From his book ‘The Millennial Generation’ Vaughn J. Featherstone taught:
God desires that we have joy. Joy is deep and abiding and must be earned. A righteous life brings unspeakable joy. Some will find pleasure in sin but no joy. There are, however, consequences for sin, including, despair, and other dark feelings. Such consequences are unavoidable—sin cannot be covered up and hidden away from God. The Master of heaven and earth is the author of all truth: “Truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ: (Doctrine and Covenants 84:45). His commandments are eternal and His ways are just. His prophets and apostles are sure. Their calling is divine as it has been in days past.
Our understanding is increased and the truths ring clear in the counsel give Corianton: “Thou didst do that which is grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry and go over into the land of Siron . . . after the harlot Isabel. Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted. Know ye not, my son, that these things are abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?” (Alma 39:3-5).
Then with the tenderness of a faithful parent, he exclaimed: I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your own good. . . . Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lust of your eyes” (verses 7, 9).
And then Alma urges through firm and strong counsel: “Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe my words” (verse 11). And a powerful summary word of counsel and perhaps warning: “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). ~ Vaughn J. Featherstone(deceased), The Millennial Generation (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999) 27-28 ~continued
