Many kept from the truth only because they know not where to find it

In D.C. 123, as Joseph Smith is in the midst of living in the terrible conditions of Liberty Jail, he writes a letter to the members of the church. One thing he wants them to know is that there aren't groups of religions that have completely bad people who would never accept the gospel. Here's what he says:

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are ^ablinded by the subtle ^bcraftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to ^cdeceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they ^dknow not where to find it—

This idea appears to be confirmed in Luke 23. Jesus was killed, in great part because of the influence of Jewish leaders. A large body of Jewish leaders was called the Sanhedrin. In fact, Jesus had a trial first in front of them prior to his trial in front of the Roman leaders.

After Jesus' death a member of the Sanhedrin showed that he was a supporter of Jesus. Here's the account of what Joseph of Arimethea did (Luke 23):

50 ¶And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a ^acounsellor;and he was a good man, and a just:

51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

52 This man went unto Pilate, and ^abegged the body of Jesus.

53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a^asepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

Even among the group of people guilty of killing Jesus was found a person who respected and believed in Jesus as the Savior. It's a great lesson for us regarding judging groups of people as wicked or completely wrong or uninterested in the gospel.

Have a great week.