I have often asked why it seems like others have the spiritual experiences, and I wasn’t; and what was it in Nephi’s life (or any other prophet) that placed them in a position to receive inspiration and revelation. It begged the question, “What am I doing, or not doing, that the heavens are “brass?”

Gramps hits the nail on the head in this one, but I would like to share a few facets that alluded me until I decided to align my life with what the Savior intended. Addictions are terrible, and those related to sexuality seem to be the worst. I defend that position by stating that the body produces its own drugs and that one is
subject to “highs” solely by the chemistry inherent and internal to one’s self.

In my previous life, when I would approach my priesthood leader(s) and tell them of my personal woes related to sexuality, invariably the answer was, “The answer to your question/issue lies in the scriptures.” This frustrated me no end! What was it that I was missing? Was the answer in Jacob, or Alma’s admonition to his son Corianton? Nothing I read felt as if it was addressing addiction or habit.

It has become pretty obvious to me that I had had a testimony of the Gospel, but I was not converted! The key to overcoming any problem or issue(s), be it sexual or otherwise, is not necessarily addressed by
any specific scripture. Reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures (and I am going to throw in prayer) in
the context of getting to know the Lord and having Him close to us is the key. To know Him is to love Him, and since He and our Heavenly Father are “carbon copies,” it follows that we get to know Heavenly Father too.

To my thinking, there is absolutely no way to avoid pornography. And to see a suggestively dressed woman is
just one small increment away from the porn. When I see any of God’s creations (flora, fauna, and technologies He has entrusted to man), it thrusts me into kind of a reverie. Most everything around me has a “Wow Factor.” I can now see a woman as a spiritual sister who may be off the path. And, I can say a quick silent prayer, thanking the Lord for that perspective and requesting a blessing for the “offender.”

I know this has been a lengthy response, but there is one more important component that is worth sharing. With me, there was an intermediate phase relative to judging sexually charged situations. I could tell myself that lust was a sin, however, I immediately set up a barrier between me and the person who triggered my thought process. In so doing, I was not separating the sin from the sinner. If one sees a skimpily clad woman and goes into the, “You-are-a-sinner” mode, they are more than likely lumping the sinner and the sin together. Big mistake. We should be of good judgment, but judge the sin and not the person. If you have children, teach them to recognize that there is a sin, but that the sinner should be loved and respected. Hope you will agree this is a Christ-like approach. This general attitude falls into the category of loving your neighbor.

The heavens are no longer brass. There are adventures-in-the-spirit available to all who make the effort. The Lord wishes so much that we be in a position for Him to personally influence our life.