Lisa shared with me a quote by Elder M. Russell Ballard yesterday and I was curious to read the talk that it came from. It was such a good talk that I want to share part of it with you. Even though the talk is nearly 24 years old, the counsel is still as valid now as it was then, if not more so.
I will add my two cents between Elder Ballard's quotes but I highly encourage you to read the entire talk. Just click on the link on the title.
From a talk given by Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles at the October 1999 General Conference entitled, "Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers".
"Jesus cautioned several times that prior to His Second Coming, “many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matt. 24:11)."
…"Today we warn you that there are false prophets and false teachers arising; and if we are not careful, even those who are among the faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will fall victim to their deception."
…"However, I reiterate: there are false prophets and false teachers who have or at least claim to have membership in the Church. There are those who, without authority, claim Church endorsement to their products and practices. Beware of such."
It used to be that church was a sanctuary from the world. It used to be that fellow members of the Church shared the same ideology and felt some camaraderie in sharing the truth. And for the most part, that is still true. But, the closer and closer we get to the Second Coming of our Savior, the more I see false prophets and false teachers inside the Church. False doctrines being taught. Comments opposing doctrine, even opposing Christ's own words in Scripture. Profanities being uttered in church classes. I can certainly see why Elder Ballard warned of false prophets and false teachers among the membership in the Church.
…"President Spencer W. Kimball reminded us that the prophets “constantly cry out against that which is intolerable in the sight of the Lord; against pollution of mind, body, and our surroundings; against vulgarity, stealing, lying, pride, and blasphemy; against fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and all other abuses of the sacred power to create; against murder and all that is like unto it; against all manner of desecration.” He continued: “That such things should be found even among the Saints to some degree is scarcely believable. … Sadly, however, we find that to be shown the way is not necessarily to walk in it” (“The False Gods We Worship,” Ensign, June 1976, 4)."
Even in 1976 President Kimball reminded us that even though members of The Church have been taught truth and have been shown the way, that doesn't mean they necessarily walk in truth. 47 years later President Kimball could not be more right. Just go to church and see how many members speak against doctrine and truth. In the words of President Kimball, it is scarcely believable.
Elder Ballard goes on to list a bunch of things that False prophets and false teachers declare which are not true, then he says the following:
… "Perhaps most damningly, they deny Christ’s Resurrection and Atonement, arguing that no God can save us. They reject the need for a Savior. In short, these detractors attempt to reinterpret the doctrines of the Church to fit their own preconceived views, and in the process deny Christ and His messianic role.
It's so sad to see how many once faithful covenant makers and keepers have now not only turned from the faith they once embraced and cherished, but also even deny Christ. It breaks my heart.
… "False prophets and false teachers are also those who attempt to change the God-given and scripturally based doctrines that protect the sanctity of marriage, the divine nature of the family, and the essential doctrine of personal morality. They advocate a redefinition of morality to justify fornication, adultery, and homosexual relationships. Some openly champion the legalization of so-called same-gender marriages. To justify their rejection of God’s immutable laws that protect the family, these false prophets and false teachers even attack the inspired proclamation on the family issued to the world in 1995 by the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles.
This is exactly what's going on now. Satan is focused on destroying the family. And unfortunately, many members of the Church are echoing the world's call to change God's laws. In doing so, they become the very false prophets and false teachers that they have been warned against many times.
"Regardless of which particular false doctrines they teach, false prophets and false teachers are an inevitable part of the last days. “False prophets,” according to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “always arise to oppose the true prophets” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 365).
"However, in the Lord’s Church there is no such thing as a “loyal opposition.” One is either for the kingdom of God and stands in defense of God’s prophets and apostles, or one stands opposed."
Many people think they can have one foot in Babylon and one foot in Zion. You cannot. You either defend the truth or you oppose it. You either follow God or Satan. You can't do both. If you let Satan deceive you, and you choose to follow him, then you are no longer following God.
… "Let us remember that it is our duty to be faithful to the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It takes faith—real faith, total and unreserved—to accept and strive to live prophetic counsel. Lucifer, the adversary of truth, does not want us to feel or exhibit that kind of faith. He encourages disobedience, planting defiance in the hearts of the unwary. If he is successful, they will turn away from the light into the darkness of the world. Our safety, our peace, lies in working as hard as we can to live as the Father and Son would have us live, in fleeing from false prophets and false teachers, and in being anxiously engaged in good causes."
I love this last quote by Elder Ballard. It is our duty to be faithful, he said. It takes total faith to live prophetic counsel. Our safety and peace come from working hard to live as Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to live.
Beware of false prophets and false teachers who deceive. Stay faithful and stay in tune with the Holy Ghost to be able to discern truth. Spread light and goodness in a dark world.
That's my two cents.
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