Question
Gramps,
in the scriptures there are many verses about those punished for their crimes. Why can’t we punish those (modern days) false prophets? It surely will reduce those setting up their silly churches. Is there an explanation of why we can’t punish them in our days?
Deaf Man
Answer
Hello Deaf man,
In the last days it is prophesied that false Christs will appear and deceive many. In our day and time we actually have two false Christs I know of, one is currently preaching in Florida (or at least was a few years ago), and there is another in Russia. These individuals are both claiming to be the return of our Savior.
Why are they not punished? They are punished, however in our best efforts to understand sometimes we erroneously believe that fame, money, power, or a following means that God is not punishing them.
In our day there are a lot of different forms of government. We have Republic, Socialism, Communism, and Theocracies. There are other forms of government but you get the idea. Within the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, the government would have been defined as a Theocracy, or religious rule. Thus, sometimes we wonder why are false prophets and false Christs not punished like they were in biblical times?
Within our doctrine, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” In our established form of government, our Republic and the Constitution, allow all men/women to be able to exercise their moral agency, and belief without fear of punishment. Other nations have a similar belief system that allow men and women to exercise their freedom to believe or not to believe.
In the Book of Mormon, Nehor was not punished by being given theĀ death penalty because of his false teachings, however he was punished because he used the sword to kill someone else who defended the Book of Mormon saints.
As for me, I am grateful to have been born within a system of government that allows me to form my own opinions, form my own beliefs, and follow the dictates of my own heart. As such, I am able to freely live and believe as I wish without any fear of punishment from my government. Unfortunately, as a result false prophets and false Saviors arise, as prophesied.
In the end, God will deal out his punishment. In this life we need to make sure we are living a life so that we, ourselves, are not deceived.
Sincerely,
Gramps