Modern-day Anti-Christs

Today, in my Book of Mormon class, we discussed apostates and Anti-Christs. I had never really thought about the topic before, at least not very deeply. I knew what they were, I read about them in the Book of Mormon, I knew about Korihor, Sherem, Amlici, etc, but I had never really considered modern-day Anti-Christs.

Now, I know that there’s not really a specific person who can be pegged as “the Anti-Christ” as most people know the term, but Anti-Christ teachings can be found all over the place. In class, we discussed how the most dangerous and threatening people to the church are the apostates: people who were once members, but have fallen away. These are the tares from the wheat and the tares parable. They grow among us and look very similar, but they are actually a weed.

Anti-Christ teachings come in forms of “false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts” according to President Benson. Many members fall prey to these. Aren’t all of these relevant today? How much political turmoil is there going on? How much philosophical and moral issues are brought to light? So many people have left the church because of false teachings in these areas.

Anti-Christs go about with the actual “intent to destroy the church of God” (Alma 2:4). They may have other motives, but the initial goal is to bring down the church. In class we discussed absolute truths. I cannot remember the exact quote, but it was by Elder Oaks, and he said that some people say that there are no absolute truths and that it’s all relative. Basically, believe what you want and then that’s what it is.

This is untrue. My teacher brought up excellent examples of why this is not so:

#1- The sun is in the sky. Someone who is blind, or someone who grew up in a cave could choose not to believe it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. Even at night when we can’t see it, that doesn’t mean it’s not still there.

#2- Two friends see a girl they have’t seen in years and one thinks she looks pregnant while the other one thinks she’s just put on some weight. They can argue the fact back and forth, but she’s not going to be pregnant and non-pregnant each time they say so just because they believe it. Say she is actually pregnant. Just because the one friend says she not, doesn’t make her not pregnant.

Some absolute truths of the church: Jesus is the Christ, God is real, we are sons and daughters of God, God speaks to prophets today. Just because other people choose not to believe these things does not make them untrue.

On the subject of speaking to prophets, this is another issue many members often have. A common problem today is that people do not believe in God and his commandments. All that matters are man’s laws and judgement. Basically, do what you want and don’t get caught. Just as long as you’re happy and it doesn’t inflict on other’s “happiness”. These peer pressures and temptations, the “eat, drink, and be merry” mind set, comes into conflict with God’s laws. These laws are found not just in the scriptures, but are given to us through the mouth of the prophet and the brethren.

This is what really trips people up. People cannot accept some of the modern-day revelation that has been given to us. No, I’m not just talking about the recent children of same-sex marriage policy change (although, that is a very good example). This has been going on since the church was established. Heck, this has been going on since ancient times. Remember the rich man who was asked to give up all that he had and follow Jesus? He didn’t like that and went his own way.

So, an Anti-Christ isn’t someone who is going to lead the devil’s servants in a great battle during the apocalypse or any of that stuff you see on TV (yes, I’m talking about Supernatural). They’re not even one specific person. They’re much more subtle and unnoticeable. The teachings may appear as harmless ideas, teachings, TV shows, or whatever, but it’s just the beginning to Satan’s plan to destroy the church of God. Of course we know that the Lord will prevail in the end, but that doesn’t mean we should be careless. And besides, what about our own salvation?

Just something to think about.