It is often the work of the adversary to tempt us into that realm of self justification. He is relentlessly trying to make us feel better without being better because its through these justifications that we become less and less able to take the Lord's counsel. Without the Lord, there is darkness. In the darkness the self justifcation is complete for there is nothing to expose the evil deeds and errors. In the dark and without hope is in the power of Satan.
Darkness is at the command of light. Where there is light, darkness cannot overtake it but by the will of the light stopping, it gives way for darkness to take over.
As Elder Uchtdorf said in the last General Conference "it appears that those who receive the Savior’s strongest reproach are often those who hold themselves in high esteem because of their wealth, influence, or perceived righteousness."
It was Abinadi the prophet who came as an exposing light to the errors of King Noah and his false priests. They're self justification came through the idea that they were prosperous and thus righteous. But, soon after Abinadi delivered his powerful message, King Noah and his false priests fell into destruction and were hunted like animals in the wilderness.
The Lord will warn the darkness to disperse or it will be forced to. Amos 3:7 "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets". He warns us through prophets to prepare the way of the Lord and if they people don't repent then they will be destroyed. As the scriptures say in 3 Nephi 20:20 a sword of justice hangs over us if we do not repent.
It doesn't please the Lord to lose us. Thats why He calls us to repent. To forsake our deeds and come into the light. When we justify ourselves we are calling God a liar because we are proposing that what is evil is okay and what is good doesn't matter. What audacity to say to He that created the Heavens and the Earth that we know better than He does. Depending on what we love, we will serve, and it is through prophets of God that we know Him and light.
As it says in Doctrine and Covenants-
For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.
And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.
Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh;
And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth.
And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;
For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.
Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;
By calling a prophet and giving commandments, the Lord is revealing His mercy. He is giving light again to our darkness, showing us how we should be to please the Lord. After hearing the voice of the Lord calling you, you are then in the position to accept and reject His light. If you reject the light then you will face the consequences of that sword of justice, for you have rejected mercy.
The Lord is light and is the path of safety and happiness.
