(Essay on deception by SMSmith, to be posted in installments, from last to first; #7 of 7. © 2002)
Besides the examples, and cautions already mentioned that forewarn and arm us, the Lord has also given express instructions with promises on what we can individually do to avoid deception. The counsel is not new; it has been clearly and repeatedly expressed.
1. Study the scriptures. "And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived," (JS-Matt. 1:37, emphasis added). What better example have we than of the Savior during His temptation? Having treasured the scriptures, He knew them and could quote them, and after three encounters with such unanswerable resistance, Satan fled (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; James 4:7).
2. Develop a pattern of prayer, humility, obedience, gratitude, listening to the Holy Ghost, and seeking earnestly the best gifts.11 "I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations— Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances" (D&C 52:14-15, emphasis added). And "ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils. Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;" (D&C 46:7-8, emphasis added).
3. Look to the prophets. "Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory" (D&C 21:4-6; see also D&C 132:7; 124:84; 43:1-7, emphasis added). [Note: When first writing this, my 3rd point was titled, "Look to the living prophet," but I have come to believe that a vital benchmark to avoid latter-day deception is to test all present matters against the "words and commandments" given to and through the many prophets, ancient and modern; a personal witness of the Holy Ghost being paramount in assessing when a prophet is speaking for God. For greater elaboration on this see three other posts Skimmed Milk, Using Our Heads, and Lesson from an Old Prophet.]
4. Strengthen the family. In introducing "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," President Hinckley said: "With so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, with so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to warn and forewarn. In furtherance of this we of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles now issue a proclamation to the Church and to the world as a declaration and reaffirmation of standards, doctrines, and practices relative to the family which the prophets, seers, and revelators of this church have repeatedly stated throughout its history" ("Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 100). This proclamation now stands as an enduring witness to the world. It testifies of the sacred, eternal nature of the family and sustains the test that President Kimball set forth over twenty years before—a simple question that cuts through all the sophistry of the world: "for the well being of the community; for the very existence of the nation, one of the first questions asked about any proposed change in the culture should be, 'Will it strengthen the family?'" ("The Family Influence," Ensign, July 1973, 15).
5. Attend the Temple. “The need for temples all over the world is great. This is because they are spiritual sanctuaries. Those who attend the temples can find protection against Satan and his desire to destroy them and their families” (James E. Faust, “Opening the Windows of Heaven,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 59). President George Q. Cannon said: “Every foundation stone that is laid for a temple, and every temple completed … lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness” (Logan Temple cornerstone ceremony, 19 Sept. 1877; quoted in Nolan Porter Olsen, Logan Temple: The First 100 Years [1978], 34). “… a pattern against being deceived by Satan or by false spirits is to obey the Lord’s ordinances—that is, not only the ordinances of baptism, confirmation, and temple ordinances, but also, as understood anciently, the other decrees of God, such as rules, regulations, and instructions” (Roy W. Doxey, “Accept Divine Counsel,” New Era, Jan. 1978, 34).
6. Trust in the Lord (Prov. 3:5-8; D&C 6:36). Though "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13); and though "there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt. 24:24, emphasis added); yet "God's wisdom and knowledge and power are greater than all the combined forces of evil. He is able to do His work and His purposes cannot be frustrated. He has not left you and me to make our way alone in these perilous times" (M. Russell Ballard, CES Fireside, Mar. 3, 2002, Church News, March 9, 2002, 5).
We are surrounded by all that is expedient for us (2 Ne. 2:27) to stand prepared at the last day, our vessels filled with oil. Latter-day revelation sets forth the difference between the wise and the foolish. "And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived— … shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation. For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver" (D&C 45:56-59, emphasis added).
Such is the promise to all those who are not deceived.
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11 See Marvin J. Ashton, "A Pattern in All Things," Ensign, Nov. 1990, 20-22.
