In reviewing the sermons given in the October 2012 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the Mormon Church), one of the statements that captured my attention is this one:
"It is exciting to realize that we can expand our freedom by perfecting our obedience" (D. Todd Christofferson, "You Are Free," Ensign, Mar. 2013, 40).
The reason this is such an interesting statement is that Satan wants us to believe that to obey God's laws limits our freedom. Korihor, one of several anti-Christs described in the Book of Mormon, said, "O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come" (Alma 30:13).
It takes little thought to realize that in truth those who are "bound down" are those who choose to reject the loving invitation of Jesus Christ and instead choose to follow Satan.
Those who have chosen to consume harmful drugs know from bitter experience the terrible way they are bound to their addiction in a downward spiral. They become captives of their habit in a prison from which many never escape.
The same can be said of pornography. Jesus said, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). The Lord gave a similar warning through the Prophet Joseph Smith: "He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit; and if he repents not he shall be cast out" (Doctrine and Covenants 42:23).
In spite of these and other warnings, many choose to consume the filth that is pornography. Many who fall prey to this evil find themselves with an addiction even more powerful than drugs. Having yielded themselves to Satan's lies, they are dragged "carefully down to hell." In their wake, they leave broken promises, broken hearts, and broken families.
Let me hasten to add that Jesus Christ can reach down and lift up those who have become the victims of the adversary's deceptions. Through the power of the Atonement, such individuals, when they have faith in the Redeemer of all mankind, repent of their sins, and walk in obedience to His commandments, can be rescued from their prison of addiction. It won't be easy, but it can be done. His promises are sure. He will never let us down, if we do our part. His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9) for all who exert their best efforts.
What Elder Christofferson says is true. When we bind ourselves to God through ever increasing obedience, we are given ever greater freedom. Freedom from addictions, freedom to grow and to develop and to become, little by little, day by day, more and more like our Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son. True freedom is found in obedience to God and His laws. To believe Satan's lies is to be "bound down by the chains of hell" (Alma 13:30).
As the Savior said to his followers: "If ye continue in my word (in other words if we are obedient), then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:31-32). This is my prayer for all of us--that we may have faith in the Savior, demonstrated by the repentance of our sins and our obedience to His commandments. He can then indeed make us truly free. Through Jesus Christ, "the prisoners shall go free" (Doctrine and Covenants 128:22).
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