Today I read Doctrine and Covenants section 43. I often times wonder what it must have been like, living as a Saint in those early days of the the church before everything was established. Let alone without all the modern conveniences that we have today. It's really impossible to know what it is like because our minds are jaded by our modern day experiences and we can't really know what it felt like to be one of those Saints when they were confronted with something truly earth shattering.
To us in our day, we know if someone pops up saying they are the new prophet and have received revelation for the church, we know that it's false and not to even listen to them. But to be a Saint in the early days and not know that, what must it have been like to hear something like that when you were so used to hearing about new revelations from the Prophet? I suppose those who are about 50 years old, or perhaps even older, might have a slight taste of what it's like with the Salamander letter scandal that hit, I believe in the early 70's. I remember talking to my Dad about it once and he said it was a hard thing and it shook his faith for a little bit, until he was praying one night and he realized that regardless what those letters said, he had received a witness from God that the Book of Mormon is true and that's all he needed to know.
From what I know of it, some folks were not so lucky and ended up leaving the church over it all. However, like my Dad, we need to be secure in our faith, for the scriptures prophesy that there will come false Messiah's that will deceive even some of the very elect. We need to make sure that we have the lines of revelations, personal revelation, open and we are aware of how to receive an answer from our Heavenly Father to be prepared for such attacks. The things we are always told about such times when Satan will try and scam us, are to remember that the Lord does not work in secret ways. When He returns, the world will know of it. We are not to believe when we hear that He is in the desert or in the cellar or any number of other secret places. If we are living a righteous life, I imagine that if we are told such things, the Holy Ghost will immediately whisper to us that it is false and we should believe it not. So as in all things, we must make sure that we are living a righteous life and that we are spiritually prepared for such attacks.
Our bishop, just yesterday, actually talked to the ward and advised us to not neglect our spirituality when being self reliant and urged us to make sure we are prepared and asked us all to study two articles in the current, February, Ensign and think about how we can apply the principles in our own lives. We are told that if we are prepared, we shall not fear. Well that applies to temporal things and spiritual things alike. As we read our scriptures daily, as we say our prayers, as we attend our meetings and attend the temple, we build upon the rock of our Redeemer and create a more solid foundation for ourselves to make sure we are prepared against all the fiery darts of the adversary and then we need not fear. As Paul told the ancient saints in the book of Philippians, we must work out our own salvation, no one will do it for us. But we can have all the help we desire if we but ask. He is always willing to help us, because our Father in Heaven loves us and is always willing to help us return to Him, if we will only ask. Until tomorrow.
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