“They who engage in iniquitous designs miserably deceive themselves when they think they will go so far and no farther; one fault begets another; one crime renders another necessary; and thus they are impelled continually downward into a depth of guilt, which at the commencement… they would have died rather than have incurred.”~Robert Southy
Another aspect of this is our own spiritual health; putting up with / living daily in a space that is spiritually abusive and unhealthy, month after month, year after year. It is best, when possible, to choose a better environment. Others must (or will choose to) increase in faith and inner peace though hell rages around them (Think of righteous Mormon and his son Moroni, who constantly witnessed savagery at the end of the Nephite civilization). The Lord can provide daily individual strength and delivery to equal and exceed that needed to stay close to Him. For our part we must always stay clear of any iniquitous designs as described above. Even the faithful can, in a weak moment, slip into such a mess. We must keep our spiritual ‘armor bright and impenetrable’ by constant attention to those things that make it so. Really such a path becomes easier for those so pursuing… guarding always against its opposite. kdm
