Checkers and Chess

(We have 27 days left in our countdown to the presidential election.  Just a reminder: tonight is the Vice Presidential debate between Republican Paul Ryan and incumbent Democrat Joe Biden.  If you didn't get a chance to listen to the first presidential debate I HIGHLY recommend you do so.  It's like buying pants people--how many times do you find a winner by just picking a pair without trying them on to see if they fit?)

First things first.  I have failed to satisfy Grandma's fix for pics so here are a couple of Colton.  He has been working hard raking leaves this week and asks almost everyday when the snow will come. 

I am not a true aficionado when it comes to chess, but I am fairly well acquainted with its cousin checkers and today I want to share how I think both of these games parallel the opposing perspectives existent about this probationary state of life we are in.

These games resemble one another in that they are played on a board with alternating light and dark squares, pieces positioned in an opposing stance, the object being to conquer or be conquered.  Checkers is perhaps a bit edgier and rough than it’s refined counterpart; albeit strategic, but rather simple and dummied-down.    This is in keeping with Satan’s style to mimic the Father, but he always marginalizes the individual for the collective.  To him we are all the same—a prize to be one, a space to conquer. Black and white, light and dark respectively positioned on the playing field of life. It’s all about getting across the board, capturing as many of your opponents pieces as possible, reducing their numbers, isolating them, blocking them in and controlling the board.

Our Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness more closely resembles chess.  To our Father in Heaven we are a valued member of the team, someone endowed with unique capabilities and position through which we can advance and move forward the work of our King.  We play on the same battleground as Satan and each have a part to play, but only one stands able to check our adversary: Jesus Christ.  We must play our part well, for there is no one to take our place should we fall.   Will we be a pawn to the cause, a noble knight, a daring bishop, a faithful rook?   
There is no neutral ground and can be no withdrawing.  As stated last week in conference, 

“when you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can [go] back.” His counsel was that we must never forsake the Master."
(See Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 324; see also Revelations 3:15-16)

I saw this bumper sticker yesterday.

The fight of good against evil is an eternal struggle, and this war will be waged until Satan is cornered and Christ stands triumphant. Now is the time to stand, to sacrifice of ourselves and use the position and power we have been granted to check the evil that threatens our land and liberties.
Sometimes, I feel like the thing I fight the most is myself.  Trying to overcome the natural [wo]man is a never ending struggle and I think Satan ofttimes keeps us so focused on this battle that we miss the war. It's very much like the following Pixar Short:

 Truly, like the old man in the video, this is a life long fight.  We have to be in it for the long haul, and when we do feel cornered and conquered by our doubts and fears, we must remember that one stands ready to reclaim and redeem all who will stand with Him.  Let's 'check' ourselves and work in the cause of Christ.  Until tomorrow. . .