Do you believe in His Son, Jesus Christ?
Do you believe in the Holy Ghost?
They have a plan. It is the plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness.
Satan also has a plan. His plan is in direct opposition to our Heavenly Father’s plan.
He wants to ensnare us. Each and everyone of us.
What is a snare?
A snare is a trap. They are dangerous and designed to hurt you. The snares from Satan are subtle and also hand picked just for you to prey upon your weaknesses.
Let's take reading the scriptures as an example, basically, anything that keeps you from reading your scriptures is a snare. One reason you might stop reading your scriptures is because you feel guilty about something you have done, or you are distracted and you don’t feel like you have time to read. Or doubts and concerns. Or fears. What is keeping you from reading the scriptures TODAY? That is your snare.
Snares:
Alma 12:4-6
4 And thou seest that we know that thy plan was a very subtle plan, as to the subtlety of the devil, for to lie and to deceive this people that thou mightest set them against us, to revile us and to cast us out—
5 Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all.
6 And behold I say unto you all that this was a snare of the adversary, which he has laid to catch this people, that he might bring you into subjection unto him, that he might encircle you about with his chains, that he might chain you down to everlasting destruction, according to the power of his captivity.
Additional scripture:
D&C 10:22-29
We always have choice. We fought for our choice. When temptations or snares happen to us, we can choose to give in to those temptations or we can choose to turn to our Savior.
Agency:
Agency:
2 Nephi 2:16
16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.
Additional scriptures:
2 Nephi 2:27-29
Moses 7:32-33
We can avoid snares by watching our thoughts and also our words.
Mosiah 4:30
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
What can we do instead? We will be judged according to our works. The things we do in this life matter. Our good works can fill up our time, when our time is filled up with good things it will leave less time for the things that can harm us. Less time for snares.
Alma 12:14
14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.
Good Works:
Mosiah 5:15
15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
Additional scriptures:
2 Chronicles 15:7
Proverbs 24:12, 29
Ecclesiastes 12:14
John 3:19-21
Alma 9:28
Moses 7:32-33
When we are caught in a snare, we have the ability to repent. The Savior made it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins.
2 Corinthians 7:10
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Additional scriptures:
Helaman 14:9
Mormon 7:3
Let us be so focused on good works and service that the adversary has no place in our thoughts and our deeds and especially in our hearts. And let's not procrastinate our repentance.
Alma 13:27
27 And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost 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;
Additional scriptures:
Alma 34:33
Helaman 13:38
We have a wonderful Heavenly Father who gave us His Son. He has given us the gift of agency and with that He has trust in us and our ability to do good. We are not perfect and we can repent when we turn to our Savior.
