GIFTS: Undisputable evidence that we are in the Last Days . . .

 . . . and that the scriptures are our only safety.

Some years ago (1977) Elder Boyd K. Packer (who turned 88 on Monday) spoke to seminary teachers about the origins of the seminary and institute programs of the Church.

President Wilford Woodruff in the 1890s had spoken of the need for such programs "to counter the effects of a Godless education."

Can you imagine him saying that in 1895!!!

Elder Packer: "These programs were started [in 1912] when they were nice but were not critically needed. They were granted a season to flourish and grow into a bulwark for the Church. They now become a godsend for the salvation of modern Israel in a most challenging hour. [Remember this is being spoken over a generation ago---1977.]

"We are now encircled.  Our youth are in desperate jeopardy. These are the last days foreseen by prophets in ancient times.

"I will read one clear, descriptive, accurate prophecy, so old as to be ancient but so timely that evidence of every statement can be seen in today's news releases.

"'This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
"'For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents [can you imagine that being prophesied?], unthankful, unholy,

"'Without natural affection [we see a tidal wave of sexual perversion now sweeping in around us, to say nothing of the hideous specter of child abuse that now is becoming common even among our people], truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.

"'Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 

"'Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.

"[When you think of what is happening in society today, the next verse has tremendous meaning.]

"'For of this sort are they which creep into houses [even the White House in the 1990s---and beyond?], and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

"'Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth' (2 Timothy 3:1--7, emphasis added).

Elder Packer continued:

"That prophetic description of our day is accurate. The evil circumstances it describes encircle every student you teach.

"While studying one day, I read to that point and sat pondering about all the evidence that now confirms every element in that prophecy. [See the link to the online Drudge Report back in the e-mail introducing this post.] There was a mood of very deep gloom and foreboding, a very ominous feeling of frustration, almost futility. I glanced down the page, and one word stood out, not accidently I think.  I read it eagerly and then discovered that the apostle who had prophesied all of that trouble had included in the same discourse the immunization against all of it. Skipping a few verses, I will continue from the same chapter.

"'But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

"'But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

"'And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to . . . .'"

Able to what?  What are the scriptures able to do --- with surety and certainty, that no other source is able to do?

This has become a lengthy post.  We'll end it here.  Search 2 Timothy chapter 3 to finish the story and to find the true power in the scriptures, as testified by Paul to Timothy, and by Boyd, and by me.

Paul was Timothy's great mentor, almost as a father to him.  That is clear from "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned . . . knowing of whom thou hast learned them."

We all need a mentor.  A teacher, one on whom we can rely, and whom we can trust (see Mosiah 23:14).  One of my main mentors and teachers has been Elder Packer himself.  And Alison and I have both told him so in personal correspondence, to which he graciously replied, being the man of God that he is.

The point of all this: the Lord Jesus as found in the scriptures, not the Jesus of folklore and of our own invention, is the only answer to all the filth and nonsense encircling our youth and us today.

The link to today's Drudge Report is meant to confirm these references to news releases and prove Paul's --- and Boyd's --- point. . . .
God bless.


Steve