Screwtape Letter #9

Screwtape explains how to exploit the normal ups and downs of life. Feelings of loneliness, weariness, and numbness are conducive to indulgence in sinful habits, and to applying worldly “perspective” to one’s former religious zeal. Screwtape recommends that Wormwood encourage his “patient” to see his current “trough” not as a temporary downturn but as a return to reality after his conversion. Wormwood need not talk the patient out of his faith entirely, but just persuade him to take a more relaxed approach to it. “A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all—and more amusing,” Screwtape points out. As an alternative, Wormwood can convince the patient that his Christianity was simply a phase that he went through, in an ongoing process of growth, with the trappings of organized religion having become unnecessary in his wiser, more evolved state.

Inverting Screwtape’s devilish advice leads us to truth: the darker valleys of life are temporary, and faithful adherence to absolute eternal truths is the path to true wisdom and happiness.

D&C 122:7

And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

Elder David A. Bednar, “Come and See,” October 2014 General Conference

Absolute truth exists in a world that increasingly disdains and dismisses absolutes. In a future day, “every knee [shall] bow” and “every tongue [shall] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10–11).

Screwtape Letter #8

Wormwood is pleased that his “patient” seems to have lost some of his interest in religion, but Screwtape warns him that “undulation” between faith and doubt is merely a natural phenomenon. The low points may benefit the demons if used properly, but their Adversary also uses the lows to serve His ends: “some of His special favourites have gone through longer and deeper troughs than anyone else.”

Screwtape’s concern is that a soul’s greatest growth often happens at these times, when faith has lost some of its sparkle but commitment and endurance take over.

Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.

Elder Holland paraphrased this passage in a 1989 BYU devotional. In the same talk, he said:

Obedience is the first law of heaven, but in case you haven’t noticed, some of these commandments are not easy, and we frequently may seem to be in for much more than we bargained for. At least if we are truly serious about becoming a saint, I think we will find that is the case.

He also quoted the following passages of scripture:

D&C 24:8

Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.

Revelation 7:13-14

…What are these which are arrayed in white robes? … These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

We must not grow too complacent in the easier times, nor become discouraged by hard times. When Heavenly Father seems to withdraw or allow us to pass through adversity, He may be, as Screwtape puts it, allowing us to “stand upon [our] own legs.” If we are faithful and obedient, especially during those times, we can grow and progress in the ways He would have us do.