Those Who Wish to Deceive

There are so many differing opinions in our world today, so many people who wish to deceive us and pull us down with them. There are many righteous prophets out there like our Prophet and President Thomas S. Monson. Sadly, there are also many false teachers out there, proclaiming lies and deceiving people of their ways. Yet how do we discern between the two and know who these false teachers are?

2 Peter 2:1-19 gives us some characteristics of false teachers:

• bring in damnable heresies
• denying the Lord
• covetous practices
• feigned words
• deceive you
• filthy conversation
• unlawful deeds
• walk after their lusts
• despise government
• presumptuous
• self-willed
• not afraid to speak evil of dignities
• speak evil of things they understand not
• riot
• eyes full of adultery
• cannot cease from sin
• beguiling unstable souls
• curse children
• have forsaken the right way
• love unrighteousness
• selfish
• speak words of vanity
• allure through the lusts of the flesh

Those teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are teaching the truth. And when you have found that truth, do not turn away from it. It is a dangerous task to return to "the pollutions of the world" after having already escaped them through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 2:20). Those who have found and accepted the Gospel only to later reject it find themselves in great condemnation. It is better to have never known it in the first place. D&C 82:3 shares how "he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation". You have found not only a great light, but the light of all: our Savior Jesus Christ. And then to turn away from Him is to condemn yourself so much more because you knew so much more. "For of him unto whom much is given much is required" (D&C 82:3); when we have come to find that greater knowledge of the truth God is going to expect so much more from us because we know what we should be doing. We also must remember that even when we turn from our wrongful ways, we must stay true, because "unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return" (D&C 82:7). We must always remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the one who has redeemed us all from our sins. He is the Light and Life of the World and our ever-protector.