Our Defense from Satan's Attacks (2 Ne 11-25)

Our lesson in Relief Society today was Elder Bednar's talk from last October 2019 General Conference "Watchful Unto Prayer Continually" Understand the intent of the enemy!

Satan is a predator, all day, everyday. "Understanding the intent of an enemy is vital to effective preparation for possible attacks."

I loved this list from Teaching with Power listing some of Satan's attacks and the ways he tried to deceive us from 2 Nephi chapters 12, 13, and 15

1. 2 Nephi 12:7 - Materialism
2. 2 Nephi 12:8 - Idolatry
3. 2 Nephi 13:1-3 - Relying on Man instead of God
4. 2 Nephi 13:5 - Persecution and Disrespect
5. 2 Nephi 13:9 - Open and Proud of their sins
6. 2 Nephi 13:14-15 - Taking advantage of poor
7. 2 Nephi 13:16-24 - Obsessed with having the right look, outward appearances
8. 2 Nephi 15:11-12, 22 - Drinking and Partying
9. 2 Nephi 15:20 - Calling good evil and evil, good
10. 2 Nephi 15:21 - learned but not wise
11. 2 Nephi 15:24 - they despise the commandments and the gospel

Don't get distracted! Don't be deceived by Satan calling Evil good and good evil, calling wickedness happiness, and happiness misery. 

Truth and Happiness leave no bad aftertaste! 

Our Defense - starting at 26:38

D&C 87:8 Stand ye in holy places and be not moved.

2 Nephi 14:5-6 describes three places of safety:

   1) Every dwelling-place of Mount Zion - HOME

   2) Zion's assemblies - CHURCH

   3) Tabernacle - TEMPLE

Our Offense - 2 Nephi 15:26 - 30

• An ensign waving 
• Hiss - Whistle blowing
• 2 Nephi 15:28 - Whose arrows shall be sharp and bows bent - archers! God's Army! (Missionaries!)
• Horses hooves counted like flint - coming swiftly, ready, prepared
• They shall roar like young lions - strong, you can hear them
• Be ready and willing - Here am I, send me - 2 Nephi 16

The Biggest WINNER!
2 Nephi 21:1-5

The spoils of Victory - 2 Nephi 21:6-16

A Victory Song - 2 Nephi 22

Choose the Winning side - Choose Christ

The Biggest LOSER
2 Nephi 24:4-20 - Satan is the biggest loser, He will be covered with worms 2 Nephi 24:11. He will not even be joined in burial with all the tyrants of the earth 2 Nephi 24:20.

Like the topis that kept watch from the termite mounds, we have prophets that are keeping watch for us. If we follow their guidance we will be safe from Satan and his attacks.

Our teacher closed her lesson by sharing this poem:

The Ambulance Down in the Valley Joseph Malins (1895)

'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, "Put a fence ’round the edge of the cliff,"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.

"For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful," they said,
"And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they’re stopping."
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.

Then an old sage remarked: "It’s a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they’d much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he,
"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley."

"Oh he’s a fanatic," the others rejoined,
"Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He’d dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We’ll support them forever.
Aren’t we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?"

But the sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.

Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
"To rescue the fallen is good, but ’tis best
To prevent other people from falling."
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence ’round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.