5 Minute Spiritual Boost

This weekend my husband and I started a new TV series.  The plot appealed to both of us and we were excited about being able to watch it together.  However, it didn't take very long for us to have to turn our heads, raise our eyebrows and essentially conclude that almost every theme in the show was contrary to the 13th Article of Faith-"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy we seek after these things."  Honestly, none of it was worth seeking after.  Even still it was hard to turn off because the show appealed to our carnal minds.  Once we turned it off we felt better but even more than that we saw small blessings that made life in our home better.  Things we know came from the decision to turn off the show.

The next morning for my scripture study I clicked open my scripture app and there was a conference talk open.  As I read I was grateful because it felt like Heavenly Father was sitting me down and talking to me about what had happened the night before.  This is the talk that I read, I know that decisions determine destiny.  Even though we initially made a poor decision by watching this particular show we were richly blessed for choosing to turn it off.  The Lord doesn't hold grudges, as soon as we do what we need to invite the Spirit, the Spirit will come.  Enjoy these highlights from the talk:

Decisions for Eternity

October 2013

"A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery—the strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines your moral responses in difficult, tempting, and trying situations. Fasting helps your spirit to develop dominance over your physical appetites. Fasting also increases your access to heaven’s help, as it intensifies your prayers. Why the need for self-mastery? God implanted strong appetites within us for nourishment and love, vital for the human family to be perpetuated. When we master our appetites within the bounds of God’s laws, we can enjoy longer life, greater love, and consummate joy.

It is not surprising, then, that most temptations to stray from God’s plan of happiness come through the misuse of those essential, God-given appetites. Controlling our appetites is not always easy. Not one of us manages them perfectly. Mistakes happen. Errors are made. Sins are committed. What can we do then? We can learn from them. And we can truly repent.

We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change—permanent change—can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He loves you—each of you! He allows you to access His power as you keep His commandments, eagerly, earnestly, and exactly. It is that simple and certain. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change!

A strong human spirit with control over appetites of the flesh is master over emotions and passions and not a slave to them. That kind of freedom is as vital to the spirit as oxygen is to the body! Freedom from self-slavery is true liberation!^"