Never Take Counsel from Those Who Do Not Believe

"As you think celestial, you will view trials and opposition in a new light. When someone you love attacks truth, think celestial, and don’t question your testimony. The Apostle Paul prophesied that “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”

"There is no end to the adversary’s deceptions. Please be prepared. Never take counsel from those who do not believe. Seek guidance from voices you can trust—from prophets, seers, and revelators and from the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, who “will show unto you all things what ye should do.”  Please do the spiritual work to increase your capacity to receive personal revelation.

"As you think celestial, your faith will increase."

–President Russell M. Nelson, "Think Celestial!",  October 2023 General Conference

Apparently this is another quote from the Lord's current prophet, Russell M. Nelson, that people take issue with.  I really don't see the controversy in anything the Prophet said.  It is sound advice to not take counsel from those who do not believe.  Why would you take counsel from nonbelievers?  They will only lead you astray.  

Case in point – apparently there's a "Latter-day Saint influencer" named Julie Hanks, who is doing just that.  She's leading people astray by contradicting the prophet, President Nelson.

I had never heard of Julie Hanks before Lisa informed me of her.  But apparently a lot of members of the Church follow her on social media.

Here is what the Prophet said in General Conference that she took issue with:

"As you think celestial, you will find yourself avoiding anything that robs you of your agency.  Any addiction- be it gaming, gambling, debt, drugs, alcohol, anger, pornography, sex, or even food—offends God. Why? Because your obsession becomes your god." –President Russell M. Nelson, October 1, 2023

And here's what the false prophet, Julie Hanks, said two days later on social media:

"I believe that Heavenly Parents are too vast and too loving to be offended by our earthly struggles, including addictions and compulsions." -Dr. Julie Hanks, October 3, 2023

That is a direct and complete contradiction of prophetic counsel from our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.

This brings to mind the scripture in Second Nephi:

"… When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish."  –2 Nephi 9:28

Apparently this influencer, Julie Hanks, thinks she is smarter than God because she is learned and apparently has a PhD as a therapist.  But in reality, as the scripture says, her wisdom is foolishness.

Anyone who counsels against and contradicts the counsel and words of living prophets taught in General Conference are false prophets and should be avoided like the plague.

After seeing Julie Hanks contradict prophetic counsel, anyone following her should immediately unfollow and block her on social media.  But how many really did?

These are perilous times in which we live.  There is no time to allow evil influences in our lives.

Follow the prophet.  He will not lead us astray.  False prophets, like Julie Hanks, will lead you astray.

The counsel given by prophets, seers, and revelators in General Conference is doctrine.  It is what the Lord gives us to guide us over the next six months.  The scripture continues:

"But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God."  –2 Nephi 9:29

There are many who will attack truth, including many members of the Church.  As President Nelson said, quoting the Apostle Paul, “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”  We see this happening every day.  That's why it's so important to follow the Lord's true prophet and not hearken to false prophets.  That's why it's so important to listen to and heed the Holy Ghost.  That's why it's so important to be able to receive personal revelation.

Nothing the Prophet says in General Conference should offend.  Quite the contrary.  If you are offended by or "triggered" by prophetic counsel, then you need to take a hard look at your life and see what you need to fix before it's too late.

Never take counsel from those who do not believe.

That's my two cents.