You Will Be Freed...There is Hope

I was reading a General Conference talk titled "O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One" by Elder Ballard and it is something that we can all relate to. He talks a lot about addiction, but it really could be everything and anything that we go through in life. As I was pondering about this message, I gained more hope that only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be healed. The analogy that he uses with the fly fishing is very true. He says, "Lucifer knows our hunger, or weaknesses, and tempts us with counterfeit lures which, if taken, can cause us to be yanked from the stream of life into his unmerciful influence. And unlike a fly fisherman who catches and releases the fish unharmed back into the water, Lucifer will not voluntarily let go. His goal is to make his victims as miserable as he is." On the other hand, Heavenly Father has provided us with His gospel, His son Jesus Christ, and many opportunities where we can find true joy and happiness. True happiness comes from the small and simple things that we do to prevent us from being caught by Lucifer's lies and cunning intelligence. Some of those small and simple things are reading the scriptures, praying, going to church, serving the Lord, and keeping His commandments. I know that as we follow the counsel of Alma to his son Helaman "that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass,"(Alma 37:6) we will never be led astray by Lucifer and his lies. God knew we will sin and make mistakes, but He has provided a way for us to be spiritually clean and reunited to Him through our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Savior taught, "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I." (D&C 19:16-17) Elder Ballard states, "there is a way to spiritual freedom--a way to escape from bondage--a way that is proven. It begins with prayer--sincere, fervent, and constant communication with the Creator of our spirits and bodies, Our Heavenly Father. It is the same principle in breaking a bad habit or repenting from sin of any kind." Jesus Christ, who willingly atoned for our sins said: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) If we put our trust in the Atonement of our Savior, there is hope because God loves us. I know that there is power in prayer and God answers prayers. I have seen many miracles and blessings as I have put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement. I am not perfect, but through Him I can be made whole. It is my prayer that we will continue to do the small and simple things by relying on our Savior. And when "the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, his shafts in the whirlwind, all his hail and mighty storm shall beat upon [us], it shall have no power over [us] to drag [us] down to the gulf of misery." (Helaman 5:12)