If you are charged with protecting the sheep, don’t lie down with the wolves.
Anonymous
What do the people in these two pictures have in common?
The people in their best dress, and on their best behavior, are waiting patiently and politely to go in to General Conference and hear the inspired words of a prophet of God.
The angry folks in the profane t-shirts are attending a rally to applaud and cheer a narcissistic demagogue as he struts around a stage and stirs up hate.
These two groups have absolutely nothing in common.
The first group has committed themselves to “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” (2 Nephi 31:20).
The second group “have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted. Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine.” (2 Nephi 28:11-12).
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Matthew 24:10-13
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Unfortunately, some members of the Church of Jesus Christ have been deceived into aligning themselves politically with the second group. This should not be. These are not our friends. They do not seek the same things we seek. They do not believe what we believe. They do not live to the same standards that we do. And, quite frankly, they do not like us.
It was angry, poorly-educated, resentful people, often stirred up to violence by evangelical preachers, who hounded the early Saints from state to state. It was these people who killed Joseph Smith. We should have nothing to do with these people and their false prophet.
The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Saints in Corinth, had to warn them, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Indeed. We need to be more careful and selective regarding who we ally ourselves with. It is a mistake to dance with wolves. Eventually they get hungry and turn on you.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.