BE NOT DECEIVED

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Frank S P King - 8/30/96

The above title is taken from a scripture found only in Joseph Smith’s inspired revision of Matthew 24 which, in describing the events of the last days, states: "37 And whoso treasureth up my word, SHALL NOT BE DECEIVED, ..." P of GP, Joseph Smith-Matthew. This scripture powerfully emphasizes the need to know the scriptures and to also be sensitive as well as responsive to the individual inspiration received, both of which qualify as His "word", so as not to be deceived by false teachings of men.

In recent years a great deal has been said with ever increasing frequency in almost every LDS General Conference about the need to "follow the Brethren" in these days including repeated reassurances by "the Brethren" (that is the leaders of the LDS Church), that "the Prophet (or the Prophet and a majority of the Quorum of the Twelve) will never lead the Latter Day Saints astray."

While, to the best of our knowledge, these assurances are not found in the scriptures, we are repeatedly assured by the Brethren, who for supporting authority endlessly quote each other, that these two principles are rock solid and can be completely relied on. This is the essential equivalent of their saying, "Trust us, we know the Lord and your salvation and safety is safe in our hands."

Our purpose is to examine carefully just what it is that the scriptures and the two greatest leaders of this church, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, have to say on this topic of "trusting the Brethren." The reason for this being of course that the lead off scripture dramatically emphasizes the need to measure all teachings against the scriptures in order to avoid being deceived.

We encourage all to turn to their scriptures and read the entire section in context and consider for yourself whether it applies to our day, etc.

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT ONE OR MORE PROPHETS MAY LEAD PEOPLE ASTRAY?

We turn first to Isaiah chapter 9, which to our understanding is clearly speaking of the latter days, however you judge for yourselves. One of the key indicators that Isaiah is speaking of the latter days is the last phrase in Verse 1 of chapter 9 that refers to "Galilee of the nations" (King James version) or "Galilee of the Gentiles" (New King James Version). Much has been said over the years of the striking similarities between the geography of the Salt lake area and the geography of Israel and Jerusalem, both having a Jordan river which flows from a fresh water lake (Galilee and Utah Lake) into a salt water body (the Dead Sea and the Salt Lake). Isaiah’s language here clearly brings to mind this new world "Galilee" of the many nations of the world, all of whom are to the Jews "Gentiles."

Next, we turn to verses 13 through 16 of Isaiah 9:

Next we turn to Chapter 28 of 2^nd Nephi in The Book of Mormon. The entire Chapter 28 is an astonishingly detailed, even a scathing rebuke of the Lord’s church and people in the Latter Days. In fact, the list of grievous wrongs cited there is also found essentially repeated in the 8^th Chapter of Mormon, particularly in the last half of that chapter. This list of the sins of the church in the latter days will not be examined in this paper. Rather, our focus here is simply on the proposition of whether or not the scriptures confirm whether or not the "Brethren" and especially the "Prophet" can be trusted to never lead the people astray. On this point we find the following:

President Ezra Taft Benson in the very beginning of his first conference address specifically said "All is NOT well in Zion." "Cleansing The Inner Vessel", Ensign, May, 1986, p. 4. He went on to say that the Church and its members were under condemnation. He repeated, this in at least five more of his General Conference addresses of the Church, including every one of his first five Conference addresses to the Saints. Each time he told the Church and its members they were under condemnation he cited D&C 84:49-59. Ensign, May 1986 - "Cleansing The Inner Vessel" pg. 5; "A Sacred Responsibility", pg. 78; & "The Power Of The Word", pg. 82; Ensign, November 1986 "The Book Of Mormon - Keystone of Our Religion" at pg. 4; "The Gift Of Modern Revelation", at pg. 80; and finally, "Flooding The Earth With the Book Of Mormon", Ensign, Nov. 1988, p. 5.

At his first news conference as President and Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley announced to the world, that the theme of his administration will be "Stay the course", which seems to us to be just another way of saying "All is well in Zion." He has subsequently repeated and restated this message several times and in several ways. If President Hinckley is to be believed, pray tell, what has changed in the few years since President Benson’s message, that neither the Church or its members are still under condemnation?

Isaiah in Chapter 28 has more to say about the Lord’s church in the Latter days. Although Isaiah’s language is not the easiest to comprehend, there are some keys that help. Phrases such as "in that day" mean the latter days. When he is referring to the latter days and when he speaks of "Jerusalem" he is referring to the headquarters of the Lord’s church in the latter days or Salt Lake City. That the following verses refer to Salt Lake and surrounding area in these latter days is also unmistakable. Note the references to "fat valleys" and the overwhelming "pride" of "Ephraim". All in all, the following verses to our mind clearly describe the state of affairs that currently exists.

Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

2 Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

4 And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

5 In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,

6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (Could "milk" possibly be referring to the endless repetition of the basics that we get over and over in our manuals and Conferences?)

...

14 Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.

15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come upon us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves;

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, and precious corner stone, sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.

17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

19 For the time that it goeth forth it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night; and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

Note the multitude of references to the people of "Ephraim" who are so filled with pride that Isaiah repeatedly refers to them as "drunken", which pride leads them to "err in vision" and "stumble in judgment." Does anyone remember Pres. Benson’s profound message on pride as being THE sin of the latter day saint people? "Beware of Pride", Pres. Benson, Ensign, May 1989, pp. 4-7. It is probably not a coincidence that this was the last message we ever heard from him.

Now we turn to consideration of the "covenant with death" spoken of by Isaiah. A woman known as "Gail" has appeared on several radio talk shows in Salt Lake and surrounding areas in recent months for the purpose of talking about a number of future events she has been shown. As a result of these appearances she has received literally hundreds of calls from listeners who have also been shown the same things that she talks about. Sadly, Gail speaks of some profoundly tragic events involving the leadership of the LDS Church that she and others have been shown. She was shown that the governing power(s) would threaten to exterminate the entire church if the leaders did not cooperate. The Leaders agree to cooperate with the corrupt government rather than turn to and trust in the Lord. The deal was that the Church leaders would tell the LDS people to bring their food storage into central church controlled locations which would be then be shared among all the members. However, instead the Church turns everything over to the government. Then the government, (probably U.N. controlled) would require that people receive an implanted computer chip in their right hand or forehead before they could draw anything out of the storehouse(s). This would be the beginning of the "Mark of the Beast" in the world. She also saw that many of those who refused to take this chip would be beheaded. Revelations speaks of people being beheaded and also says that those who do take the "Mark of the Beast" will lose their salvation and exaltation.) It is definitely much better to be beheaded than lose everything by accepting this mark. [For further information on the "mark of the Beast" see the following verses in Revelations: Rev. 13:15-18; 14:9-11; 16:2; 19:20 & 20:4]

She was also shown that the government would not keep its part of the deal with the Church leaders and after getting the food storage would proceed to do its very best to exterminate the church and its members.

For our next "witness" we turn to Chapter 34 of Ezekiel which is a scathing denouncement of the "Shepherds of Israel, ... that do feed themselves and not the sheep". This chapter also has several references to what many call "the Davidic Servant" that would set things aright again in the church. (Verses 23-24) The entire chapter is too lengthy to quote here but should be carefully and prayerfully considered in its entirety.

Another essential witness is the 8^th Chapter of Mormon in the Book of Mormon. Again it is too lengthy to quote here so we urge each reader to thoughtfully read all of Mormon 8 and consider the message in light of the current state of things in the church and kingdom.

The final scripture is found in D&C 107:81-84:

If the teaching espoused by the Brethren that the Prophet will never lead the Church astray is correct, pray tell, why then has the Lord established a procedure for impeaching the Prophet?

We shall now turn to the first two prophets of the latter days to see what they have to say on this subject. First, Joseph Smith:

We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark that they would do anything they were told to do by those who preside over them [even] if they knew it was wrong; but such obedience as this is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself, should not claim a rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God would despise the idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were to do by their presidents they should do it without any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their hearts to do wrong themselves. Joseph Smith in the "Millennial Star, Vol 14, Number 38, pages 593-595.

I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken the influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. Discourses of Brigham Young, compiled by John A Widtsoe, pg. 136

The First Presidency have a right of great influence over this people; and if we should get out of the way and lead this people to destruction, what a pity it would be! How can you know whether we lead you correctly or not? Can you know by any other power than that of the Holy Ghost? I have uniformly exhorted the people to obtain this living witness, each for themselves; then no man on earth can lead them astray. Discourses of Brigham Young, pg. 137

The Lord has repeatedly counseled the people not to rely on the arm of flesh.

2 Nephi 28:31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord god of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them for day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.

D & C 1:19-20 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh--

20 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;

It is also worth considering the following from D&C 45:56-57:

56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.

57 For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived--verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.

A final unsettling piece of prophetic information is Joseph Smith’s last dream which he had the night before his murder in Carthage. The account is found on pages 393-394 of "The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith" compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith. In the dream, Joseph saw himself returning to a beautiful farm he had owned in Kirtland, Ohio. The fields were weed filled, fences down, and the barn was badly deteriorated with its doors, windows and floor gone. While he was standing in the delapidated barn a group of men approached, some with knives and threatened him saying the property was theirs now and they would not give it back. Joseph said something to the effect that while he still legally owned it, never having sold it to anyone he did not want it back. Then a second group of men also carrying knives, etc., entered and began arguing with the first group over the property. Joseph just walked away while they argued among themselves and the vision ended. Since Joseph never owned a farm at Kirtland the farm seems to be symbolic of something else, most likely the Church.

CONCLUSION: According to the "Law of Witnesses" "... in the mouths of two or three witnesses shall all things be established." Ether 5:4; D&C 6:28 & 128:3. On the questions of (1) Whether or not the prophet will ever lead the people astray? and (2) Whether or not the members can safely follow the Brethren? we have examined the following witnesses:

Jesus Christ - from the Doctrine & Covenants - Sections 84:49-59; 1:19-20; 45:56-57 & 107:81-84

Nephi - 2^nd Nephi Chapter 28

Mormon - Mormon Chapter 8

Isaiah - Chapters 9 & 28

Ezekiel - Chapter 34

Joseph Smith - his last dream and his statement in the Millenial Star

Brigham Young - two statements from the Discourses of Brigham Young

Now, dear readers, if you can still believe that you can trust in any living man or group of men for your safety and salvation, then you certainly understand the message of these witnesses far differently than we do. The scriptures, prophetic visions and teachings we have quoted seem to us to express the true principals upon which the faithful must rely in these latter days far better than we can. If their words do not convince you, then there is certainly nothing we can add to strengthen the case they have so eloquently made.

Remember that the Savior has repeatedly taught that "my sheep know my voice." Whose sheep are you?

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