President Thomas S. Monson
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Satan has fashioned cunning snares — like the maka-feke, or octopus trap used by Tongan fishermen — to "ensnare unsuspecting persons and take possession of their destinies."
These traps, once deployed, are sometimes nearly impossible to release. Snares of the devil include immorality, pornography, drugs, alcohol and excessive debt.
"To be safe, we must recognize them for what they are and then be unwavering in our determination to avoid them."
Pornography, if grasped, will "desensitize the spirit and erode the conscience." Debt "becomes as a Damocles sword hanging over our head and threatening to destroy us."
Heavenly Father, however, has given man agency and the ability to reason and think for himself. "Pause to pray. Listen to that still, small voice which speaks to the depths of our souls."
Like Daniel of old, a determination to "remain true and faithful (provides) divine protection" and safety.
"Let us resolve here and now to follow that straight path which leads home to the Father of us all so that the gift of eternal life — life in the presence of our Heavenly Father — may be ours. Should there be those things which need to be changed . . . I encourage you to take care of them now."
