...EVEN THE VERY ELECT

photo I took a candle that I purchased on June 27th, 2011

"For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets,

and shall show great signs and wonders,
insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect,
who are the elect according to the covenant.

Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect's sake;

and you also shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled,

for all I have told you must come to pass; but the end is not yet."

JST Matthew  verses 22-23

I took the above photo a couple of months ago for a different purpose. I post it here to illustrate the metaphor "Smoke and Mirrors" which is used to describe a deceptive, fraudulent or insubstantial explanation or description. The source of the name is based on Magicians illusions, where magicians make objects appear or disappear by extending or retracting mirrors amid a confusing burst of smoke.

I have always been troubled by one of the last days prophecies that the very elect shall be deceived...possible done by alot of "smoke and mirrors". The false Christs and prophets  will show great signs and wonders, and "if possible" they shall deceive the very elect. Is it possible?  If so, what should we do to make sure we are not decieved?.

We learn about that in the parable of the 10 virgins.

We read, “And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C 45: 56-57)

The 5 wise virgins received the truth and took the Holy Spirit for their guide. They have the power to discern and judge correctly, and discriminating between what is true and what is false. They have taken the Holy Spirit to be their guide. They do not follow or trust in anyone or anything else but their guide, the Holy Spirit. We tend to think the Holy Spirit is the Holy Ghost. It might be more than that. It is a good thing to ponder about.

To "Receive" truth means to embrace, to allow, to retain, to welcome, to be endowed with, to bear with, to obtain.

The foolish are without understanding or judgment, possibly waiting to be told or guided what to do from other sources and not from the Holy Spirit but from others tell them to do. Relying on the arm of flesh.

We live in very deceptive times, we live in a world of lies and deceit. There is never a more important time than now to have the Holy Spirit to be our guide and recieve Truth.