By Reed A. Peterson
In the priesthood session Elder David E. Sorenson asked members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to avoid spiritual snakebites, speaking at the priesthood session of general conference.
'Avoid petting that rattlesnake,' said Elder Sorenson, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. It is better not to commit the sin, he said.
He said sexual sins are among the most poisonous; and that poison drives away the Holy Ghost.
'Entertainment, such as pornography, is a deeply poisonous snake. It destroys self-esteem and weakens self-discipline,' he said
Elder Sorenson cautioned members to resist the temptations of the electronic media.
'Trouble is just a few mouse clicks away,' he said.
Elder Sorenson advised members to set up fortifications as Moroni did.
'Set up personal ground rules,' he said. 'Create your own strongholds. Don''t be alone on dates and don''t surf the Internet alone.'
He counseled members to decide now what they are going to do.
'If we decide now which path we will take, than the challenge is behind us,' he said. 'Don''t allow poison to touch your souls.'
Elder Sorenson said repentance is possible, but it is painful and is most effective if applied quickly.
He told members that the path of repentance is not traveled alone and that the miracle of forgiveness is real.
'Get on your knees and ask for forgiveness,' he said. 'He will help us live the commandments.'
Members should love one another and take upon them the name of Christ, Elder Sorenson said.