I BEEN IN ARGENTINA FOR ONE (!) YEAR!!!
Exactly a year ago I ran a marathon. Heres a tip... dont run marathons. I think im still in pain. ;)
I have been learning about freedom, liberty, and what they really mean. And to me, to be free, means to be free from onesself. Im talking about SELF MASTERY.
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Theres an awesome MLK, JR quote from his "I Have a Dream" speech:
"We must not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom, by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."
At this part in his I Have a Dream speech, MLK is talking about not rioting, not playing dirty to win their freedom. Sure it would be pleasurable to FIGHT and burn buildings and fight for black freedom with all the power of earth and hell... But it was very important to MLK to fight for freedom
by using what he called "SOUL FORCE"
"Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."
"It would be easier to exercise self-mastery in the face of sin if the bad effects of sin were instantaneous. But they are not. Further, it is an illusion that sin always appears to the mind to be ugly, vile, and repulsive. Consider this insight from Elder Spencer W. Kimball:"
"Whoever said that sin was not fun? Whoever claimed that Lucifer was not handsome, persuasive, easy, friendly? Sin is attractive and desirable. Transgression wears elegant gowns and sparkling apparel. It is highly perfumed; it has attractive features, a soft voice. It is found in educated circles and sophisticated groups. It provides sweet and comfortable luxuries. Sin is easy and has a big company of pleasant companions. It promises immunity from restrictions, temporary freedoms.
"It can momentarily satisfy hunger, thirst, desire, urges, passions, wants without immediately paying the price. But, it begins tiny and grows to monumental proportions—drop by drop, inch by inch."
These are the PHYSICAL forces that our enemies use to try to tear us down... By promising attractiveness and fun.
But we must NOT seek to satisfy our THRIST FOR FREEDOM by drinking from the cup of bitterness and pleasure.
WE MUST USE SOUL FORCE. We cannot overcome things of this world by using things of this world. We must use spiritual force....the only indestructable force. The force that has the power to shake earth and hell and the force that is a GOD GIVEN FLAME inside each and EVERYONE OF HIS BELOVED CHILDREN.
We are all blessed with the flame of soul force from our Heavenly Father... but you must feed it.
let it grow. let it grow outward, outside of you until others can feel it.
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I leave you my testimony that I know sin is fun.
But there is nothing that will fill your soul, nothing that will enrich your life, nothing that will grow from the inside of your very soul to something bigger than you,
....like soul force.
We must build our spirit.
Feed it with scriptures, feed it with prayer.
and I promise, you will feel a new power. This is the greatest thing. And it comes from Christ.
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I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH,
ELDER AMANN
