Darkness And Fear Destroy Agency

The Things Of My Soul

Fear is a powerful emotion that can stop our growth and progress. In a real way, fear destroys agency because we are afraid to act. However, perfect love casts away all fear.

Nevertheless, fear can be conquered through love and faith; because the love of God empowers you, and it breathes life into your soul. You can't help but turn outward.

I think it was Joseph Smith who said you can't have faith and fear at the same time. So, the more faith you have, the less you will fear.

We need to feel frequently of God's love; otherwise it makes for a very long and arduous life. In that way, His love is like water because we will die without water. Spiritually, we will die without frequently experiencing His love. In this world, darkness and evil abound; therefore His love is a healing balm.

For example, it is extremely hard to endure serious challenges without feeling God's peace and comfort. That is how Jesus Christ made it through the Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane. He felt His Father's spirit and love, and an angel visited Him. Additionally, Christ paid for our sins again on the cross, but this time Heavenly Father withdrew His spirit making Him feel the total darkness of loneliness, depression and rejection.

Discouragement and despair are deadly forms of fear, and can be a frightening cloud of darkness. For example, Elder Holland said that you can face trouble but not be discouraged. In addition, you can face significant challenges and still be calm and even peaceful at the same time.

President Uchtdorf said, "The adversary uses despair to bind hearts and minds in suffocating darkness. Despair drains from us all that is vibrant and joyful and leaves behind the empty remains of what life was meant to be. Despair kills ambition, advances sickness, pollutes the soul, and deadens the heart. Despair can seem like a staircase that leads only and forever downward."

Jesus Christ atoned and battled the darkest forces of Satan and Hell; therefore, He can reach the bottomless pit to pull anyone out. In addition, the Lord felt deeply and He was the most sensitive and tender soul ever to walk this earth because He lived closest to the spirit. He encountered the darkest and most evil power. He experienced the harshest contrast of anyone.

Chapel Address and contact information: 1928 E. South Campus Drive, Salt Lake City; (University of Utah, next to the institute) 801-562-8089. My Singles branch meets at 0900 hours or 9:00 A.M. if you want to join us at this address (1928 E. South Campus Drive, SLC.) You can also call 801-259-6709 for the mission home in Midvale if you want to talk to someone.