Trust in the Lord

I have discovered over the last week the importance of trusting in the Lord. The ways that I have trusted in the Lord over the last week is three-fold. First, I trust in the Lord through following the counsel of the Bishop. The Bishop gave me some very good suggestions on how to overcome my addiction to pornography. Second, I trust in the Lord through taking time in my day to read the scriptures or the talks given in General Conference. The talks especially have given me hope as well as a greater desire to "trust in the Lord." Third, I trust in the Lord through saying morning and evening prayers. Elder Bednar taught that "[w]e are promised that if we pray sincerely for that which is right and good and in accordance with God’s will, we can be blessed, protected, and directed." (Pray Always, Elder David A. Bednar) I have felt a closeness to the Spirit this last week that I have not felt for a long time. There are two scriptures that explain my feelings probably better than I can:

"O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm." (2 Nephi 4:34)

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

The Strength of the Temple

This morning I had an opportunity to attend the temple. My Bishop has asked that I attend the temple weekly. Being close enough to temple, I have the opportunity and blessing to be able to do that. What a glorious experience! It just rejuvenates and strengthens you. I highly recommend anyone who is struggling with a pornography addiction that has the ability to attend the temple regularly. Obviously it is important to be worthy to enter into the House of the Lord. As you set that goal to attend the temple regularly (as often as you can) the Lord will strengthen your resolve and you will become worthy to attend the temple. Then you can share in the power that is in the Lord's house. You will then be strengthened even more. The Lord will fulfill his promise as stated in Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 which states "...I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

On a side note, I have learned another thing this week that might benefit anyone who is struggling with addiction. Talk to someone about it. This someone should be someone you trust and that are you very close to. Someone who will not judge you but will love you and support you. It is recommended that it be your spouse if you are married or a very close friend. I have found that to be true in my own life. If I share my experiences with this addiction, even the failures, with my spouse, she is there to support me and lift me up.

I know I haven't done this everytime but I would like to share a scripture. This scripture came to me this last week when I was sharing a spiritual thought at someone's home. I found it to be very powerful:

Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. (Alma 48:17)