Great and Terrible times. Hopefully more Great than terrible

We are living in Great and Terrible times. Terrible, because of wars and rumors of wars, the mists of darkness which are covering the earth (mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil 1 Nephi 12: 17), Wickedness that destroys happiness and threatens the Kingdom of God [adultery and immorality (homosexuality, pornography and sexual relations before marriage, abortions and murder], Pestilences (diseases).

I had a dream once that a man whom the whole town was afraid of came into our home because someone unknowingly invited him in, (Satan). He wouldn't leave once he got inside and he walked over to our tape player (I had this dream before cd's had really become a thing and way before ipods and mp3 players) he put in a tape, or now a days docked an ipod, that was supposed to play subliminal messages but wasn't subliminal at all. It said over and over again drink alcoholic drinks and live immorally. (In my dream it actually just said drink and have sex over and over again). I begged someone to stop it. No one dared and then finally my dad, who was dead at the time but I thought that represented priesthood power, got up and shut off the tape player. Before he could turn it off the man (Satan) did all in his power to stop him. He didn't touch him but in my dream he screamed out threatenings and then as my dad went to turn off the tape player, blood came pouring out of it and my dad snatched back his hand for a moment and then reached through the blood and shut off the tape. As he did the man melted away. We had stood up to him and his power was gone.

I share this with you because these are the times we are living in. No subliminal messages, it is out there in full force drink and you'll have a good time and be happy. Be immoral don't save yourself for marriage don't even worry about getting married this is a happier way of life. Those are lies sent by Satan and his angels to bring us down into misery and captivity. Paul describes these times in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 1“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Whithout natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God: 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Everlearning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” These are the terrible times we are living in.

Times when the philosophies of men are everywhere. 7 “Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. 8 there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink and be merry: nevertheless, fear God- he will justify in committing a little sin: yea lie a little, take advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God” 2 Nephi 28: 7-8. These are lies.

One of the worst philosophies of men is to worry about our own happiness to take care of ourselves in the sense that we worry about our own comforts and needs above all else, above God and His commandments and above His children, that we need to forget others and make sure we are happy. Following this does not bring happiness to us. Being self involved brings more misery than happiness.

Another one is food. There are so many different diets and cleansing fads and movies and articles about health and food safety. If we listen to all the different philosophies we would eat nothing because none of it is safe for us to eat. But modern revelation has given us a law of health, The word of wisdom found in D&C 89 that when followed brings promised blessings of “health in their navel and marrow to their bones. And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Isreal, and not slay them. Amen.” D&C 89:18-21. I also recently read a great talk on this By Elder Boyd K. Packer in 1996 called “The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises”.

Now I want to talk about the Great times we are living in.

Brothers and Sisters we are living in a time when there are Prophets and apostles again on the earth. Jesus Christ's church has been restored with all the power and rights of the priesthood that were here when He was on the Earth. Temples are again upon the earth with covenants and gifts for salvation, and power to seal families together forever and seal us to Heavenly Father so we can again live in His presence and enjoy eternal life, where the spirit is so strong revelation can flow openly there if we are ready to receive it and do what is asked of us.

Members of the church are given the Gift of the Holy Ghost which is the most precious gift God could give us, besides sending us His only begotten Son. We can have guidance and help as we live in the world. It teaches truth to our hearts and we can know if the things we read and see are true or not and gives us inspiration on what we need to do or change. It can guide us in our families and in our daily decisions.

We have the scriptures and as we study them in our homes and teach the things of Christ and teach His ways and His atoning sacrifice we make our homes sanctuaries where truth is taught by the spirit and where the spirit can dwell. We can combat the philosophies of men with scripture study, talks and teachings from prophets, temple attendance, General conference. We don't have to worry about the many things the world is worrying about. We have the tools and hopefully the faith in God and His love and power to not be fearful. We have been given so many helps to get us through these latter days the great and terrible days. I pray we use the blessings that Heavenly Father has provided for us so these days can be GREAT for us and we are not fearing and trembling because of the terribleness of the times. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.