Escape own prisons

      - Liberate captives

      - Walk in honesty, morality

      The prisons of deceit, debt, addiction or sin can be unlocked by the Lord, "who really delivers us from various types of prisons into forgiveness, a newness of life, of spirit, of change, of opportunity," said Elder James M. Paramore.

      Elder Paramore of the Presidency of the Seventy, speaking Saturday morning, explained that in escaping such prisons, "the souls of men find relief, fulfillment and safety" through "the Son of God and His greatest, freewill offering to each of us given at the expense of His own life and under excruciating pain.

      "Though we sometimes walk into prisons of our own making, He is there with keys to unlock the doors that bind us."

      Elder Paramore said he reflected deeply about the various types of prisons that "Satan leads us into building for ourselves and others, or others build for us."

      He recalled an experience 41 years ago when he was physically taken captive by soldiers of a hostile nation. "I felt I would never see my family and my country again. I assure you that while I was held captive, the blood coursed through my veins like adrenalin. Though the captivity lasted less than a day, it seemed like an eternity."

      Yet as difficult as physical captivity is, there are other captivities even more devastating, he observed. Some activities that lead to captivity are: taking advantage of another, bearing false witness to get gain, knowing things to be true and not defending them, stealing the morality of another, destroying the innocence of a child, being captive to alcohol or drugs, or causing financial hardship to another through deceit.

      "There are many prisons which come from our sins or the sins of others `according to the captivity and power of the devil,' who leads us away," he said. (2 Ne. 2:27.)

      "No Christian should ever be a challenge to another Christian. Many widows, single mothers, and older couples are victimized by those who take advantage of them. Those affected find themselves pleading for someone to open their prison doors, often while babies cry for the bare necessities."

      As members of this Church, said Elder Paramore, "we covenant to never put another into any sort of prison but rather try to liberate those who are there."

      He explained that through the Atonement, the Savior "has unlocked and will unlock the doors of our personal prisons. It is the glorious promise to all who are captive, for whatever reasons, upon repentance."

      A Latter-day Saint who has received this freedom through repentance will walk "in all honesty and morality. His word is his bond - sacred and honored. His life becomes the testament that it is all true - every principle and every word that proceeded from the mouths of the Savior and His prophets," said Elder Paramore.