I’ve recently had an interesting experience that I think engrained something into my head I thought I already knew. Be careful. Be careful what you hear, be careful what you feel, etc…
In the paradoxical story of Adam and Eve Satan appears to Eve and presents himself essentially as God, and as Christ. HE offers fruit that he should not offer, when it should not be offered. HE proclaims himself the God of this world, and being the emotional person she is, Eve follows. Also, we are told in scripture that the Devil can appear as an angel of light. In section 129 we are even given a non-emotional, empirical, method of detecting if he is an angel or just the devil in disguise. Jesus told us to beware of wolves, in sheeps clothing. They will look the part, act the part and say the part of the sheep, but inwardly they are wolves in deceit. Indeed it has been said that if Satan where to come to you today he would flatter you, look very nice in his very nice clothes with very trim hair and a beautiful smile. He’d say all the right things in the right ways, and win over the crowd. When he spoke truth, you would feel the spirit, and thus could fool all but the very elect who took the holy spirit to be their guide.
The fruit of a man of God however is different. they don’t flatter, they don’t fit in, they are not welcome in the world. By their fruits ye shall know them, not by their appearance. They stand out. Their words divide like a two edged sword.
In this world of appearance, when men are vying ever so strongly for your attention, I’d just offer a short warning to trust not in the arm of flesh. Follow Christ, take the holy spirit as your Guide. when HE speaks, listen, comprehend, what he is saying, the whole message. Beware of wolves in sheeps clothing who feed themselves but talk a very good game. His people, his israel, his Zion are watchmen on the tower. Humbly not setting themselves up, they are set apart from the world and lift their voice in warning.
“follow christ, take the holy spirit as your guide. when he speaks, listen, comprehend, what he is saying, the whole message. beware of wolves in sheeps clothing who feed themselves but talk a very good game.” wELL-SAID. “cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the lord.” The curse is that trusting in man leaves us with a sandy foundation that can be swept away in a moment, leaving us with nothing. My foundation (most of it, that is) was swept away because I trusted in the arm of the flesh. despite the fact that I had the crazy and terrifying experience of having my foundation take from under me, I have still been continually tempted to rely on man. In particular, there is a sick sweetness that accompanies pleasing man (i.e., trusting that man, not God, will validate us), a spirit that is undeniably powerful, but a spirit that never fully satisfies and always leaves us craving for more.
I take great solace the the doctrine of Christ expressed in d&C 10:
67 Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.
68 Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me; therefore he is not of my church.
69 And now, behold, whosoever is of my church, and endureth of my church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
If this statement is true, we can only be members of his church if we have come unto him. Nothing more, nothing less. It is interesting to note the variety of hoops one must jump through to be recognized as a member in good standing of the corporate church.
“67 behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.”
Its so simple. this resonates with me because it is simple, plain and easy to understand. Why do we make things so complicated? why is everyone trying to protect the corporate entity? we have no time left for defending or propping up man-made institutions. it is bondage.
and why are we so obsessed with trying to be a part of the right church? because we are so afraid of making a mistake and getting it wrong, which spirit of fear is not from god. that kind of fear is selfishness, keeps us to ourselves and consumed with our own salvation. our salvation is giving our life for others. it is not found in paralyzing debates about what doctrines are correct and which church we should attend.
isn’t that the true irony? that salvation is not found in the obsession of trying to be saved, but in the love that helps us let go enough to take care of the poor and poor in heart.
I take great solace the the doctrine of Christ expressed in d&C 10:
67 Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.
68 Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me; therefore he is not of my church.
69 And now, behold, whosoever is of my church, and endureth of my church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
If this statement is true, we can only be members of his church if we have come unto him. Nothing more, nothing less. It is interesting to note the variety of hoops one must jump through to be recognized as a member in good standing of the corporate church.