This week in Relief Society

Heather Consoliver taught lesson #4 "Freedom to Choose" from the Gospel Principals book. She began by reading a story entitled "With you all the way" by Max Lucado; which I will summarize.

Three knights were offered the hand of the princess if they could prove themselves worthy. The offer came from the King, and is presented to the three by the Prince. The test is a journey to the castle, by way of the Hemlock forrest. The Hemlock Forrest is dark, deadly, and in places the trees are so thick daylight has never peeked through. But, the most significant threat is the "hope-nots" who inhabit the forrest. Some say the hope-nots are lost travelers changed by the darkness, but no one is really sure. They are not strong, but the hope-nots are clever. The knights are told that they may choose one person to travel with them. They are also told that they can find their way through the forrest by listening to the lovely tune played by the King's ivory flute. The prince has the only other flute in existence that can play the same sweet melody, which he demonstrates for the knights. The prince tells the knights that the king will play the song three times a day so that they may listen and be guided to the castle. The knights set out on their journey, and after many days, two men are seen approaching the castle. They have no weapons, no armor, and no horses. The king orders that the men be met outside the gates and brought into the castle in secret, their identities to be revealed that knight at a grand feast before the entire kingdom. That knight at the feast, all turned to see which knight would enter. The people were surprised to see that it was not the strongest knight, nor the quickest who survived, but the wisest knight. The knight explained that the hope-nots had stolen their weapons, poisoned their horses, and hidden their armor, but their worst trick was that they were great imitators. Every day when the king would play his melody, the hope-nots would all pull out imitation flutes and play similar songs, filling the forrest with so much noise it was impossible to hear the king's song. The king asked the knight how it was possible through all of that noise that the knight was able to hear and follow the king's song. The knight explained that he had chosen the right traveling companion. His companion then showed his face, it was the prince! The knight explained that the prince was the only who could play the king's song exactly. As long as the prince remained with the knight, the prince continuously played the king's perfect son. No matter how many flutes played, the knight knew the king's song perfectly and could follow.

We have all made choices in our lives, starting in the pre-mortal existence. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve has said "There must be alternatives among which to choose." God has told us through His prophets that we are free to choose between good and evil. If we were forced to choose the right, we would not be able to show what we would have chosen for ourselves. Also, we are happier doing things when we have made our own choices. Right choices increase our power to make more right choices. We cannot choose righteousness unless the opposites of good and evil are placed before us. However, though we are free to choose our course of action, we are not free to choose the consequence of those actions.
For example, the other day on the highway, the car in front of me was going about 10 miles below the speed limit. I got frustrated and exclaimed "Come on lady!" Not an inappropriate or offensive comment. However, from the backseat my three year old piped up and asked "Momma is she an idiot?" It seems cute, but because of what my son had heard me choose to say (apparently often) the consequence of my choice was not pleasant for me. To hear my sweet little innocent child call someone an idiot is definitely NOT a choice I would have made. This is a mild example of how the consequences of our choices always catch up to us. If we always "do what is right" and "let the consequence follow" we will never have to explain to our three year olds why Momma was making a bad choice in calling people idiots.

The book ends the lesson by saying that Heavenly Father has told us how to escape the captivity of Satan. We must watch, and pray always, asking God to help us withstand the temptations of Satan. (see 3 Nephi 18:15) God's commandments direct us away from danger and toward eternal life. By choosing wisely, we will gain exaltation, progress eternally, and enjoy perfect happiness. (see 2 Nephi 2:27-28.)

What choices are you facing this week? Dede B.