The Battle that Rages

On Sunday, Jaron and I attended a fireside at the Bellevue South Stake Center, titled "The Battle that Rages", with guest speakers Shawn Gillies and Dave Perry. Both men are marriage and family therapists who work with LifeStar.Washington in helping couples to battle against pornography addictions. I loved the fireside. Up until that point whenever the word pornography came up in conference, in church, at a fireside, or in a discussion, I have felt one thing and one thing only, FEAR. More specifically, fear for my children. The thought that often has crossed my mind, is how to raise my children in a world where there is so much exposure, and often accidental exposure, to such harmful and degrading things. I'm happy to say, that after attending this fireside, I no longer feel fear. I feel empowered and hopeful.

A great talk by Elder Bednar brought these scriptures to my attention and they also made me me feel like, there is hope.

“Jesus answered, and said unto them: Take heed that no man deceive you; …

“For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. …

“And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived”

I love that promise at the end. It brings me hope. It makes me feel empowered. What a simple goal, to teach my children to treasure that word, yet what a powerful promise, that they "shall not be deceived".

If anyone is interested in some of notes I took from that night, along with some awesome resources they gave us, let me know and I will pass along the books, the talks, and the websites that they gave us.

On another note. After checking out one of the resources we were given on Sunday, www.enough.org, I have decided its best that I make Singin in the Rain a private blog. Don't worry, we'll keep on singing, just as loud as ever. Just send me your email and I will send you an invite.