The “very elect” HAVE been deceived

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:24

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a serious problem among its members – at least in Utah. Approximately half of them have been deceived by the deliberately fabricated lie that there was widespread election fraud in the 2020 Presidential race. This is not a simple matter of political preference. It is an ominous sign that many members of the Church cannot distinguish between truth and lies.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the state’s predominant religion, were almost evenly split, with 44% saying Trump won and 43% Biden. Slightly more than half of Latter-day Saints believe there was widespread election fraud.

Dennis Romboy, Deseret News

I am not referring here to the sad fact that the majority of Church members in Utah voted for Donald Trump. I am referring to the much larger problem that, more than 2 months after the election is over, 44% of Utah Mormons still believe that Trump won.

Truth matters

And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;
And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.

Doctrine and Covenants 93:24-25

In a Church that professes to be the literally true, prophetically led, restored Church of Jesus Christ, this is a major crisis. Jesus taught that He embodied the truth and that only the truth would save us. If the members of His Church believe, and refuse to let go of, blatant manufactured lies, then certainly they are under the influence of Satan.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:31-32

If the truth makes one free, then believing lies will inevitably lead us into bondage. Habitually denying reality blinds one to the chains one has voluntarily put on. The events at our national Capitol on January 6, 2021 dramatically illustrate where such blindness leads.

Denying reality

And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.

Alma 12:11

It is one thing to vote for a man with no morals and a dictatorial disposition. It is quite another to deny reality despite mountains of evidence. This election was litigated over 60 times with the results being upheld each time.

The state of Georgia, whose results were certified by a Republican Governor, counted their votes three times. Even Trump’s Attorney General said there was no widespread election fraud.

These false allegations of fraud come from elected Republicans and from conservative media. All of these sources are just repeating a Big Lie that was originated by their tin god, Donald J. Trump.

Republican politicians and conservative media tell lies because their voters and viewers respond well to fear, outrage, and conspiracies. Outrageous lies keep their fans both energized and loyal.

The actual fraud in this story began decades ago when “conservative” radio and FoxNews decided that spinning up lies to generate fear and outrage among the lesser educated was a profitable business model. They were so successful that today at least a third of the country actually believes that good journalism is “fake” and that a philandering, narcissistic, failed businessman is a good Christian and a good leader.

The Saints should know better

When it comes to lies and demagoguery, the Book of Mormon has multiple examples of what to watch out for. Some of these historic examples are uncomfortably close to our current experience.

For example, after Amlici lost an election, he “did stir up” his supporters “to anger” and started a civil war (Alma, chapter 2). Interestingly, the Amlicites identified themselves by wearing a red mark on their foreheads (Alma 3:4). Of course this was before baseball caps were invented.

Amalikiah, a wicked man who desired to be king, was an expert at creating anger against the government and using flattering words to gain followers for himself (Alma chapter 46). It is important to note that Amalikiah deceived “many in the church” (Alma 46:7).

There is no reason to believe that the members of the Church today are immune to flattering words from demagogues. Indeed, the Book of Mormon was given to us specifically to warn us of that very danger.

The Church knows this is a problem

On December 18, 2020, the Church added a new section called “Seeking Information from Reliable Sources,” to the General Handbook for leaders and members. It specifically states, “many sources of information are unreliable and do not edify.”

The Church did not specify which “sources of information” were “unreliable and do not edify.” However, I cannot think of a better description of FoxNews, OAN, and the rest of the far-right conspiracy media. The leaders of the Church are clearly trying to send the message that the members need to be more careful about where they get their information.

In addition to the problem of many Church members blindly clinging to the lie of election fraud, we have the problem of many of these same Church members refusing to wear protective face masks during a pandemic. These people, some of whom are Bishops and Stake Presidents, are in defiance of both the words and the living examples of the General Authorities of the Church.

And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;

Doctrine and Covenants 1:14

The absent hero

Those who have given up their rationality, common sense, and ability to discern truth from lies in exchange for blind trust in the false prophet Donald J. Trump need to know that their adoration is not reciprocated. He does not respect, and often mistreats, his own followers.

During his speech on January 6, 2021, just before his mob assaulted the Capitol building, Donald Trump said, “And after this, we’re going to walk down and I’ll be there with you.” Of course he was not there with them. He was in the White House gleefully watching the chaos he had ignited unfold on TV.

Now, of course, with the Senate impeachment trial approaching, he has completely disowned the insurrectionists and their actions.

Thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.

Alma 30:60

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Sources
Dennis Romboy, “Widespread voter fraud in 2020 election? A lot of Utahns think so,” The Deseret News, January 19,2021.
Michael Balsamo, “Disputing Trump, Barr says no widespread election fraud,” Associated Press, December 1, 2020.
Tony Graf, “Guest opinion: Facts trump speculation,” UtahPolicy.com, January 25, 2021.
Tad Walch, “Masks a sign of ‘Christlike love’ during pandemic, apostle says,” Deseret News, December 7, 2020.
Aron Blake, “What Trump said before his supporters stormed the Capital, annotated,” The Washington Post, January 11, 2021.
Julie Gerstein, “Trump was too busy watching the Capitol chaos unfold on TV to do anything about it, advisors told The Washington Post,” Business Insider, January 12, 2021.