There is probably very little we need to be more concerned about than this topic with all of the disinformation, AI and so much else out there. It is a mess!:
Joseph’s Beginning Of Instructions on Discernment
The morning after the visitations from the angel Moroni (21-22 September 1823), Joseph Smith went to the side of the hill Cumorah to unearth the plates he had seen in his vision. As he later told Oliver Cowdery on the road to Cumorah he became fixed and determined to obtain the plates for wealth and prestige and not for the glory of God. Only after attempting unsuccessfully three times to remove the plates from the stone box in which they were enclosed did he become aware that Moroni was present. The angel indicated that he was permitted by God to be led by this evil spirit so that from that time forth he would always know the difference between a true spirit and an evil spirit. This was only a beginning of his instructions in the gift of discerning spirits (D&C 46:15-16, 23, 27).
George A. Smith, who received his endowment with Parley P. Pratt in December 1843, and who also was a witness to all the dimensions of Joseph's teachings on this subject, later said, "There was no point upon which the Prophet Joseph dwelt more than the discerning of Spirits" ("Minutes of Meetings held in Provo City," 28 November 1869, Church Archives).
The Words of Joseph Smith, pp 20-21
Why didn't you just quote from Oliver Cowdery's Letters which was the original - https://archive.org/details/lettersbyoliverc00oliv/page/20/mode/2up
ReplyDeletePage 32-33 + 40 Here was a struggle indeed; for when he calmly reflected upon his errand, he knew that if God did not give, he could not obtain; and again, with the thought or hope of obtaining, his mind would be carried back to its former reflection of poverty, abuse, - wealth, grandeur, and ease...
page 33: the present race (Indians) were descendants of Abraham
page 34: Joseph walked 2-3 miles from his parents house to the place pointed out. And to use his own words, it seemed as though two invisible powers were influencing or striving to influence his mind... You are acquainted with the mail road from Palmyra, Wayne Co to Canandaigua, Ontario Co, NY and also as you pass from the former to the latter place, before arriving at the little village of Manchester, say from 3-4 or about 4 miles from Palmyra, you pass a large hill on the east side of the road. Why I say large, is, because it is as large perhaps, as any in that country ....
Bottom of page 34 and into 35: By turning the 529th pages of the Book of Mormon, you will read Mormon's account of the last struggle of his people, as they were encamped round this hill Cumorah (It is printed Camorah, which is an error.). In this valley fell the remaining strength and pride of a once powerful people, the Nephites - once so highly favoured of the Lord, but at that time in darkness, doomed to suffer extermination by the hand of their barbarous and uncivilized brethern. From the top of this hill, Mormon, with a few others, after the battle gazed with horror upon the mangled remains of those who, the day before, were filled with anxiety, hope or doubt.
I agree. I see so many good members of the Church, mostly the youth, who are easily suckered into accepting parts if not all of the woke agenda. Creating excuses to satisfy a need to feel be a part of the world, a world we were warned to not be a part. Deceptions are the rule of the day where evil is seen for good and good for evil. What parts have we compromised on? Just a little here or a little over there, not too radical just slight compromises that appear to be of no great concern. Or at least silly if we should oppose such little compromises.
ReplyDeleteYou had a piece from Willard Richards "Willard Richards on Saints and the Whispering of Evil Spirits" was a piece I copied off your site, is pretty interesting. Sorry, I don't have a date on that. Mike Stroud has some pretty good comments to make about the dark side and dealing with it. These things are what most Mormons pay too little attention and may well be giving Satan and his host the upper hand by ignoring it.