“Reading Church History”, Ninth Annual Church Educational System Religious Educators’ Symposium, BYU; “Satan can even use truth to promote his purposes. Facts, severed from their context, can convey an erroneous impression.” – Dallin Oaks
Matthew 7:15; “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
There is nothing quite as scary as the scenario of being tricked.
Years ago my youngest daughter took our Rottweiler out for a walk in our neighborhood. We live in a housing tract, but the homes butt up against a wooded area thick with brush and trees. Along with that environmental status comes a fair share of wild animals and thus was the case when Axi took the dog out for a walk.
About a half mile from home they were walking along and Axi noticed what she thought was another dog coming towards them. Our beloved Rotti knew better and immediately pushed Axi around and started walking fast. The dog stopped every 50 ft or so and took a look behind them, but every time Axi tried to get her to stop she refused.
About a block from the house Axi finally got a good look at the dog she thought was following them and what do you know – it was a coyote. Yikes! As Axi started picking up speed the coyote did as well and our dog did as she was supposed to do and placed herself between Axi and the coyote.
Thankfully they both made it home safely, but it was something none of us will soon forget! Now the dog may have been able to hold her own since she tips the scales at 100#, but Axi; probably not.
And so it is with statements like the one by Dallin Oaks. Here we have the wolf warning the flock of false teachers. It’s pretty self explanatory and so obvious it’d be funny if it the end results weren’t so tragic.
Axi should have been wearing her glasses so she could see things in context and as Christians we need to remember to keep our spiritual eyes open to dangers we come face to face with. Taking things out of context and being complacent with our surroundings where we live or even in a so-called Christian environment isn’t healthy.
What could possibly be misunderstood about Church History when they still have their mandates cemented in place in their own canon? See D&C 132 about the polygamy issue & Abraham 3: 24-27 telling us that Jesus & Lucifer are brothers or Moses 7:22 declaring black people are cursed…
What’s so devastating about Mr. Oaks’ statement are the people who believe him. My mother would buy into that lie hook, line and sinker. She can be easily manipulated by those she’s allowed to be in authority over her and has refused to look at things clearly.
Pray for the Mormon people today!! Let us be like James whose nickname was camel knees!
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