I read an interesting article from my friend who lives in Boise. He wrote about discernment and it caused me to reflect:
1. Adam and Eve – two of the greatest spirits to come to earth – were beguiled by Lucifer. Even Eve, with her pure intentions, was beguiled and tricked by “the cunning one” into partaking of the fruit. How the eating of the fruit unfolded and the why is a separate discussion. Throughout the Book of Mormon, and even the temple, there’s an acknowledgement that she was “tricked” or “beguiled” into taking the fruit. Because she took it, Adam did the honorable thing and partook as well.
Would she have partaken of the fruit, with Lucifer offering it to her, had Adam and her been together? What if Lucifer took upon himself the role of the only Begotten in giving of the fruit? Why was he so angry in exclaiming, “Why are you punishing me for doing the same thing that has been done in other worlds?” How did Eve not discern the cunning one?
If two of the greatest people on this earth were beguiled by Lucifer, how critical is it for us to have our guard up on every front?
2. He can appear nigh unto an angel of light. This was so important to Joseph that there is a section of the D&C that is dedicated on how to discern an angelic visitor. If he can present 99 truths and just one subtle lie that is believed, it’s the equivalent of dropping a drop of cyanide in a barrel of clean water. Sometimes it only takes a drop, or in this case, a half-truth. Who are some of those that he will target…the very elect. Just like Adam and Eve.
3. James Strang, Oliver Cowdery, the Whitmer’s, Martin Harris, and many others have something in common…they were with Joseph in the beginning and were close to him. Yet, after the subtle slide, they found themselves as antagonists of the Prophet Joseph – they had become his enemies. Did they even realize the shift that had happened? Why didn’t they discern the darkness? Surely, they thought they were right in calling Joseph a fallen Prophet. They must have considered themselves as the ones who had the light and were right, surely they weren’t in the wrong.
They never discerned the precipitous slope until they had fallen off the cliff and realized years later that they indeed were the ones who were beguiled, not Joseph.
A few verses that are worth considering:
2 Nephi 9:28 – 29
“O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned, they think they are wise and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
2 Nephi 9:9
“…who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men…”
So, what if we pray casually or not at all? What if we pass on the sacrament for a week or two? What if we casually glance at the scriptures now and then? What if we become too busy to attend the temple? What if we feel like we are above the general authorities?
The importance of discernment will only increase as we approach the Second Coming. To have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost can no longer be just a saying or something we talk about. It needs to be a real thing in our life and our guard has to be up constantly – especially against pride – one of the greatest tools of the adversary to break into a person’s life.
