Satan Knows of our Strengths

Satan knows all of our strengths
And he knows where we are weak
That for chains of longest length
It’s through our blind spots, he will seek

Then when the chain tightens
Woe to what happens to talents
For they are then tools to contend
And further his grasp-like talons

Then through pride we feel empowered
Puffed up as he deceive us as it's God he imitates
Such that we feel strong- in this rising power
But, in truth, ultimately, our path he limitates

As though bought- he increases his demand
Unto serving his continual evil purposes
Till there's an eventual fall that's hard to land
For he does not support his purchases

Verse 1]

Satan knows all of our strengths

And he knows where we are weak

That for chains of longest length

It’s through our blind spots, he will seek

Then when the chain tightens

Woe to what happens to talents

For they are then tools to contend

And further his grasp-like talons

[Pre-Chorus]

Then through pride we feel empowered

Puffed up as he deceives us

As it's God he imitates

We start to trust that rising power

[Chorus]

Blind spots, blind spots

He knows where we are weak

Blind spots, blind spots

That’s where the chains will reach

Blind spots, blind spots

Don’t let pride take the lead

Blind spots, blind spots

Keep my heart on its knees

[Verse 2]

Such that we feel strong-

in this rising power

But, in truth, ultimately,

our path he limitates

As though bought- he increases

his demand unto serving

his continual evil purposes

Till there's an eventual fall that's hard to land

For he does not support his purchases

[Bridge]

Break the grin

Break the spell

Name the lie

Ring the bell

What looks like strength

Can turn to sand

If I keep my soul

Out of his hand

[Final Chorus]

Blind spots, blind spots

He knows where we are weak

Blind spots, blind spots

That’s where the chains will reach

Blind spots, blind spots

Don’t let pride take the lead

Blind spots, blind spots

Keep my heart on its knees

Elder Marion G. Romney of the Quorum of the Twelve taught: “Latter-day Saints know that there is a God. With like certainty, they know that Satan lives, that he is a powerful personage of spirit, the archenemy of God, of man, and of righteousness” (Ensign, June 1971, p. 35). President Joseph F. Smith described one of Satan’s methods: “Satan is a skillful imitator, and as genuine gospel truth is given the world in ever-increasing abundance, so he spreads the counterfeit coin of false doctrine” (ibid., p. 36).

Satan uses every possible device to degrade and enslave every soul. He attempts to distort and corrupt everything created for the good of man, sometimes by diluting that which is good, sometimes by camouflaging that which is evil. We generally think of Satan attacking us at our weakest spot. Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve described this technique when he said: “Lucifer and his followers know the habits, weaknesses, and vulnerable spots of everyone and take advantage of them to lead us to spiritual destruction” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, pp. 218–19).

Like the fabled Achilles, who was immune to every lethal blow except to his heel, many of us have a special weakness that can be exploited to our spiritual downfall. For some, that weakness may be a taste for liquor, an unusual vulnerability to sexual temptation, or a susceptibility to compulsive gambling or reckless speculation. For others, it may be a craving for money or power. If we are wise, we will know our weaknesses, our spiritual Achilles’ heels, and fortify ourselves against temptations in those areas.

But weakness is not our only vulnerability. Satan can also attack us where we think we are strong—in the very areas where we are proud of our strengths. He will approach us through the greatest talents and spiritual gifts we possess. If we are not wary, Satan can cause our spiritual downfall by corrupting us through our strengths as well as by exploiting our weaknesses. I will illustrate this truth with several examples

Dallin H. Oaks,
“Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,”
Ensign, Oct 1994, 11

God's Perfect Plan- The Only Plan

Satan interjected himself above God's plan

For show, he rejected FREE agency of man

Challenging, he opposed God with open hostility

Pride grew and 1/3 arrose trusting in his ability

War should not, shall not exist ever in Heaven!

The rebellious were cast out- even driven!

Mortality is a covenant MORAL choice

To gain a body and progress, HOW we all rejoiced!

Jesus was chosen to execute God's plan

Perfectly to live and to atone for every man

Through trial and error we would learn who we truly are

Repenting as needed looking to our Savior never far

Ever Heavenly Father's plan

Is for our happiness

Perfectly, through Jesus, man

Can eternally be blessed

Verse 1] Satan interjected himself Above God's plan For show, he rejected free agency Of man Challenging, he opposed God With open hostility Pride grew and one-third arrose Trusting in his ability [Pre-Chorus] War should not, shall not exist Ever in Heaven! The rebellious were cast out Even driven! [Chorus] Ever Heavenly Father's plan Is for our happiness Perfectly, through Jesus, man Can eternally be blessed Ever Heavenly Father's plan Is for our happiness Through Jesus Christ, our Savior We are lifted, we are blessed [Verse 2] Mortality is a covenant A moral choice To gain a body and progress We all rejoiced Jesus was chosen to execute God's plan Perfectly to live and to atone For every man [Pre-Chorus] Through trial and error We would learn who we truly are Repenting as needed Looking to our Savior never far [Chorus] Ever Heavenly Father's plan Is for our happiness Perfectly, through Jesus, man Can eternally be blessed Ever Heavenly Father's plan Is for our happiness Through Jesus Christ, our Savior We are lifted, we are blessed [Bridge] When we wander, call us back When we fall, He stays Mercy reaches through the dark And changes all our ways Not by pride, but by His grace We return again Chosen, healed, and home in Him From beginning to amen [Final Chorus] Ever Heavenly Father's plan Is for our happiness Perfectly, through Jesus, man Can eternally be blessed Ever Heavenly Father's plan Is for our happiness Through Jesus Christ, our Savior We are lifted, we are blessed

Thoughts from Elder Bednar message:

https://x.com/BednarDavidA/status/2049488880597192862?s=20

https://youtu.be/xQfX4Uf97mg?si=9Yjc2XU_IZe_wwkD

A War Survivor

A war survivor
Battered and torn
Her best endeavor
Tossed away worn

It was her marriage
Verses Satan
Fought to the edge
Till she caved in

A once loving husband
Abandoned ship
Something he'd not withstand
Caused him to flip

What of the sealing
And the children?
Can there be healing?
How will it end?

With faith and some time
She will not descend
She will conquer the climb
As love steps in

She with a new life
That is not bitter
Again she is called wife
For this role fits her

From what was trampled
Two homes now blend
From their example
The children mend

And to their surprise
Her ex changed too
To repent and rise
And become new

As foundations build
With blessings sent
Who now will be sealed
For their ascent ?

With homes as Swiss cheese
Who has what name?
Are there remedies?
And who is to blame?

This war that we're in
Has casualties
Like walls of Berlin
An end one sees

Thanks to our Savior
We have full hope
We fall from grandeur
He sends a rope

And of that question...
Who's sealed to who?
The next life's session...
For what to do

That survivor is me
How I have been blessed
I am like too many
This life is a test...

I wrote this on my journey
At the start of the day
While unbeknownst to me
That night the letter came my way

My ex was sealed to his wife and started a beautiful family. Still, the Lord provided a tender mercy for me.  I was crying and writing and driving to work writing this and came home to the letter.

Swiss cheese is a term from Neal A. Maxwell who was a great man of deed and words.

Fury

With cunningness and fury
The enemy awaits
To frighten us to hurry
To lure us for his ways.

Terrible Winds of Sin

Terrible winds of sin within your heart

Cause the spirit then to depart

Satan will blow, push, grab, and swirl to seek

That you break apart where you are weak

 

The Artifice of Satan

The artifice of Satan
Comes suddenly shockingly near
He would we feel exposed and naked
And hide behind a false veneer

In panic, we without thinking
Act like a child who hides his eyes
Believing, then, others can't see
But, God knows all, no matter what one tries

Who shall we turn our ears to?
To walk openly without shame
Humbly and often to repent anew
For help, we pray to but one name

At every dark turn, may we expose Satan
And his many attempts to deceive
In secrecy, he would we be like him
But we can be freely open and command him to leave

my thoughts from Rick's thoughts (husband)
I wrote this...but he, the real poet
will write his version soon
I just didn't want his thoughts to go away

he having conversed with someone while on his first tour
with Gladys Knight's SUV choir...

ar·ti·fice  

/ˈärtəfis/

Noun Clever or cunning devices or expedients, esp. as used to trick or deceive others: "artifice and outright fakery".

Synonyms trick - ruse - wile - art - stratagem - craft - device

Walk in the Light

We were all taught by Elohim,
He, the Father of our spirits.
We wanted to be like Him
To prove faithful, and fully His.

We've unique characteristics.
He designed our earth life with love
And o'ersaw all the logistics.
What can we experience enough of?

With a body of cravings that grow
We would be subject to illness.
Pain, suff'ring and death we would know
On our journey t'wards fullness

We progressed as much as we could
And Lucifer rebelled the plan
He thought better of what we should
He'd forgo a body, rather than

Cast out with a third of the hosts
They spend all their time to deceive
Of their power to tempt, they do boast
Wanting to prevent what we'd receive

As part of Father's grand design
We'd need help to learn to behave
He lit up all the earth with a sign
A light for our conscience that would save

This Light had come from our Savior
Who never strayed from all that's right
He would condescend, though He's pure
And teach us how to walk in the light

As part of the plan, He must die
After suff'ring for all our sins
After all temptations were denied
He'd help us return, as He ransoms

We came as a babe that was mild
Our prior existence was veiled
So that we could learn as a child
All that we prepared for and detailed

Now, our lives are not perfect
We make mistakes, and often sin
But, tools are in place to protect
Though, for some, from God's laws they harden

As we learn to sense what is right
We become privileged to find more
Those with the Holy Ghost gain insight
And can share this light from the Savior

From our joy, we feel the light's warmth
As it illuminates our path
Where for everyone there is roomth
Hoping to see what the Father hath.


You make choices every day
That will keep you walking in the light
Show new faith, when there is dim sight.
For, if not you are moving away.

May you watch, may you pray
May you help others to walk in the light,
May you know a countenance bright.
Glowing with warmth to brighten the way


Henry B. Eyring
“Walk in the Light,”
Ensign, May 2008, 123–25

Traces

My body bears traces of whom I'm yet to be
I can discover talents of divine quality
Then my Spirit will soar as I learn unique purpose
Though crossroads yield temptations- as Satan chases us

My body bears traces of what I was in my youth
Yet my Lord, He erases the pain of sin, this is truth
It's my Spirit that soars though there's disease, just the same
Pain and sorrow, He bears- when I cry out in His name

We must train up each child to be prepared for trials
With Celestial Self-Esteem one faces them with smiles
Through patience and long suff'ring we have much yet to learn
And, those distant traces cause us to strive and to yearn

Though we are forgiven, when we repent, the consequence can
still remain. We are free to make choices, we are not free to
choose the consequences. We must learn in our youth what ways
we will be tempted, how to resist evil, how to hold to the rod,
how to recognize the Spirit and have deep gratitude
for the atonement, how to repent, and how to forgive.

2Nephi 28:15,16, 20-22
1. Pride in our hearts (arrogance, self-centeredness, bragging).
2. False doctrines (false teachers, false religions).
3. Whoredoms (immorality, immodesty, lust, passions).
4. Reviling that which is good (mockery of God, religion, chastity, or marriage).
5. Anger at good (persecution of the righteous).
6. Carnal or worldly security (excessive desire for money or other worldly possessions).
7. Flattery (insincere praise).
8. Deception and lies (claiming there is no God, devil, sin, or hell)

Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3,
Lesson 5: “How Art Thou Fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer”

Point of Safe Return

Can we pass the point of safe return?
Where going back is not an option?
The gospel provides extra fuel to burn,
To find, with hope, our destination.
If we have sinned, if we have gone wrong,
We can repent through the Lord's atonement.
Through Christ we are never too far gone.
Though Satan misquotes the scriptures intent.
He would like to imply there is no mercy.
To make us lose hope and become like him.
His counterfeit work has deceived many.
He's the “accuser” and author of sin.

What is God's plan for our safe return?
Jesus and His perfect Atonement.
It's up to us to learn and to discern.
Just why from the Father, the Savior was sent.
This life is our time of probation.
Our time to feel the consequence for sin,
Let's value the plan of redemption,
Where we feel love and mercy from within.
This is His work, His plan of happiness,
Though His influence goes undetected.
Though we don't feel we've His forgiveness,
With His wings, we're divinely protected.

We're all short of the glory of God.
We can witness the bitter pains of sin.
His mercy leads to safe routes with His rod-
To hope, no matter what trouble we're in.
We know forgiveness is as real as sin.
When there's faith, there's nothing wavering.
The tormented soul can be forgiven.
Where there's joy so sweet as for savoring.
Clean confession yields a fresh attitude,
To a brilliant day despite the night.
Where grace saves after all that we do,
Grace brings us back, choosing more of what's right.

How can we know we've been forgiven?
God will wipe away our tears of anguish.
Thus, we're enjoying His loving influence,
His encircling arms, one can distinguish.
Christ will carry burdens and our guilt.
When we're clean, the Holy Ghost verifies.
As it testifies, our strength is built.
We'll feel new again, as it sanctifies.
Our Savior taught us of this eternal truth.
He taught us how He'll forgive all debt.
We, must forgive debtors we are bound to.
On this journey that's not over yet.

Satan lies and tries to torment us.
He knows we dwell on sins that we commit.
By remembering sins we're kept with justice-
From a broken heart, contrite in spirit.
We must show courage and be nobler.
We can face strong headwinds, low altitudes,
And, diversions of the destroyer.
If we develop Christ-like attributes,
We'll purge the heart and mind of what weakens,
Christ saves us, from our thoughts that undermine.
It is our time to soar with joys endless.
The atonement's for all- all the time.


- Elder Uchtdorf

99–101, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, May 2007,
“Point of Safe Return, ” Ensign

An Unending Conflict, a Victory Assured

An unending conflict, a victory assured.
When one side has found peace, another is disturbed.
There is one, who wants us to turn to war in haste,
To devastate families so nations lie in waste.
He must live in hatred and peace he'll never know.
He spreads his misery, as he reels to and fro.
When we lived in heaven, we dwelled in God's presence
The great dragon of old caused a war so intense
That it has never ceased and has been ever since.
We must not let him in; we'll build stakes as our fence.
For we have been called and we must make a commitment.
We can and must do it. We will do as we've been sent.

An unending conflict, a victory assured,
For we can fight the foe, as we cling to our God's word.
We hold His sword high and stand upon Zion.
We're listening to His word, we shan't fear this lion.
But, we'll keep our breastplate, for he'll wait till we are weak.
He froths much at the mouth as he gnashes his sharp teeth.
He can confuse the mind, to hell and back again.
We must not be tempted, in deed by this Satan.
We have a kind Father who knows his stratagem.
He gave us a Savior, We must follow Him.
For we have been called and we must make a commitment.
We can and must do it. We will do as we've been sent.

As the gospel work rolls and continues to grow.
Satan and his angels labor to overthrow.
The Saints must not give up. With faith we must go on.
Till every ear has heard that with God we belong.
Two powers must juggle but God's victory's assured,
For we can fight the foe, in good deeds with God's word.
Whose armor is tarnished? Held loosely- and not tight?
Whose light has extinguished? Can their future be made bright?
We must prepare to help. The goal is yet in sight.
We'll girt about our loins and work with all our might.
For we have been called and we must make a commitment.
We can and must do it. We will do as we've been sent.

- Gordon B. Hinckley

4–9, a Victory Assured, Gordon B. Hinckley,
Jun 2007, “An Unending Conflict, ” Ensign

There's a Force

The Son of the Morning was cast from God's presence.
The heavens wept o'er him and there was sadness.
He's practiced at persuading others to him.
He took with him a third of the hosts of heaven.
Now he's the bad force bent to destroy us.
He's ever expanding. He's ever devious.
He's smart from experience and not from skill.
His lies will blind men until captive to his will.
He seeks to be in control, his own purpose to fulfill.

He will try incitements and use deceitful ways.
Pretense and sophistries, he weaves in last days.
“All is well we prospereth, so all is well”.
He says as he leads man carefully down to hell.
Now he's a lion seeking whom he may devour,
Ever wanting glory, dominions, and power.
We say “get thee hence, Satan, Imitator.
We refuse to hear your entreaties any more.
We pray for the day you're gone. And your dominions by force.”

The devil cites scripture, if it suits his purpose.
The more we draw to God; he's there to thwart us.
The minute the Saints revolt, what comes from God.
He'll take a hold and have us singing his ballad.
We need to be sober and vigilant this day.
As in the Lord's work we anxiously engage.
We can and do roll back bad input on us.
Through our brother and Savior, our Lord Jesus.
Through him we hold God's priesthood.
We hold God's powers in trust.

We're given gifts from God. We can have discernment,
If we live to obey all God's commandments.
Although Satan knows to sins' our tendency,
He has no real authority, we've agency.
He has no real power, unless we permit it.
A wicked spirits' bound, by law and limit.
We can resist him more than we now realize,
If we heed the counsel of those who do preside.
And allow the Holy Ghost to be our companion and guide.

A wolf in sheep's clothing, He's a thief in the night.
He'll send plagues and break hearts. He'll try to snuff life.
Yet, he needs our bodies for all they can do.
We can render him powerless, if we've faith to.
There is no soul that's safe. That he would not destroy,
For he has legions under his employ.
They are the masters of speech, and they whisp'reth.
“There is not a hell or a devil,” they flatt'reth.
Of this they'll persist to way beyond the umptieth.

We must warn young people of his sly devices.
Before they succumb to his vain entices.
He'll seek to divert them from their future path.
He'd like to hold us within his fingerless grasp.
We have our strong bodies to command him, “retreat”.
Resist him, be righteous and then he will flee.
He'll tell us there's no hope, once we transgress,
But, we've been given our agency to progress.
We can repent of our sins 'though they may be most grievous.

We can voice a warning sound against the devil
And against his angels, who mainstream evil.
On the Saints, he will increase use of power.
As the kingdom of Heavenly Father grows stronger.
We believe that Satan's ever-expanding efforts
prove all the truthfulness of the gospel work.
We will need greater spirituality to perceive
his attempts to pacify and then deceive.
He will intrigue the naive. We can have wisdom or grief.

He'd love to destroy us. Mostly of our usefulness
in carrying the gospel into its fullness.
Yet, we have the still small voice for our stopping.
And if we don't listen, we'll fall to tempting.
This mechanism can't stay when we're weakened.
So, we need to help those who have lost this friend.
Heavenly father, please bless us, when we are weak.
And generously, please, forgive when we misdeed.
Help those in need of solace. And keep us from pride and greed.

President Faust

4–9, James E. Faust, Jan 2007,
“The Forces That Will Save Us,” Ensign

Pornography- A Tragic Evil Among Us

A raging storm increases
To destroy what’s beautiful
And the pain it unleashes
Is truly unmerciful

It leaves a visual impact-
A nasty deep impression
And shakes up what was intact
To leave us with depression
(Please turn from this digression)

What is this evil master?
That violates and betrays?
That leads souls to disaster?
A stranglehold that degrades!

All involved are a victim
As bodies are exploited
And no one can out wit them
When to their sin they are pointed

With false concepts, minds are warped
And it’s impossible to break
As love for others becomes dwarfed
It’s time for you to awake
(If you were caught - oh, how you’d shake)

To those who’ve taken this trip
Who have become so enslaved
It’s time to break the vise grip
And confess how you’ve behaved

May you have courage to seek
The counsel for addiction
It is time to become meek
It's time to clear the friction

You’ve defiled your own soul
Let virtue be your garnish
And,repentance be your goal
May you polish away the tarnish
(There are new habits to establish)

- President Hinckley

59–62, Gordon B. Hinckley, Nov 2004,
“A Tragic Evil among Us, ” Liahona

Times in Which We Live

Men bent on attacks-
Like Gadiantons.
Hide in unknown shacks,
With oaths and wantons.

Religious evil
Bent on destruction.
What will they fulfill?
Where’s their instruction?

From the times of Cain
Satan found strong hold.
He creates disdain.
To weak he is bold.

Although hard he tries
To lead man to hell.
He only hears lies.
He is doomed to fail.

We must bow on knees.
And, invoke our God.
To lead our armies
Where terrorists trod.

Frank and straight forward
Is our president. (of the U.S.)
He’s not a coward
Yet, for prayers he sent.

Our nation unites.
There can be much good.
Let’s support who fights.
And, pray as we should.

We must not panic.
Nor go to extremes.
We are in conflict.
And, must protect means.

And, with compassion
We help our neighbors.
We help each nation
With good endeavors.

- Gordon B. Hinckley

83–86, Gordon B. Hinckley, Jan 2002,
“The Times in Which We Live, ” Liahona