A persistent character flaw manifests regularly.

The flaw doesn’t bring any happiness—momentary or long-term. The flaw doesn’t strengthen my relationship with anyone. In fact, because of it, I feel more isolated. The flaw doesn’t cause any positive long-lasting effects. The flaw doesn’t edify my life.

So why do I persist in experiencing the flaw over and over and over again?

This week, I took that flaw to the temple at the forefront of my mind to ask the Lord why the struggle with this issue persists.

Moses’ Creation Account

As the endowment session commenced, I pondered my flaw.  And suddenly, I saw myself in the throes of creation.

[I]n the beginning I created the heaven, and the earth upon which thou standest.

And the earth was without form, and void; and I caused darkness to come up upon the face of the deep; and my Spirit moved upon the face of the water; for I am God.

Matter was unorganized and chaotic. The Creator organized the matter and water. His Spirit moved upon the face of this newly organized creation.

I often feel chaotic and unorganized when I live unintentionally. And when I do face the world that way, this character flaw most often surfaces.

His Spirit has moved across my face. I’ve felt it. I’ve seen the influence in my life. I know He is God.

God Divided the Light from the Darkness

And I, God, said: Let there be light; and there was light.

And I, God, saw the light; and that light was good. And I, God, divided the light from the darkness.

There was light. There was light!! That’s what I was seeking! I needed His light to enter into this flaw that increased personal darkness.

Then God divided the light from the darkness. That’s often sounded so nonchalant to me. But this phrase has always been the standout phrase in the creation story for me. I’ve battled darkness. I’ve basked in light.

This phrase acknowledges both light and darkness. Darkness isn’t obliterated per se, but is acknowledged and divided.

The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines divided as “parted, disunited, distributed.” It defines “divide” as:

1. To part or separate an entire thing; to part a thing into two or more pieces.

2. To cause to be separate; to keep apart by a partition or by an imaginary line or limit. A wall divides two houses. The equator divides the earth into two hemispheres.

This was my answer!

Divide the Light From the Darkness Through the Savior’s Atonement

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I acknowledge my character flaw. I recognize the triggers. I logically know when I’m reacting through its lens. I consider it darkness.

Through the Creator’s help and example, I can divide the light in me from the darkness in me. As the darkness divides and separates from the light, the light will shine persistently. The light in my life will increase. I will spend more time in light and less time in darkness.

This is possible through the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through His Grace, Jesus Christ overcomes my weaknesses as well as redeems me from my sins. Character flaw darknesses become light as He teaches me how to divide them from the innate Light of Christ within.

And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you;

As I learn truth about myself, I choose to chase the darkness away. The Creator gives light to any willing to receive it. “Let there be light; and there was light.”

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My Story of Changing Darkness to Light Flipping the Atonement Switch The Atonement of Jesus Christ Do Mormons Think You Have to Be Perfect to be Saved?