”And the man, when he leaves his wife and travels to a foreign nation, while on his way, darkness overpowers his mind, and Satan deceives him and flatters him with the graces of the harlot, and before he is aware, he is disgraced for ever.” (letter from Hyrum Smith to the church, 12 June 1842)
The context of the above quote is that elders are being sent to Europe to preach the gospel and many are convinced of the truthfulness of their message and are permitted to gather with fellow believers in Nauvoo. They are allowed to gather as circumstances permit and as the church in Nauvoo is prepared to receive them. Doing things decently and in order is often being ignored in favor of moving forward with haste to gather, whether their families are prepared or not. Zealous converts are eagerly leaving their homes and families to gather.
The first part of the letter describes some of the issues this way: ”Whereas in times past, persons have been permitted to gather with the saints at Nauvoo in North America, such as husbands leaving their wives and children behind, also such as wives leaving their husbands and children behind, and such as women leaving their husbands, and such as husbands leaving their wives who have no children, and some because their companions are unbelievers, all this kind of proceedings we consider to be an error and for want of proper information, and the same should be taught to all the saints, and not suffer families to be broken up on no account whatever, if it be possible to avoid it.” (A transcript of the entire letter can be found here.)
While some husbands and wives are leaving their spouses who do not believe, others whose spouses do believe are also leaving their families to try to pave a way for their families to eventually follow after. All of these zealous efforts to gather are leading to serious problems. Though they may have good intentions, what they end up doing leads to more damage than good.
Among the problems this creates is the formation of many adulterous relationships. For example, a man who leaves his unbelieving wife, finds favor in the eyes of a woman on his journey and eventually enters into an adulterous relationship with her by receiving her as his wife. Originally, it may seem that the good graces extended to him by the woman were a blessing from God to help in his hour of need. Yet it is a harlot who is offering help. A variety of circumstances can lead a man or woman to act in haste, obtain favor with someone along their path and begin a relationship that leads to destruction.
Though many may be convinced of the truth and be willing to change their lives and make personal sacrifices, it does not mean that they are converted into being Christ-like. Being convinced of the truth does not mean that they really understand it and live it.
Even though you may be doing that which you believe is the Lord’s will, those who show up as helpful hands may be harlots who ultimately end up doing much harm. Their generosity and grace can make it particularly difficult to detect as a problematic relationship. A person in a vulnerable state, who needs help, is quickly met by those who give a much needed hand but can end up being harlots. This is why the Lord said that the children of the world are wiser than the children of light (see KJV Luke 16:8). The children of light should be eager to lend help to those who stand in need. Instead, it is those with evil hearts who step forward to assist those in need and end up empowering themselves and harming those who trusted them.
While this letter is specifically addressing new converts leaving their spouse or families to join with other believers, the same kind of problem presents itself to people in all kinds of circumstances. John C. Bennett appeared to be an answer to prayer in lending a much needed hand to help the saints establish a new home in Illinois. Yet he proved to be an adulterer who had also left his wife and kids then took advantage of women within the church as the reputation for his goodness grew among the saints in Nauvoo. Elders who left their families on missions were also met by harlots who showed them grace in their time of need. When they should have been helping harlots come unto Christ, some were enticed into the harlots lair. It can be an odd circumstance to manage when times are desperate or the need is great to refuse graces that may disrupt things. It may not begin with the lair but for some it ended up there. But if beggars can’t be choosers, what should they do? Even an alert beggar probably knows when it is time to leave a place.
It is likewise today with many who reach outside of what they are accustomed to in their search for truth. As they look around for greater understanding, often the hand that grabs them is that of a harlot who shows them favor with her graces but leads them down strange paths that end up doing them harm.
How the children of light ought to recognize those wondering and searching for light and extend a hand and offer them good graces rather than allow them to be appeased by the hand and graces of the harlot.
Beware being flattered with the graces of the harlot.