Church Talks
WILL YE ALSO GO AWAY?
[Spiritual thought presented by John E. Enslen for bishop’s training,
Montgomery Alabama Stake on December 2, 2012.]
As the polarization between good and evil continues to increase in the world, and as time grows ever so nearer to the Savior’s triumphant return, we will witness in action the very best of the very worst that Satan has to offer. His expert ability to deceive will produce purportedly well researched, scholarly-sounding works specifically designed to destroy the doctrinal and historical underpinnings of the Church. “They shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the [temple] covenant[s].” (See Joseph Smith, Matthew 1:22)
Our safety will depend upon our knowing eternal truths on a spiritual level. Spiritual learning is a different process than learning temporal truths on an intellectual level. The gospel is filled with foolishness on the intellectual level. Why would sprinkling the blood of a male lamb on your outside door post prevent the mysterious death of a male human child inside of your house at the stroke of midnight? (See Exodus Chapter 12)
Only a few, relatively speaking, seek to acquire knowledge on a spiritual level. They are the truly wise people. “To be learned is good if [we] hearken unto the counsels of God.” (See 2 Ne. 9:28-29) Such hearkening is the wisest part of being wise.
As time passes, the prophets will be called upon to tell us hard things which run counter to worldly wisdom. Their counsel will test many of us, and some members of the Church will become offended and leave the flock. It is an inevitable part of the separation process—the sheep from the goats.
Sheep are more meek and realize their dependence upon the guidance of their shepherd for protection from harm. Goats, on the other hand, are more wild and are prone toward a reliance on their natural, animalistic ways for their survival.
During his mortality, the Lord was at the center of this sheep-verses-goats separation process. He witnessed individual apostasy as he provided warnings that were not easily received or accepted.
We read in the 6th Chapter of John:
[quote] “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying….
“When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not.
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” [close quote]
We are promised that those who treasure up the word will not be deceived, but shall be gathered together with the remainder of the elect. (Joseph Smith, Matthew 1:37) May each of us prioritize our lives so as to treasure up a portion of the word every single day and never be found amongst those who “go away” and “walk no more with him.”
This is my prayer in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.