False Faiths
by Art Bulla
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archived
Many are the deceptions palmed upon mankind, but nothing is more injurious to the souls of men than to be laboring under the influence of a false spirit while thinking that they are being dictated to by God! As Joseph Smith said, "…for as, "no man knows the things of God but by the spirit of God," so no man knows the spirit of the devil and his power and influence but by possessing intelligence which is more than human. and having unfolded through the medium of the Priesthood the mysterious operations of his devices: without knowing the angelic form, the sanctified look, and gesture, and the zeal that is frequently manifested by him for the glory of God:-together with the prophetic spirit, the gracious influence, the godly appearance, and the holy garb which is so characteristic of his proceedings, and his mysterious windings. A man must have the discerning of spirits, before he can drag into daylight this hellish influence and unfold it unto the world in all its soul destroying, diabolical, and horrid colors: for nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit, when they think they have the spirit of God. Thousands have felt the influence of its terrible power, and baneful effects; long pilgrimages have been undertaken, penances endured, and pain, misery, and ruin have followed in their train; nations have been convulsed, kingdoms overthrown, provinces laid waste, and blood, carnage, and desolation are the habilaments in which it has been clothed. The Turks, the Hindoos, the Jews, the Christians, the Indians, in fact all nations have been deceived, imposed upon and injured through the mischievous effects of false spirits. ("Try the Spirits.", Times and Seasons, vol. 3 (November 1841-October 1842), Vol. 3 No. 11 April 1, 1842, p.744)
True Faith; Art Bulla on #BlogTalkRadio - http://tobtr.com/s/1152252
Original Air Date: August 05, 2010
True Faith
TRUE FAITH BY
ORSON PRATT
FAITH THE RESULT OF EVIDENCE -- JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH WITHOUT WORKS -- JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH WITH WORKS -- FAITH THE GIFT OF GOD -- MIRACULOUS SIGNS ACCOMPANY TRUE FAITH IN ALL AGES -- WHEN THE SIGNS CEASE, FAITH AND SALVATION CEASE.
1.--It is the intention of the author in this chapter to define and simplify the great principle, called FAITH. This is not an abstract principle, separate and distinct from mind, but it is a certain condition or state of the mind itself. When the mind believes or has confidence in any subject, or statement, or proposition, whether correct or incorrect, it is then in possession of faith. To have faith is simply to believe. Faith and belief, therefore, are synonymous terms, expressive of the same idea.
2.--Faith or belief is the result of evidence presented to the mind. Without evidence, the mind cannot have faith in anything. We believe that a stone will fall, when unsupported, on the evidence of past observation in relation to the falling of heavy bodies. We believe that day and night will continue on the evidence of past experience in regard to the uniformity of nature's laws. We believe that space is boundless, and duration endless, on the evidence, presented by the mind itself, which at once perceives the absurdity of either space or duration being limited. We believe in all self-evident truths, on the evidence that all opposite propositions to these truths are absurd. We believe in all the great truths of science, either on the evidences of our own investigations, or on the researches of others. We believe in historical facts on the evidence of the historian. Faith in every fact, statement, truth, or proposition which we have confidence in, is, in all cases whatsoever, derived from evidence. Therefore, without evidence, faith can have no existence.
3.--Faith is of two kinds, namely false and true. A false faith is the result of giving credence to false evidence: a true faith, the result derived from true evidence.
4.--The faith of Cain in offering the fruits of the ground was [71] false, derived from some incorrect evidence, in relation to offerings, or in relation to the conduct necessary to obtain a blessing. The faith of Abel in offering the firstlings of his flock, was founded upon the evidence he had from the word of God that such an offering would please Him. The faith of the Egyptians in the doctrines of the magicians was the result of false evidence, strengthened, and as they supposed, confirmed by the numerous miracles wrought by their evil hands. The faith of Israel in the doctrines of Moses was founded upon true evidence, and hence, was pleasing in the sight of God. Faith in idols and in the mythologies of the heathen, is the result of a false traditionary evidence. Faith in the true God is founded upon true
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