Lesson Summary: July 7, 2013

Sue A. shared a message titled "Choices" using the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and L. Tom Perry's talk "Obedience to Law is Liberty" from April's General Conference.

Elder Perry describes a book given to all servicemen at the beginning of WWII.

"In many respects, this world has always been at war. I believe when the First Presidency sent me my little brown book, they were more concerned about a greater war than World War II. I also believe they hoped the book would be a shield of faith against Satan and his armies in this greater war—the war against sin—and serve as a reminder to me to live the commandments of God."   (2013 April General Conference, Obedience to Law Is Liberty, By  L. Tom Perry)

The principles in the pamphlet "For the Strength of Youth" are not just for the youth of the church but apply to all of us. 

"You are responsible for the choices you make. God is mindful of you and will help you make good choices, even if your family and friends use their agency in ways that are not right. Have the moral courage to stand firm in obeying God’s will, even if you have to stand alone. As you do this, you set an example for others to follow.
"While you are free to choose your course of action, you are not free to choose the consequences. Whether for good or bad, consequences follow as a natural result of the choices you make." (For the Strength of Youth, Agency and Accountability)

• What choices do you make in your life that are different than the choices made by friends/neighbors/co-workers who are not of our faith?  Why and how do you make these choices?

"In my judgment, four of the Ten Commandments are taken as seriously today as ever. As a culture, we disdain and condemn murder, stealing, and lying, and we still believe in the responsibility of children to their parents."But as a larger society, we routinely dismiss the other six commandments:

• If worldly priorities are any indication, we certainly have “other gods” we put before the true God.   
• We make idols of celebrities, of lifestyles, of wealth, and yes, sometimes of graven images or objects.
• We use the name of God in all kinds of profane ways, including our exclamations and our swearing.
• We use the Sabbath day for our biggest games, our most serious recreation, our heaviest shopping, and virtually everything else but worship.
• We treat sexual relations outside marriage as recreation and entertainment.

"And coveting has become a far too common way of life." (See Exodus 20:3–17.)  (2013 April General Conference, Obedience to Law Is Liberty, By  L. Tom Perry)

In Clayton M. Christensen's book "How Will You Measure Your Life" he relates a warning of outsourcing in our family life. Parents now working for the children, instead of children working for the family.

• How do you live in the world without succumbing to the world’s standards?  Which world standard’s are hard for you and/or your kids?  How do you teach them (or did you in the past if they are grown)?

There are always consequences.  Some come soon, some may not come in this life:

Elder Perry talks about how Satan wants us to give up our Agency -- to thwart God and to make us miserable.

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."  (2nd Nephi 2:27)

• How does your access to priesthood power and Temple Covenants affect your choices, and your ability to make good ones? 
• How does your connection to power in association with Sisters in Relief Society affect your choices?

"These standards are a guide to help you make correct choices. Review the standards often and ask yourself, 'Am I living the way the Lord wants me to live?' and 'How have I been blessed by living these standards?'...
"As you do these things, the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your trials and challenges. You will gain a stronger testimony and find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel Their love for you." (For the Strength of Youth)