In the Last Days

To my daughter, 

                There is a sobering passage of scripture that describes what our day would be like. Paul wrote this to Timothy almost 2000 years ago, speaking of our day: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away…. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). This indeed gives an accurate description of what our world is like. So many in the world are focused on themselves, loving the ephemeral pleasures of the world more than God who created them. Our society is filled with the proud and covetous who focus on obtaining money and clothes and gadgets in order to be popular in the eyes of world. There are those, standing in that great and spacious building, who mock things that are sacred and good and encourage us to focus only on that which will bring immediate pleasure and fame. The world will continue to head this direction in wickedness in these last days, but we must not join them! Never forget these powerful words from Alma to his son Corianton who had followed the ways of the world and committed serious sin: “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). Isaiah emphasized a similar point: “There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22).

If we really want peace and happiness, then we must stand true to the principles of the gospel that keep us on the straight and narrow path back to our Heavenly Father. Many of those principles are outlined well in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet from the First Presidency. I encourage you to carefully read this and to refer to it often. It will help you understand what is right and how to avoid the evil influences of the world that seek to destroy you spiritually. At the start of this book you’ll read this invitation: “In all that you do, stay focused on the temple. In the temple you will receive the greatest of all the Lord’s blessings, including marriage for time and all eternity. Keeping the standards in this booklet will help you be worthy to attend the temple, where you can perform sacred ordinances for your ancestors now and make essential covenants for yourself in the future.” We are so blessed to be sealed together as a family, and we must all seek to stay focused on staying worthy to be there in His holy house. As you strive to live the principles in this booklet—such as being honest, using good language, viewing only wholesome entertainment, dressing modestly, keeping the Sabbath Day holy, paying tithing, and serving others—you will find true joy in your life as you stay on the covenant path. 

Love,

Dad