People find as they seek, righteousness or evil
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In his April 1992 general conference address, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said: "If we seek things that are virtuous and lovely, we surely will find them. Conversely, if we seek for evil, we will find that also. Lucifer understands how to tempt and drag many of our Heavenly Father's children down to where he and his followers are. He rebelled and was cast out; he wants to make us as miserable as he is. (See 2 Ne. 2:18.)
"My message may be the opposite of the worldly message of Satan's fallacy. Nephi described it when he wrote: `Many . . . shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. . . ." `Nevertheless, fear God - he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one; . . . there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.' " (2 Ne. 28:7-8.)
Elder Wirthlin added: "Though we live in the world, we must not be of the world. For members of the Church, seeking the good is more than a lofty ideal. It is an obligation we accepted when we entered the waters of baptism; we renew it each time we partake of the sacrament."
Elder Wirthlin counseled members to:
- Seek to strengthen their families and foster peace and happiness in their homes, making them safe havens from the cares of the world.
- Seek to be good neighbors.
- Seek to provide selfless service because of the love they have for their fellow men.
- Seek to become self-reliant, so far as possible, rather than depend on someone else to provide for them.
- Seek to be happy and cheerful and not allow Satan to overcome them with discouragement, despair or depression.
- Seek to carry the gospel message forth to all who will hear it.
- Seek to enter holy temples frequently to perform essential ordinances regularly for others who have preceded them.
- Seek the Holy Ghost, who can be the constant companion of all members of the Church who are obedient and righteous.
Elder Wirthlin said, "Surely we live in troubled times, but we can seek and obtain the good despite Satan's temptations and snares. He cannot tempt us beyond our power to resist." (See 1 Cor. 10:13.)
