Paul knew "grievous wolves" would enter among the church, "not sparing the flock," and issued a warning to the elders at Ephesus that there would arise among them men "speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (See Acts 20:28-30.)
Paul's words were fulfilled. In fact, Paul spent part of his ministry trying to quell disputations within the church. Eventually, members embraced the shifting philosophies of men rather than the sure word of God. Paul's warning to beware "grievous wolves" went unheeded. The dire result was apostasy, a long season during which the heavens were sealed and revelation from God ceased.
But a brighter day has dawned. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored and, once more, authorized servants teach His doctrines. Apostles and prophets again give words of counsel and caution. How do we receive these inspired words — with faithful compliance or willful disobedience? To whom do we listen — the appointed shepherds of the flock or the wolves who come among us?
The Savior warned: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15).
Some members fret over outside voices that try to destroy or discredit the Church. However, our greater concern probably lies with the "wolves" who, wearing sheep's clothing, blend in with the flock. "Ravening" is an apt description of what they do: hungrily search for prey. The damage they do, not to the body of the Church but to individual souls, is immense.
At the April 1949 general conference, President J. Reuben Clark Jr., then first counselor in the First Presidency, said: "The ravening wolves are amongst us, from our own membership, and they, more than any others, are clothed in sheep's clothing because they wear the habiliments of the priesthood; … We should be careful of them …" (The Improvement Era, May 1949, p. 268.)
Twenty years later, President Ezra Taft Benson said, "The wolves amongst our flock are more numerous and devious today than when President Clark made this statement." (April 1969 general conference, Ensign, May 1969, p. 11.)
If some group committed to the conservation of truth were able to make a head count, we would learn, most likely, that those who would prey upon the flock are still among us, and in greater numbers. They're cunning, expert in presenting good as evil and evil as good, glib of tongue in issuing "sound bites" for which the media often have a ravenous appetite, and of such mien that, initially, few recognize them as dangerous predators who gnaw at the spiritual well-being of wards and stakes, homes, families and individuals.
Some wolves shed their sheep's clothing, revealing themselves as the apostates that they are, at times in the midst of worldly praise and acclamation. We know that we tread dangerous ground if we choose to be swayed by their philosophies. Not wanting to fall prey, we exercise wisdom's caution. We realize that an individual might have an honest difference of opinion with a Church leader but we know that when the individual seeks to make public those differences in order to create strife, cause divisiveness or lead others astray then that person walks the path of the apostate.
Other wolves in sheep's clothing, perhaps not fully grown, are also among us. They divide and scatter the flock, as it were, with such negative influences as discord, gossip and backbiting. They feed on the burr of contention. They criticize the doctrines of the Church and its leaders on local and general levels, all the while claiming active membership and sometimes displaying a prestigious genealogy of faithful forebears.
Before we shake our heads and lament the damage wrought by these wolves in sheep's clothing, we ought to be sure we aren't added to their number. Do we show support for our bishopric, stake presidency, high council, priesthood quorum and auxiliary leaders, or do we criticize and complain? Do we bear testimonies that help others increase in faith, or make statements that introduce a shadow of doubt into the minds of the young, new converts or others who might waver?
Then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Harold B. Lee said during the April 1962 general conference, "Thousands of new members have built upon the foundation of their faith at the time of their baptism, but there are wolves in sheep's clothing among them. Older members by bad example could 'wound their weak conscience and make their weaker brethren to offend.' " (See 1 Corinthians 8:11-13.)
In this instance that has nothing to do with worldly fashions, we ought to be careful that we aren't deceived by the outward appearance of others: our safety depends upon heeding the Savior's admonition to beware wolves in sheep's clothing.
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