{"id":57673,"date":"2026-02-17T11:43:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T18:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicsquaremag.org\/?p=57673"},"modified":"2026-02-17T13:07:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T20:07:41","slug":"the-importance-of-discerning-authorized-messengers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicsquaremag.org\/faith\/gospel-fare\/the-importance-of-discerning-authorized-messengers\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Discerning Authorized Messengers"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/picture> Download Print-Friendly Version<\/a><\/p>\n

Never before have knowledge and information been so accessible, and yet harmful. Like a flash flood, information, opinions, and facts have breached boundaries once built to maintain order and safety. Just as water can be both life-saving and life-threatening, the flood of information now inundating us can either save or destroy our souls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In his first public address at Brigham Young University (BYU) as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Dallin H. Oaks <\/span>commented<\/span><\/a> on this rising threat and on the \u201c<\/span>abundance of speculation and false information in podcasts and <\/span>on social media<\/span><\/a>.\u201d <\/span>He reemphasized the necessity of the Holy Ghost in discerning truth, adding soberly: <\/span>\u201cYou live in a season where the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don\u2019t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This deception is not new.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>With recent advancements in AI, manipulative algorithms, fake news, and the rise of social relativism, his warning feels especially relevant. What a paradox! We live in the greatest age of advancement and knowledge and yet feel so confused and unsure about what is true. Jesus put it best in <\/span>Doctrine and Covenants 95<\/span><\/a> when he said that some \u201care walking in darkness at noon-day.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet this deception is not new. It has been employed from the very beginning by Satan, \u201c<\/span>that<\/span><\/a> being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light.\u201d In the Garden of Eden, Satan<\/span> disguised his true identity and convinced Eve to partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, in violation of God\u2019s commands. We know from modern prophets and scriptures that the Fall was ultimately part of God’s plan. It ushered in mortality, the ability to have children, and enabled Adam and Eve to progress and become like God. Oaks even <\/span>taught<\/span><\/a> that we should \u201ccelebrate Eve\u2019s act and honor her wisdom and courage.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So what was the problem? The problem was the messenger: Satan offered what he did not have the authority to give, obscured its consequences, and enticed Eve to disobey God. Gratefully, God\u2019s plan cannot be frustrated, even by Satan\u2019s most cunning deception, and God provided a way forward in Christ. But Adam and Eve never forgot the sobering lesson they learned: by following an unauthorized messenger, they almost lost everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learning from their mistakes, Adam and Eve were determined to listen only to true messengers from God once they arrived in the lone and dreary world. But how could they know who was a messenger from God and who wasn\u2019t, especially knowing that Satan can disguise himself? Ironically, by giving Eve the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, Satan gave Eve power to detect him. Further, the temple teaches that God also provided Adam and Eve with certain means, which Satan cannot imitate, to identify true messengers so that Adam and Eve could know of a surety who was an authorized messenger from God and who was not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Light and truth will flow more abundantly <\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>
\nLike Adam and Eve, Joseph Smith had personal experience with the importance of discerning authorized messengers. Although the details are sparse, we learn in <\/span>Doctrine and Covenants 128 <\/span><\/a>that the voice of Michael was heard on the banks of the Susquehanna River \u201cdetecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light\u201d and that \u201cthe voice of Peter, James, and John\u201d was also heard near the Susquehanna \u201cdeclaring <\/span>themselves<\/span><\/i> as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times!\u201d Little was recorded about the details of the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, except that it was restored somewhere near the Susquehanna River by Peter, James, and John. It may be that this noted appearance of Satan near the Susquehanna was an attempt by Satan to once again give that which he did not have authority to give: this time, presumably the Melchizedek Priesthood. <\/span>But instead, the Lord entrusted authorized messengers to restore the priesthood power. As the Restoration could not move forward without this higher priesthood, it is likely that Satan would, again, at a key crossroad, seek to deceive.<\/span><\/p>\n

It also does not feel coincidental that <\/span>Section 129<\/span><\/a> of the Doctrine and Covenants immediately follows this account with instructions on how to detect ministering angels, or authorized messengers, from false spirits, revealing the \u201cgrand keys whereby you may know whether any administration is from God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Apostle John <\/span>taught <\/span><\/a>early Christians to \u201c<\/span>believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.\u201d<\/span> But how do we \u201ctry the spirits\u201d to know whether they are of God? John <\/span>tells<\/span><\/a> us: \u201cWe\u201d\u2014meaning the apostles\u2014\u201care of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We are blessed to live in a day when ordained prophets and apostles serve as authorized servants of God. They are called of God, and although they are not perfect, we can trust them. Jesus Christ Himself admonished as much when He came to the Americas, called twelve servants, and then <\/span>declared<\/span><\/a>, \u201cBlessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power \u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The scriptures, likewise, are filled with the words and teachings of past authorized messengers. They are a powerful, authorized source of truth. Elder Richard G. Scott <\/span>taught<\/span><\/a> that, \u201cBecause scriptures are generated from inspired communication through the Holy Ghost, they are <\/span>pure truth<\/span><\/i>. We need not be concerned about the validity of concepts contained in the scriptures.\u201d President Ezra Taft Benson further <\/span>testified<\/span><\/a>, \u201cThe scriptures are the key to holding on to that iron rod. If we want to taste for ourselves the pure love of God, we must learn to cling to the power that is our scriptures. \u2026 The Book of Mormon is the instrument God designed to bring us to Christ.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Light and truth will flow more abundantly into our minds and hearts.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>
\nIf we approach these authorized sources\u2014living prophets and scriptures\u2014first when seeking revelation, rather than podcasts or AI bots, light and truth will flow more abundantly into our minds and hearts. Although there is much truth to be found throughout the world, like water, it is better to drink upstream at the head of the fountain, where it is less likely to be contaminated with impurities. Truth found downstream from unauthorized messengers may, as the temple narrative teaches, contain the philosophies of men, mingled with scriptures. And just like water, it takes a filter to separate the impurities from the truth. Gratefully, the Lord has given us another authorized servant who can be with us at all times to help us filter out and discern between the alluring philosophies of men and eternal truths\u2014namely, the Holy Ghost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Christ\u2019s death, He prepared His apostles for His separation from them by <\/span>explaining<\/span><\/a> that He would give them \u201cthe Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name.\u201d Thus, the Holy Ghost is an authorized messenger of God. Christ <\/span>taught<\/span><\/a> His apostles that they can trust the Holy Ghost because He will \u201cguide [them] into all truth\u201d for \u201che shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear [from the Lord], that shall he speak.\u201d This is an essential qualifier of authorized messengers. They do not speak for themselves\u2013only what God gives them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Oaks\u2019 recent remarks at BYU, he reemphasized the need for the Holy Ghost, quoting the <\/span>prophetic warning<\/span><\/a> of his predecessor President Russel M. Nelson, that “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From the Garden of Eden to the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, Satan seeks to deceive and frustrate God\u2019s plan. And while Satan\u2019s tactics are becoming more sophisticated, the solution to deception is the same as the one God first gave to Adam and Eve: learn how to recognize and follow authorized messengers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The temple narrative clearly shows that one of the primary struggles of living in a fallen world, separated from God, is discerning whom to follow. If we consider ourselves like Adam and Eve, we must be as vigilant as they were in distinguishing between authorized messengers from God and unauthorized ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I find it significant that multiple times a year, during General Conference and in local Stake and Ward Conferences, God declares who His authorized messengers are. Their names are read publicly. Nothing is done in secret. And we are given the opportunity to either sustain or oppose them. God makes it very clear who we should follow and accept as reliable sources of truth. (D&C 43:2-7; D&C 28:12-13.)<\/span><\/p>\n

God makes it very clear who we should follow.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>
\nRaising our hands to the square to sustain the Lord\u2019s servants in these meetings is a sign of <\/span>ancient origin<\/span><\/a>. A square is a <\/span>tool<\/span><\/a> used in building or drafting to draw straight lines. This tool has been used since the beginning of time to navigate the stars and build sure foundations. The square is also used as a sign to spiritually draw a straight line to God and to reveal the order and foundation of God\u2019s kingdom. Each time we raise our hand to the square to sustain prophets, apostles, or any church leaders, God is making it clear to us who His authorized servants are. We can trust this sign. It points a straight line back to God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, while deception abounds in our AI age and the deluge of information drowns many, the Lord has continued his pattern of sending authorized messengers to teach His children truth. Satan continues his efforts to deceive, but prophets and the Holy Ghost are authorized messengers, and we, like Adam and Eve, must be vigilant in hearing their voices above others. Jesus Christ again said it best in <\/span>Doctrine and Covenants 1<\/span><\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments \u2026 And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world \u2026 that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh \u2026 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world \u2026 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself \u2026 whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In an age of flash-flood information, discernment best comes through authorized messengers: living prophets, scriptures, and the Holy Ghost.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":352,"featured_media":57744,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[475],"tags":[2092,102,155,567,2071,382,103,2119,296,274,851,324,974,191,303],"coauthors":[2025],"class_list":["post-57673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gospel-fare","tag-ai","tag-dallin-h-oaks","tag-doctrine-covenants","tag-fake-news","tag-garden-of-eden","tag-general-authorities","tag-general-conference","tag-holy-ghost","tag-personal-revelation","tag-prophecy","tag-prophets","tag-satan","tag-scriptures","tag-the-fall","tag-truth"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Discern Truth in the Age of AI - Public Square Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discernment survives the modern flood through prophets, apostles, and the Spirit, teaching how to discern truth when false light mimics authority.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/publicsquaremag.org\/faith\/gospel-fare\/the-importance-of-discerning-authorized-messengers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Discern Truth in the Age of AI - Public Square Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discernment survives the modern flood through prophets, apostles, and the Spirit, teaching how to discern truth when false light mimics authority.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/publicsquaremag.org\/faith\/gospel-fare\/the-importance-of-discerning-authorized-messengers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Public Square Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-17T18:43:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-17T20:07:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/publicsquaremag.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Authorized-messengers-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1536\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Charolette Winder\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Charolette Winder\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/publicsquaremag.org\\\/faith\\\/gospel-fare\\\/the-importance-of-discerning-authorized-messengers\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/publicsquaremag.org\\\/faith\\\/gospel-fare\\\/the-importance-of-discerning-authorized-messengers\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Charolette Winder\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/publicsquaremag.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/77388c03f452def8831181e0b5cf42a0\"},\"headline\":\"The Importance of Discerning Authorized Messengers\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-17T18:43:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-17T20:07:41+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/publicsquaremag.org\\\/faith\\\/gospel-fare\\\/the-importance-of-discerning-authorized-messengers\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1902,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/publicsquaremag.org\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/publicsquaremag.org\\\/faith\\\/gospel-fare\\\/the-importance-of-discerning-authorized-messengers\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/publicsquaremag.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Authorized-messengers-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"AI\",\"Dallin H. 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