A delusion, as discussed herein, is a sincere belief in lies or untruths. To delude a person is to mislead someone into believing what is not true. It is to convince a person to trust or accept a misrepresentation of facts for the sole purpose of persuading them to follow a wrong course of action. Thus, to be deluded is to believe a lie or untruth. Following is a discussion of the scriptures concerning the sources of such lies or untruths and the processes by which men come to believe such untruths and thereby become deluded.

There are many ways in which a person can be deluded. Friend and foe alike can deceive or delude. Relatives and associates may delude. The Devil and his angels are especially good at it. Each of these sources of delusion will be addressed, beginning with delusions caused by Satan.

DELUSIONS CAUSED BY SATAN: A well known example of Satan-caused delusions occurred in 1828 while Martin Harris was acting as scribe for Joseph Smith in translating the Book of Mormon plates. Martin's wife pressured him to prove what he was doing. Martin persuaded Joseph to ask the Lord to allow him to take the 116 page manuscript to his wife as evidence that he was acting as a scribe. Joseph inquired of the Lord and was twice told that Martin could not take the translation. After the third request, the Lord agreed to let Martin take the 116 pages based on a covenant that Martin would show the pages to only a few specifically agreed upon persons. Martin, of course, broke the covenant and consequently lost the manuscript. Joseph then lost both the privileges of translating and of retaining possession of the Urim and Thummim and the plates. Later that summer the Lord gave Joseph Smith a revelation revealing the nature of Satan's cunning plan to deceive mankind through his delusions. The Lord said that Satan's delusion is based upon a claim that men "lie to deceive."

Satan told these people that Joseph had lied and had only pretended to translate. Satan hardens "the hearts of people to stir them up to anger against you that they will not believe my words." In concocting this evil design (delusion) based on lying, Satan planned to overthrow Joseph's testimony in this generation. Of course, the Lord overthrew the plan of Satan and said that His wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.

Another recent example of Satan creating "delusions to deceive" is the highly publicized actions of Mark Hoffman in forging the "Salamander letter" and other pseudo-historical documents. Other examples of Satan's activities to create delusions are the claims that(1) the Spaulding manuscript is the source of the Book of Mormon, (2) the First Vision came from Satan, and (3) Mormons are not Christians.

In 1 Nephi 13 in the Book of Mormon the Lord revealed to Nephi that following the death of the twelve apostles, Satan would found a "great and abominable church" among the Gentiles. Vs 26 Through this organization Satan would create a delusion to deceive the world into believing false doctrines. To accomplish this Satan stirred up the hearts of those he "holds" to:

We have come to a keen awareness that the single most significant "plain and precious truth" which the Adversary has succeeded in removing from the Bible is information about what it means to be born again through the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. In the current Bible there are only a few sparse accounts left in the New Testament, mostly in Acts, of people receiving the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost and a few references to people being "filled with the Spirit." The most well known of these is of course the events on the day of Pentecost. Because the information on the true "born of the Spirit" experience is so sparse, the Adversary has been able to deceive many into truly bizarre practices. In our view, these false activities of the Adversary account for much of the unusual phenomena found among charismatic, sometimes called "holy roller", groups.

What is truly sad, and a powerful witness of how much the Adversary truly hates the true doctrine of the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, is that he has come very close to eliminating it from the awareness of virtually all of those who accept the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price as scripture.

While the scriptures have not been altered, the lack of understanding of the doctrine among the members, including the leadership, has made it very difficult for individuals to understand the powerful scriptures on the baptism of fire found throughout the four standard works of scripture. This is the reason why we have written this book. It is also the principal reason why it contains so much material, because of the need to overcome embedded attitudes and perceptions so that readers may finally see these profound truths, which are in very fact the very heart and core of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In summary, delusions from Satan occur when he gains control, no matter how subtly or undiscerned, of the hearts or minds of men HARDENING their hearts, stiffening their necks, darkening their minds, blinding their eyes and stopping their ears to God's truths. The purpose being that the Devil "may lead their souls to DESTRUCTION." D&C 10:22

MAN-CAUSED DELUSIONS: A second way that delusions originate is by man himself. Joseph Smith at one time said that revelation comes from God, man, and the Devil. Paul says that men receive not the love of truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thess 2:8-12 Because of this man himself creates his own self-delusions, self-justification, or rationalizations for taking a wrong course of action by deluding himself into believing that it is right. The scriptures give us many examples of and many different motives for man-caused or self-delusions.

In the days of the original twelve apostles there was a conflict concerning the status of Gentile converts. Many of the Jewish believers felt that the Gentiles had to accept the Mosaic law before becoming members of the Church. It was not fashionable culturally for a Jew to even sit at the same table and dine with Gentiles. When Peter visited the church in Antioch he ate with the Gentiles, but when James sent some Jews from Jerusalem he (Peter) withdrew "and separated himself fearing them which were of the circumcision." Paul says he withstood Peter "to the face because he was to be blamed." Gal 2:10-12 Paul indicated that others followed Peter's example and "were carried away with their dissimulation" (pretentiousness). From this we realize that Peter was deluded into following a false custom out of fear of criticism or social pressure.

One of the remarkable features of the Restoration is God's revelation that man has free agency, that is, the innate ability to chose. FREEDOM is a consequence of free agency and is the divine right granted to us by God in this life to chose for ourselves from an almost endless list of alternative courses of action. This FREEDOM is given for the express purpose of allowing us to determine our eternal destiny; however, there are only TWO eternal destinies. The Lord says that the consequences of our choices result in either, (1) PEACE AND ETERNAL LIFE or (2) CAPTIVITY AND DESTRUCTION. 1 Nephi 14:7

One of the most startling concepts in Holy Writ is the DELIVERANCE PRINCIPLE based on man's God-given right of free agency. The Lord has revealed that we have the right to select our own delusions through the power of our free agency. Through the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, God guides our minds and feelings to see through our delusions and follow the path that leads to Eternal Life. The Lord, however, warns that, "His spirit will not always strive with man for that he also is flesh." Gen 6:3 This would indicate that the natural man is an enemy to God who refuses to "yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit." Mosiah 3:19 The consequence of this refusal to obey the promptings of the Holy Ghost is to experience the:

A poet has clearly written of God's respect for man's free agency in these words:

Know this that every soul is free

To choose his life and what he'll be

For this eternal truth is given

That God will force no man to Heaven.

He'll call, persuade, direct aright,

and bless with wisdom, love and light,

In nameless ways be good and kind,

But never force the human mind.

The Lord obviously did not "force the human mind" of the Elders of Israel when they demanded a king, but "called, persuaded, and directed aright." We should take warning that the Lord will deal with each of us in the same manner and deliver us to our own delusions after striving with us through His Spirit. However, this sad fate will occur only if we resist the enticings of the Holy Ghost because of the HARDNESS OF OUR HEARTS. Paul, speaking of sinners, says that, "God gave them over (delivered) to a reprobate mind (depraved thoughts) to DO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT CONVENIENT (proper)." Romans 1:28

Paul also says that delusions originate with men because they have "itching ears" and want to hear only things they agree with. In 2 Tim 4:3-4 Paul says:

DELUSIONS FROM GOD: The last source of delusions identified by the scriptures is the most disconcerting because it is delusions sent to us by God. This type of delusion is what I call a "last straw" delusion. It clearly appears from the scriptures that our Heavenly Father can become so unhappy with our performance or lack of performance that He will send us a tailor-made delusion. What! Why would God go to the trouble to delude anyone when there are so many demons and people that seem to be engaged in the work on a full time basis? Isn't it the major work of God to keep us from being deceived or deluded?

Let's see what Paul the Apostle had to say on this subject:

Isaiah tells us of the condition of his people in the year that King Uzziah died. He had a vision in which he saw the Lord. Then Isaiah wrote of his experience as follows:

The "why" of the assignment becomes clearer as the Lord again gives the following description of Israel's lifestyle:

Is there another example in Holy Writ that supports this scriptural statement that God would send a delusion? Is there a record that this happened? Many will be shocked to learn that the answer is a resounding YES! The story is found in the twenty-second chapter of I Kings.

The setting of this event is that Jehoshaphat is King of Judah. Ahab is king of Israel. There has been three years of peace between Syria and Israel, but the spoils of Ramoth in Gilead is awfully tempting to Ahab. He invites Jehoshaphat to go to war with him and Jehoshaphat agrees to go, but wants a confirmation from the Lord:

Go and prosper, for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

All of the other prophets must have smiled at this, but Ahab wasn't smiling:

Perhaps the scriptural teachings that God would send a "strong delusion" needs personal and careful consideration! If we do not want to progress in light and truth, can we qualify for a delusion sent by God? In considering this fearsome question it may be well to ponder Jacob's description of an attitude (state of mind) of one of the tribes of Israel:

To those who may be troubled by the concept that God sends us delusions, your puzzlement is understandable. All that can be said is that the scriptures cited here have been quoted accurately. If the preceding comments about them trouble you, can you find a different meaning?

SUMMARY. From the scriptures one can reasonably conclude that many delusions (remember - a delusion is a sincere belief in untruths or lies) result from being LUKEWARM about a commitment or being "neither hot nor cold." Rev. 3:16

The principles discussed concerning delusions obviously apply to every area of life. Today, as always, there are many who for one or more reasons are deluded into beliefs and then into actions that have serious consequences both now and eternally. We believe that a valuable component of defenses against being deluded is greater understanding of the circumstances in which one becomes vulnerable to delusions from whatever source.

One tragically prominent example of delusions that have serious eternal consequences is the many delusions that men and women create for themselves in justifying a divorce. This can be called a "DIVORCE DELUSION."

BECAUSE THE "DIVORCE DELUSION" IS SO PERVASIVE, CAUSES SUCH A TERRIBLE AMOUNT OF LONG-TERM PAIN AND SUFFERING, AND PERMANENTLY HARMS EVERY MEMBER OF EVERY FAMILY BROKEN BY DIVORCE, THE BALANCE OF THIS CHAPTER EXAMINES THE SCRIPTURES ON MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.

The following was originally written for a few people who were in the throes of a dissolution, which they had initiated, of their temple marriages. None of those cases were the "rare case" where the Lord through the Spirit had either directed or approved the divorce. Our objective was to be so clear that no one could misunderstand or fail to see the Lord's scriptural commandments on marriage and divorce in the hope that they might see the great risks and correct their course before the marital damage was beyond repair.

As is always the case, some heard the message and changed course and others did not.

If you were truly responsible for a divorce then it would appear that your ONLY safe course is FULL repentance as explained in Parts I through III. In our view true responsibility for a divorce lies with the spouse (1) that unrighteously brought the divorce proceeding in the absence of either adultery or the Lord's approval of the divorce, (2) that committed adultery or, (3) that committed other behavior so grievous that the Lord directed or approved the divorce by their companion.
 
 

If your marriage is in trouble or if you are in the throes of a divorce then it is our prayer that the following will be helpful to you, your companion and your family, especially if yours is a temple marriage.

Now a few words about "the rare case", or those relatively rare situations where the spirit has plainly told one or both partners, often including priesthood leaders, that a divorce was the right course. Obviously we can not and do not quarrel with those situations, just as Nephi did not argue when he was instructed to kill Laban. However, we do think it worth noting that Nephi did everything he could under the circumstances to be sure that his inspiration was from the correct source and that he clearly understood what the spirit was directing him to do and the reason for it. If you feel that you are such a "rare case" then it would seem to be essential to make sure that you are not deluded by doing all you know how to do to satisfy yourself that your inspiration is from the right source. REMEMBER, REMEMBER that the Lord may finally grant you your own delusion by telling you what you want to hear if you will not hear and obey the truth. What we are saying is that it would seem to be the prudent course to be very certain and careful that you clearly understand your inspiration in light of what the Lord has told us about His laws concerning marriage and divorce as discussed below.

THE LORD'S TEACHINGS ON DIVORCE: Scripturally the Lord has clearly and repeatedly stated that divorce is suffered (allowed) by Him and by the Father in the event of FORNICATION (INFIDELITY). Matt 5:32 But, even though the Lord has permitted divorce, such permission does not supercede His counsel to forgive and to mend the marriage. A powerful example of such forgiveness will be given later.

In Christ's day divorce was common for any reason, just as it is today. Today the current popular view is "If it doesn't work, get out." In Christ's day there were two camps of opinion - those who said for any reason and those who said only on the grounds of infidelity. The Pharisees approached Christ on the subject and asked Him "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?" Christ answered them from a scriptural position and not according to the law of the land or the customs of that day. He quoted a verse from Genesis, saying, A man shall leave father and mother and CLEAVE to his wife." He then summarized, "WHAT THEREFORE GOD HATH JOINED TOGETHER LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER." By this Christ was stating that men and women were to marry and no provision was made for divorce in the beginning. But, the Pharisees then asked, If this were true, then why did Moses allow a "writing of divorcement and to put her away?" Christ told them that it was because of "the hardnessof your hearts" that Moses "suffered (allowed) you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so." Then Christ gave the summum bonum to the whole question:

The marriage lifestyle of the Jews in Christ's day was very permissive. They entered marriage for "fun and games" and as soon as "the fun ended" the marriage dissolved so that they could remarry for more of the same. Considering this common practice, it is no wonder that the Sadducees asked Christ if a woman had married seven husbands, "in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven ... ?" Matt 22:23-29 Christ curtly told them, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." Vs 29 Can we be so blind as to fail to see that ALL THESE RULES HAVE NOT CHANGED FOR US!

In ancient documents found at Qumron and Nag Hammadi it is unequivocally clear that eternal marriage was practiced by the Church in the days of the Apostles. In fact, from these documents we learn that after the resurrection Christ clearly taught the ordinance of eternal marriage was to be performed in a mirrored room known as the "bridal chamber." In conjunction with this covenant of eternal marriage, those who honored the conditions of the covenant were promised that they would have "seed forever and that the husband and wife would never be separated."

Unfortunately, in our society today far too many divorces are occurring as a result of self-delusion and false justifications. Are these delusions originating with the individual, the devil, or God? The answer to this question becomes clearer by considering what instructions the Lord has given us concerning adultery.

A careful perusal of the scriptures reveals that there are four types of adultery.

I. Straight Adultery. The first type of adultery is unfaithfulness to one's spouse. Through Moses ancient Israel was charged in the ten commandments, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Exodus 20:14 In Leviticus 20:10 this type of adultery is defined as follows:

According to THE LORD'S OWN WORDS in both ancient and modern (D&C 42:74 & 80) scriptures, THE LAWS OF REMARRYING ADULTERY ARE STILL IN EFFECT TODAY. While it may be true that the earthly administrators of the Lord's church do not NOW impose church sanctions on those who are guilty of remarrying adultery, thosespouses who seek divorce on groundsother than adultery should VERY CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE SPIRITUAL CONSEQUENCES TO THEM of their action; because IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT SHOULD THE PARTNER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIVORCE REMARRY, IN THE LORD'S EYES THAT PERSON IS GUILTY OF ADULTERY, forgiveness forwhich does not come at all easily!!!

This law of Remarrying Adultery also raises the sober question of who bears the responsibility in the eyes of the Lord for any remarrying adultery later committed by an UNRIGHTEOUSLY put away companion. We acknowledge that the views here stated are our OPINION. Having said that, we offer the opinion that most if not all of the weight of that falls on the former spouse that broke their covenants and wrongfully terminated the prior marriage. The scriptural authority for this view is found in the Savior's statement in Matt 5:31-32 that "...whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, CAUSETH HER to commit adultery." Here, the Lord clearly recognizes that the CAUSE of the remarrying adultery lies with the husband that unrighteously put away his wife. To the best of our knowledge nowhere in any of the scriptures does the Lord place moral responsibility for any sin on an unwilling or unconsenting individual. In fact, in all situations that we are aware of the Lord places responsibility with the real cause. For that reason, when He says "Wo unto you ye adulterers" in Luke 16:21-23 we are strongly inclined to the view that the reason for the "Wo" is because the covenant breaker also pays the price for the innocent spouse's technical remarrying adultery. This thought occurred after much pondering on this question as we worked on this chapter and it makes sense to us.

III. Wanton Eye Adultery. The third type mentioned in the scriptures is mental or wanton eye adultery. Christ spoke of this, saying:

To avoid the consequences of committing adultery, members of the church, and especially those with temple marriages, who are contemplating divorce ought to carefully consider the gravity of divorce. They ought to review thoughtfully and prayerfully the Lord's unequivocal instructions on marriage and divorce as clearly set forth in the scriptures. Because of not only the moral consequences, but also the long-term injury to every family member, it is possible that one is in danger of seriously jeopardizing his or her eternal reward by following a delusion about divorce. Divorce is clearly one of those cases in which the Lord might visit "the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me (are disobedient)." Deut 5:9 Couples should be aided in overcoming the deception of their delusion in believing that divorce is a proper solution. Every righteous means and counsel should be given to those contemplating divorce.

On the express subject of divorce, the scriptures talk about a wife "treacherously departing from her husband." Jeremiah 3:20 The prophet Malachi taught the Lord "HATETH PUTTING AWAY (divorce)." Malachi 2:16 The Savior taught "What God hath put together, let no man put asunder." Mark 10:9 Paul said "Let not the husbandput away his wife." 1 Cor. 7:11

On February 9, 1831 Joseph Smith received section 42 of the Doctrine and Covenants, known as the "law of the Church". The Lord gave Joseph His law concerning divorce and desertion in the following words

From these scriptures it also seems clear that the Lord is commanding couples to work hard to overcome any delusions that divorce is a solution to problems in a marriage. Malachi spoke of the "tears and weeping and crying that covers the altar of God" because men have dealt TREACHEROUSLY with their wives by divorcing them. He cautioned the Elders of Israel that God was:

Christ agreed with the strict position of Malachi on divorce by saying: "I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." Matt 5:32 Christ told the Pharisees while in Perea, "Whoseover shall put away his wife and marry another committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband and be married to another she commits adultery." Mark 10:11-12 Matthew adds that the Savior put in an "escape clause" by declaring that divorce was permissible IF FORNICATION was involved. Matt 19:9 The Greek word for fornication in the New Testament is porenia", which means "sexual unfaithfulness."

On the central subject of marital relations between a couple (a common source of complaints and friction), Paul instructs as follows:

It clearly appears from these powerful scriptures that men and women should love each other, cleave to each other, be one flesh and that marriage is ordained of God and should not be put asunder. Paul taught) "Neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man IN THE LORD." I Cor 11:11 Peter taught that the man and woman are "heirs together of the grace of life." 1 Peter 3:7 We are powerfully instructed by the Lord in Section 131 of the Doctrine and Covenants that there is a new and everlasting covenant of marriage and that those who honor the conditions of the covenant will inherit exaltation or the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom. These verses state, "In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood (meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage) and if he does not, he cannot obtain it." D&C 131:1-3

The Lord also says that:

How carefully and cautiously one should approach the consideration of divorce in light of the sacredness and importance God has placed on marriage in the holy scriptures that He has so painstakingly given us!! How many marriages will be shaken and destroyed because of self-delusion and self-justification and false rationalizations? Tragically, today the answer to this sad question is "Far too many."

One other consideration should be mentioned. Church policy currently allows for temple marriage cancellation for grounds other than fornication (infidelity). However, we should hasten to say that HARDNESS OF THE HEARTS of church members is involved. Christ said that a writing of divorcement was allowed in the days of Moses. He declared, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered (allowed) you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so." Matt 19:8 Until recently Bishops and Stake Presidents were strongly cautioned against advising couples to divorce. Present day instructions on divorce to Bishops and Stake presidents is to give counsel as directed by the spirit.

Is it not clear that the current attitude towards divorce of "If it does not work, get out" is offensive to God? The Lord has spoken so emphatically against divorce in all of the scriptures, both ancient and modern. His revelation is given us for our instruction, guidance, and benefit. Are we not failing to love the truths He has given us if we choose to follow our own reasoning rather than obey His clear scriptural instructions to us? By ignoring His directions are we not candidates for delusions?

President Lee taught we need to teach our people to find their answers in the scriptures."Ensign, Dec. 1972, pg 3. President Kimball reinforced this by saying, "We must study the scriptures ... and let them govern our lives" Ensign, Sept. 1976, pg 5. On this critical subject, the Lord says,

Speaking of the power of the Word of God to heal hearts and minds, Jacob instructs, "Come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which HEALETH THE WOUNDED SOUL." Jacob goes on to say there have been "daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds." Jacob 2:8-9

Unless there is a spirit of forgiveness in the heart of each hurt partner, delusion may well lead to a shaking and destruction of the marriage. The Lord emphasizes the necessity of a forgiving heart by commanding us:

To emphasize that these are in fact eternal truths that really work we now offer a real example that powerfully emphasizes the point that even though Lord permits divorce in the case of adultery because of the hardness of our hearts, that grudgingly given permission does not supercede His desire that we forgive one another and mend the marriage.

Some twenty or more years ago, a young wife and mother engaged in repeated affairs, even flaunting them before her husband. One day the husband marched out to car of her latest fling, parked in front of the couple's home, pulled her out of the car and then and there issued the ultimatum that she either stop all such behavior immediately or their marriage was over. She chose to stop and with much effort, love and forgiveness, and undoubtedly the abundant blessings of the Lord, she fully repented and they rebuilt their love for each other. All who know or observe this couple now see true love and harmony between husband and wife and admire them as a most exemplary couple. Subsequently the husband has served as a Bishop.

While countless other similar examples that would fill volumes could be added here, hopefully the clear scriptural assurances from our Heavenly Father and this one example are sufficient to impress upon even the most deeply wounded heart the eternal truth that WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

The major ideas presented to this point have been:

1. A delusion is a deception based on lies which are sincerely believed.

2. The source of delusions may be the Devil, or man himself, or even God.

3. Satan gains control of the hearts of wicked men and sends them delusions so that he can lead them down to Hell.

4. The most foreboding consequence of man-selected delusions is that God will deliver him up to follow that self-deception and to be enslaved by the natural effects of that choice.

5. For those who love not His truths God may send to such people divinely chosen delusions.

6. God has given man his agency, and, therefore, man is free to choose, including choosing to follow devil-originated, man-created, or divinely-decreed delusions.

7. Divorce is an area in which delusionsplay a major role in motivating a falsecourse of action.

8. Marriage is ordained of God. A temple marriage sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise is essential for exaltation.

9. The Lord HATES divorce and has permitted it only because of the hardness of the hearts of those involved. Scripturally, the only stated ground under which the Lord permits divorce is adultery.

10. All of the Lord's laws of adultery, including the laws of remarrying adultery, remain in full force and effect today.

11. Those contemplating divorce should very carefully consider long and hard the eternal consequences of a divorce and have confidence in the Lord's capacity and desire to help them heal their marriage.

We move next to the subject of what the scriptures tell US about the Lord's attitude towards those who follow delusions.

Concerning those of His children who through the exercise of their god-given right to choose (agency) choose to not follow His word and His spirit, but to follow delusions, the Lord warns that, "His fierce anger is kindled" against His children when their MINDS ARE BLINDED (darkened) and their NECKS STIFFENED and their "HEARTS HAVE WAXED HARD, AND THEIR EARS ARE DULL OF HEARING AND THEIR EYES CAN NOT SEE AFAR OFF ... and have sought their OWN COUNSELS IN THE DARK (delusions)." Moses 6:27-28 The Lord concludes by solemnly warning, "A HELL HAVE I PREPARED FOR THEM IF THEY REPENT NOT." Moses 6:27-29; D&C 5:8

Nephi declared, "hardened hearts are past feeling" resulting in a rejection of the "still, small voice":

Nephi taught that people with "stiff-necks and high-heads" (proud, unrepentant) go astray or err because they are led by the "precepts of men":

Finally, what then is the solution or the remedy for delusions, for surely there has to be one. And there is. The Lord told Joseph Smith that "after much tribulation and temptation He would heal and convert if stiff necks and hard hearts" don't prevail:

Should not disputing mates be "persuaded to repent" (change minds and actions)? 2 Nep 26:27 Should they not be born again? Alma 5:31 Liberty from suffering comes to all who repent. There must be a confession and forsaking. The Lord said, "He who has repented of all his sins, the same is forgiven." D&C 58:43 Should there not be complete forgiveness between each spouse? The frequency of forgiveness is taught by Moroni, "As oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven." Moroni 6:8 Should not this rule of frequent forgiveness apply between couples, especially troubled couples?

Paul taught that, "Godly sorrow worketh repentance (change) to salvation" - saving of a marriage. 2 Cor 7:10 The Lord says, "Men must repent or they cannot be saved." Should not disputing divorce-bound couples apply this rule? Even so there must be repentance or the marriage can not be saved. Should not spouses be LONG SUFFERING like the Lord so that "all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord cautions, "do not procrastinate the day of your repentance." Alma 34:32 Should not couples facing divorce begin immediately to repent and not delay, else the destruction of their marriage and family surely follow?

Chastening (suffering, affliction & tribulation) is part of the process that "they might repent." D&C 1:27 The Lord says, "those having knowledge, have I not commanded to repent." D&C 29:49 The Lord emphatically instructs that mankind are to repent of "pride and selfishness." D&C 56:8 Are not troubled couples hindered in their ability to reconcile because of pride and selfishness? Surely, the DIVORCE DELUSION can be broken by repentance!

Jacob sums up the matter of repentance by saying:

The Lord has declared the five faculties of man (heart, mind, necks, ears & eyes) must be in tune with Him or His spirit is grieved, thus withdrawing and delivering them over to their delusions. Hearts waxed gross (hardened), beat indeed - but can not feel the still, small voice. Ears dull of hearing, hear indeed - but can not understand. Eyes closed, see indeed - but can not perceive. Minds blinded, think indeed - but counsel in the dark without inspiration. Necks stiffened, stretch indeed - but will not bend in humility, repentance or reconciliation. Metaphorically speaking, are not couples trapped in the DIVORCE DELUSION suffering from heart-attacks, ear-aches, neck-lockage, blinded-eyes, and brain-stroke?

The Lord says that delusions (which are deceptions based on lies which are believed) are "handcuffs, chains, shackles, and fetters of Hell." He continues to say that, "lies are strongly riveted upon the hearts of men and fills the world with confusion and is growing stronger and stronger." D&C 123:7 Lies are the "mainspring of all corruption and the whole earth groans under the weight of its iniquity." (Ibid) The Lord says, "lying is an iron yoke and a strong band." vs 8 On the subject of lying James says:

The SIMPLE ANTIDOTE to these delusions and the deep, long lasting and exquisitely painful wounds of divorce IS FOUND IN THE WORD OF GOD.

The vital importance of preventing divorce through the healing of wounded souls is powerfully emphasized when one considers most carefully THE LORD'S SOLEMN COMMANDMENTS to His church on the subject of how His Church is to treat (1) divorced individuals or (2) adulterers as found in D&C Section 42 (called "the LAW OF THE CHURCH").

We conclude, by coming full circle back to the starting point that the Lord does not approve of divorce, with Paul's unequivocal statement of the LORD'S COMMANDMENT ABOUT MARRIAGE:

POSTSCRIPT: Included in this Chapter will be found EVERY WORD in all the standard works about marriage and divorce. It is extraordinarily rare in the scriptures to find the Lord saying that He hates anything. Yet, as a special emphasis of how important he considers marriage to be, He has told us that "HE HATETH PUTTING AWAY."

We are sensitive to the possibility that some who are victims of divorce may experience some pain as they read this. We sincerely regret this for it is in no way our purpose.

We are well aware that there are all kinds of horrible behaviors and all kinds of severly emotionally damaged people that make a marriage incredibly difficult or impossible. However, it is not possible to look to the scriptures and justify divorces on grounds other than adultery because He has simply not given us any other scriptural justifications for divorce. It seems obvious to us that no such list could ever be complete because of the infinite variety of circumstances. Whatever His reasons may be, to us it is clear that He requires that we take this critical matter to Him for case by case counsel and resolution. Only He knows all the facts and only He can bring about the necessary healing. We can not say strongly enough that all such situations simply must be taken to the Lord for His counsel and guidance It is worth repeating again that with the Lord ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

"Delusions and Divorce" was written in the first part of 1990 and revised slightly for inclusion here. Recently we discovered and read the following accounts of personal revelations to LDS women involving marriage. We were impressed to add these accounts because EACH ONE contributes an extraordinarily powerful witness of the eternal consequences or either honoring or breaking one's sacred covenants made in the holy Temples of our Lord.

The first four accounts are from an excellent book entitled "Opening The Windows of Heaven" by Carol Jeanne Ehlers and Vicki Jo Robinson, Hawkes Publishing Co., 1987, which is still in print. Although we have chosen not to emphasize any portions of these accounts, you perhaps may wish to do so.

ACCOUNT 1:

We conclude these accounts of personal revelations with a previously unpublished experience of another LDS woman. With her permission we share the following excerpt from her personal journal of an open vision received in October 1992.