"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)

The voice that says "shame on you, you got it wrong." is not of God. There is a right, and we do get it wrong, but God is infinitely patient.

This is a key to detect true and false spirits, to detect true and false messengers. This does not omit the possibility of rebuke, for is any of you lack wisdom and you're told wisdom, and then go contrary to it, you put yourself in a position of being rebuked as was Joseph. If you understand the scripture and continue to pour oil in your lamp such that you don't lose the key, then you have one and it will serve you. This key cannot be used in isolation, for there are other related keys. One is found in D&C 121 which refers to "pure knowledge."

Another states "And if it be by some other way it is not of God."1

If you care for and tend to the Word and are not deceived (thousands of ways to go wrong)2 then one day you will be able to declare "their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory"3

Oil can be lost, oil can destabilize and go rancid. Whatever truth our souls possess can be lost by disobedience.4 It is all a subtle, not easily recognized process. It is most easily recognized by examining a previous time in your life that you recognize truth and light pouring into your life and comparing it to what you have now. You must dig deep and remove the unstable cruft.5

 

Notes

1. D&C 50:13-25

2. Mosiah 4:29

3. D&C 128:21

4. D&C 93:39

5. Luke 6:47-49

 

See Also

Article: The Redemption of the Soul