Idols, idols, idols

Being loyal to the Lord seems to be a prevalent theme throughout the Old Testament, which is understandable considering human nature. For us, we at least have history to support our belief. But for the Israelites and other people during that time, their belief was based on prophecy. I can see how hard it would be to forget their God, without having anything but prophecy to support. Not that we don't have that problem today. In fact Moses said we would. In Deut 4:29-30, we are told that we will have these problems in the latter-days:

But if from thence thou shalt ^aseek the Lord thy God, thou shalt ^bfind him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

30 When thou art in ^atribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the ^blatter days, if thou ^cturn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

Here is a list I came up with as motivations behind idolatry:

1. PRIDE: Deut 8:13-18

2. ENTITILEMENT –

3. UNGRATEFULLNESS Deut 8:14

4. LIVE IN THE NOW /FORGET THE MIRACLES OF THE LORD – Deut 8:15-16

5. Seeing is believing – FAITHLESSNESS Deut 4:15-16

6. All this leads to DISOBEDIENCE Deut 8:20

7. LACK OF WORK – Deut 6:10-12 physical and spiritual

8. FEAR as we know it. Deut 32:15-17 Fear because of sin. Men trying to avoid the discomfort of the fear of consequences. Let’s make idols that do not make us feel uncomfortable.

Here is a list of ways to avoid idolatry:

1. LOVE the Lord thy God Deut 6:4-6

2. TEACH the words of the Lord. Especially to your children. Deut 6:7 Family Home evening quote. Plug FHE on church website.

3. Keep the word of the Lord with you, in your heart and with you always. Deut 6:8-9. READ THE SCRIPTURES. A work about phylacteries. What is the difference between a symbol and an idol? While we do not know if the Lord intended for the children of Israel to make these small boxes for their heads and hands, I think they did so with good intent. Though through the years, they evolved from a symbol and reminder of faith, to a showing artifact indicating supposed faith. The Savior accuses the Pharisees in Matthew 23:1-5. We need to be careful of this as well. Be mindful of why you come to church. Do you come because what would people say if you didn’t, or do you come to learn. Do you have pictures of Christ or the temple in your house because all good Latter-day Saints have such pictures in their homes or do you do it for reminders and respect.

4. KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS (the words keep the commandments or statutes are mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy at least 25 times). Deut 6: 17-19

5. This implies WORK Deut 11: 13-15. The Lord will uphold his promise to bring them into the Promised land, but then in 16-17 makes sure they know that if they do not continue to love the Lord and serve him, He will not bless the land and in the end will scatter the tribes of Israel for their lack of loyalty.

6. “REMEMBER all the way which the Lord thy God led thee” Deut 8:2 Multiple times throughout Deuteronomy the Lord rehearses what he did for the Children of Israel. Not only should you remember them, but you should teach your children about them. What better place can children learn from than a trusted parent. Duet 6:20-25 BE OBEDIENT. Prophets of all time have taken this to heart. Nephi, The Lord himself in 3 Ne and the D&C, Jacob, Abinadi, Nephi the son of Helaman, Alma, even King Limhi, Paul, and Luke.

7. GIVE THANKS Deut 8:10

8. FOLLOW THE RIGHT PROPHET DEUT 13:1-3 Also, KNOW THERE IS A PURPOSE AND A PROVING

9. Know that REPETITION IS GOOD. Brigham Young quote.

10. Pray for an ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. Deut 32:29 “O that they were wise that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!”