Gospel topic
Satan
Tagged content
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The Dedication of the Manti Temple," Millennial Star, Jun
President Daniel H. Wells
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The Prophet Joseph Smith has given us the clearest explanation of this wonderfulevent in discussing the question of the greatness of John. He said John was one of the greatest of prophets. His greatness was not due to his prophesying or because he performed great miracles, but because he was entrusted with the mission of preparing the way before the Lord and he also had the honor to baptize him. Said Joseph Smith: "Whoever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the dove, in witness of that administration? The sign of the dove was instituted beforethe creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence." We raise no question as to the fact that the Holy Ghost did appear to John in the form of a dove and that the sign of the dove was given to him as convincing evidence that it was verily the Son of God whom he baptized. It is also true that Nephi was granted in vision to have the same experience. He saw the baptism of our Lord and the Holy Ghost descend upon the Lord apparently in the form of a dove, the dove being an emblem of purity. It is interesting to consider other passages of scripture in regard to the dove. Satan cannot imitate this sign; that is one thing which is denied him. The dove has been considered as a sacred emblem through the history of Israel. It was the dove which Noah sent forth from the Ark which returned to him with the evidence that the waters had departed from the face of the earth. The dove as an emblem of purity was offered in sacrifice in ancient Israel, and perhaps before, by which means certain sins were cleansed. Chief among these was the purifying of mothers after the birth of their children as follows: "And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: "Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. "And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles [turtle doves], or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean." A short time after the birth of our Savior, when the days of his mother's purification were accomplished, "they brought him, to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. ... "And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons." In counseling his apostles as they were about to go forth on their first missionary journey, the Lord said to them: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
President Joseph Fielding Smith
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I once had an opportunity to accompany President Spencer W. Kimball to a distant land. We were given a tour of the various sites in the area, including underground catacombs—burial grounds for people who had been persecuted by Christian zealots. As we came up the dark, narrow stairs of that place, President Kimball taught me an unforgettable lesson. He pulled my coattail and said, “It has always troubled me what the adversary does using the name of our Savior.” He then said, “Robert, the adversary can never have joy unless you and I sin.” As I contemplated this comment and studied the scriptures, I began to understand what President Kimball may have meant. I recalled the word of the Lord to all the inhabitants of the earth as recorded in the Book of Mormon: “Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall repent; for the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people.” 19 3 Ne. 9:2 It is our sins that make the devil laugh, our sorrow that brings him counterfeit joy. Although the devil laughs, his power is limited. Some may remember the old adage: “The devil made me do it.” Today I want to convey, in absolutely certain terms, that the adversary cannot make us do anything. He does lie at our door, as the scriptures say, and he follows us each day. Every time we go out, every decision we make, we are either choosing to move in his direction or in the direction of our Savior. But the adversary must depart if we tell him to depart. He cannot influence us unless we allow him to do so, and he knows that! The only time he can affect our minds and bodies—our very spirits—is when we allow him to do so. In other words, we do not have to succumb to his enticements!
Elder Robert D. Hales
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My dear brethren, you were chosen by our Father to come to earth at this crucial time because of your premortal spiritual valor. You are among the finest, most valiant men who have ever come to the earth. Satan knows who you are and who you were premortally, and he understands the work that must be done before the Savior returns. And after millennia of practicing his cunning arts, the adversary is experienced and incorrigible. Gratefully, the priesthood we hold is far stronger than are the wiles of the adversary.
President Russell M. Nelson
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