O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One - M. Russell Ballard

  Of course, having had many fly fishing experiences, both successful and not so, I find the example compelling.  It is exhilarating to feel the strike and then to reel in that fish.  Here he uses the fly and it's deception to help us see the how this "lie" entices the fish with the end being misery and death.  Today, we are surrounded with the enticements of this enemy, the father of all lies.  How easy it is for us at any time of our lives to be enticed and then convinced that "evil is good and good is evil."
  I well remember the experience with a young adult.  She appeared normal, well dressed and was attending her church meetings, at least for the few weeks I noticed her.  Then one night, when closing up the two story church building, the two of us remaining to do this chore were startled.  After pulling the electric switch back in the stage area of the cultural hall, leaving the building totally dark, we heard this tremendous noise of breaking glass coming from the second story where classrooms were located.  With some fear, we went together upstairs and found this young woman there, having thrown bricks through the windows from inside.  We got her settled down and somehow back to her apartment.  Over the next few days with our help, she consulted with a specialist.  The sad story was that she had fallen victim of drugs.  They were being used by some "friends" and she had gone along.  The doctor told us that there was little hope then for her recovery.  He said that the only way she would be free would be to send her to a facility far away from roads and with no phone access and that it might take years.  His opinion was that if she could make contact, she would find a way to obtain the substances which would eventually destroy her.
  Today, after hearing his talk, Elder Ballard has held out hope for all desiring relief to be able to find it.  My experience has also indicated that outside help at some point is the only proven way to be free of many addictions common to so many today.  I concur with the advice to seek that help early but for many the requirement of putting aside pride and becoming humble enough to find the help is the hardest part.  What a sad story he told of that married woman, as a result of pain, becoming an addict in a way most would not expect.  Sincere prayer is the only road to obtain the spiritual help needed.  It is the path to demonstrate to the Lord and to yourself that faith necessary to obtain the blessing.