Young Women Manual 1
"Lesson 28: Resisting Sin," Young Women Manual 1, (2002),121
Each young woman will recognize that she must fortify herself to overcome temptations.
1. Picture 15, Lures, Traps, and Snares, found at the end of the manual. (If possible, you might obtain some actual lures or traps.)
2. Bring paper and a pencil for each young woman.
3. Assign young women to present any stories, scriptures, or quotations you wish.
Caution: Do not dwell on the doctrines of Satan. Do not discuss experiences individuals have had with Satan.
Hand out a pencil and a piece of paper to each young woman and ask class members to number their papers from one to ten. As you read the following clues, have them write the name of the person they think fits that clue by the number of the clue. No one is to say anything aloud until all ten clues have been read.
Clues:
1. I am a spirit child of Heavenly Father.
2. I am your spirit brother.
3. I was present in the Council in Heaven.
4. I was an angel of God.
5. I spoke with authority in the presence of God.
6. I have been called "Son of the Morning."
7. I rebelled and rejected Heavenly Father's plan.
8. Many of my spirit brothers and sisters followed me.
9. I have only a spirit body.
10. I led one-third of the hosts of heaven from the presence of God.
(Answer: Satan or Lucifer.)
* How did some of the descriptions of Satan confuse you?
* What are some of the other names by which Satan is known? (Devil, Destroyer, Evil One, Perdition, Prince of Devils, Dragon, Serpent, Tempter, the father of all lies, and others.)
* What are some of Satan's purposes on earth? (To answer this question, have the young women read Moses 4:3-4.) (Satan sought to destroy our agency, to gain the power of God, to deceive and blind us, and to lead us captive at his will.)
Explain that there is another reason Satan tempts us. Have class members read 2 Nephi 2:27: "For [Satan] seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."
After the young women have responded, read the following quotation:
"Satan has no power over us except as we give it to him. ... God never forces us to do right, and Satan has no power to force us to do wrong" (Sterling W. Sill, in Conference Report, Apr. 1970, pp. 29-30; or Improvement Era, June 1970, p. 45).
* Why is it important to know who Satan is and what his purposes and powers are? (To recognize his tactics and be wary of his influence so we can remain strong in the gospel and resist him.)
"[President] Spencer W. Kimball, speaking to a multitude of youth, assured them that an awareness of the existence, the power, and the plans of Satan-together with a compelling and vibrant testimony of God and of the gospel and of the plans of our Father ... -can help them achieve unprecedented accomplishments, which may affect their lives eternally" (ElRay L. Christiansen, in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, p. 30; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 24).
Show the picture of various fishhooks, traps, lures, and snares, or show the actual items.
* What is the purpose of such fishhooks, traps, lures, and snares? (To attract and catch fish or animals.)
* How are these snares and lures disguised to make them appealing?
Explain that Satan uses many dishonest lures and traps to try to catch us. Have the young women read Alma 12:5-6.
* According to the scripture, what is the purpose of Satan's snares?
* What are some snares Satan uses effectively on young people?
* How can we avoid these snares?
Ask the young women how they would like to try to walk through a room in the dark where several traps had been set.
Have the young women read Doctrine and Covenants 50:23-25 to find out why it is important to have the light of God.
* What does the light represent? (God, his truth, and his works.)
* How can this light help you chase darkness or Satan from your life?
"In his cunning [Satan] knows where and how to strike. It is in youth when his victims are most vulnerable. ... The devil uses many, many tools" (Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], p. 247).
An old Greek legend tells of a young man who had only one vulnerable spot. Ask a class member to tell the story of Achilles.
Achilles [uh-KIL-eez] was one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology. Soon after his birth, his mother, Thetis, dipped him in the River Styx, which according to legend would protect his body from harm. However, the water did not touch the heel by which Thetis held him. During the tenth year of the Trojan War, Paris shot an arrow into Achilles' unprotected heel. Achilles died of the wound.
* What does it mean to have an Achilles heel? (To have a vulnerable or unprotected weakness.)
* How does Satan know our weaknesses? (He knows us from the premortal life.)
* How can we overcome our weaknesses?
After the discussion, read the following quotation: "Satan knows all the tricks. He knows where we are susceptible to temptations and how to entice us to do evil. He and his messengers suggest evil, minimize the seriousness of sin, and make evil inviting" (ElRay L. Christiansen, "Q and A," New Era, July 1975, p. 49).
Assign a class member to list on the chalkboard each of the temptations mentioned as the following quotation is read aloud.
"Now, the adversary knows that a little sin will not stay little, and he welcomes any and all into his kingdom by first trying to get us to lie a little, then helping us to try to justify ourselves in so doing or to cheat or to steal. Some folks are indeed induced to desecrate the Sabbath day until it becomes habitual with them. Some people begin with the use of liquor just to 'relax a bit.' Also, drug abuse, evil speaking, disobedience to parents, or deceiving one's own companions-these are means he has of getting us to digress from the proper course. He knows full well that, if continued, such diversions soon result in regrets, sorrows, and losses, because they lead us into greater sinfulness.
"No doubt one of the most infamous snares set out by the adversary is that of unchastity" (ElRay L. Christiansen, in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, p. 29; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 24).
Temptations
lying
cheating
profanity
stealing
procrastination
desecration of the Sabbath
discouragement
drinking
shoplifting
taking drugs
disobedience to parents
deception
unchastity
evil speaking
(and others)
Ask for any additional temptations young women may encounter. Add these to the chalkboard.
Divide the class into small groups. Ask each group to discuss two or three of the temptations listed. The groups should determine ways to combat and overcome these temptations. Following their discussions, have each group report to the class. As they report their suggestions, erase the temptations from the chalkboard and replace them with the positive ways to overcome temptation.
Possible responses:
1. Make proper decisions ahead of time.
2. Avoid even the appearance of evil.
3. Have an alternative in mind.
4. Change the subject.
5. Prepare defenses.
6. Pray for help.
7. Seek parental counsel.
8. Choose good friends.
9. Spend time doing worthwhile things.
10. Avoid situations where temptations may arise.
The following quotation explains how we can gain complete power to resist temptation:
"In all his evil doings, the adversary can go no further than the transgressor permits him to go, and we can gain complete power to resist the evils caused by Satan through adherence to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Members of the Church may have the blessing of the Holy Ghost, the prompter, as a companion as well, and when the Holy Ghost is really within us, Satan must remain without. Study of the scriptures, prayer, faithful living of the commandments of the Lord, the discharge of church obligations and duties ... can provide a basis for having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion and protector" (ElRay L. Christiansen, in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, p. 30; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 24).
If it is not already on the chalkboard, add the phrase "Seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost."
The Savior stressed a very important way to overcome temptation. Have the young women read 3 Nephi 18:15, 18-19. Add "Pray for help" if it is not already on the chalkboard.
Point out that we have also been told a specific way to ask for this help when we pray. Read Mormon 9:28.
* How does this verse suggest we pray to overcome temptation? (Ask "with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation.") Add "Determination not to yield" to the chalkboard.
Heavenly Father has also promised that he will help us in another way. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Help the young women understand that if they will be diligent in their efforts to avoid and overcome temptations, Heavenly Father will sustain them.
Suggest that the young women follow the suggestions they have listed on the chalkboard and always remember the promise given in 1 Corinthians 10:13.
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Next Chapter: Lesson 29: The Second Coming »
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