Four Tools That Bring Promised Blessings

Four Tools That Bring Promised Blessings
      This article from the April issue of the New Era speaks on defending yourself against Satan using prayer, scripture study, family home evening, and temple worship. Richard G. Scott spoke on these four tools in the October 2014 General Conference. These tools will help us increase our spirituality and center ourselves more on Jesus Christ, our sure foundation.
      Elder Scott said, "Our Father in Heaven has given us tools to help us come unto Christ and exercise faith in His Atonement... When these tools become fundamental habits, they provide the easiest way to find peace in the challenges of mortality... the more we develop these habits, the more anxious is Satan to harm us but the less is his ability to do so."

Prayer:
     "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." - Matthew 26:41
     "...prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace... miracles are wrought through prayer." - President Thomas S. Monson
     "...God cares about you. He will listen, and he will answer your personal questions. The answers to your prayers will come in His own way and in His own time, and therefore, you need to learn to listen to His voice." - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Scripture Study:
     "Whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." - 1 Nephi 15:24
     "I feel certain that if, in our homes, [families] will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly,... mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart.... faith, hope, and charity -- the pure love of Christ -- will abound in our homes and lives." - President Marion G. Romney
     "Through daily, consistent scripture study, you will find peace in the turmoil around you and strength to resist temptations. You will develop strong faith in the grace of God and know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all will be made right according to God’s timing."

Family Home Evening:
      " We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program [of family home evening]. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest."
      "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children."
- Isaiah 54:13
      "Whether we are young or old, single or married, whether we have children at home or have become empty nesters, family home evening can increase unity and love in our homes."
- President James E. Faust

Temple Worship:
     " The eternally significant blessing of uniting our own families is almost beyond comprehension."- Elder Quentin L. Cook
     "Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us."
- Elder Russell M. Nelson
     "There is a power associated with the ordinances of heaven -- even the power of godliness -- which can and will thwart the forces of evil... Our families will be protected, our children will be safeguarded as we live the gospel, visit the temple, and live close to the Lord."
- President Ezra Taft Benson


In conclusion, this article (which I have summarized) offers advice on how to clear and purify our minds of all ungodliness, and how we can become closer to Christ and our Father in Heaven. I hope that I, and all of you, can strive to apply all of these principles to our lives and strengthen our families. I bear my testimony that, as we become more Christ-like in our behaviors and in our minds, we will find peace in this world. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.