In the late 1960s, a well-known comedian at the time got a lot of laughs by declaring, "The devil made me do it!" His comment, made in jest, has, unfortunately, become the catch-phrase of the 1990s as men and women everywhere seek to avoid responsibility for their actions.

The drinker who slides behind the wheel of his vehicle and causes an accident says he is not responsible because the alcohol is to blame. The cancer patient refuses to acknowledge that years of tobacco abuse may have caused the disease. A home-wrecker refuses to acknowledge he or she is the cause of a family breakup, shattering lives of adults and children.All men and women at some point must become accountable for their actions. "The devil made me do it" is not a joke or an excuse. The majority of us can tell the difference between right and wrong each day. We do not need to succumb to temptation. Through divine agency we have choices, and with choice comes responsibilities - to ourselves, our families and to others. But even if we do give in to temptation, we have the opportunity to repent and make things right. We do not need to go looking for "the devil" to blame.

Sometimes we may dismiss our imperfections with a shrug, but if we truly are trying to live the gospel as preached by Jesus Christ and reinforced by His prophets throughout history, we will plead for forgiveness and work to overcome the things of mortality and seek eternal life.

King Benjamin reminded us: "For this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of the Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not." (Mosiah 4:30.)

King Benjamin emphasized that we have responsibilities and are accountable for our actions.

When important communications are sent, the messenger usually requires a signature from the recipient so the sender knows his message has been delivered and someone - a responsible party - acknowledges receipt of the communication. This same principle applies to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We learn to "return and report" on our actions as we perform in our callings in the Church. This accountability comes in the form of personal priesthood interviews, counseling sessions with our leaders, usually our bishop, as we meet periodically to renew temple recommends or discuss our performance.

As we progress in the gospel, we take upon ourselves more and more responsibilities, and we do so by covenant. We grow with each calling or stewardship, and we also learn we are accountable for our actions. We learn as we serve that our stewardship often extends beyond our families to our neighbors and to others - even those not of our faith. We serve as examples to those seeking answers to eternal questions.

President David O. McKay counseled, "No man can disobey the word of God and not suffer for so doing. No sin, however secret, can escape retribution. True, you may lie and not be detected; you may violate virtue without its being known by any who would scandalize you; yet you cannot escape the judgment that follows such transgression. The lie is lodged in the recesses of your mind, an impairment of your character that will be reflected sometime, somehow in your countenance or bearing. Your moral turpitude, though only you, your accomplice and God may ever know it, will canker your soul." (July 1941 Improvement Era p. 395.)

If we are doing what we should, we can repent of those sins and escape the things that trap us in the clutches of despair. We need to recognize that many of our seemingly insignificant decisions do carry with them eternal consequences.

President George Albert Smith said: "We will not be judged as our brothers and sisters of the world are judged; but according to the greater opportunities placed in our keeping. We will be among those who have received the word of the Lord, who have heard His sayings, and if we do them it will be to us eternal life, but if we fail condemnation will result." (Conference Report, October 1906.)

On that day, all excuses are mute. All men and women will be rewarded according to their works, whether they be good or evil. That is a true principle, a just principle, a Godlike principle. It is our duty to bear the name of Him whose Church this is by living as He would want us to live, so we can return to His presence.