That Ye May Not Be Deceived

How do you know whom to trust? Innumerable voices clamor for our attention, many of them attacking people and institutions. How do you know which of those voices is worth your time and attention?

When Alma and his people escaped from King Noah’s armies, they thought so highly of him that they wanted him to be their king. He emphatically refused, warning them not to surrender their newly won freedom so easily. Then, he went further. Not only should they have no king, but they should also be very careful whom they chose to willingly follow:

Trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments.

Mosiah 23:14

This guidance is consistent with the Savior’s caution in the Sermon on the Mount: “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (3 Nephi 14:15-20; Matthew 7:15-20). Of course, it’s problematic to believe someone whose own behavior is questionable, no matter how persuasive their arguments and rhetoric may be. Deceivers tend to deflect attention from themselves, but the Savior’s guidance is clear: You can’t divorce the message from the messenger. We need to evaluate the trustworthiness of our sources of information.

The Savior gave an expanded form of this guidance to church members in Kirtland, Ohio in 1831. Here’s what He told them to look for in determining whom to trust:

And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations—

Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances.

He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances.

And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you.

And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me.

Wherefore, by this pattern ye shall know the spirits in all cases under the whole heavens.

Doctrine and Covenants 52:14-19

I see three characteristics of trustworthy gospel teachers in this passage:

1. They are humble.
2. They follow God’s commandments.
3. They therefore accomplish good things (bring forth good fruit).

Dale G. Renlund recently taught:

We will not be deceived when we seek and take counsel from trusted individuals who are themselves faithful disciples of the Savior.

“Personal Preparation to Meet the Savior,” General Conference, April 2025

Obviously, there are no perfect people in this world. But Alma’s guidance, together with modern revelation, gives us a touchstone to use as we evaluate the reliability of the information we receive. Trust people only to the degree that they practice what they preach and that what they preach is consistent with the truths you already understand. If their actions are not admirable, then be very careful with their words.

Today I will be wise in choosing sources of information. I will learn from people whose behavior matches their message and who are striving to live according to gospel principles.