In 1974 Ezra Taft Benson described a key cause and purpose to the Lord’s plan for the latter day church – or trial period for His latter day church, and he describes the circumstances of our great trial:
Ezra Taft Benson:
"Six of the original twelve apostles selected by Joseph Smith were excommunicated. The three witnesses to the Book of Mormon left the Church. Three of Joseph Smith’s counselors fell--one even helped plot the Prophet’s death. A natural question that might arise would be, if the Lord knew in advance that these men would fall, as he undoubtedly did, why did he have his prophet call them to such high office? The answer is, to fill the Lord’s purposes. For even the Master followed the will of the Father by selecting Judas. President George Q. Cannon suggested an explanation, too, when he stated, “Perhaps it is His own design that faults and weaknesses should appear in high places IN ORDER THAT HIS SAINTS MAY LEARN TO TRUST IN HIM and NOT in ANY man or men.” And this would parallel Lehi’s warning: ‘put not your trust in the arm of flesh’ (2 Nephi 4:35)... It is from WITHIN the church that the greatest hindrance comes. And so, it seems, it has been. Now the question arises, will we stick with the kingdom and can we avoid being deceived?...Brigham Young said: The Adversary presents his principles and arguments in the most approved style, and in the most winning tone, attended with the most graceful attitudes; and he is very careful to ingratiate himself into the favour of the powerful and influential of mankind…Such characters put on the manners of an angel, appearing as nigh like angels of light as they possibly can,…The good which they do, they do it to bring to pass an evil purpose… Those of us who think ‘all is well in zion’ in spite of Book of Mormon warnings might ponder the words of Heber C. Kimball, who said:... “the time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys to that extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint from the face of an enemy to the people of God. Then, brethren look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall; for I say unto you there is a test, a Test, a TEST coming." (Book From Ezra Taft Benson: God, Family, Country p. 335 - 337)
PAY ATTENTION:
1 - Born in Bondage
2 - Christ Set Us Free
3- False Brethren Take Away Christ Liberty
INIQUITY Oppress a Man and his House (Taxes), even a man and His Heritage (Taxes).”
“Woe to them that devise INIQUITY, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. 2 And they covet fields, and TAKE them by Violence; and Houses, and TAKE them away: so they Oppress a Man and his House (Taxes), even a man and His Heritage (Taxes).” Mosiah 13:11(b) INIQUITY LDS Footnote Micah 2:1-2
Jesus Christ is the GREATEST Patriot Tax Protester that ever walked the earth…
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
FROM: http://bookofmormonspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/12/if-man-is-called-to-be-prophet-and-gift.html