Boyd K. Packer

(black text is the original talk; all yellow highlights are things I am commenting on;All blue text are my thoughts and are my opinions only and do not represent the official position of the speaker or the church.)

The Key to Spiritual Protection

By President Boyd K. Packer
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Peace can be settled in the heart of each who turns to the scriptures and unlocks the promises of protection and redemption. We know peace has been taken from the earth. The world's peace is gone. The only source now is from God. He offers physical and spiritual protection.

A short time ago, I sealed a young couple in the temple. This couple had kept themselves worthy to arrive at the marvelous day when a son and a daughter leave the homes of their youth and become husband and wife. On this sacred occasion, they were pure and clean. In due course, they will begin to raise children of their own, consistent with the pattern Did you see the pattern? established by our Father in Heaven. Their happiness, and the happiness of future generations, depends upon living those standards established by the Savior and set forth in His scriptures.

begin as a child

keep yourself worthy

find a worthy companion

become husband and wife, sealed

leave your parents 

raise children

live standards found in the scriptures

be happy

Parents today wonder if there is a safe place to raise children. There is a safe place. It is in a gospel-centered home. We focus on the family in the Church, and we counsel parents everywhere no matter your religion, or location to raise their children in righteousness. How? Why?

The Apostle Paul prophesied and warned apostles and prophets still prophesy and warn today that “in the last days OUR day perilous "exposure to something that may cause injury, loss or destruction" times shall come.We were warned...it has come.

“For men shall be
lovers of their own selves, selfish
covetous, greedy; wrongly desiring wealth or possessions

boasters,speaking with excessive pride
proud,  exaggerated belief in one's own importance
blasphemers, one who speaks irreverently of sacred things

disobedient to parents, defiant, rebellious
unthankful, not feeling or showing gratitude
unholy, lacking reverence for God; sinful; wicked

“Without natural affection, "The Greek word for 'without natural affection' is astorgos and the short definition is 'unfeeling.' The word originates from alpha and storgé (family affection). The Greek means 'Without natural affection - To their own children. Intemperate, fierce."void of the natural affection feelings that should exist in a family" (ref)

trucebreakers, covenant breakers

false accusers, incorrectly find fault with

incontinent, lacking in moderation or self-control, especially of sexual desire.

fierce,cruel, untamed

despisers of those that are good, look down on with disapproval

“Traitors, betraying friends, family, country, God, cause or trust

heady,foolishly impulsive

highminded, arrogant, haughty

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; worldly or frivolous enjoyment

 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: the outward appearance of, but no power to change; no authority

from such turn away.”¹ be careful of the company you keep

Paul also prophesied, “Evil men and seducers imposters; people who want to lead you away shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”² In another talk Pres Packer said: "If someone approaches you individually or invites you to very private meetings, claiming to have some special calling, whatever you do, follow Paul’s counsel—“from such turn away.”

These verses serve as a warning, and he is repeating them to you now...today...also as a warning...showing which patterns to avoid. We must be ever watchful and diligent. always, nonstop We can review each of these prophecies and put a checkmark by them as being present and of concern in the world today:Let's do that together...now

Perilous times—present. We live in very precarious uncertain; unstable; insecure; dangerous; perilous; risky times.

Covetous, boasters, proud—all are present and among us. among us...members of the church; as well as in the world

Blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection—all of these are well accounted for.

Trucebreakers, false accusers, and so on—all can be checked off against the prevailing evidence that exists all around us.

Moroni also he saw our day! spoke of the wickedness of our day as noted in the list above when he warned:

“When ye shall see these things that Pres. Packer just listed and checked off as being here; we can see these things come among you … ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation. …we are asked to wake up and grasp the meaning of our awful situation! Realize too, that he's asking you to check yourself to see if these things have come among you.  If they have then you need to awake to your awful situation..and repent. He'll talk about that in a minute...

“Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things God told him to write them for you and for me that evil may be done away,how will that be possible? and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, in Zion? the Millennium? but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.”³

The descriptions Paul and Moroni two witnesses + Pres. Packer makes three. Word established. give of our day are so accurate that they cannot be dismissed. So...Do Not Dismiss them. For many it may be quite disturbing, even discouraging. Recognize that you are going to be tempted by the adversary TO dismiss them. He will tell you that it's too disturbing to think about or pay attention to; that it's so hopeless that nothing can be done, so just live what life you can and throw in the towel on the world. Nevertheless, when I think of the future,  I am overwhelmed with feelings of positive optimism.Okay...this is pretty profound coming from someone who just told you how 'awful' our situation is; and has said in previous talks that it's not going to get better. What is the reason for his optimism?

In Paul’s revelation, in addition to the list of challenges and problems, he also tells us what we can do to protect ourselves:and what YOU can do to protect yourself and your family. Remember he started his talk with the need to raise our children in gospel-centered righteous homes to protect them from the world. The question will be: Will you do it? Will you ignore it to your own destruction? Listen and learn and act....here it is:

“Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; Endure to the end; be faithful to what you know; to the testimony you have received. Remember where you learned what you know. "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith"; "What we know will always trump what we do not know"; "Heavenly Father loves you. That love never changes."

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, Teach your children the scriptures and continue as they grow which are able to make thee wise unto salvation  wise; "able to discern right from wrong; through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”⁴ remember "faith" is a verb

The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. Pres. Packer taught this same thing in 1985 when he said:  

"Paul taught that a knowledge of the scriptures was our immunization against these evils."

They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer. We must each have a testimony of Jesus Christ. We have been told that a few times so far this conference. The scriptures will bring you to that. You will know what doctrines you must understand; what laws you must obey; what ordinances you must receive; what covenants you must make and keep. All of that will bring you to a testimony of Christ. "for any man that will doeth my will shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God..."

With years of preparation, there has been an enormous effort to produce the scriptures in every language, with footnotes and cross-references. We seek to make them available to all who wish to learn. For everyone needs the protection in these perilous times They teach us 

where to go and what to do. where to go for help, comfort, peace

They offer hope and knowledge. hope in the midst of chaos, and knowledge of things beyond the present circumstances

Years ago, Elder S. Dilworth Young of the Seventy taught me a lesson about reading the scriptures. A stake was struggling with tensions and difficulties we will soon all be struggling with tensions and difficulties among the members, and counsel needed our leaders will need to counsel us to be given.

I asked President Young, “What should I say?”

He answered simply, “Tell them to read the scriptures.” This will be their counsel

I asked, “Which scriptures?”

He said, “It really doesn’t matter. Tell them to open up the Book of Mormon, for instance, and begin to read.Here is the promise:

Soon the feeling of peace and inspiration will come, and a solution will present itself.” He is not specific about who the inspiration will come to. Is it the members who are struggling? The leader on how to further counsel? To both? What are some ways a "solution can present itself"? In a dream? Something you read in a book? Someone knocks on your door?

Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow. This is not new counsel. Are we, as a church still struggling with it? Have we not believed the promises we have surely learned throughout the past? The time is here to wake up to the need to make the scriptures a part of your daily life. There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment.We need the warnings so we know how to prepare and protect; but we also need the daily "bread". 

If the language of the scriptures at first seems strange to you, keep reading. This is a reason many give for not reading the scriptures...Soon you will come to recognize the beauty and power He said "soon"...trust the promise. Put it to the test. Just do it. found on those pages.

Paul said, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,what do you believe?
for reproof, correction for improvement
for correction, set us on the right path of thinking
for instruction in righteousness.”⁵ we learn what it means to be righteous and how to act

You can test this promise for yourself.

 Do it. Test it. Make the scriptures a part of your DAILY routine. Look for the above things as you read. Recognize the promises when they are fulfilled. We live in perilous times; This was said in 2001 by Pres. Hinckley as well. So we have been living IN perilous times for at least 12 years. Perhaps Pres. Packer is saying...all these things have been with us for 12 years. If you are not aware of the "awful" situation we are in, after 12 years, then wake up! If you are young, then become aware that you have grown up in enemy territory. You will need to learn how to protect yourself, especially if your parents have been "asleep". You will need to recognize these things in yourself, perhaps, and repent. 

nevertheless, we can find hope and peace for ourselves and for our families. Surely this is what we all seek in these perilous times Those living in sorrow, despairing at the possibility of children being rescued from where the world has taken them, many have fallen prey to the perils of the above list must never give up. “Be not afraid, only believe.”⁶Fear is the enemy of faith Righteousness is more powerful than wickedness.God wins. Love can change anything. Disciples of Christ keeping their covenants can "warm and win" souls.

Children taught an understanding of the scriptures early to echo Elder Hales "parents make a serious mistake if they assume that (the scriptures) are above their intellect and spiritual sensitivity." in life will come to know the path they should walk and will be more inclined to remain on that path. Those who stray will have the ability to return and, with help, can find their way back. That is the promise that should be getting parents up every morning with their families.

The sons of Mosiah fought against the Church for a time but later repented and underwent a dramatic change. These examples were given to us in the Book of Mormon to let us know all things that are possible to them that believe. If it happened to them, it can happen to you. In Alma we read, just how dramatic their change was...and why...

“These sons of Mosiah … had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; and where did they get that knowledge?  for they were men of a sound understanding where did they get that? and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.”⁷

They searched the scriptures...diligently "with untiring attention"

President Joseph F. Smith was five years old when his father, Hyrum, was killed in Carthage Jail. Later, Joseph crossed the plains with his widowed mother.

At age 15 he was called on a mission to Hawaii. He felt lost and alone and said: “I was very much oppressed. … I felt as if I was so debased in my condition of poverty, lack of intelligence and knowledge, just a boy, that I hardly dared look [anyone] in the face.”

While pondering his plight one night, young Joseph dreamed he was on a journey, rushing as fast as he possibly could. He carried with him a small bundle. Finally, he came to a wonderful mansion, which was his destination. As he approached, he saw a sign which read, “Bath.” He quickly went in and washed himself. He opened his little bundle and found clean, white clothing—“a thing,” he said, “I had not seen for a long time.” He put them on and rushed to the door of the mansion.

“I knocked,” he said, “and the door opened, and the man who stood there was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He looked at me a little reprovingly, and the first words he said [were]: ‘Joseph, you are late.’ Yet I took confidence and said:

“‘Yes, but I am clean—I am clean!’”⁸

And so it can be for each of us.

This is a story of repentance...I feel to repeat Elder Holland again..."His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there. So if you have made covenants, keep them. If you haven’t made them, make them. If you have made them and broken them, repent and repair them. It is never too late so long as the Master of the vineyard says there is time. Please listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit telling you right now, this very moment, that you should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the fellowship of His labor. Don’t delay. It’s getting late" (Elder Holland)

If you are set on a course of faith and activity in the Church, stay on course and keep your covenants. Continue forward until the time when the Lord’s blessings will come to you and the Holy Ghost will be revealed as a moving force in your life.

This is an interesting statement here...He's talking to the faithful. He makes it sound like we have probably not yet had the Holy Ghost 'revealed' as a 'moving force' in our lives. What are 'the Lord's blessings' that will come to us? When is that 'time'? This one deserves some study and pondering...which means you click on the link "Holy Ghost" and read all that is written there. It will take some time, but if read with these questions in mind, I'm certain the answers will come.

If you are presently on a course that points away from the one outlined in the scriptures, let me assure you there is a way back.

"Whether you are not yet of our faith or were with us once and have not remained, there is nothing in either case that you have done that cannot be undone. There is no problem which you cannot overcome. There is no dream that in the unfolding of time and eternity cannot yet be realized. Even if you feel you are the lost and last laborer of the eleventh hour, the Lord of the vineyard still stands beckoning. “Come boldly [to] the throne of grace,”³ and fall at the feet of the Holy One of Israel. Come and feast “without money and without price”⁴ at the table of the Lord." (ref)

Not sure how to do that? Jesus Christ has prescribed a very clear method for us to repent and find healing in our lives. The cure for most mistakes can be found by seeking forgiveness through personal prayer. way number one...However, there are certain spiritual illnesses, particularly those dealing with violations of the moral law, which absolutely require the assistance and treatment of a qualified spiritual physician. way number two...Your bishop

Years ago there came to my office a young woman and her aging father. She had brought him several hundred miles to find a remedy for the guilt he felt. As a young man he had made a serious mistake, and in his old age the memory came back to him. He could not shake the feeling of guilt. He could not go back and undo the problem of his youth on his own, but he could start where he was and, with help, erase the guilt which had followed him all those years.

I was grateful that by teaching him principles from the Book of Mormon, turn to the scriptures it was as though a tremendous weight was lifted that is the power of the scriptures from his shoulders. When he and his daughter drove back home those many miles, the old man had left behind the guilt of the past transgression.

Whatever his sin - confession was enough and/or understanding true doctrine from the scriptures.

If you “awake to a sense of your awful situation”⁹ of your past sins and wish to return to full spiritual health, see your bishop. He holds the keys God gave them to him and can help you that is what he is there for along the pathway of repentance.

Repentance is individual, and so is forgiveness. The Lord requires only that one turn from their sin, and “[He] will forgive their iniquity, and … remember their sin no more.”¹⁰Turning can be quick or more of a process...

As the repentance process is completed, you will come to understand the meaning of Isaiah’s promise about the Atonement: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”¹¹

Just as chalk can be removed from a blackboard, with sincere repentance the effects of our transgression can be erased through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That promise applies in every case.

I love that...the "effects" of our transgression can be erased through the Atonement. We can't change that we sinned, but He can make all things right, wipe all tears, and heal all hurts...the effects of sin.

The gospel teaches us to be happy, to have faith rather than fear, to find hope and overcome despair, to leave darkness and turn toward the light of the everlasting gospel.

I believe this will be the driving force for the millions that will come in to the church this year. There is such a chasm between the list above that Paul and Moroni saw in our day and what people will find in the gospel of Christ. Our responsibilities as members is to make sure they find a happy, faith-filled, fear-less people full of light and gratitude and anticipation for the Second Coming.

Paul and others warned about the trials of our time and the days yet to come. Don't dismiss this. It is real. It is here. More is coming. But peace can be settled "established"  in the heart of each how? of each who does what?  who turns to the scriptures and unlocks the promises of protection and redemption that are taught therein. What are those promises? How do you unlock them? We invite all to turn to the Savior Jesus Christ, to His teachings as found in the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.Notice he lists ALL the standard works here. Not just the Book of Mormon. As you study them all, at least through the 4 year curriculum cycle of the church, you will become like sons of Mosiah; a person of "sound understanding" for you will have "searched the scriptures diligently, that (you) might know the word of God" and you will not be deceived. You will find the hope, peace and protection that you seek in these perilous times and you too can be filled with an overwhelming optimism.   

I bear certain he knows what he has just told us is true!  witness of the scriptures as a key to our spiritual protection. Protection: Armor of God: 

“Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day. …

“Stand therefore, having your
loins girt about with
truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness;

“And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace;

“Above all, taking the
shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

“And take the
helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God:

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” (Eph. 6:11–18.)

 I also bear witness of the healing power of the Atonement through repentance of Jesus Christ, “that through him all might be saved”¹² who will be saved. it's your choice...The Lord’s Church has been established on the earth once again. "come, join with us" Of the truthfulness of the gospel I bear witness. Of Him I am a witness. I feel confident that Pres. Packer has literally witnessed/seen the Savior:) In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

1. 2 Timothy 3:1–5.
2. 2 Timothy 3:13.
3. Ether 8:24, 26.
4. 2 Timothy 3:14–15.  
5. 2 Timothy 3:16.
6.  Mark 5:36.
7. Alma 17:2.
8. Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 542.
9. Ether 8:24.
10. Jeremiah 31:34.
11. Isaiah 1:18.
12. Doctrine and Covenants 76:42.

IMPERATIVES

• Live the standards established by the Savior and set forth in His scriptures
• Parents: to raise your children in safety -
• have a gospel-centered home
• focus on your family
• raise them in righteousness
• When you think of the future, do so with overwhelming feelings of positive optimism.
• Protect yourself and your family:
• continue in the things you have learned and been assured of
• know of whom you have learned them
• search the scriptures
•  If you are struggling with tension or difficulty: read the scriptures
• Make daily scripture study part of your regular routine
• Test the promises of the scriptures for yourself
• Never give up on wayward children; be not afraid, only believe
• If you are in an "awful situation"; see your bishop and repent and return to full spiritual health.
• Be happy
• Have faith, not fear
• Find hope
• Overcome despair
• Leave darkness
• Turn to the everlasting light of the gospel
• Turn to the scriptures and unlock the promises of protection and redemption.
• Let peace settle in your heart 
• Turn to the Savior
• Turn to His teachings as found in all the scriptures

PROMISES

• The holy scriptures are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
• Read the scriptures when struggling with tension or difficulty and soon the feeling of peace and inspiration will come, and a solution will present itself
• Make daily scripture study part of your regular routine and blessings will follow
• If the language of the scriptures at first seems strange to you, keep reading. Soon you will come to recognize the beauty and power found on those pages.
• We live in perilous times; nevertheless, we can find hope and peace for ourselves and for our families.
• Children taught an understanding of the scriptures early in life will come to know the path they should walk and will be more inclined to remain on that path. 
• Those who stray will have the ability to return and, with help, can find their way back. 
• If you are set on a course of faith and activity in the Church, stay on course and keep your covenants.  
• Continue forward until the time when the Lord’s blessings will come to you and the Holy Ghost will be revealed as a moving force in your life.
• Search the scriptures diligently that you may know the word of God
• With sincere repentance the effects of your transgression can be erased through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That promise applies in every case.
• Peace can be settled your heart if you turn to the scriptures and unlock the promises of protection and redemption that are taught therein
   

DOCTRINAL INSIGHTS

• The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection
• They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer
• The scriptures are available to all who wish to learn. 
• The scriptures teach us where to go and what to do.
• The scriptures offer hope and knowledge
•  There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment.
• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
• Righteousness is more powerful than wickedness
• The cure for most mistakes can be found by seeking forgiveness through personal prayer. However, there are certain spiritual illnesses, particularly those dealing with violations of the moral law, which absolutely require the assistance and treatment of a qualified spiritual physician.
• Repentance is individual, and so is forgiveness. The Lord requires only that one turn from their sin, and “[He] will forgive their iniquity, and … remember their sin no more.”

WARNINGS

• Your happiness, and the happiness of future generations, depends upon you living those standards established by the Savior and set forth in His scriptures.
• Prophecy concerning perilous times has been fulfilled. We must be ever watchful and diligent.
• Avoid patterns of:
• blaspheme
• disobedience to parents
• unthankfulness
• unholy
• without natural affection
• trucebreaker
• false accuser 
• lover of self
• covetous
• boaster
• proud
• incontent
• fierce
• despiser of those that are good
• highminded
• lover of pleasure more than God
• heady
• traitor
• form of godliness
• evil
• seducer
•  If you see these things in yourself; "awake to your awful situation" and repent
• If you see these things in others; "from such things turn away"
• Paul warned about the trials of our time and the days yet to come.