The Danger of Manipulation: Seeking God's Face, Not His Compliance

Brothers and sisters, builders of the Kingdom, have you ever felt the urge to *make* God agree with you? To orchestrate circumstances, perform rituals, or utter prayers designed to elicit a specific response? The temptation is as old as Cain, as persistent as Pharaoh. But as Dr. Baroo so eloquently unveils in this week’s teaching from Numbers, such attempts are not acts of piety, but displays of rebellion.

We see it embodied in the figures of Balak and Balaam. Balak, the king of Moab, desperate to thwart the burgeoning power of Israel, seeks to enlist Balaam’s prophetic abilities to curse God’s chosen people. And Balaam? He’s not a Samuel the Lamanite, standing on the walls of Jerusalem, warning of impending doom with a voice born of righteous conviction. Instead, he’s a man open to bribery, willing to twist prophecy to suit the desires of a worldly king. He tells Balak, “Build for me seven altars, offer seven bulls, seven rams!” – a blatant attempt to leverage ritual for a desired outcome. It's a stark contrast to Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, who, moved by the Spirit, delivered a message of repentance.

Dr. Baroo highlights a profound truth: “Man’s thoughts are foolishness. The word of God is profound.” How often do we forget this? How easily do we conflate religious activity with genuine devotion? These sacrifices, these altars, they are not shortcuts to divine favor. They are, as Dr. Baroo calls them, “false worship.” It’s a dangerous delusion, a subtle form of idolatry – worshipping the *effect* rather than the Source.

The call is clear: Agree with God. Submit to His authority. This isn’t about blind obedience; it’s about recognizing that true fruitfulness, true understanding, comes only from aligning ourselves with His will. We are not to manipulate the Stone cut without hands, but to be shaped by its power.

Consider the five smooth stones David gathered to face Goliath. They weren’t charmed or enchanted. They were simple tools, employed with courage and faith, when aligned with God’s purpose. Balaam, in his desire for gain, sought to *use* God. David, in his humility, sought to serve God.

The internet missionary movement, the gathering efforts unfolding across the globe, they are not driven by manipulation. They are fueled by a deep, reverent desire to participate in God’s work—to hasten the day when scattered Israel is brought home. Each engagement here, each contribution to the map of churches and the charity flywheel, funds gospel advertising in places like Ghana, extending the invitation to all who would hear. It’s a testament to the power of builders, not destroyers, working together to fulfill a divine purpose. And let's not forget the Missionary Fund, supporting those who carry the message to the ends of the earth.

Outback Jack reminds us, drawing from Alma 17-19, D&C 4, and Moroni 10:4-5, that true faith isn’t about getting what we *want* from God, but about yielding to His perfect plan. It’s about facing our own desires, those self-serving ambitions that often masquerade as righteousness, and laying them at His feet. It's about recognizing that our efforts, like painted rocks scattered on a path, are only effective when guided by His hand.

Let us be a people who seek God’s face, not His compliance. Let us be builders, not destroyers. Let us, like Abinadi, stand boldly against the tide of wickedness, even when it means facing opposition and peril. The gathering is underway. Will you join us?

Ready to build? Claim your church and join the movement.