Who are you hurting?

From time to time we seem to ponder. What you ponder I know not. What I ponder you know not. But what I do know is that our Savior and Heavenly Father knows what we ponder. Are the things you ponder virtuous? Are your thoughts morally clean? The Lord expressed the doctrine very clearly by stating, "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh upon a woman, to lust after her hath committed adultery already in his heart." (3 Nephi 12:28)

We are all human so Satan is gonna try to persuade us to do bad. That is not an excuse to think about them though. With these thoughts you need to ask yourself, Are you hurting your marriage? Are you hurting your family? Are you hurting yourself? Are you hurting your Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need help. This help may be from your Heavenly Father. In some cases this help may be a priesthood leader or a professional counselor. Whatever may be your problem know you are not alone. There are thousands in the world that are dealing with the same problem. Your Savior Jesus Christ has already suffered for these so He knows how to help. He stands knocking on your door and waiting for you to open it. But remember you have to open the door for Him.

You can have complete control of the things that you ponder. You can can kick innapropriate thoughts out of your head. You can eliminate the disgusting thoughts that go through your head whether they be thoughts of immorality, judging or just thoughts that you don't want anybody to know about. Know that there is help. Know there is a solution away from this sin.

First thing you must ask yourself is, "What am I willing to do to change?" After deciding what you need to do to change and become closer to your Savior, then ask yourself, "Can I do this alone?" Absolutely not. You need help from your Heavenly Father. It will only be through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can be freed from sin.

Do you have a desire to turn away from sin to come to know your Savior? In the Book of Mormon there is a story of a king. Aaron had just told the king that there is a God and the king prays and says, "O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make it known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee..." (Alma 22:18 ) Do you have such a desire to know God to give away all your sins? The Lord said, " And if men come unto me I will show them their weakness, that I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)

To receive the cleansing power of the Atonement we must come unto Him "with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Jesus Christ." (2 Nephi 31:13)

After you have "come forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that you truly repented of all your sins. And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determintation to serve him to the end." (Moroni 6:2-3)

The cleansing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. You can find strength to overcome addiction whether it be pornography or any other immoral problems, word of wisdom issues (Tobacco, Coffee, Tea, Illegal Drugs, Alcohol or any other addictive substances) or anything else. There is infinite strength in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. "But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage." (Mosiah 7:33)

"And now, my brethren, I wish from the innermost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance;

But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on His holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be lead by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and long suffering;

Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest." (Alma 13:27-29)

Addictions do not only cause you pain but it causes pain to family and friends. If you are married it will make your spouse feel like they are not good enough. Don't let yourself fall into this trap. Don't give into the lusts of the flesh. I TESTIFY THAT IT WILL DESTROY YOUR MARRIAGE, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND IT WILL DESTROY YOU!  Don't you dare think that there is no help. If you think that, you doubt the Saviors suffering and you lack extreme faith in Jesus Christ. Satan wants you to feel like you are no good. You were created by a God who loves you infinitely. You are part of His plan. So take part of this Atonement and become free from sin and sorrow. Come and feel of God's love for you. Come and be healed by Him the Master Physician.

When you feel so bad and down look at this scripture and remember the promise which God has given unto you, "Fear thou not for I am with thee, be not dismayed for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)