Childlike faith in perfect love
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Childlike faith in the perfect love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will "divide asunder" Satan's snares of inadequacy, imperfection and guilt, said Elder Anthony D. Perkins of the Seventy.
"Children in pure faith proclaim, 'We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.' But sometimes we adults do not feel the power of this simple declaration."
Speaking Sunday morning, Elder Perkins said that Satan, the enemy to all righteousness, plants doubts about the nature of the Godhead and faithful members' relationships with Them. He suggested, in addition to consistent prayers, scripture study, and Church and temple attendance, five changes that can help Church members feel the tender love of God:
- First, see yourself as a precious child of a loving Father in Heaven. "God the Father is merciful and has infinite love for you despite your faults."
- Second, place your burdens on Jesus Christ. "When you feel overwhelmed by expectations and challenges, do not fight the battle alone. Follow the example of small children, and drop to your knees in prayer."
- Third, forgive yourself of sins and imperfections. "Heavenly Father is not expecting you to become completely perfect in this life. He knew His children would make mistakes as they learned from experience in mortality."
- Fourth, sustain hope of eternal life. "As you do your best to be obedient and repentant, you, too, can receive a place in the celestial kingdom through the Atonement and grace of Jesus Christ."
- Fifth, find joy each day. "One source of joy is service, for when you are busy helping others, you will have less capacity to agonize over your own shortcomings."
Elder Perkins promised that Church members will experience greater joy in life as they eradicate "adult-onset pessimism" and substitute "childlike optimism."
"To you faithful and worthy saints who struggle with latter-day snares of the devil, may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of His Son," Elder Perkins concluded.
