"Spiritually dangerous ideas and actions frequently can appear to be attractive, desirable, or pleasurable. Thus, in our contemporary world, each of us needs to be aware of beguiling bad that pretends to be good. As Isaiah warned, 'Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!' (Isa 5:20.)"In a paradoxical period when violating the sanctity of human life is heralded as a right and chaos is described as liberty, how blessed we are to live in this latter-day dispensation when restored gospel light can shine brightly in our lives and help us to discern the adversary’s dark deceptions and distractions."'For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day' (D&C 45:57, emphasis added)."- David A. Bednar, "Watchful unto Prayer Continually," General Conference October 2019, Saturday afternoon
Elder Bednar remembered Elder Boyd K. Packer's classic talk Spiritual Crocodiles. He expanded it with his own experiences in watching cheetahs hunting in Africa. Their techniques and behaviors can provide lessons about the forces that seek to destroy us in these latter days. Elder Bednar warns us to be cautious and wary, in order to survive the attacks that surely will come.
Our modern era of chaos and confict is only escalating; the situation today is much worse than it was a year ago when Elder Bednar shared this message. We can only assume it will continue to worsen. So it becomes that much more important to cling to "restored gospel light" and allow it to "shine brightly in our lives."
(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)
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