Deception
The dictionary definition of deception says that it is the same as deceit, fraud, or lying. It is making a statement that the person knows is not true or a false statement that is meant to deceive. In all but very extraordinary cases (patriotic spying or where an innocent person could be killed or harmed without the lie, with the intention to protect or do right), this deception is wrong. Forms of it (fraud or perjury, for instance) may be prosecuted by law in most, if not all, countries, but it is also against gospel law. It is in violation of the commandment that the Lord gave to Moses, that we “are not to steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie to one another” (Lev. 19: 11). Paul said in Ephesians 4:25, “Wherefore put(ting) away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor. . . .” Because lying and deceiving is a sin, it is heartily condemned, and “liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” Rev.21:8). In LDS doctrine, liars are sent to the Terrestrial Kingdom.
Examples
God is the example of truth, for he does not lie (“God is not a man, that he should lie. . . .” Num. 23:19 and it is“. . . impossible for God to lie” Heb. 6:18). Deu. 32:4 says that he is “a God of truth and without iniquity. . . .” Lucifer is the example of deceitfulness and lying, being the Great Deceiver and the Father of All Lies (John 8:44), being “a liar from the beginning” (D&C 62:6). He's the serpent who “sought also the misery of all mankind. Wherefore he said unto Eve. . . Partake of the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die. . . .” (2 Nephi 2:18). Lucifer's influence was then found in Eve's son Cain, who, after slaying his brother, lied. In response to God's question, “Where is Abel thy brother?” (Gen. 4:9). Cain replied, “I know not” (Gen.4:9). Today Lucifer still entices men to become liars (2 Ne. 2:18).
Requisite to Deception
Note that intention and knowledge are important to the definition of deception or lying. A person who does not know that he or she is making a statement that is untrue is not guilty of deception because he or she does not do it knowingly and deliberately with the purpose of deceiving another. What this person has done is to misstate or to state incorrectly or falsely. It's a mistake, not the sin of deception.
LDS Beliefs
Where Latter-day Saint beliefs vary from others—perhaps--is that LDS also believe that deception can occur without making a statement. A person can deceive another by withholding information necessary for the other person to give informed consent or make an informed decision, thwarting their free agency. This manipulation of information, in LDS theology, is akin to Lucifer's tactics. LDS believe that, in a pre-mortal council in heaven, Lucifer tried to usurp Heavenly Father's and Christ's power and glory and volunteered to be the Savior of this world by forcing all mankind to do right—denying man free agency or the right to choose. Therefore, to LDS thinking, to deceive is to thwart free agency by denying someone the power to decide correctly.
How to Avoid Being Deceived
Paul says that people who believe in false doctrines “believe a lie” (2 Thess. 2:1-12), and Jeremiah 16:16-21 says that people who accept false creeds “have inherited lies.” Clearly to be deceived is not a good thing, so how does a person avoid being deceived, especially about religious doctrine?
The Holy Ghost is the “Spirit of truth” (John 15:26), which “will guide you to all truth” (John16:13). Latter-day Saints believe that any person may receive knowledge from the Holy Ghost, so he or she may judge, with the Holy Ghost's help, the truth of what LDS missionaries, members, and leaders claim about the Church: that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the personal, official church of Christ. After baptism into the Church, new Latter-day Saints are given the gift of the Holy Ghost on an ongoing basis to help them avoid being deceived and to stay on "the strait and narrow path."
