Sondra's notes from 27 May 2007 lesson

Sisters, here is a copy of Sondra's notes from the 27 May lesson:

Fortifying Ourselves against Evil Influences

Spencer W. Kimball Chapter 10

* “Fortify” means to strengthen. The Latin root, “fortis,” also means powerful and morally courageous and steadfast. Courage, power and steadfastness begin with choices.

* President Kimball taught that we only have to decide once to obey a gospel principle or resist temptations, and when we are faced with that temptation, we will not have to reconsider how we want to act. We are much more open to temptation if we are undecided. We still must consciously resist temptations, especially when our choice to do so is fresh, but over time our resistance will become second nature, and we will have developed a trained response.

* President Kimball also taught that it is much easier to resist evil influences in the first place than to return from sin. Christ when tempted by Satan responded without hesitation. The scriptures indicate that He did not open the door to Satan’s influences by listening to his full argument or thinking over what he had to offer.

* We are all subject to evil influences. Satan is very subtle. He tempts us in small ways that we think don’t matter. He uses all possible approaches to confuse us, to help us rationalize and to weaken our resolve. He uses all our senses, our time, our interests, the ordinary tools of daily life, our desires and ambitions, our character weaknesses (which he knows). He can turn anything to his purposes. He uses all of our vulnerabilities.

* Evil influences aren’t just the big things that we know to avoid, like substances, pornography, extremism, abuse or sexual promiscuity. We must be aware of the unique and subtle ways that Satan tempts us. What are the small and insidious ways that he is tempting you?

* We must fortify ourselves against these influences. Ephesians We must choose not to give in to them, even if we have in the past. We must practice not giving in, until over time, we are no longer vulnerable to those influences.

* We must seek the help of the Lord to make a bold stand before Satan. “He who has greater strength than Lucifer, he who is our fortress and our strength, can sustain us in times of great temptation. While the Lord will never forcibly take anyone out of sin or out of the arms of the tempters, he exerts his Spirit to induce the sinner to do it with divine assistance. And the [wo]man who yields to the sweet influence and pleadings of the Spirit and does all in [her] power to stay in a repentant attitude is guaranteed protection, power, freedom and joy.”