"For it a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
I saw a connection in this chapter I wasn't aware of before. It actually answered a question for me on some false doctrine I've seen floating around, taking verse 7 out of context. It is not God's law to think something into being. If you were to think yourself already popular, successful and rich when you are not, then you are deceived. If you are deceived then God won't be mocked, or answer. Oh, I know people are obtaining things by these occult practices. They are reaping benefits and attracting things to themselves, but they are not being answered by God. To be deceived is against God's law. It always come down to my will or God's will and who will answer. What God wants is an honest heart that is seeking his will.
I am reminded of a part of the Joseph Smith, Jr. history that the Pearl of Great Price doesn't have in full. Here is the part with the warning.
"[Moroni]...added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them.
(Joseph Smith - History 1:46)
What I recalled that is missing is the part of Joseph's thoughts as walked to the hill, and how he was unable to obtain the plates because of them. I was finally able to find part of it in a conference talk by Marion G. Romney.
"The principle of obedience to the laws of the gospel is fundamental. It lies at the base. The Prophet Joseph Smith learned it very early in his ministry. He learned it when he went that first morning, after the visits of Moroni, to the Hill Cumorah. He had gone there under the direction of the angel, who had told him that he should have no thought in mind other than to bring to pass the righteousness of God and the accomplishment of his purposes in the earth (JS—H 1:46) Joseph's family was very poor, and as he walked toward the hill, he thought about the intrinsic value of the things that the angel had told him were buried there. He wondered if the plates, or something else to be found with them, could not be used to relieve the poverty of his parents and their family. When he uncovered the box and saw the gold plates, he reached to take them out and received a shock that set him back. He reached again and received a more severe shock. Then the third time, thinking all he needed was physical strength, he reached with all his might to take the plates and received still another shock which sapped his strength (JS—H 1:53) and he cried out, "Why can I not obtain this book?" And unexpectedly to him, the angel said, "Because you have not kept the commandments of the Lord." And then Joseph received a great manifestation that I have not time here to tell you about, but it kept him reminded all the days of his life that he had to obey in order to receive the promised blessings. The angel told him that he could not get the plates then, and that he would not be able to get them until he was not only willing to obey the laws of God but also was able to do so.
(Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, Oct 1946, pp. 73-78)
As Joseph had been warned and soon found out, these thoughts were a temptation from Satan. When Joseph reached for the plates he received a shock. He could not obtain them with no other objective then to glorify God. Thoughts are very important and Satan will use them to deceive us into all types of things that seem good. For God to bless and answer us it has to be with no other objective in mind then to do his will.
Day 1670
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