#5 "If Thou Doest Well, Thou Shalt Be Accepted"

Moses 5-7
This is one of those lessons that reminds us that whether we like it or not, or whether we mean to or not, or whether we choose to even be aware or not; either satan or the Lord, one or the other, is part of our daily lives. Our attitudes that develop from our everyday thoughts, comments and actions are what determine whether we invite the Savior or the adversary into our lives.

Here we have some choices: Food- apple or candy, which would you choose for breakfast? Now I’m not saying that having candy for breakfast is a choice that automatically invites satan in, however filling our body with clutter is one sure way to keep the spirit from dwelling there; and if the Lord’s spirit isn’t with us, it opens the door wide for Satan to enter.

Another choice: when you come home from work after a hard day, what is it that you do to wind down? I watch TV so I don’t have to do anything-not even think. So the choice: which movie do I watch? Blood, guts and sex? Or church history? Well if I’m going for not thinking, I’ll tell you I’m not choosing the church history movie, to be honest I’m not sure I would choose the other movie either, but that is all about personal preference. The Point-Another choice, another attitude, another factor, that determines whether we are inviting or uninviting the Lord into our lives.

These may be extreme choices I’ve presented here today but it was just to give us an idea how this works for us. In our lesson we have the 2 extremes, Cain and Enoch-the same Enoch that was Adams 4th great grandson and lives in the Zion that is currently in God’s presence. The lesson has pointed out some quotes from each of them that shows what their attitudes were that brought them to their current places and stations in life. We will discuss them but also insert what our present day attitude-statements sound like and where we would place them; on the path of Dwelling with God or on the path of Spiritual Destruction. Then it’s up to you to decide where your life is headed and what you are going to do with it now that you are aware of your placement.

P. 21 of manual is how I presented this.
STEP 1 Enoch “Thou art God, and I know thee” (7:59)
Our attitude: I believe we would Bare Testimony of Him, Notice and testify of His hand in our lives constantly.
Cain “Who is the Lord?” (5:16)
Our attitude: If we were on the same path as Cain I believe our attitudes would be something like: “Life stinks, I don’t like life, nothing good ever happens to me” “I am not paying tithing that is at least a couple of hundred extra dollars in my pocket, paying tithing has never helped me!” This is not having the Faith necessary to make the required sacrifices.
“Joseph Smith taught: “Abel offered to God a sacrifice that was accepted, which was the firstlings of the flock. Cain offered of the fruit of the ground, and was not accepted, because he could not do it in faith…Shedding the blood of the Only Begotten to atone for man…was the plan of redemption;…and as the sacrifice was instituted for a type, by which man contrary to that, not faith could be exercised…; consequently Cain could have no faith; and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin” (Teachings of the Prophet J. S. p58)

STEP 2 Enoch “Wherefore am I thy servant?” (6:31)
Our attitude: “How can I do my callings better, how can I improve the lives of those I am over?” “The Lord has called me because He has confidence in me, now what can I do to fulfill the job he has for me?
Cain “He rejected the greater counsel” (5:25) He got angry when He was censored, even when the reasoning was explained to him he was still angry.
Our attitude: “That prophet’s counsel is meant for someone else, I am unable to keep that commandment because of… I don’t like what my leaders stand for or what they do. I don’t have as many flaws as such and such.”

STEP 3 Enoch “Ye are my brethren” (6:43) He’s desirous to testify to his wayward siblings, he wants what is best for them; he wants them to be happy.
Our attitude: “I will go and do my Home/visit teaching even if my family seems to be independent. I am going to do my callings, assignments, and plan my lessons right away without procrastination for the betterment of all those whom I am serving, so I am prepared and the spirit has plenty of information to work with when the time comes to teach, so that it can work through me and touch everyone present. Because every person in my class, organization, etc. matters!
Cain “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (5:34) We’ve heard this before, I’ve even used it myself when I want to distance myself from someone who bugs me or who is driving me crazy, or is just making choices that scare me.
Our attitude: “My H/VT families don’t need me, I don’t need to show up to YM/YW there are enough leaders, I don’t need to go to the ward activities, I don’t care to know people, I am content in my own world doing my own thing”

STEP 4 Enoch “He walked with God” (6:39)
Our Attitude: “I will pray every chance I get so that every aspect of my life is guided by the Father”
Cain “I am free” (5:33) He thought his money problems were over because he might get his brother’s flocks, Maybe he thought he was free because he didn’t have to be compared to his “perfect brother” any more.
Our attitude: “Without the gospel I have more time and money, I can sleep all day Sunday, I can use that day to catch up on my errands, I don’t have to pay tithing therefore I have more money, I can smoke or drink and not feel guilty, my life is my own and I can do what I want.

STEP 5 Enoch “Enoch wept over his brethren” (7:44) He saw the great wickedness of his brethren-most of it by their own doings! When we see that others are struggling financially because they don’t spend wisely or physically because they are overweight because the like food more than they exercise. Do we cry with them, for them? Or do we say it’s their own fault if they just wouldn’t spend or if they just wouldn’t eat!
Our attitude: When Joseph Smith told the brethren of one of their members that had lost his house to a fire they were all sad, but it was Joseph who said I feel sorry for them in the amount of $5 how much do you all feel sorry for them? The answer isn’t always money. If you could be the person to start walking and get someone else out-why not? You could invite someone to dinner who is struggling to feed their family. The point don’t just be sad, do something about it.
Cain “He gloried in his wickedness” (5:31) Sure the chances we are going to go out and kill someone and cover it up are pretty slim, however we glory sometimes in the small things.
Our attitude: “I’ve missed so much church that soon I’m going to be put on the inactive list Ha Ha Ha” “Yea-Home teaching what’s that, ha ha ha” Have you ever found yourself making these types of comments? Well it is called glorying in your wickedness.

STEP 6 Enoch “They were of one heart and one mind” (7:18) Enoch’s will was in line with the Father’s will in every action and situation.
Our attitude: “Whatever the Lord wants and says is exactly what I want to do and say!”
Cain “Cain was shut out from the presence of the Lord” (5:41)
Our attitude: “No time or desire for prayer, temple attendance, scripture study, FHE, or callings, I have too much on my plate” Most times we wouldn’t say this out loud but do we speak it loud and clear with our actions?

If you are on the right track-great job, keep up the good work! If you aren’t what can you change today? If you are trying to be on the right track and have a loved one who isn’t that you are worried about? Richard G. Scott has some advice for you:
o Elder Richard G. Scott counseled:
o “Many of you have heavy hearts because a son or daughter, husband or wife, has turned from righteousness to pursue evil. My message is for you.
o “Your life is filled with anguish, pain, and, at times, despair. I will tell you how you can be comforted by the Lord.
o “First, you must recognize two foundation principles:
o “1. While there are many things you can do to help a loved one in need, there are some things that must be done by the Lord.
o “2. Also, no enduring improvement can occur without righteous exercise of agency. Do not attempt to override agency. The Lord himself would not do that. Forced obedience yields no blessings (see D&C 58:26–33).
o “I will suggest seven ways you can help.
o “First, love without limitations. … Second, do not condone the transgressions, but extend every hope and support to the transgressor. … Third, teach truth. … Fourth, honestly forgive as often as is required. … Fifth, pray trustingly. ‘The … fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’ (James 5:16). …
o “Sixth, keep perspective. … When the things you realistically can do to help are done, leave the matter in the hands of the Lord and worry no more. Do not feel guilty because you cannot do more. Do not waste your energy on useless worry. … In time, you will feel impressions and know how to give further help. You will find more peace and happiness, will not neglect others that need you, and will be able to give greater help because of that eternal perspective. …
o “One last suggestion—Never give up on a loved one, never!” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1988, 69–71; or Ensign, May 1988, 60–61).

God is real, so is satan, they both want to be big players in our daily lives, it is up to us each day to decide and make those choices as to who will be the star player! In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.