"There is a line of demarcation well defined between the Lord's territory and the devil's territory. If you will stay on the Lord's side of the line you will be under his influence and will have no desire to do wrong; but if you cross to the devil's side of the that line one inch you are in the tempter's power and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly because you will have lost the spirit of the Lord."
(Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 18 Stay on the Lord's Side of the Line)
I absolutely love this quote because the words are so exact - if we stay on the Lord's side of the line we are under his influence - The Lord never forces us to do anything, but He will give us His Spirit to guide us on the right path. He will purify our hearts and desires to be in line with His - but only if we want Him to. Whereas if we choose to follow the devil, it becomes harder and harder to feel the Spirit and eventually it can be come impossible. The devil takes away our ability to reason correctly and does all that he can to keep us captive in his snares. So, we have to choose which side of the line - the side of free will (God's side) or the side where we lose our ability to choose between right and wrong (the devil's). I choose to do my best to stay on the Lord's side of the line. I chose to do my best to serve Him and to be an instrument in His hands because I know that this is the only way that I can be truly happy.
-Jessica
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