"Be Not Deceived, but Continue in Steadfastness"

Readings:  Doctrine and Covenants 26; 28; 43:1–7; 50; 52:14–19;

The reading for this week are based upon answers that were received in response to issues the Prophet Joseph Smith was experiencing with people who got offended and left the church or caused problems for the church in their wake.  The purpose in the Sunday School manual is stated as thus: "To help class members understand how they can avoid deception and apostasy."  Yo would think that becoming offended over trivial things would not be an issue for a true believer of Christ.  But it is.  Because we are human and we experience ever-changing mixture in perspectives, emotions, situations, families, friends, colleagues, injustices, unfairness, weakness, sickness, successes and so on.  Those who are the very strongest in following the Savior will be able to get over offense or avoid offense, but that does not mean they can avoid their strength being tested.

There are three instance mentioned in the Sunday School lesson: 1) One man claimed to have a stone that helped him receive revelations about the church, but were actually against the word of God received by the called prophet. 2) Another was a disagreement over milk and cream that was brought before the prophet Joseph for settlement of the matter.  The woman that was decided against left the church along with her husband, who then became an enemy of the church. 3) A man received a letter from the prophet Joseph informing him that he was called by God to preach the gospel to others, but the man's name was misspelled in the letter and he felt that if a prophet of God misspelled his name, perhaps he was not a prophet at all. The man later left the church.

Each of these instances and many others in the scriptures teach us that in order to remain strong in testimony of Jesus Christ, our testimony must actually be of Jesus Christ and his gospel and not in man who is at times frail and weak.  We are all learning.  Jesus Christ knows this and is merciful. It would do us good to remember this and be merciful as well.  Elder Jeffry R. Holland, of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, reminded us of this in the last General Conference:

Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don't hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith. So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work.

The Lord tells us to forgive and let God be the judge (I love this doctrine!)
DC 64:8-11

 8 My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were afflicted and sorely chastened.
 9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
 10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
 11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.

Even those who serve as our leaders need a measure of mercy as well, as they are just as human as we are.

Other ways to become offended or thing to avoid apostasy mentioned in the lesson are:
Pride
Not recognizing the prophet as the source of revelation
Being critical of leaders' imperfections
Being offended
Rationalizing disobedience
Arguing over points of doctrine
Not reading the word of God (scripture/prophets' words)
Not forgiving
Not accepting points of doctrine on faith
Paying attention to the false teachings of the world

Presiding Bishop H. David Burton taught: “One of [Satan’s] insidious strategies is to progressively soften our senses regarding what is right and wrong. Satan would have us convinced that it is fashionable to lie and cheat. He encourages us to view pornography by suggesting that it prepares us for the real world. He would have us believe that immorality is an attractive way of life and that obedience to the commandments of our Father in Heaven is old-fashioned. Satan constantly bombards us with deceptive propaganda desirably packaged and carefully disguised” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1993, 60; or Ensign, May 1993, 46).

Take note of the feelings you get when you are offended or feel gypped, or put upon, or start rationalizing.  They are not good feelings and do not come from God. They come from the opposition, Satan.

DC 50:2-3

 2 Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world.
 3 And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.

2 Ne 2:27

7 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.

We have a choice to continue in steadfastness.  We will be hurt, we will be offended, we will feel gypped, we will be weak, we will feel unfairness. God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost will help see us through these things and make us stronger IF we choose the path of liberty and eternal that they offer.