“MAKA FEKE”

The maka feke is a Tongan legend about a rat traveling whom was met by a storm and his canoe began to sink. Afraid, he saw an octopus and asked the octopus if he could hitch a ride and in return he promised payment. The octopus allowed him to sit on his head and took him to land. When the octopus was near shore, the rat jumped off, ran onto dry land and refused to pay the debt. Knowing the octopus’ need for revenge, the Tongans fashion the maka feke; the shell resembles the rats body, the rope its’ tale, and palm tree leaves are used for the legs. When an octopus sees this he will cling on tightly and never let go. In contrast, the adversary in like manner uses the things that we most desire; then we cling on them so tightly that we lose the reality of our true worth and purpose. President Thomas S. Monson taught: “Satan has fashioned so called “Maka Fekes” with which to ensnare unsuspecting persons and take possession of their destinies. Once grasped, such “Maka Fekes” are ever so difficult and sometimes nearly impossible to relinquish.”

 Remember, Lucifer is relentless; he will not rest until we have surrendered our agency and lives to his deceptive and perfectly crafted lures or Maka Fekes. Tempting us to grab a hold tightly is only the beginning; his ultimate goal is to destroy every living soul. We may stay strong, then peek, then pause to investigate, then participate a little until finally our agency and lives have been surrendered to the Maka Feke of pornography, immorality, drugs, pride, hate, revenge, jealousy, envy, apostasy and the likes. Alexander Pope wrote: “Vice is a monster of so frightful mien. As to be hated needs but to be seen, yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace.” When we grab so tightly to something that is carnal, sensual and worldly in nature, we immediately relinquish our grip from personal agency, move further away from God and lose the ability to see beyond our carnal desires, wants and cravings; just like the octopus that grabs tightly onto the Make Feke, we also may lose everything if we don’t let go.

 

In the American Rocky Mountains, autumn is a time that the trouts are driven by an almost insatiable hunger to feast in order to fortify their bodies against the scarcity of winter food. The fly fisherman knows this behaviour of the trout, studies the weather, water currents and the insects that the trout eats. He handcrafts artificial insects embedded with tiny hooks that are a perfect lure and deception. The trout will reject the slightest flaw. What a thrill it is to see a trout break the surface of the water, inhale the fly, resist until it is finally reeled in. Elder Ballard added: “The use of artificial lures to fool and catch a fish is an example of the way Lucifer often tempts, deceives, and tries to ensnare us. Like the fly fisherman who knows that trout are driven by hunger, Lucifer knows our hunger, or weakness, and tempts us with counterfeit lures which, if taken, can cause us to be yanked from the stream of life into his unmerciful influence. Lucifer will not…let go. His goal is to make his victims as miserable as he is.”  

Nephi warned: “And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind. For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.” Paul wrote: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” How do we resist and overcome such spiritual power? They are unseen, invisible and often times very subtle. Nephi gives us the simple answer: “Put on the armour of righteousness. Shake off the chain or Maka fekes with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.” And David O. Mackay taught: “Latter Day Saints have the responsibility of thinking pure thoughts, of cherishing high ideals. As long as they do, their actions will be in accordance with those ideals…”And Moroni finishes it off nicely…“Come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing. And awake, and arise from the dust…and put on thy beautiful garments.” The artificial lures and Maka Fekes of this world, we must not touch nor even entertain, we must separate ourselves from them or as President Hinckley taught: “Push back the World!” then and only then are we empowered by the Spirit of God and his constant protection and companionship.

Love, love, love,

Fale Mahe

Scriptural References: Proverbs 12:5; 15:26, 23:7, Matt 15: 8-18, 23:23-34, Mark 7:18-23, 8:36, Luke 9:47-50, James1:12-27, Galatians 6:7, Jacob 3:1-2, Mosiah 4:30, 5:13, Alma 12:14, 3 Nephi 14: 15-27, Moroni 10:30-33, D&C 6:16, 36, 121 45, President David O Mackay Instructor, Mar. 1965, 86, President Thomas S. Monson “True to the Faith” April 2006, Alexander Pope “An Essay on Man”