^vii

Parents and Church leaders frequently emphasize that the young men and young women of this generation have been reserved for this flavor in the history of the world and are some of the most valiant of Heavenly Begetter's children. Indeed, such statements are true. Simply I often have wondered if young people hear this clarification so often that information technology becomes overused and trite—and that its importance and deep implications may be overlooked. We know that "unto whom much is given much is required" (D&C 82:3). And the teachings of President Cannon and Elder Maxwell help us to sympathise more than fully what is required of us today. You and I are to exist valiant and "obedient to Him nether all circumstances." Thus, obedience is the master weapon upon which the rising generation must rely in the latter-day boxing betwixt good and evil.

We rejoice that the Lord through His authorized servants has "raised the bar" for the young men and immature women of today. Given what we know almost who we are and why we are here upon the globe, such inspired management is welcomed and appreciated. And we should recognize that Lucifer incessantly strives to "lower the bar" by coaxing united states to misuse and minimize the importance of our physical bodies.

The Savior has warned us repeatedly to beware of deception past the adversary:

"Jesus answered, and said unto them: Take heed that no man deceive you; …

"For in those days there shall as well ascend false Christs, and false prophets, and shall prove corking signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant …

"And whoso treasureth upwardly my word, shall not be deceived" (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:v, 22, 37).

Obedience opens the door to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. And the spiritual gifts and abilities activated by the ability of the Holy Ghost enable us to avert deception—and to see, to feel, to know, to understand, and to remember things as they actually are. You and I have been endowed with a greater capacity for obedience precisely for these reasons. Moroni declared:

"Hearken unto the words of the Lord, and inquire the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Uncertainty not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own conservancy with fear and trembling before him.

"Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask non, that ye may consume information technology on your lusts, only enquire with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, only that ye will serve the true and living God" (Mormon 9:27–28).

As we listen that inspired counsel, we can and volition be blessed to recognize and repel the attacks of the adversary—today and in the days that prevarication alee. Nosotros can and volition fulfill our foreordained responsibilities and contribute to the work of the Lord in all the world.

I testify that God lives and is our Heavenly Male parent. He is the author of the plan of conservancy. Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer, whose body was hobbling, cleaved, and torn for us as He offered the atoning sacrifice. He is resurrected, He lives, and He stands at the head of His Church building in these latter days. To be "encircled nearly eternally in the artillery of his love" (2 Nephi ane:15) will be a real and not a virtual experience.

I evidence we can and volition exist blessed with the courage and conclusion to face the earth and all the powers of the evil one. Righteousness will prevail. No unhallowed hand can stop this work from progressing. I bear witness and prove of these things as they really are and as they really will be, in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

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Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2010/06/things-as-they-really-are?lang=eng

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