[The following essay was written by my son Paul following a discussion of recent writings by individuals concerning out of body experiences and other types of visions related to the hardships that will precede the building of the New Jerusalem and the coming of Christ.  While the church has formally advised that such materials are not to be included at any level in the curricula of the church, the church has not condemned the writings nor their authors.  It is my belief that these writings have already motivated many church members to refine their thinking on preparedness and will continue to do so, but they should not be taken as direction on when and how to prepare.]         

         Every Wind of Doctrine By Paul Christian Brown -- There are many “winds of doctrine”  (Ephesians 4:14), direction, and motivation that seem  to be blowing around these days.  They come from a wide variety of sources -- even if you try hard to stick with the ones that seem right and good.  There are scriptures; conference talks; church magazines; Stake and Ward leaders and teachers; there are home and visiting teachers; full-time and ward missionaries; parents; siblings; patriarchal and other blessings; church history stories; mission stories; inspirational books and writings about doctrines, afterlife, visions, and personal revelations; including our own personal dreams, inspirations, and revelations we may receive; not to mention the endless philosophies and ideologies of men.

         I think that some clarifications may be useful as we try to sift through and prioritize these influences in our lives, for example:  the difference between DIRECTION and MOTIVATION.

The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4:12-14, instructs us about the Lord’s pattern for the ”perfecting of the saints.”  He gives us the Priesthood organization of prophets, apostles, evangelists (patriarchs), pastors, and teachers  for the “edifying of the body of Christ:”  this is how we are to receive DIRECTIION, through the keys of the priesthood organization, from the Prophet, all the way down through the Teachers and Deacons Quorum Presidents.  DIRECTION given from these sources, we can be assured, is from the Lord; and they include the scriptures, conference talks, patriarchal blessings and direction give to us from general and local priesthood leaders.  This also includes the DIRECTION that the Lord gives us personally through prayer, inspiration, and revelation for the enlargement of our own stewardships and personal growth.  If we follow their direction we cannot go amiss.  It is our reluctance to wholeheartedly follow these DIRECTIONS that keeps us from becoming pure in heart and Zion worthy – “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the fullness of Christ:”

Through modern media there are many voices out there, many carrying wonderful messages, and stories brimming with spiritual experiences, teachings, revelations, dreams, and explanations of doctrines.  I believe that these can be important forces for good as they knock on the doors of our minds and hearts and create opportunities for the Spirit to MOTIVATE us to turn to Christ and seek after Him more fervently, and to follow more faithfully the DIRECTION we receive from Him and His authorized sources.  I think there is a growing and dangerous trend where many, perhaps unwarily, are allowing other sources to DIRECT them, instead of simply being MOTIVATED by them towards the correct sources of DIRECTION.

I think that as we strive to become a Zion people, we need to seek all learning and sources that inspire and MOTIVATE us to turn to Christ and to be ever more willing to be DIRECTED by Him, by means of the proscribed sources of revelation. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”