Today's Favorite Verse: John 6:15

Today's Favorite Verse: John 6:15

"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."

I pondered on how not only the scribes and Pharisees had plans for Jesus, it was also the Jews that followed him. They planned to take him by force and make him king. They didn't understand the true role of the Messiah. They expected Him to remove the yoke the Romans had over them. They wanted to be physically rescued not spiritually. This made me ponder on how we can also run the risk of trying to create our own Jesus, and the role we want him to play. That's part of the warning of false Christs. They can be of our own making. That is being deceived by false teachers and false doctrine.

"Therefore, let us beware of false prophets and false teachers, both men and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the doctrines of the Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract followers by sponsoring symposia, books, and journals whose contents challenge fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those who speak and publish in opposition to God’s true prophets and who actively proselyte others with reckless disregard for the eternal well-being of those whom they seduce. Like Nehor and Korihor in the Book of Mormon, they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their views. They “set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion” (2 Ne. 26:29)."

(M. Russell Ballard, "Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers", Oct 1999 General Conference)

Day 3162