Deception

2005-5-8 12:52:00

Here is the essence of a question I received:

Would it be accurate to say that some of the scriptures approve lying or deception?

For instance we read:
Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand. Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name's glory. Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles. I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest. For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore -- Eternal punishment is God's punishment. Endless punishment is God's punishment. D&C 19:5-12
It does not seem right that God would let us think that suffering could be endless when in reality it is only called endless because God is endless.

D&C points out a deception, but not a lie. Notice the words of Jesus. He said that Satan was "a liar from the beginning." The word "liar" was used by the Master rather than "deceive" or "deceiver."

He used this specific word for a reason. The word "liar" pinpoints the difference between the accepted methods of the Brotherhood of Light and Dark Brotherhood. Both sides allow and expect that a certain amount of deception will follow their words and teachings.

How is it you say that God could allow deception to accompany his words?

The answer is that it is impossible to avoid for both God and man as long as the power of mortal words is used.

Let me explain. Suppose you ask me what my favorite color is and I answer that it is blue.

I did not lie and you take me for my word. Then, for a present, you buy me a light blue paint for which to paint my house.

To this I respond: "It is true that blue is my favorite color, and I like almost all of its varieties of shading, but this particular shade of blue I do not like."

Now the person asked a simple question and was given a simple truthful answer, but because "the whole truth" was impractical to give the person was deceived through no fault of my own.

We see this problem occurring all the time, not only with true words related by average people, but even the very words of Jesus indirectly cause deception beyond belief to the extent that there are hundreds of religions with hundreds of different deceptive interpretations of what he meant.

So if the words of both light and dark bring deception to the people then what is the difference between the two - as far as teaching is concerned?

Answer: There is a big difference and that is in the intent. Remember that Zion is the gathering of the "pure in heart?"

Like gathers like and when a teacher of light speaks or writes he gives out words with the pure intent of shedding more light and of bringing the student to a higher understanding of that which truly is. Every word he speaks is literally true and has not a lie within them, even though it is recognized that many students will not have the understanding to avoid being deceived on their part.

On the other hand, a teacher representing the dark side will have deception incorporated into his intent. Instead of having a goal of bringing the student to higher understanding he seeks to darken their understanding on crucial items through the use of outright lies if necessary.

Since the scriptures use "eternal," "endless," "forever and ever" in relation to torment and damnation the question here is not whether Joseph Smith deceived, but did the author(s) of the scriptures lie or deceive? That is assuming that there is a beginning and end to any torment.

D&C 19 reveals that the wording of the damnation scriptures was literally true in the fact that God's name or attributes include eternal and endless, but the problem is the readers would not know this when reading them.

The deception may be softened when we consider that the original language the Bible and possibly the Book of Mormon may have rendered a different meaning. When Jesus is said to have used "eternal damnation" (Mark 3:29) we find the a more accurate translation from the Greek somewhat different. Instead he was speaking of no forgiveness until a turning point at the end of an eon of time.

Because of wrong translation and the fact that the Bible seems to present the idea of eternal damnation it is possible this influenced Joseph's translation of the Book of Mormon and the powers that be decided to let it stand to work upon the hearts of the children of men.

Indeed a case can be made that many of the scriptures approach the dividing line between right and wrong as far as deception goes, even though a case could be made they are literally true, but misunderstood.

The same is true of the doctrine of reincarnation. The scriptures often make it sound like there is only one life when there are many. The purpose of this again is to get us motivated to and make some progress.

Was Adam to die in the day when he partook of the fruit? Not in a day as we know it but in a day of the Lord, yes.

I believe that this tactic of dual meanings was used by the teachers of light with more primitive people in times past, but now we are capable of greater understanding the correct move is to present all truth with as much clarity as possible.

Many are deceived by teachings from both light and dark. The one key we can ascertain for sure is that the teacher of light will not actually lie whereas the dark bother will.

If a teacher claims he had a visit from a master, and did not, then this would be an outright lie and a definite tactic used by the dark side.

If a teacher puts forth his words and does not say for sure where they originated the students could draw wrong conclusions, but the teacher may be telling the truth in every word he relates.

If the teacher has an over active imagination and believes he receives words from on high or a master then he is self-deceived and deceives others. His deception is caused by some lie he keeps to himself.

If a person represents the Lords of Darkness then sooner or later outright lies will be presented - and the motive will be to darken and deceive in order to empower his ego.

Roots creep under the ground to make a firm foundation. Shoots seem new and small, but to reach the light they can break through brick walls. Jane Goodall