Helaman 12

This chapter starts out by painting a grim picture of the "natural-man" state of humanity. In the absence of the influence and blessings of our God, our hearts are weak, and our character is in serious question:

1 And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men...
4 O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!
5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!
6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide.

Satan, the father of falseness, and unsteadiness, the father of foolishness and vainness and all manner of iniquity, will teach us all his ways unless we first hearken to the ways of the Lord.

Notwithstanding the grim picture at first, the author follows up with a soothing message of repentance and forgiveness, reminding us that it is within the grasp of all of us to work out our own salvation:

23 Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved.

Helaman 12.