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Gramps,

I am struggling. I have loved this church for most of my life. I still love it. I am just so confused. We are told the prophets will never lead us astray.  However now our leaders are disavowing things that were taught as doctrine and saying they were theories. It seems as though any time there has been any social pressure there is a manifesto or a a new revelation (polygamy and race/priesthood). I have always loved that I can trust what I have read by prophets and apostles past and present.

Kellye

 

Answer

 

Dear Kellye,

We do live in confusing times.  But you can take comfort in knowing that the basic principles of the gospel have never changed.  They are constant and always will be.  The Plan of Salvation has never changed and that is what needs to be focused on to return to our Father in Heaven.

One of the reasons we have modern-day prophets is so that Father in Heaven can give us current revelation about current situations what Pres. Benson called, “TNT: today’s news today.” New revelations are evidence that God is still watching over and guiding His children.

To answer your question more directly, we need to ask ourselves what does “lead astray” mean?  I like something that Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, ” To be without guile is to be free of deceit, cunning, hypocrisy, and dishonesty in thought or action. To beguile is to deceive or lead astray, as Lucifer beguiled Eve in the Garden of Eden. A person without guile is a person of innocence, honest intent, and pure motives, whose life reflects the simple practice of conforming his daily actions to principles of integrity.”  Without Guile

Prophets are mortals, and as such they are not perfect. But God would never allow them to be deceitful, or dishonest in thought or action.  This is important because we live in a world where it can be difficult to know whom to trust.  The media, political leaders (of all countries), and other sources of information may lie or be deceitful, but you can trust that the prophet will never do that.  He will always give us the word of the Lord in the best way that he can, with no deceit.

There are some questions that just won’t be answered in this life.  Perhaps race and the priesthood is one of them.  How does a mighty oak grow from a small acorn is another.  We don’t trouble ourselves much over not knowing the answer to the second question (for good reason).  My point is not to minimize the first question, but to say that God, who created this earth, may have some answers that will surprise us and heal some wounds when we are able to truly understand.

If you are still having doubts or concerns, Kellye, go to your Father in Heaven and pour out your heart to Him. Don’t be afraid to express your fears, concerns or doubts.  You can’t tell Him anything He doesn’t already know.  He wants to comfort your heart and assure you of His love.

 

Gramps

 

 

 

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