Question
Gramps,
Where does it say Christ will not deceive us? He will not come as an angel of darkness?
Steve
Answer
Steve,
I’m not sure what you mean by this. If you’re just asking about if the Lord would ever lie to us, the answer is simple. He wouldn’t because He is a God of Truth.
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
(Num 23:19)
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began (Titus 1:2)
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us
(Heb 6:18)
And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. (Enos 1:6)
And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie. (Ether 3:12)
So, He wouldn’t do anything to misrepresent Himself. He may not always tell us everything. But what He does tell us is the truth. He would not deceive us. Showing up as an angel of darkness isn’t His thing.
If you’re asking if there is any way to know if He really is a Good God, and not an evil one, ask yourself, what makes a God a good god?
FIRST: You have to define what the fundamental quality of good is. For us it is liberty.
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. (2 Ne 2:27)
This is fundamental. That means there is nothing behind it that makes it true. You just need to determine for yourself that the greatest amount of liberty is what you would desire. Then determine if that is what the Lord wants for us. To do that, you just need to search, ponder, pray, and observe. See if the principles of the gospel are leading you to a life of greater liberty throughout all eternity, or a life of captivity.
As I search the gospel principles, it teaches us that being in control of ourselves is the greatest form of liberty. Not being controlled by outside forces. We decide what is best for us, not because we just feel an urge. But because we see results from our decisions. Liberty differs from freedom in that we understand the consequences of our decisions. And we think ahead to those results before making a decision. This is what the Lord meant when he said
And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. (2 Ne 2:26)
The Lord teaches us that personal responsibility is the key to gaining more and more liberty in eternity. Does this not ring true to you? Do you not feel the Holy Ghost testify of this to you? Where do you feel more peace? When you’re following the whims and urges of the devil? Or when you listen to the still small voice whispering to you to do what is right?
I pray that you may know that God is a god of truth. I pray that you may know the strength and liberation that comes from responsibility.
Gramps
