2023 September 21, Come Follow me and Book of Mormon reading

Come Follow Me 

This is a very important lesson or theme for today's study. It's about how Satan succeeds in tricking and intifada us into behaving poorly. 

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

"Brigham Young said that it is important to “study … evil, and its consequences” (Discourses of Brigham Young, comp. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1941, pp. 256–57). Since Satan is the author of all evil in the world, it would therefore be essential to realize that he is the influence behind the opposition to the work of God. Alma stated the issue succinctly: “For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil” (Alma 5:40).

Who has not heard and felt the enticings of the devil? His voice often sounds so reasonable and his message so easy to justify. It is an enticing, intriguing voice with dulcet tones. It is neither hard nor discordant. No one would listen to Satan’s voice if it sounded harsh or mean. If the devil’s voice were unpleasant, it would not entice people to listen to it…

As the great deceiver, Lucifer has marvelous powers of deception."

Elder James E. Faust Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle, October 1987 (36 years ago) 

I was a policeman for my whole professional life. Thirtyfour years with LAPD and five years before that. I have witnessed the results of Satan's handiwork first hand and I have often thought, as I have listened to Sunday school, Priesthood and other lessons, that we don't give enough credit to this topic... Satan and his powers and influence. I think I can understand the reluctance, or even fear, of some to get too close to the topic of Satan but I believe it is a mistake to avoid it as much as we seem to do.

It's interesting that in my Book of Mormon reading for today is found the story of a man named Korihor who boldly preached that there is no God. He was finally brought before Alma where he continued to insist that there was no God and also demanded that he would continue so to preach unless Alma showed him a sign. When Korihor was struck dumb as a sign, he wrote the following because he could no longer speak :

Alma 30:53 But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me.

Book of Mormon reading 

Alma Chapter 29, Alma desires to cry repentance with angelic zeal—The Lord grants teachers for all nations—Alma glories in the Lord’s work and in the success of Ammon and his brethren. About 76 B.C.

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! 2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

Chapter 30, Korihor, the anti-Christ, ridicules Christ, the Atonement, and the spirit of prophecy—He teaches that there is no God, no fall of man, no penalty for sin, and no Christ—Alma testifies that Christ will come and that all things denote there is a God—Korihor demands a sign and is struck dumb—The devil had appeared to Korihor as an angel and taught him what to say—Korihor is trodden down and dies. About 76–74 B.C.