How Can We Watch Ourselves, Our Words, and Our Deeds?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Mosiah 4-6 in a lesson titled “A Mighty Change.” The lesson was introduced with the following information. 

Have you ever heard someone speak and felt inspired to change your life? Perhaps you decided, because of what you heard, to live a little differently—or even a lot differently. King Benjamin’s sermon was that kind of sermon, and the truths he taught had that kind of effect on the people who heard them. King Benjamin shared with his people what an angel had taught Mosiah 4:2). Because of His message, they changed their view of themselves (see Mosiah 4:2), the Spirit changed their desires (see Mosiah 5:2), and they covenanted with God that they would always do His will (see Mosiah 5:5). This is how King Benjamin’s words affected his people. How will they affect you?

As usual, there are numerous principles in this scripture block. The principle that felt impressed to discuss is found in Mosiah 4:29-30, “I must watch my thoughts, words, and deeds.” We will first look at the scriptures themselves.

29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.

30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

These verses tell us that God does not give us a list of every possible sin that we could commit. Instead, He tells us to be careful in our thoughts, words, and actions. Our thoughts, words, and deeds affect ourselves and other people. They also affect our individual relationship with God. You may be asking how a person can “watch [yourself].”

The late President Spencer W. Kimball wrote the following: “The curse of the earth is sin. It covers every area. It takes numerous forms and dresses itself in many kinds of apparel, depending on factors such as the stratum of society in which it is operating. But whether man calls it convention or business, or uses any other euphemism, if it offends God’s law it is sin.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 39). 

Prophets tell us that we can avoid temptation by changing our thoughts. If we have evil thoughts come into our minds, we should quote a scripture or sing a hymn. I learned in my class this semester that we can change our feelings by changing our thoughts. If I entertain thoughts about how much I hate someone, then I will feel hateful feelings about that person. If I cultivate thoughts about how much I love someone, then I will be more likely to feel loving feelings towards that person.

The same thing applies to all sin. If we ruminate about a sin, we are more likely to commit that sin if we think about it long enough. We can avoid most sins by refusing to entertain them in our thoughts.