The Iron Rod and the Tempest of Feeling

The adversary delights in whispering falsehoods, and few avenues are as readily exploited as the human heart. We Latter-day Saints are familiar with the principle – “the natural man is an enemy unto God” (Mosiah 18:30). This inherent opposition isn't merely a theological concept; it's a lived reality, a constant battle for dominion over our thoughts and affections. We strive to subdue the natural man, yet the echoes of his influence reverberate within our feelings, often distorting our perception of truth.

Lisa Bevere's recent discussion on allowing feelings to dictate our lives is a stark reminder of this vulnerability. The danger, as she rightly points out, lies in equating subjective experience with objective reality. To believe that God’s love is contingent on our feelings of being loved – that His nearness is proportional to our sense of His presence – is to surrender to a precarious and ultimately false foundation. The scriptures are replete with examples of faithful servants who persevered through times of profound spiritual darkness, clinging to the covenants and promises of the Lord, even when feeling utterly abandoned (Psalm 22:1). Did they doubt? Perhaps. Did they falter? Undoubtedly. But they did not allow their feelings to define their relationship with God.

The experience of condemnation, as Sister Bevere describes, is particularly insidious. To interpret feelings of guilt as divine judgment is to misunderstand the very nature of repentance and the Atonement. While conviction of sin is a necessary precursor to repentance, condemnation is a barrier to it. The Lord’s voice is a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), not a thunderous pronouncement of eternal damnation based on momentary weakness.

This principle extends beyond our personal relationship with the Lord. It impacts our marriages, our families, our callings, and every aspect of our lives. The initial rush of infatuation and affection in a marriage is a beautiful and powerful experience, but it is not a sustainable basis for a lifelong covenant. To expect those feelings to perpetually endure is to set oneself up for disappointment and disillusionment. The true strength of a marriage, as the Brethren have repeatedly taught, lies in commitment, sacrifice, and a steadfast adherence to principles, not in the fickle tides of emotion. Similarly, our callings require dedication and perseverance that transcends fleeting enthusiasm.

President Howard W. Hunter taught, “The greatest challenge in life is to change ourselves.” This transformation requires a conscious effort to align our will with the will of the Lord, to discipline our appetites, and to cultivate a spirit of unwavering faith. It demands that we learn to discern between the promptings of the Spirit and the deceptive whispers of the adversary. The iron rod of pure truth, as described in Lehi’s dream (1 Nephi 11:21-23), is the only path to eternal life. It is a path that requires steadfastness, diligence, and a willingness to resist the allure of easy gratification.

Let us examine our own hearts and minds, seeking the Lord’s guidance to overcome the tyranny of feeling. Let us strive to anchor our beliefs in the eternal truths of the gospel, and to cultivate a spirit of unwavering faith, regardless of the storms that may rage within us.

What covenants have you made that require you to lead your emotions rather than be led by them?