Desires and Temptations

I found the coolest quote in the world yesterday while reading a talk by Ann M. Madsen titled, "Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee." So, I wanted to share it :D Enjoy!

Elder Neal A. Maxwell has said: "What we are speaking about is so much more than merely deflecting temptations for which we somehow do not feel responsible. Remember, it is our own desires which determine the sizing and attractiveness of temptations. We set our own thermostats as to temptation" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 27).

I know this is true. We may be enticed in opposite directions in a tug-of-war between light and darkness, but we are always the tie-breakers. The choice is always yours and mine. We can always move away from the darkness, even when we can't see the light clearly, just as Elder Maxwell explains: "There remains an inner zone in which we are sovereign, unless we abdicate. In this zone lies the essence of our individuality and personal accountability.

"Each assertion of a righteous desire . . . however small . . . adds to our spiritual momentum. . . . Our loving Lord will work with us, 'even if [we] can [do] no more than desire to believe,' providing we will 'let this desire work in [us]' (Alma 32:27)" (ibid., 26).

It seems clear that we can win against temptation, even before we enter the battle, by educating the desires of our hearts. Thus, the battle can be won before we find ourselves muddied in the trenches. If it is so easy, why don't we all just decide right now to do it? Because it is not easy; it is hard. Our souls are the battleground where Satan seeks to destroy our agency while the Lord fights to teach us to "bridle all [our] passions" (Alma 38:12) to be filled with his love. On this planet, created for this purpose, we experience our way through a jungle of good and evil, making choices that can ultimately exalt us. But it is seldom easy.