To be not deceived...

This week in class, one of my classmates brought up something very interesting.  She shared something her professor had shared in his instructor notes and she shared it with us at our Pathway meeting. It was something I made notes of in my studies this week, so it was interesting that she should brought it up.

In Alma Chapter 30 of the Book of Mormon, we read about a man named Korihor, an antichrist, who tried to lead many away from the Gospel by spreading half truths and false-teaching. As Moroni was guided and directed to compile the Book of Mormon, I have no doubt that he knew exactly what we would need for our day to help us combat the antichrists we see all around us. Our Institute study guide quotes President Ezra Taft Benson who said: "The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means.  First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and his gospel....

"Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ.....God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time." President Benson said this in 1975, and I feel it has such meaning for us now 40 years later.

As the manual continues "By studying how Korihor sought to destroy the faith of the Nephites, you will better recognize those same destructive arguments in our day.  By studying Alma's response to Korihor, you will be better prepared to defend yourself and others from those who would destroy your faith."

I don't have time to share all the strategies that Korihor tried to use in trying to persuade the Nephites away from the Gospel, but I wanted to share what I gleaned as I finished reading this chapter. The adversary will tempt and try us and he will do all in his power to get us to stumble, but he will NOT be there for us when we fall. He doesn't care what happens to us after we make our mistakes, all he wants is for us to fall. I imagine him laughing when he feels he has been successful. In contrast, The love of our Savior is immeasurable! He has done and will all in His power to help us.  He loves us more than we can imagine!  He will be there for us every time we need Him,every time we stumble with open arms.

I hope that we can always live to be close to the Spirit, to have Him as a guide as we live in these times with so many "Korihors" around us and that we can recognize them for who they are.