The Lion King, I think, is one of the best movies I've ever seen. But one thing I haven't realized until recently is how much it can teach us about the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ.
I've previously spoken of the conniving Scar's plot to rise to greatness. His plan works out pretty well, he conquers the pride and rules with an iron fist. But he didn't plan well for the long-term well-being of himself and his hordes of hyenas. In the years of Scar's dreadful reign things deteriorate rather quickly. The Lionesses, who traditionally do the bulk of the hunting, refuse to supply the food for the pride. Suddenly, all involved are left hungry and desolate. Even the hyenas realize that all the promises Scar made are not coming to pass. The mighty kingdom that Scar wanted to establish was never going to be fully realized.
This reminds me of another liar. Someone who promises us wealth, success, and pleasure if we break the commandments of God and follow him. The power of the devil is real and he can tempt us in many different ways. One of the most powerful ways is the same way Scar convinced many African animals to follow his plan. Satan convinces us that we'll be happier when we're not constricted by so many rules. We start to see sin as an exercise of our freedom. Sooner or later, though, we realize just what the lions and hyenas found out: "wickedness never was happiness". We may find temporary satisfaction or excitement in what we do, but it's never a good idea to break the commandments of God. Like Scar and his hyenas we'll be left lonely and spiritually hungry.
I know that God gives us commandments for a reason. I know from experience that God blesses the obedience of His children. Disobedience alienates us from God and from the feelings of the Holy Spirit. I also know that Jesus Christ, The Son of God, has prepared a way for us to receive the ultimate blessing of that obedience: Eternal Life. We need to follow the commandments and do our part to get to that point.
http://mormon.org/missionaries/
This reminds me of another liar. Someone who promises us wealth, success, and pleasure if we break the commandments of God and follow him. The power of the devil is real and he can tempt us in many different ways. One of the most powerful ways is the same way Scar convinced many African animals to follow his plan. Satan convinces us that we'll be happier when we're not constricted by so many rules. We start to see sin as an exercise of our freedom. Sooner or later, though, we realize just what the lions and hyenas found out: "wickedness never was happiness". We may find temporary satisfaction or excitement in what we do, but it's never a good idea to break the commandments of God. Like Scar and his hyenas we'll be left lonely and spiritually hungry.
http://mormon.org/missionaries/
