When Jesus was born and lived on this earth, he was capable of sinning. The scriptures remind us that "he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh," and he was not exempt from "opposition in all things," or from "the enticings of the devil."
Soon after his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he stayed and fasted for forty days and nights preparing himself for his formal ministry. He chose to fast that his mortal body might be completely subjected to the divine influence of the Holy Ghost. When He had completed this forty day fast, when he was hungry, physically weak, weary and vulnerable, Satan tempted him in three ways.
First was the temptation of physical appetites as he tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread.
Second was the temptation of yielding to pride and fame, when he tempted Jesus to throw himself off of the pinnacle of the temple for all to see.
Third he was tempted to desire the riches of the world and power of men, when Satan offered him all of the kingdoms of the world.
Jesus withstood all of these temptations, and after all of Satan's efforts had been thwarted Jesus said, “Get the hence Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Jesus is our exemplar of virtue as it encompasses all traits of righteousness.
Elaine S. Dalton (Young Women General President) taught us that as Daughters of God, we are Guardians of Virtue. She taught that "virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards, and a guardian is someone who protects, shields, and defends."
We are fighting the greatest war Satan has ever waged against the children of God. Satan may have lost Jesus, but he does not believe he will lose us, and so he continues to tempt, taunt, and plead for our loyalty through temptations of all kinds. One great plague that is sweeping through the world, our communities, and even in our homes is pornography. As guardians of virtue, we have a great responsibility to stand up and fight against this great evil among us. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).
A new church website was recently released to help families, and church leaders understand how we can overcome pornography. Click on the image below to explore this incredible resource.
Elder Craig A. Cardon of the Seventy said, "Through the enabling and redeeming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all those affected in any way by the pernicious plague of pornography can be strengthened to overcome it and be healed of it's evil consequences."