Someone asked about the portrayal of deity. The Counselor in our Bishopric had Christ portrayed as described on pg. 279 of the handbook. The Bishop was the person filling this role, and he dressed in his white Temple suit, changing into a regular suit coat when he played the part of the Bishop.

Comment from Krista Oakes: Krista Oakes [kristaoakes@hotmail.com]   We did a  temple fireside wearing white temple clothing and street shoes. We did not wear temple shoes, since those should only be worn inside the temple. Obviously no ceremonial clothing was worn, either - just the white dresses and pants/shirts/ties. I volunteer at the Dallas temple and the patrons are freely allowed to wear their white clothing outside the temple for pictures, etc., as long as the shoes and ceremonial clothing remain inside the temple. So that shouldn't be a problem, but always check with your bishop if in doubt.

 INTRODUCTION:

Our fireside this evening will follow the life of one young man and his struggles with the deception of the world, which leaves him empty, having lost hope, and being bound by his own transgressions. Finally, through repentance, he is able to find happiness, peace and hope for the future.  Our story begins with ____________(Young Man) and his friends, attending their Priesthood Quorum meeting on Sunday with Brother __________, their instructor.

BROTHER __________ CONDUCTS THE CLASS MEETING, TEACHING THE QUORUM MEMBERS ABOUT HOW SATAN CAN BIND US VERY SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY, THROUGH SMALL TRANSGRESSIONS, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO LARGE TRANSGRESSIONS THAT CAN KEEP US FROM OBTAINING OUR ULTIMATE ETERNAL REWARD OF LIVING WITH OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. (Story of the vendor "selling" worms to a bird in exchange for small feathers, which eventually run out, leaving the bird to exchange it's large, primary feathers for the worms. This ultimately prevents the bird from flying, and it is left to flutter helplessly on the ground.)

MODERATOR:

Tonight we will observe _________ in five different situations where he is tempted to do things which are contrary to the Commandments. The Bishop will represent the Savior and Brother ______ will represent Satan. Each will endeavor to persuade ________ to follow. Our first situation finds ______ in a discussion with his Mother after coming home late from an activity with his friends.

SCENE 1: Young Man and his Mother. He walks into the room to find his mother waiting for him.

Mother: _____, it's 11:00. Your curfew was 10:30 tonight. Why are you home so late?

Young Man: Mom, just lay off! Can't you leave me alone just once? All my friends can stay out way past 10:30. Why do you have to be so strict with me all the time? Don't you trust me?  Can you, for once, let me do things that I want to do? Just get off my back!

Mother: I'm only trying to help you avoid situations where there might be trouble in the future.

Young Man: (Interrupting her) You just don't trust me! Why don't you trust me for once so you can see I won't disappoint you?

Mother: _______, we need to have rules by which you'll abide, and as you prove that you can be obedient to do the things we ask, then you'll be given more responsibility and privileges.

Young Man: Leave me alone! I don't need you always telling me what to do. I can take care of myself. Just leave me alone!

MOTHER LEAVES THE ROOM AND _________ SITS ON HIS BED. AS HE SITS WITH HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS, CHRIST ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROOM, AND SATAN ON THE OTHER, BEGIN TALKING TO HIM.

Christ: ________, Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land. If you will listen to them, they will guide you along the paths of truth and righteousness and will ensure that you return to your Father in Heaven.

Satan: ________, you are absolutely right in your thinking! You are old enough. You can make your own decisions! You don't need to listen to her. She's old and prudish. It's time you took things into your own hands and stand up for your rights. She's living in the past.  Things have changed since she grew up. Go ahead! Do the things you want to. You'll be much happier.

Young Man: You're right! (Looking in direction of Satan) She is old and prudish. I'm old enough to make my own decisions.

SATAN LAYS A CHAIN ACROSS THE YOUNG MAN'S SHOULDERS.

Christ: Oh, ________. Turn away from your sins. Shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast. (2 Nephi 9:45)

SCENE 2: Young Man and 2 Friends

Moderator: Next we find ________ faced with the temptation of pornography.

YOUNG MAN IS CASUALLY WALKING WITH HANDS IN POCKETS AND KICKS A MAGAZINE LAYING FACE DOWN ON THE GROUND. HE PICKS IT UP AND SEES THAT IT IS A PORNOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE. HE LOOKS AROUND TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE SAW HIM PICK IT UP, AND HE QUICKLY SHOVES IT IN HIS POCKET AS HE HURRIES HOME. HE WALKS INTO HIS BEDROOM AND SITS DOWN ON THE BED TO THUMB THROUGH THE MAGAZINE WITH NOTABLE ENTHUSIASM. HE GETS UP FROM THE BED AND WALKS OUTSIDE, CALLING TO HIS TWO FRIENDS, AND INVITING THEM TO COME AND LOOK AT THE MAGAZINE WITH HIM.

Young Man: Hey, guys! Look what I just found! Come see these pictures. They're unbelievable! Friends gather around him and begin looking at the magazine and talking about the things they're looking at.

Christ: ________, ________ and ________. What are you doing?  Let virtue garnish they thoughts unceasingly. Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of Me and My Father. And then shall ye be able to exercise the Priesthood, which you have been given in faithfulness and worthiness before us. (D & C 121:45)  This magazine may seem to you to be a simple thing, but it will lead you to greater transgressions and will vilify and corrupt your mind and drive the Holy Ghost from you so that He can no longer be your constant companion.

Satan: Boys, isn't this a great magazine? Isn't it amazing how beautiful the body of a woman is? There's no harm in this. It's simply observing the things God has created. Don't let anybody say that it's bad. It really isn't. They are just old and prudish. That's the old way of looking at things. This is a new millennium! The world is changing. You need to let your feelings go and experience things for yourself. Only in that way will you begin to understand what living is all about.

Christ: ________, ________, ________. I say unto you that this is a snare of the adversary which he has laid to catch you that he might bring you into subjection unto him. That he might encircle you about with his chains. That he might chain you down to everlasting destruction according to his power of captivity. (Alma 12:6)

THE BOYS WALK TOWARD SATAN AND HE DRAPES ALL THREE WITH ADDITIONAL CHAINS.

 Scene 3: Young man meeting up with his two friends

Moderator: We next find ________ and his friends having to make choices regarding the Word of Wisdom.

YOUNG MAN WALKS TOWARD HIS FRIENDS, CARRYING A PAPER BAG WITH A SIX-PACK OF EMPTY BEER BOTTLES.

Young Man: Hey, you guys! I got the stuff. Let's go down to the park.

THE BOYS WALK ACROSS THE ROOM AND SIT DOWN ON THE CHAIRS. YOUNG MAN OPENS THE BAG AND PULLS OUT THE SIX-PACK OF BEER. THEY EACH TAKE A BOTTLE AND BEGIN TO DRINK, TALKING AND LAUGHING ALL THE WHILE. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES, CHRIST BEGINS SPEAKING TO THEM AND THEY TURN TO LOOK AT HIM.

Christ: My dear sons, ______, ______ and ______. Have I not warned you, through my prophets, that in the consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of men in the last days. I have warned and forewarned you and given you a word of wisdom regarding how you should conduct your lives on this earth. Have I not warned you to not partake of alcohol, that strong drinks are not for the belly?  Neither is tobacco for the body. And haven't I given you a promise that if you would observe to keep these commandments, walking in obedience to these things that you would receive health in your navel and marrow in your bones? And you shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures and you shall run and not be weary and walk and not faint. And I give unto you my promise, that if you observe to keep my commandment in this thing, that the destroying angel shall pass by you as it did the children of Israel and shall not slay you at the last day. (D & C 89: 4-8, 18-21)

SATAN WALKS OVER, PICKS UP A BOTTLE AND STARTS TO DRINK WITH THE BOYS.

Satan: Isn't this great guys? Doesn't it make you feel like a man? You boys are old enough to enjoy yourselves, to learn the ways of the world. The world has lots of pleasurable things for you to enjoy.  There is no reason to waste your time waiting around. It's great to be able to relax and have some drinks with your friends. Alcohol will really help you to forget all of your troubles and have a much more enjoyable time. So, (holding up his bottle in a toast) here's to us, boys.

Christ: ______, ______ and ______. If you have procrastinated the day of your repentance, even until death behold, you will be subjected to the spirit of the devil and he will seal you his, therefore, My spirit shall withdraw from you and shall have no place in you. And the devil shall have all power over you and this shall be the final state of your soul. (Alma 34:35)

SATAN WRAPS ADDITIONAL CHAINS AROUND THE BOYS

SCENE 4: Young Man and his Mother in the Young Man's bedroom.

Moderator: We next find ______ being encouraged by his Mother to read his scriptures on a daily basis.

MOTHER WALKS INTO YOUNG MAN'S ROOM.

Mother: ______, have you been keeping up with your scripture reading for Seminary? It's important to read on a daily basis so you can have the Spirit of our Father in Heaven with you all the time.

Young Man: Oh, Mom. We read it in class. I don't have to read it myself. Besides, the scriptures are so boring. It has not relevance to me today. They were written by people who lived thousands and thousands of years ago. It has no relevance in today's world. Nothing in the scriptures applies to me.

Mother: ______, you know that's not true. You know that as you read the scriptures, you'll feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost will help you to make the right decisions as you go about each day. That's why the prophet has encourage us to read the scriptures on a daily basis.

Young Man: Why don't you just leave me alone! I'll read the scriptures when and if I feel like it. You can't tell me what to do.

SATAN WALKS IN AND SITS DOWN BY CAMERON ON HIS BED. MOTHER, UPSET AND FRUSTRATED, LEAVES THE ROOM.

Satan: That's right, ______. Those old books were written by people who lived thousands of years ago. They have absolutely no relevance to today's world. They are outdated, old fashioned and they don't apply to you. You're much better off enjoying this life. Be happy. Find things in this world that you enjoy. Like this magazine, for example (Pull pornographic magazine from under the young man's pillow). Didn't you find satisfaction in looking at it the other day?

SATAN REMOVES THE SCRIPTURES FROM THE YOUNG MAN'S LAP AND PLACES THE MAGAZINE IN HIS HANDS. CHRIST BEGINS TO SPEAK AND THE YOUNG MAN LOOKS UP AT HIM.

Christ: ______, you know those things are not true. You have been well-taught by your parents and other teachers that have loved you. You have been taught as Nephi expressed in the Book of Mormon, that you should liken the scriptures unto yourself, that they might be for your own profit and learning. Eternal principles are the same yesterday, today and forever. They do apply to you today. Reflect back on what you read in the the Book of Mormon where Nephi expressed his feelings regarding the scriptures. Nephi said, "For my soul delighteth in the scriptures and my heart pondereth them and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. And my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have learned of the Spirit. (2 Nephi 4:15)  ______, the Book of Mormon and the Holy Scriptures are given of me for your instruction that you may be taught in all things and return to live with Me and My Father, which is in Heaven. (D & C 33:16)

YOUNG MAN TURNS AWAY AND BEGINS TO LOOK AT THE MAGAZINE AGAIN. SATAN GETS UP AND WALKS ACROSS THE ROOM TO GATHER MORE CHAINS.

Christ: ______, please be watchful unto prayer continually, that you may not be lead away by the temptations of the devil. That he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subject at the last day, for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing. (Alma 34:39)

SATAN WRAPS THE YOUNG MAN IN ADDITIONAL CHAINS AS CHRIST FINISHES SPEAKING.

SCENE 5: Young Man and a group of 3 or 4 girls

Moderator: Now we see ______ in a situation which many young people find themselves. A situation where they may be tempted to be unchaste in their relationships with one another.

YOUNG MAN WALKS UP TO A SMALL GROUP OF GIRLS. AFTER VISITING BRIEFLY, HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND ONE OF THEM.

Young Man: Hey, ______, don't we have some catching up to do? I don't think we finished what we started last night. Mind if we continue?

Young Woman: Let's go find a quiet place where we can be alone.

YOUNG MAN AND YOUNG WOMAN LEAVE THE ROOM

Christ (calling after them): ______, ______, I the Lord God delight in the chastity of women and whoredoms are an abomination before me. (Jacob 2:28)  Remember, my son. These things are an abomination in my eyes. Yea, most abominable above all sins, save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost. (Alma 39:5)

Satan: ______, this is what life is all about! Get all the lovin' you can get! Tomorrow's a new day. Go! Enjoy yourself! You're free to make your own choices. Enjoy life. Find joy in the moment!

Christ: Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)  ______, I have admonished you. Choose not eternal death according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom. (2 Nephi 2:29)  ______, look at your heart. Can't you see that even now you are beginning to be bound down in chains, captive to the power of Satan?  ______, even now you are being taken captive by the devil and lead by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by "the chains of hell." (Alma 2:11)

SATAN LAYS ADDITIONAL HEAVY CHAINS UPON THE YOUNG MAN AND BEGINS TO LEAD HIM AWAY. THEY RETURN WITH THE YOUNG MAN HAVING GREASE AND DIRT ON HIS FACE AND ARMS AND WEARING SEVERAL LAYERS OF CHAINS. AS THEY ENTER THE ROOM, CHAINS CLANKING, SATAN SPEAKS:

Satan: There you have it! You are mine!

CHRIST LOOKS UPON THE YOUNG MAN WITH SADNESS. THE YOUNG MAN LOOKS LONGINGLY TOWARD CHRIST. AS SATAN BEGINS LEADING THE YOUNG MAN OUT OF THE ROOM, CHRIST SPEAKS:

Christ: And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord, and thus you see that the devil will not support his children at te last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell. (Alma 30:60)  Young Man: No! No! Let me go!

SATAN STEPS ASIDE AS THE YOUNG MAN FALLS TO THE FLOOR , CRYING OUT, "NO! NO!" HE REMAINS IN A HEAP ON THE FLOOR, IN UTTER MISERY.

Moderator: ______, through his own free agency, has chosen to follow Satan and as a result, has been bound down by his chains. His soul has been cankered and he no longer is worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. He is left to himself to suffer the consequences of his own transgressions. Being left without the support of the Holy Ghost and having turned away from those who love him, ______, begins to reflect upon the things that were taught to him by his parents, priesthood advisors, and Seminary teachers. He remembers the lesson by his Quorum Advisor regarding how sin starts out as a small transgression and builds and builds until the chords laid upon you become so strong that they bind you fast. Cameron begins to wrestle in his spirit and he is racked by the chains of hell that remain draped around him. He knows that his sins have removed him from being able to return to the presence of his God. The words of Enos as he struggled with his testimony as recorded in the Book of Mormon, come to ______'s mind. 

Moderator: "And my soul hungered. And I kneeled down before my maker and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul. And when the night came, I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me saying Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee and thou shall be blessed. And I Enos, knew that my God could not lie, wherefore by guilt was swept away. And I Enos said, Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me, "Because of they faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen."  ______ realizes that the only way to be delivered from the chains which encircle him is to repent of his sins and to have faith in Christ. He remembers being taught that to truly repent of your sins you must confess and forsake them. ______ musters up the strength to meet with his Bishop.

YOUNG MAN STRUGGLES TO HIS FEET AND MAKES HIS WAY TO THE CHAIR NEXT TO WHERE THE BISHOP IS SEATED. THE BISHOP PUTS A SUIT COAT ON IN PLACE OF HIS WHITE TEMPLE COAT FOR THIS SCENE.

Bishop: ______, I'm so glad you have come to see me. We've been so worried about you. (The Bishop continues talking, making the Young Man feel comfortable with his decision to meet with the Bishop). Young Man: Bishop, I've committed many sins. I've gone against the will of my parents. I have been disobedient to the commandments. I'm very unhappy. Is it really true that I can be forgiven through faith in Christ and through repentance? Please tell what I must do so that I may have these chains removed and so that I might be worthy to have the Holy Ghost with me again, directing me in the paths of righteousness.

Bishop: ______, you're right. You can repent through your faith in the Savior. Let me share some scriptures with you that we might see what has brought you to this point in time.

BISHOP READS ALMA 40: 13-14.

Bishop: ______, this is what has happened to you. Through your free agency, you've chosen evil rather than good, and now you've become subject to Satan and are under his control. Let me share another scripture with you found in Alma 12:14-15. We always have our free agency to choose, but we must remember that we will be rewarded according to our own actions.

BISHOP READS ALMA 12:14-15

Bishop: ______, the Savior does have the power to save you if you bring forth fruit meet for repentance and cast away your sins and turn from them. Let's read Helaman 12:22-24. (Bishop reads the scripture out loud)

BISHOP NOW BEARS HIS TESTIMONY TO THE YOUNG MAN ABOUT THE TRUTH OF REPENTANCE AND THE PATH THAT NOW MUST BE TAKEN TO BRING ABOUT FORGIVENESS.

Bishop: ______, I want you to leave with this final thought, and I want you to apply this scripture to yourself. This is from Alma 38:5.  "And now my son, [______], I would that ye should remember that as much as ye shall put your trust in God, even so much that you shall be delivered out of your trials and your troubles and your afflictions and you shall be lifted up to the last day.

THE YOUNG MAN STANDS TO LEAVE, SHAKES HANDS WITH THE BISHOP, AND RETURNS HOME TO REST ON HIS BED, STILL WEARING THE CHAINS. HE KNEELS BESIDE HIS BED AND BEGINS TO PRAY, ASKING HEAVENLY FATHER TO FORGIVE HIM AND TO REMOVE THE CHAINS THAT BIND HIM. AT THE CONCLUSION OF HIS PRAYER, CHRIST ENTERS THE ROOM WITH A BASIN AND TWO CLEAN WHITE CLOTHS. WITHOUT SPEAKING, CHRIST BEGINS TO REMOVE THE CHAINS FROM THE YOUNG MAN, ONE BY ONE. CHRIST TAKES THE WHITE CLOTH AND DIPS IT IN THE BASIN, THEN BEGINS TO WIPE THE DIRT AND GREASE FROM THE YOUNG MAN'S FACE AND ARMS. WHEN HE IS THROUGH, HE EMBRACES THE YOUNG MAN, AND WITH HIS ARM AROUND HIM, THE TWO EXIT THE ROOM.

THE BISHOP THEN RETURNS TO THE ROOM AND BEARS HIS TESTIMONY TO THE YOUTH OF REPENTANCE AND THE HEALING POWER OF THE SAVIOR.

Firesides

Home