Regular self-evaluation
is a good thing, including maintaining, honestly, a temple
recommend and considering each of the five covenants as they are
being repeated in the endowment ceremony. Isaiah’s three tests
of loyalty are also a good measure of our relationship with God.
Avraham Gileadi, a
convert to the Church, wrote Isaiah Decoded, a book that
describes the three tests prophesied by Isaiah for our time. Gileadi
is a Jew, born in New Zealand, who immigrated to Israel and earned a
PhD in Hebrew and Mid-east Studies, focusing on Isaiah. He has
written eight books based on new information found in the Dead Sea
Scrolls.
Joseph Smith said we
must be tested to the very limit — nothing less can serve us as
the refiner’s fire. As explained by Gileadi, Isaiah taught that
though the form may be different the same three tests of loyalty to
God are required of every generation. As well as our eternity, God’s
protection for us and our families is conditioned on passing these
tests. Each of the three can be divided into two sub-categories:
The first test is Appetites.
A. Sensual
gratification, such as immorality and addictions.
B. Ambition and greed,
including money, power, and fame. Many otherwise faithful seem to
have the attitude that they desire exaltation and place it first on
the list — right after the “American Dream”.
President Hinckley, in an area conference, commented sardonically on
all the new “hotels” being built south of Salt Lake
City.
The second test is Religion.
A. Not searching for
and following the true Gospel of Christ, including embracing “the
philosophies of men mingled with scripture” as well as atheism.
B. Abuse of
ecclesiastical authority, including leading others astray with false
teachings or driving them from the truth by poor example or
unrighteous dominion, as discussed in D&C 121. This can be
particularly heinous within families.
The third test is Politics.
A. Capitulating to
society. Though Christians are no longer killed for refusal to
compromise their beliefs, intense coercion may be applied and must be
resisted.
B. Assent to “Babylon,”
such as supporting those who promote abortion, homosexuality, and a
“living” Constitution, with the rationalization that
“those policies do not affect me.” Maybe not, but
fidelity to God is being tested and going along is more than just
flirting with disloyalty.
In just one generation
western civilization has gone to hell. “Cursed be he that
calleth evil good and good evil.” The poet warned that vice,
first hated, becomes tolerated and then embraced.
Things that were
considered the grossest abominations are now worshiped and those who
refuse to bow down at the altar of immorality and infanticide are
vilified as bigots by those in Lehi’s “great and spacious
building.” Some people in California, as a result of
Proposition 8, were fired simply for being members of the LDS Church.
As the fallout
continues, even some members of the Church have become disaffected.
Rationalization is one of humanities’ greatest talents, and
high-sounding euphemisms, such as “pro-choice,”
“equality,” “love and acceptance,”
“alternative lifestyles,” and “right to privacy”
are used to disguise sin and rationalize abhorrent behavior. “Even
the elect may be deceived.”
Prophets since Isaiah
have warned of intensifying calamities as the world becomes more
evil, and there will be increasing war, disease, and natural
disasters. It is a time for the faithful to turn to the Lord and
reaffirm our loyalty to him. Not only our eternity depends on it, it
is our only security in mortality: “If ye are prepared ye shall
not fear.”