“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.”   Doctrine & Covenants 93: 36

 You mentioned “school enrollment” far too casually, Wormwood. Education is the Enemy’s territory. Though we have infiltrated the University with ambition and dishonesty, a sincere seeker of truth can hardly be kept from finding what she seeks.

If you truly cannot thwart her educational endeavors, then at least confuse her motives.

Tell her that she is simply pursuing a degree, top marks, or employment—anything to distract her from true enlightenment. Teach her to believe that her schooling is for herself alone—not for the promotion of mankind or the improvement of society. Cultivate obsession about grades and performance. Tell her she needs to prove something.

Do this and she will fill her day planner with rigid tasks and timelines; no quiet time for guidance from the Enemy.

Do this and she will forget that her classmates are souls to love (disgusting doctrine).

Do this and she will be blind to that awful light which transforms scholarship to worship.

What in the name of satire—? Confused by the devilish tone? Intrigued by the irony? This post is part of a Screwtaping series. Check out the full story (and more Tempts) here.