I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and have recently been learning about some of the enemies of Christ or anti-christs as they are sometimes referred to. In my learning there have been many differing views of what an anti-christ or false prophet is. I will share some of what I have learned and am hoping that you might consider some of it and share insights with me. I will primarily be sharing things I have found from the Book of Mormon because that is what I have been reading most recently. That being said there are certainly many examples in the Bible as well. The first thought that I found was about a man named Korihor in the Book of Mormon Alma chapter 30. He talks about how the only way that we can know that Christ is real is if we have proof. In Alma 30:15 he states, "How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ."
I believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten of the Father and that he died for us. But here in scripture a man is trying to teach otherwise. It is not just in scripture that people are trying to use these arguments though. How can I respond to people who are using the argument of there being no proof of Christ being the Son of God?
The next thing that I found was on a man named Sherem in Alma 1:4. He was a false prophet and this is what he said, "And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life." I know that all men have the opportunity to be saved but I also know that it is by works and faith together that we are saved. That there will be those who do not go to heaven because they did not change their lives after having the opportunity to. This is just as real today as it was then and people are continually pushing to just do what we feel is okay even when we know it is against God's will in our lives. How can we have the courage to tell these people, sometimes good friends, that we don't want to?
The last thing that I was studying was from a member of the church leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints. It is a talk entitled Be not Afraid, only Believe by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He talks about standing up for our beliefs in todays world the same way Daniel did when he was in Babylon. One thing that President Uchtdorf says is, "But I imagine that Daniel was like many of us who have to work for our testimonies. I’m confident that Daniel spent many hours on his knees praying, laying his questions and fears on the altar of faith, and waiting upon the Lord for understanding and wisdom." I know that I have brought fears to God and it is still not always easy to be the one who stands up. It can be awkward and difficult to do. I also know how important it is and I feel like if we each do our part as Christians under God we can make the world a better place. What are some things we can do to make a stand?
I believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten of the Father and that he died for us. But here in scripture a man is trying to teach otherwise. It is not just in scripture that people are trying to use these arguments though. How can I respond to people who are using the argument of there being no proof of Christ being the Son of God?
The next thing that I found was on a man named Sherem in Alma 1:4. He was a false prophet and this is what he said, "And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life." I know that all men have the opportunity to be saved but I also know that it is by works and faith together that we are saved. That there will be those who do not go to heaven because they did not change their lives after having the opportunity to. This is just as real today as it was then and people are continually pushing to just do what we feel is okay even when we know it is against God's will in our lives. How can we have the courage to tell these people, sometimes good friends, that we don't want to?
The last thing that I was studying was from a member of the church leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints. It is a talk entitled Be not Afraid, only Believe by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He talks about standing up for our beliefs in todays world the same way Daniel did when he was in Babylon. One thing that President Uchtdorf says is, "But I imagine that Daniel was like many of us who have to work for our testimonies. I’m confident that Daniel spent many hours on his knees praying, laying his questions and fears on the altar of faith, and waiting upon the Lord for understanding and wisdom." I know that I have brought fears to God and it is still not always easy to be the one who stands up. It can be awkward and difficult to do. I also know how important it is and I feel like if we each do our part as Christians under God we can make the world a better place. What are some things we can do to make a stand?
