As a seven-year-old boy living in the Arabian Peninsula. I was often told by my parents to always wear shoes.

And I understood why. I knew that shoes would protect my feet against - - the many threats in the desert such as snakes, scorpions and thorns.

One morning after a night's camping in the desert, - - I wanted to go exploring, but I did not want to put on my shoes.

I rationalized that I was only going for a little wander, - - and I would stay close by the camp. I told myself that flip-flops were shoes of a sort. And anyway, what could possibly happen?

As I walked along the cool sand in my flip-flops, - - I felt like a thorn going into the arch of my foot. I looked down and saw not a thorn, but a scorpion. The pain of the sting began to rise from my foot up my leg

I grabbed the top of my leg to try and stop the pain - - from moving further and I cried out for help. My parents came running from the camp. I sulked while my parents loaded me into a car and set off - - across the desert towards the nearest hospital 2 hours away.

The pain in my leg was excruciating, - - and the entire journey, I thought that I was dying.

When I finally reached the hospital, the doctor - - assured us that only small infants and very weak people - - would be harmed by the sting of that type of scorpion. He gave me an anesthetic which numbed my leg and took the pain.

Within 24 hours, I no longer had any effects from the sting. But I had learned a powerful lesson. I knew that when my parents told me to wear shoes, it was not flip-flops.

But that morning, I ignored what I knew was right.

I ignored what my parents had repeatedly taught me. I had been both lazy and a little rebellious. And I paid a price for it.

Disregarding what we know to be right, whether through laziness - - or rebelliousness, always brings undesirable - - spiritually damaging consequences.

We find healing and relief only when we bring ourselves - - to the feet of the great physician, Jesus Christ. We must stop fighting against God and instead give our whole heart - - to Him holding nothing back. Then He can heal us. Then He can cleanse us from the venomous sting of sin.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints