Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:4, 13-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:4, 13-15

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Paul was warning the saint in Corinth that false teachers and apostles would come among them. This warning is just as specific for our day. The one difference is Paul knew there would be a complete apostasy of the church. In our day we know the Church will remain when Jesus Christ returns. Though not everyone remains faithful to the end, some will be deceived and fall away. One thing Paul emphases is that false teachers are teaching another gospel and a different Christ. It tells me absolutely that we must have a true and firm testimony of the gospel so we can tell when someone is teaching incorrect doctrine. Christ warned us of these deceivers in our day.

"But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.

Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;

But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.

Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me."

(Doctrine and Covenants 50: 6-9)

This is such an important question we are to ask when someone teaches us a doctrine that is not known.

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?"

(Doctrine and Covenants 50:13)

Elder Renlund gave an excellent General Conference talk that really helped to clarify things.

"only the prophet receives revelation for the Church. It would be “contrary to the economy of God” for others to receive such revelation, which belongs on the prophet’s runway.

"When we ask for revelation about something for which God has already given clear direction, we open ourselves up to misinterpreting our feelings and hearing what we want to hear."

"The Prophet Joseph Smith warned, “Nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit, when they think they have the Spirit of God.”

"Joseph learned, as the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob taught: “Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For … he counseleth in wisdom.” Jacob cautioned that unfortunate things happen when we ask for things we should not. He foretold that the people in Jerusalem would seek “for things that they could not understand,” look “beyond the mark,” and completely overlook the Savior of the world. They stumbled because they asked for things they would not and could not understand.

(Dale G. Renlund, "A Framework for Personal Revelation", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3248