Take heed that no man deceive you

Mathew 24

24For there shall arise ^afalse ^bChrists, and ^cfalse prophets, and shall shew great ^dsigns and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall ^edeceive the very ^felect.

As Mad-Eye Moody would say: Here's the Rub! How do we sort out the liars?

Of course he was speaking about Death Eaters, but what he said still applies and is even appropriate to refer to those who would lead men astray as Death Eaters. But even worse, I believe, is the last line of verse 24: they shall deceive the very elect.

Just off the top of my head, elect would denote "election" which would then lead to someone being elected or chosen, which would then lead to someone being elected and chosen for a reason, and that reason would be: they were special. They should know better. And elect person should have the ability to decipher what is right and what is wrong. And how do we decipher what is right and what is wrong? The Holy Ghost of course.

John 14

26But the ^aComforter, which is the ^bHoly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my ^cname, he shall ^dteach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Moroni 10

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

So can it be said that those who are elect and later deceived are lacking something? Something very important? The one thing that was promised that would "teach" us "all things"? The Holy Ghost?

But Here's the Rub! How do we know who is inspired by the Holy Ghost and who is not? How can we be sure that we are following the Holy Ghost and when we are not? Isn't the fact that those who are elect and deceived know not that they are deceived? If the elect knew that they were being deceived, would they not know they were being deceived and then correct themselves toward true principles?

In a world with false christs, false prophets, (false doomsday bloggers), and many wondrous signs; how can we be absolutely sure that we are not being led astray? It is a pickle!

Does anyone dare say that we cannot know? I dare not say it. So then where do we draw a line between what is truth, what is false, and what is that gray area where we can believe whatever we want to believe?

Allow me to say that there is no gray area! The gray area is deception. (No, not Inception the movie, I said Deception). I believe under no uncertain terms that there is only truth, and then there are the philosophies of men- mingled with truth. I shall do my darnedest to prove it to you in my next post. Until then, wear out your brain and ask it this question: How have I been deceived?

D&C 45

56And at that day, when I shall come in my ^aglory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten ^bvirgins.

57For they that are wise and have received the ^atruth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their ^bguide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the ^cfire, but shall abide the day.