Trading Truth for Tradition (part 2)

From a prophetic perspective I would like to consider what we are up against. In Revelation 12 John writes of the Devil's (Dragon/serpent)persecution of the Church of Christ (the woman.) After the Church is carried into the wilderness, Satan (Dragon/serpent)does the following: "And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Revelation 12:15-17)

The woman is the Church of Christ that is taken into the wilderness (apostasy) and hidden away. Satan opens his mouth and a flood pours out of it in pursuit of the Church of Christ. The flood is a flood of lies. Satan is the father of lies. (John 8:44)Satan floods the earth with falsehoods about Christ and His Church. Men and women are forced to search for truth amidst the flood of lies circulated by the devil. Satan is angry with the Church and declares war on those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus (which is the Spirit of Prophecy, Revelation 19:10)

Flood imagery metaphorically implies a complete covering of the earth with lies about Christ and His Church. This is the world in which we now live. It explains why there are conflicting beliefs about God and His commandments. It explains why we stray from the commandments. The flood of lies Satan immerses the world in led the Savior to say: "For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it." (D&C 123:12)

The overwhelming lies and falsehoods that fill the world regarding religion and God has left everyone exclaiming what the Ethiopian Eunuch said to Philip when asked if he understood the words of Isaiah: "How can I, except some man should guide me." (Acts 8:39) Philip taught the Ethiopian of Christ and then baptized him. "And when they were come out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:39) Philips testimony was only intended to spiritually carry the man to baptism. From there the Eunuch was left on his own, as are we.

Church curriculum is structured to the aptitude of the least knowledgeable in the Church. After baptism and reception of the Holy Ghost the Lord wants us to seek learning by the power of faith, prayer and the Spirit. The Spirit leads us to Christ and Christ leads us to the Father.

Hence, "The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh- But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;"

The problem with academics