“Watch and Pray Continually That Ye May Not Be Tempted Above That Which Ye Can Bear”

Bryan Richards

When Satan circles around us looking for an opportunity to go for the kill, the best defense is to watch and pray continually.

'Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.

Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;

And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.' (3 Nephi 18:18-21)

"Too often people have taken license with the following words of Paul the Apostle: 'There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it' (1 Corinthians 10:13). They have falsely supposed that they could hurl themselves into the path of sin, enter into forbidden territory, or wander briefly from that road which is strait and narrow-and then be divinely delivered from spiritual destruction. Such people are deceived. They have bought into another of Satan's lies. Unless they repent, they will lose their souls. We cannot repeatedly tempt God and expect him to keep us from the effects of our shortsightedness. Rather, as Alma here teaches, we must be vigilant, ever watchful, careful and cautious so as not to slip into sin. The promise of the Almighty is that there is no situation out of which God cannot deliver us and no temptation that he cannot empower us against-if we are seeking with all our heart to avoid the taints of the world, if we are striving to navigate the gospel path with fidelity and devotion." (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 3, p. 107)

Joseph Smith

"All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God the devil takes power." (Teachings, pp. 181, 187,189 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 269)

Richard G. Scott

"Some transgressions are so powerful that it is unlikely that you will begin to overcome them without another's help. Seek that help. In time, with the strength that comes from continued use of agency to live truth, you will be healed through the Savior." (Ensign, Nov. 1992, p. 62 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 268)

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