Elder Bragg’s message of hope in the face of darkness was a well needed antidote to the evil we see in the world:

“Even in the most difficult and darkest of times, there is light and goodness all around us. Last October, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminded us, ‘We are surrounded by such an astonishing wealth of light and truth that I wonder if we truly appreciate what we have.’”

Satan hopes that we dwell on evil and become despondent. He wants us to feel overwhelmed and unable to do good. He triumphs when good people feel like good has no point or purposes.

“However, the adversary would rather have us focus on ‘mists of darkness … which blindeth the eyes, … hardeneth … hear … , and … leadeth … away.'”

As Elder Bragg suggests, one of Satan’s chief deceptions for members of the Church is to get us to focus obsessively on the negative aspects of the Church and lose sight of the good that it does in the world and in our lives.

“Look, the Church will always have its critics. It has been that way from the beginning and will continue to the end. But we cannot allow such criticism to dull our sensitivity to the light that is available to us. Recognizing the light and seeking after it will qualify us for even more light.”

On the other hand, Satan also wants us to feel like we are the only Church and people that has any light and truth. That is another deep deception. The light of Christ is operative in the world in great force. Interestingly, Elder Bragg notes that “In a darkening world, the Light of Christ will shine brighter and brighter until the perfect day!”

People will feel drawn to be good and do good. The worldly distort morality, but the light of Christ will still pierce through the darkness. Our goal is to help others be drawn to that light: “May we see the Light of Christ in others constantly and help them see it in themselves.”



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