Avoiding Apostasy & Deception

Joachim was a mere 17 years old. He lived in Jerusalem. His father, Jarusha, was a strict Pharisee, and sat on the local Yad Yeshem of the local synagogue, a leader of the local congregation of Jews. Jarusha was particularly schooled in the Testament, and had studied a particular subject which had drawn him all of his life - the Messiah. Joachim was an excellent student of the Testament, too, having studied under Gamaliel, the famed teacher of the Scriptures, which put him in good stead to succeed his father, one day, as a particularly gifted student and teacher of the Torah.

Conviction or Conversion?

Paul, in his address to King Agrippa, preached Christ and taught the Gospel. In response Agrippa replied coldly, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Agrippa was convinced, but he was not converted. Why? Because of the hardness of his heart. He would not allow his spirit to respond to Paul’s message. …

Joseph Smith also had a message. He revealed to the world the fullness of the everlasting Gospel, never to be taken away, or changed. Yet we find within the Lord’s church those who would appear as Agrippa. If asked to respond to the original writings of the Prophet they too would have to reply, “Almost thou persuadest me to be converted.” It is not enough to be convinced of his divine mission; to know intellectually will not bring about the response of the spirit necessary to receive further light and knowledge. Someone once said that, “Knowledge without use is like a glass eye; all for show.” Knowledge once implemented becomes power. However, the motive of the man must be right, if the man is to exalted. Hell, as they say, ‘is paved with good intentions’. Might we say this also, ‘Hell is filled with inmates who have become sheer intellects. Inmates who know the truth but do not use it?”