The Holy Spirit communicates to our souls - those who have received testimony of the spirit have effectively awakened a 6th sense that is more powerful than any of the other 5 senses. Prophets may reveal truth and direction - but neither truth nor direction will profit us if we do not have an active relationship with the Holy Ghost that we may use the term "guide" to define said relationship. That does not reduce the importance of the role of the Prophet, but increases the importance of the relationship with the Spirit.Amonhi wrote:Good Question! Here is a post from EvenTheLeastSaint that answers this...Kitkat wrote:I think this is a great point and worthy of discussion. How do you avoid being deceived?BruceRGilbert wrote:"in his own time, in his own way, and according to his own will." How many trust God to allow Him to make the determination as to the time, the way, and will in which He will reveal Himself?Doctrine and Covenants 88:
68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
Many have been deceived by false spirits going forth unto the world and many have witnessed things that are not of God . . . because they sought for "signs" and manifestations. Many have been turned over to their own lusts.Peace,EvenTheLeastSaint wrote:I will quote a scripture that tells us plainly, without equivocation, without leaving us with something that must be assumed to arrive at our conclusion, and leaving nothing to our own interpretation, this scripture tells us precisely what it is that we must follow. I don't know if anyone on this thread has quoted this scripture yet but if so it can't hurt to quote it again:
D&C 45:This says we must take the Holy Spirit for a guide, not a man or men (arm of flesh), not an organization, but the Holy Spirit. Can anything be clearer than that? Can anyone point to scripture that in such unmistakeable words says we must "follow the prophet", or we must "take the prophet for a guide" or we will not receive the truth, and we will be deceived. These verses, in fact, tell us that if we take anything other than the Holy Spirit for a guide we WILL NOT receive the truth, and we WILL be deceived. So please find me scripture that says in these words "follow the prophet". I don't mean something that lets someone loosely overlay his or her own paradigm onto scripture; such as "Jacob followed Nephi's command THEREFORE we must always follow the prophet without question".56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
57 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.
58 And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.
59 For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver.
I have quoted something that Amonhi said above because it fits with the scripture that I quoted and it is a perfect explanation of why it is so critical that we take the Holy Spirit and nothing else for a guide. I hope he doesn't mind.Amonhi wrote: ...
If you do not have oil in your lamp enough to guide yourself without relying on the light of others, then you will not be welcomed when the groom comes. You will not have a place in the Celestial Kingdom with the Gods. If you cannot hear the voice of the Lord and trust him, then you will not be accepted by him as his sheep and his church that worship in his name. It doesn't matter if you are baptized into the LDS Church or how well you follow the prophets and leaders of the church. What matters is how well you follow the spirit... How well you follow HIS Voice and His words... How well you " do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall commands". If you place a man, any man even a prophet, above the spirit, and give that man more influence in your life than you give the spirit, then you have placed a man above God voice and God's voice is God's will.
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Amonhi
EDIT:
As you hone and develop this relationship, I believe it would be very difficult for the adversary to pop in and emulate communion with the Holy Spirit.