I am currently reading the war chapters in the Book of Mormon. For the first time, this passage stood out to me as a comparison to my own life:
"And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after; and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands." (Alma 52:5).
The Lamanites were taken prisoner, built a huge fortified wall around the city of Bountiful, then were kept prisoner therein. They basically built the walls of their own prison.
Sometimes we become prisoners, and sometimes,
the walls that contain us are built with our own hands.
Why would we build our own walls? It sounds illogical. But it's not our doing alone. Satan knows our weaknesses so well. He knows perfectly how to build upon even the tiniest things that pull us down, helping us to dig further and further, until we're to the point that we don't know how to climb back out. We each have different struggles and temptations, but it's the same concept: if we don't cling to gospel principles and the promises we have received, (and sometimes, even if we do), Satan is right there ready to step in. This video demonstrates that perfectly:
Just as the video says, we have to watch our step. Even one slip up can have eternal consequences. While the above video references pornography (as does this insightful article), check out this article about prescription drug abuse, "When a Loved One Struggles With Addiction"- which deals with general addictions- and one of my favorite sermons, "The Atonement Covers All Pain."
As President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, recently stated: "If the adversary should take you prisoner due to misconduct, I remind you that you hold the key that will unlock the prison door from the inside. You can be washed clean through the atoning sacrifice of the Savior Jesus Christ." Even though I have not mastered this concept in my own life, I know that it is true. I know that no matter what we struggle with, there is a way out, and that way is through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
