Someone made the comment recently that what we're seeing with LDS intellectuals is right out of Matthew 7:15 (3 Nephi 14:15).
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
At first, it sounded harsh. But on further reflection, I have to agree.
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What is a false prophet if not someone who claims to speak for God but has not been called to do so? We've seen how these LDS intellectuals believe they have been hired by the prophets to guide the Church, as expressed in the 14th Article of Faith.
These intellectuals teach their students and readers that the prophets are wrong about the New York Cumorah, that Joseph never used the plates, etc.
What about the sheep's clothing?
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Genesis 3:21 reads "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
What skins were the coats made of?
Traditionally, these are understood to be sheep skins.
The apocryphal First Book of Adam and Eve explains how Satan "wished to take from you this earthly garment of sheep-skins, and to destroy it, and not let you be covered with it." LI:8.
Commentators observe that the sheepskin made for Adam and Eve symbolizes the protection of the Lamb of God. Isaiah 61:10 explains "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness."
Lots more could be written on this topic, but we all understand this symbolism and the significance of the garment made for Adam and Eve.
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If there's any doubt about this, look at how President Ezra Taft Benson explained it with a quotation from President J. Reuben Clark.
We need the constant guidance of that Spirit. We live in an age of deceit. “O my people,” said Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, “they who lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths.” (2 Ne. 13:12.) Even within the Church we have been warned that “the ravening wolves are amongst us, from our own membership, and they, more than any others, are clothed in sheep’s clothing, because they wear the habiliments of the priesthood.” (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., CR, April 1949, p. 163.)
The Lord holds us accountable if we are not wise and are deceived. “For they that are wise,” he said, “and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C 45:57.)
_____
Don't be deceived by the intellectuals who tell you the prophets are wrong, that they were merely expressing their opinions and that their opinions were wrong because the intellectuals know better.
People can believe whatever they want, of course.
For me, this is an easy choice. I choose to believe the actual prophets, not the intellectuals who want us to disbelieve the prophets.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
At first, it sounded harsh. But on further reflection, I have to agree.
_____
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| BYU Fantasy map that teaches students the prophets are wrong about the New York Cumorah |
These intellectuals teach their students and readers that the prophets are wrong about the New York Cumorah, that Joseph never used the plates, etc.
What about the sheep's clothing?
_____
Genesis 3:21 reads "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
What skins were the coats made of?
Traditionally, these are understood to be sheep skins.
The apocryphal First Book of Adam and Eve explains how Satan "wished to take from you this earthly garment of sheep-skins, and to destroy it, and not let you be covered with it." LI:8.
Commentators observe that the sheepskin made for Adam and Eve symbolizes the protection of the Lamb of God. Isaiah 61:10 explains "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness."
Lots more could be written on this topic, but we all understand this symbolism and the significance of the garment made for Adam and Eve.
_____
If there's any doubt about this, look at how President Ezra Taft Benson explained it with a quotation from President J. Reuben Clark.
We need the constant guidance of that Spirit. We live in an age of deceit. “O my people,” said Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, “they who lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths.” (2 Ne. 13:12.) Even within the Church we have been warned that “the ravening wolves are amongst us, from our own membership, and they, more than any others, are clothed in sheep’s clothing, because they wear the habiliments of the priesthood.” (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., CR, April 1949, p. 163.)
The Lord holds us accountable if we are not wise and are deceived. “For they that are wise,” he said, “and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C 45:57.)
_____
Don't be deceived by the intellectuals who tell you the prophets are wrong, that they were merely expressing their opinions and that their opinions were wrong because the intellectuals know better.
People can believe whatever they want, of course.
For me, this is an easy choice. I choose to believe the actual prophets, not the intellectuals who want us to disbelieve the prophets.
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