I found this week's assigned reading to be very thought provoking The assignment was 2 Nephi 28-33. I really enjoyed discussing 2 Nephi 28:19-22. It is talking about Satan and all the ways he tries to entice us to follow him. The lead student gave us the definition of pernicious. Pernicious means "having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way." That is definitely the way Satan works. He is not going to just get someone to rob a bank but he can slowly get us to stop saying our prayers or going to church. This leaves the door open to start doing things we would have never considered doing before and then it becomes a downward spiral. Eventually we could get to the point where we really would rob a bank or at least steal. In verse 21 it says that "the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them carefully down to hell." I think it is interesting that he leads us carefully down to hell. There is a quote that I find very profound. It says,"The devil does not come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you've ever wished for. Pray for wisdom and discernment." In the "Digging Deeper" videos, there was one called "Feast Upon The Words of Christ". It talked about a quote from Pres. Benson that pointed out one of the purposes of The Book of Mormon is to expose the enemies of Christ. Here are some examples of Satan's lies: There is no God. God is no longer a God of Miracles. Eat, drink and be merry. He teacheth a man not to pray. He stirs the children of me to anger against that which is good. With everything going on in the world, the only way to survive is to cling to the gospel and to the teachings of Christ. We must rely on the Spirit to guide us and direct us through the figurative darkness. We must have faith and trust in our Prophet. He will not, he cannot, lead us astray. If we will do these things then we will receive the promise found in 2 Nephi 31:20. "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." This has always been my favorite scripture because I feel like it sums up all the teachings of the gospel and the plan of salvation in one verse. I want to live my life so that I can return and live with my family and my Heavenly Father again. That is all that really matters in the end!