In his book “The Divine Gift of Forgiveness,” Neil L. Anderson (or the Quorum of Twelve Apostles) wrote:
“The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “the nearer a person approaches the Lord, a greater power will be manifested by the adversary to prevent the accomplishment of His purposes. (3 below)
“The being we call Lucifer was an angel of God, who was in authority in the presence of God,” but who “rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ.”4 Jesus declared that ” there is no truth in him, . . . for he is a liar.”5 He wants us to be miserable like unto himself.”6 (for scripture references in blue, scroll down after clicking each number. . .)
As we begin to call upon God in prayer, asking for the power of the Savior’s Atonement to enter into our lives, Satan with his enticing and seductive voice of sin tries to keep us from going forward.
Deceptions
His first appeal is to tell us there is no need to repent. “These actions that are called sins,” he whispers, “are not sins at all, but understandable happenings in the world around us.” “And others will he pacify and lull them into carnal security, that they will say: All is well . . . and telleth them there is no hell: and . . . I am no devil, for there is none.” 7
For those desiring to repent, these cunning words are often ineffective, as they have seen the sadness and sorrow their sins have brought and have felt the guilt and pain of doing wrong. They know a change is needed.
The deceiver has other assertions, subtly telling the person who desires to repent that he or she isn’t capable of doing what is necessary to bring about forgiveness, or even worse, that he or she is unworthy of God’s help. The adversary goads a feeling of despair, an absence of hope, a sense of ‘this may work for some, but I am so weak, so failed in my life, this is impossible for me. I am doomed to exclusion from eternal life with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”
To overcome these defeating words of despair we must turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer and to the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ: “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.” 8
If you are determined to sincerely return to your Heavenly Father, you will not be kept from the divine gift of forgiveness, Wanting to give you the hope you need, Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son. Humbled by the emptiness of his “riotous living,” the son “came to himself.”9 He realized his wrong; he knew he must change. He said, ” I will arise and go to my father and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. 10
The scriptures then report, ” And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. “11
I promise you that no matter the emptiness or unworthiness you feel, Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son await you.12 The Savior’s suffering, His payment of sin, was for you, as well as those you think more worthy than yourself. The Atonement of Jesus Christ can lift you from the depths of your current condition. ~Elder Neil L. Anderson, “The divine Gift of Forgiveness” (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2019) 115-17
3. Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967). 132.
Continued (with ‘Delaying Repentance’). . .
