1 Nephi 12:17

[pam]

1 Nephi 12:17

17 And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost.

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Temptations, Blind Eyes, Hard Hearts, Broad Roads<o:p></o:p>To blind the eyes is not to see or acknowledge the consequence of our actions. To harden the heart is to ignore or not be willing to accept counsel. To be led into the broad roads is to give in to worldly enticements and lose the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives….Temptation is like a magnetic force which holds a metal object in its power. It loses its magnetic force and power when you turn away from it. So we must turn away from temptation; then it will lose its power….Temptation can be a compassionate way of warning us of possible dangers. It acts like a caution sign. It warns us of possible danger ahead. Temptation can alert the mind to turn away from an improper thought or act. As eternal beings living this earthly experience, we will not be free from temptation. Temptation implies an inner struggle to do that which is right….We should expect temptation, for without temptations there would be little education and little character improvement.

Rulen G. Craven, Ensign, May 1996, pp. 76-77

Unless…[individuals] were exposed to temptation they never could know themselves, their own powers, their own weaknesses nor the power of God. If Satan had no power to tempt mankind, they would be in a state where they could neither know good nor evil; they could not know happiness nor misery. All their powers would lie dormant, for they would be destitute of that experience which prepares men to become like God, their Eternal Father.

George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truths, 1:109<o:p></o:p>

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Edited January 30, 2009 by pam