A fundamental tenet of the restored gospel is that, following the Savior's death, an apostasy disrupted the church. Essential priesthood keys were lost.

The glorious doctrine of the Restoration, of course, proclaims the Lord has once again entrusted man with everything necessary for exaltation.

The ancient prophet Amos described the Apostasy as a famine "not of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:" (see Amos 8:11).

One could reasonably suggest that today, even though the restored Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth, a famine continues.

This is not a famine of priesthood keys or essential doctrine. Rather, it is a famine in lives of individual members as evidenced in commitment to, and living of, all the divine and essential doctrines of salvation.

It is a famine of unwillingness to take seriously — and apply every day — the principles that will lead us to become like the Savior.

Each day, every day, Latter-day Saints should strive to make a deliberate and conscious decision to learn, study, understand, embrace, apply, live and internalize all of the principles and doctrines of the gospel.

Daily filling our hearts with the things of the Spirit will occupy our minds in righteousness.

The battle between good and evil clearly is raging. The Lord's kingdom on earth provides the essential weapons to fight — and win—that battle. But, in the end, the battle is completely personal. It will be won only by those who follow, with full purpose of heart, the Savior.

"Full purpose of heart" is essential because two of Satan's best weapons are subtly and sophistry. On many people, Satan would never make a frontal assault. Rather, he cleverly disguises wrong and makes it seem OK—or even right. He tempts us just subtly enough that we quite possibility won't even recognize it as a temptation.

The late President James E. Faust identified the problem and offered the solution.

"(Satan) is working under such perfect disguise that many do not recognize either him or his methods.

"There is, however, an ample shield against the power of Lucifer and his hosts. This protection lies in the spirit of discernment through the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift comes undeviatingly by personal revelation to those who strive to obey the commands and follow the counsel of the living prophets" (Ensign, January 2007).

After being blessed with that spirit of discernment, we must act. We must daily determine what might be causing the spiritual famine in our own lives and then do whatever needs to be done to effect a personal restoration.

Alma, while teaching his sons, suggested that small and simple things often have huge benefits (See Alma 37). For Latter-day Saints, the small things — prayer, scripture study, service, temple attendance—are very significant, and provide a deep and abiding testimony that those small and simple things actually work.

Adhering to such principles, provides a defense against evil, and helps us to become like the Savior.

When that change becomes "mighty" (see Alma 5), we are well along the path to becoming "even as I (the Savior) am" (see 3 Nephi 27:27).