Follow the Leader

I've learned an important lesson this week on being aware of false prophets. We are taught to turn to the scriptures, the prophets and apostles, old and new, and Heavenly Father for guidance and answers to our questions. Not someone who has a really cool blog, or someone we know who seems to know everything, or our neighbor down the street. I ended up getting caught up in someone's blog in a search for answers to fulfill my curiosity. I left that blog feeling lower than dirt and that I would never be good enough. Sadly, I kinda took that to heart and spent a few days feeling super frustrated because of all my weaknesses. Well, last night I was reading an ensign article given by Elder Ballard in 1999 and came across this quote, "Some Latter-day Saints may not be aware of it, but there are “false prophets” rising within and without the Church. They believe they have had revelations, that they know something the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles don’t know. We need to be very careful of such people. Members who are ever approached by anyone claiming special authority or revelation from God outside the sustained priesthood authority should turn and run from them as fast as they can. The Savior said that in the last days even the very elect could be pulled away from the truth by such false prophets." So the part highlighted in red is the trap I got myself into. After reading the article, I realized what had happened. Later on that night I read in the scriptures and a church manual and found the answer to my question. I ended that moment full of hope and eagnerness and wanting to do my best. So I learned my huge lesson on who false prophets are and how easy it is to be led astray. Writing this now I have been able to see how the first experience was of Satan (feeling horrible) and the second was of God (feeling uplifted and full of hope). All good things come from God.