The Tools Of Satan. How the Saints Can Avoid Deception.

[ktg]

A few paragraphs from an article titled the same as this thread by Mark Hudson. It's 38 pages long. I'll email it to whomever wants it.

President Hinckley was telling Latter-day Saints that the same problems which caused the downfall of the Nephite and Jaredite civilizations is occurring today. He said that the Book of Mormon describes the problems of today’s society and “is as current as the morning newspaper”. He then proceeds to list these problems which we are experiencing just like the people in the Book of Mormon experienced. He specifically listed: “scheming leaders who oppressed them with burdensome taxes” and “evil schemers [which] led the people into terrible wars”. Clearly these two problems are certainly described in our morning newspapers.
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President John Taylor tried to warn the Saints about this important and vital part of the gospel that most leave undone. He said:

“….As we have progressed the mist has been removed, and in relation to these matters, the Elders of Israel begin to understand that they have something to do with the world politically as well as religiously, that it is as much their duty to study correct political principles as well as religious, and to seek to know and comprehend the social and political interests of man, and to learn and be able to teach that which would be best calculated to promote the interest of the world.”(1862, JD-9:340)
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If we do not know what these secret combinations are and what they do, then we will be deceived. If we do not know what these secret combinations consist of and understand what their methods are, we will be “blinded by the craftiness of men”. And when you consider that the two methods that President Hinckley focused on and which the Book of Mormon lays out as leading to our destruction are “scheming leaders placing burdensome taxes upon the people” and “evil schemers leading the people into wars”, then it becomes very clear that politics plays a big role in our salvation. Our stance on various political principles cannot be separated from our religious views. Our stance on the various political issues of the day will be a major determining factor on whether or not we are deceived and whether or not we return to our Heavenly Father.
President Benson made it very clear in a 1965 talk entitled Be Not Deceived:
“As important as are all other principles of the gospel, it was the freedom issue which determined whether you received a body. To have been on the wrong side of the freedom issue during the war in heaven meant eternal damnation. How then can Latter-day Saints expect to be on the wrong side in this life and escape the eternal consequences? The war in heaven is raging on earth today. The issues are the same: "Shall men be compelled to do what others claim is for their best welfare" or will they heed the counsel of the prophet and preserve their freedom?”
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He also said: “The cause of freedom is a most basic part of our religion. Our position on freedom helped get us to earth and it can make a difference whether we get back home or not.” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pg. 591 & 656)

“There are limits to what the Spirit permits us to say.”
In 1997 General Conference, President Hinckley gave us a hint as to why the Brethren cannot speak out as clearly about these things as they once could, he said:
“We have been reminded that ours is a great inheritance. The past is behind us. It is the future with which we must be concerned. We face great opportunities and great challenges. Our critics at home and abroad are watching us. In an effort to find fault, they listen to every word we say, hoping to entrap us.

It is up to us now to use the Holy Spirit as our guide and not be deceived (D&C 45:57). We must look more deeply at what the Prophets are teaching us and understand that they must now teach with parables and in some type of spiritual code.

[ktg]

“The Bankers Manifesto of 1892” was obtained by Congressman Charles Linderghand revealed before congress sometime between 1907 and 1917 to warn the American people and their representatives about what these bankers had planned for this nation. This document stated:
"We (the bankers) must proceed with caution and guard every move made, for the lower order of people are already showing signs of restless commotion. Prudence will therefore show a policy of apparently yielding to the popular will until our plans are so far consummated that we can declare our designs without fear of any organized resistance.
The Farmers Alliance and Knights of Labor organizations in the United States should be carefully watched by our trusted men, and we must take immediate steps to control these organizations in our interest or disrupt them.
At the coming Omaha Convention to be held July 4th (1892), our men must attend and direct its movement, or else there will be set on foot such antagonism to our designs as may require force to overcome. This at the present time would be premature. We are not yet ready for such a crisis. Capital must protect itself in every possible manner through combination (conspiracy) and legislation.
The courts must be called to our aid [author’s note: See Alma 10:27], debts must be collected, bonds and mortgages foreclosed as rapidly as possible.
When through the process of the law, the common people have lost their homes, they will be more tractable and easily governed through the influence of the strong arm of the government applied to a central power of imperial wealth under the control of the leading financiers. People without homes will not quarrel with their leaders.
History repeats itself in regular cycles. This truth is well known among our principal men who are engaged in forming an imperialism of the world. While they are doing this, the people must be kept in a state of political antagonism.
The question of tariff reform must be urged through the organization known as the Democratic Party, and the question of protection with the reciprocity must be forced to view through the Republican Party.
By thus dividing voters, we can get them to expand their energies in fighting over questions of no importance to us, except as teachers to the common herd. Thus, by discrete action, we can secure all that has been so generously planned and successfully accomplished." (End of Banker’s Manifesto)
Other witnesses of this treachery abound. Congressman Louis T. McFadden stated in 1932:

“We have, in this country, one of the most corrupt institutions the world has ever known. I refer to the Federal Reserve Board. This evil institution has impoverished the people of the United States and has practically bankrupted our government. It has done this through the corrupt practices of the moneyed vultures who control it.”

He also stated:

“The Federal Reserve banks are one of the most corrupt institutions the world has ever seen. There is not a man within the sound of my voice who does not know that this nation is run by the International bankers.”

Many Latter-day Saints today have no idea that the whole system we are living under is evil and corrupt. In fact, most Latter-day Saints vote for and support politicians who believe in maintaining our current financial systems in our country. They see no problem with the Federal Reserve or debt-based money or deficit spending on the part of their government. However this is not surprising considering what we learn in the Book of Mormon about the Church members of that day and time. It is no different for us today.
In Helaman chapter 6, speaking about the Gadianton’s or secret combinations of their day, verses 38-39 should cause modern Latter-day Saints to take notice:

38 And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations. [socialism via legislation and votes]
 39 And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God.

Of this scripture, President Ezra Taft Benson said:
“The record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior’s visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior’s second coming. The Nephite civilization had reached great heights. They were prosperous and industrious…….
“But, as so often happens, the people rejected the Lord. Pride became commonplace. Dishonesty and immorality were widespread. Secret combinations flourished because, as Helaman tells us, the Gadianton robbers “had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils” (Hel. 6:38)…even as today (3 Ne. 6:15).” (April 1987 General Conference, “The Savior’s Visit To America”)

[kathyn]

It is up to us now to use the Holy Spirit as our guide and not be deceived (D&C 45:57). We must look more deeply at what the Prophets are teaching us and understand that they must now teach with parables and in some type of spiritual code.

Good posts, ktg.

[dennis]

In his talk "safety for the Soul" Elder Holland Conf. Report Oct. 2009. said one of the calamities of the last days is Decption. The Saviour warned that even those of the covenant, the very elect could be deceived by the enemy of truth." Bugile means the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving. to use trickery. There are 5 out of 10 Virgins who are unwise. Joseph Smith said in Section 45 the wise virgins took the Holy Spirit for their guide and were NOT deceived. Could it be true, are Half of LDS deceived?

[ktg]

In his talk "safety for the Soul" Elder Holland Conf. Report Oct. 2009. said one of the calamities of the last days is Decption. The Saviour warned that even those of the covenant, the very elect could be deceived by the enemy of truth." Bugile means the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving. to use trickery. There are 5 out of 10 Virgins who are unwise. Joseph Smith said in Section 45 the wise virgins took the Holy Spirit for their guide and were NOT deceived. Could it be true, are Half of LDS deceived?

I've heard that the virgins refer to the pure of the pure, or those who hold temple recommends, not just members of the church. I'd tend to agree and say that it's more likely that 1/2 or more of recommend holders are deceived.
Heck, we can't even get close to 50% attendance at church and few of those who attend are 'awake'.

[p51-mustang]

I believe that the federal reserve is the heart of the Gadianton Robbers of our day. Does anyone agree with this view?

[lundbaek]

I perceive the Fed as one of the major tools of the gadianton robbers of our day. They have other tools as well, including massive, uncontrolled immigration, wars fomented by themselves, destruction of our money, domestic and foreign welfare,

[dennis]

I would say you are close, but my research indicates you would be closer by identifying those who created the fed and all the other central banks in the world in the first place. Along with the bank
for international settlements. They control the Fed Head just like they control the Pres. and other govermnent leaders in the world. and much much more. The Fed is a puppet organization

[lundbaek]

As of late I hear increasingly from local church leadership that one should not concern oneself with conspiracy “theories”, nor with freedom issues and constitutional principles, but instead focus on the 3-Fold Mission of the Church. It is suggested that focus on the 3-Fold Mission of the Church will resolve, or lead to resolution of the problems created by certain conspiracies (a.k.a. “secret combinations”) and the attacks against our Constitution and freedoms.

I fail to see that focus on the 3-Fold Mission of the Church, to the exclusion of efforts to awaken ourselves and others to our “awful situation” and responsibilities to work for freedom and honour and “befreind” the Constitution and its principles will contribute to the prophesied restoration of constitutional principles in government and establishment of the Kingdom of God. I can see that introducing more people to the Gospel and ALL of its principles could get them in a condition spiritually such that they could awaken on their own to our “awful situation” and their responsibilities to support freedom and constitutional principles, can consider conspiracy theories and distinguish between fact and fiction, and decide for themselves what, if any, action they should take. But to avoid concern about the attacks against our freedoms and constitutional principles seems to me to be disobedient to the Lord.

I can only surmise that the First Presidency considers it too late to reverse our course now, and is just trying to bring the Gospel into the lives of as many people as possible, until the "cleansing" sorts out the remnant who will contribute to establishing the Kingdom of God.

[Squally]

As of late I hear increasingly from local church leadership that one should not concern oneself with conspiracy “theories”, nor with freedom issues and constitutional principles, but instead focus on the 3-Fold Mission of the Church. It is suggested that focus on the 3-Fold Mission of the Church will resolve, or lead to resolution of the problems created by certain conspiracies (a.k.a. “secret combinations”) and the attacks against our Constitution and freedoms.

I fail to see that focus on the 3-Fold Mission of the Church, to the exclusion of efforts to awaken ourselves and others to our “awful situation” and responsibilities to work for freedom and honour and “befreind” the Constitution and its principles will contribute to the prophesied restoration of constitutional principles in government and establishment of the Kingdom of God. I can see that introducing more people to the Gospel and ALL of its principles could get them in a condition spiritually such that they could awaken on their own to our “awful situation” and their responsibilities to support freedom and constitutional principles, can consider conspiracy theories and distinguish between fact and fiction, and decide for themselves what, if any, action they should take. But to avoid concern about the attacks against our freedoms and constitutional principles seems to me to be disobedient to the Lord.
I can only surmise that the First Presidency considers it too late to reverse our course now, and is just trying to bring the Gospel into the lives of as many people as possible, until the "cleansing" sorts out the remnant who will contribute to establishing the Kingdom of God.

Yes, just look at all the awake members all around us. people following the three fold mission of our church will automatically lead to awakened people..... Actually it does not, at least not any around me. I for many years was not awakened although I read the book of mormon many times, fulfilled the three fold mission etc etc. It takes more than this to wake up someone to the scope and nature of the combinations that have gotten above us. Someone has to show them. And the church is not doing this probably because it is too late to save our nation as you stated..

[lundbaek]

Which I guess leaves it up to us to do the awakening individually and in small groups so as to help prepare as large a remnant as possible prepared to restore gospel principles to government.

I still believe that many good, righteous people who at this time are still oblivious to and hesitant to get involved in our battle for freedom and constitutional principles in government will have opportunity to awake or be awakened to our "awful situation" and will at some point join in the fight. As frustrated as I get with many of them now, I think there is further awakening to come. Whether or not the Church will be behind this later awakening and hopefully increased level of activity, is anybody's guess.

[Mosby]

To have been on the wrong side of the freedom issue during the war in heaven meant eternal damnation. How then can Latter-day Saints expect to be on the wrong side in this life and escape the eternal consequences

Wow, that's a good one. Gotta love E.T.B!

I can only surmise that the First Presidency considers it too late to reverse our course now, and is just trying to bring the Gospel into the lives of as many people as possible, until the "cleansing" sorts out the remnant who will contribute to establishing the Kingdom of God.

I agree. ETB and others spoke mightly and boldly about the cause of liberty in the 40s,50s,60s,70s.........but most LDS folks just ignored them. Now it IS too late (IMO) the price of our collective ignorance will be paid- there's no way around it, as we read the BOM we discover the cycles of history that we are NOT immune from.

I think that one of the greatest dangers that we have is that most folks still believe that "if we just elect a Republican" Or "If Romney gets in there, he'll straighten it out-cause he's businessman!"
Yeah...........It's alot deeper and bigger than that.

Once the Gadinatons gain power (like they have now in the US) - they aren't gonna give it up- without bloodshed.

We are screwed as a nation- but through the gospel of Jesus Christ we can find safety and redemption- and that's all that really matters, and that's what the church focuses on.

[lundbaek]

But can one expect to be entitled to safety thru the Gospel of Christ if one has not supported those principles of freedom? I am concerned about those otherwise righteous people, pillars in the Church, who are not supporting the principles of freedom.

[Geeswell]

i believe the "church officials" that say we shouldn't focus on secret combinations and liberty/freedom topics and to keep to the 3 missions, etc are speaking truth.

I do believe that bringing more people closer to God and into the temple is going to be their armor in these perilous times, not focusing on reading news clippings and watching political banter.

not to say those things are bad and unneeded. i mean hey, if i thought it was useless and important i wouldn't be reading these forums! it's important to understand what our options are so we can choose righteously

I cannot begin to imagine those who use their time doing God's work and not having time for political, economical, and social activism in addition to those things would be shunned by God.

might i suggest that The cause of freedom is supported by many in many different ways? might I also suggest that the physical supporting of freedom is not for everyone? just as many occupations are not suitable for everyone as well.

Maybe instead of condemning those who "don't see" we can look at what they are doing. If they are engaged in building God's kingdom can we ding them for not being a cure all for this country? meaning why should we expect them to be able to be/see/do/know everything? thats kinda like saying the President of the united States should be a super hero...even tho thats what they like people to believe ,haha

if they are being lazy and naive, well....for shame.

[Amore Vero]

i believe the "church officials" that say we shouldn't focus on secret combinations and liberty/freedom topics and to keep to the 3 missions, etc are speaking truth.

If that were true than we would have to stop reading the Book of Mormon, for it is all about secret combinations & fighting for liberty & freedom. If we don't study about & learn to detect Secret Combinations & Gadiantons who want to take away our freedoms, on a political level or a personal level, we will surely be easily fooled by them & decieved to support their evil deeds & thus we will have to suffer the awful eternal consequences of evil with them.

[Amore Vero]

I am concerned about those otherwise righteous people, pillars in the Church, who are not supporting the principles of freedom.

I know many wicked & adulterous people, that hardly no one in the Church can detect & who everyone thinks are so wonderful & righteous & who could probably inspire you to tears while listening to their talks & testimonies. So, while many people appear to be very righteous, if they are deceived to support or do evil & not fight for freedom, they prove that they aren't really living worthy of the Spirit to discern truth from error or right from wrong or devils from saints. Having the Spirit is the proof of righteousness.

To be on the wrong side of the 'freedom battle' here in this life & to be deceived to vote for & support Gadiantons, like most LDS are, has dire consequences just like being on the wrong side of the battle in the pre-existence did.

[Amore Vero]

Joseph Smith said in Section 45 the wise virgins took the Holy Spirit for their guide and were NOT deceived. Could it be true, are Half of LDS deceived?

Way more than half are deceived, most are, for not all members are virgins (pure & clean) or not even all temple recommend holders are worthy of the temple, many deceive their way in & claim to be worthy & even think they are, when they really aren't. So it's really only half of a 'small percentage of members' that probably are truely pure & clean. So only half of the few 'cream of the crop' will make it & won't be deceived. It's most likely only 5-10% or even less that will have the Spirit to discern well enough to not be deceived by evil people & the philosophies of men.

In fact, it seems like almost every LDS person I know is 'easily' deceived by some of the evil people & philosophies around them. Just like 2 Nephi 28 warned would happen in these last days, everyone seems to be so easily deceived to do or support evil.

It now seems like maybe only 1 out of 100 members has the Spirit to discern evil anymore.

[Rensai]

Joseph Smith said in Section 45 the wise virgins took the Holy Spirit for their guide and were NOT deceived. Could it be true, are Half of LDS deceived?

Way more than half are deceived, most are, for not all members are virgins (pure & clean) or not even all temple recommend holders are worthy of the temple, many deceive their way in & claim to be worthy & even think they are, when they really aren't. So it's really only half of a 'small percentage of members' that probably are truely pure & clean. So only half of the few 'cream of the crop' will make it & won't be deceived. It's most likely only 5-10% or even less that will have the Spirit to discern well enough to not be deceived by evil people & the philosophies of men.

In fact, it seems like almost every LDS person I know is 'easily' deceived by some of the evil people & philosophies around them. Just like 2 Nephi 28 warned would happen in these last days, everyone seems to be so easily deceived to do or support evil.

It now seems like maybe only 1 out of 100 members has the Spirit to discern evil anymore.

Yes... the whole church has gone astray, everyone but you is deceived.

Joseph smith said "I will give you one of the Keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal principle, that has existed with God from all eternity: that man who rises up to condemn others, finding Fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly , that that man is in the road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives.

D&C 45:56 makes it clear that half the church will be saved, just like the parable of the ten virgins.

56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.

[fps.sledge]

It should obviously be a priority in our lives to focus on the 3-mission fold. That doesn't mean that "principles of freedom" can't be a focus, though. If the citizens of Germany prior to WW1 and WW2 were able to make a difference regarding their liberties and freedom, than perhaps those wars would never have happened. Yes, being part of the church and focusing on bettering each others spirituality can improve our freedoms, but I do not believe it's the exclusive solution.

Consider a world where did only focus on the 3-mission fold of the church, and did not focus on our freedoms. I do believe that's exactly the path this country is headed. I do not believe it's such a bad idea either. I'm not saying it's the best idea, but it isn't bad. I have personal experiences with my freedoms being violated. Because of those experiences, I'm led to believe and understand govt in an entirely different way. If other people had to face their freedoms being violated in order for them to understand freedom better, then so be it. What I desire in the long run is a society of freedom. If that means the church has to face pursecution again, then that just may be what it takes. Fortunately, Heavenly Father has placed a prophet and other church leaders on the Earth to merely prepare us for these events. The best preparation is spiritual preparation. The best way to spiritually prepare is to focus on the 3-mission fold of the church.

[durangout]

i believe the "church officials" that say we shouldn't focus on secret combinations and liberty/freedom topics and to keep to the 3 missions, etc are speaking truth.

If that were true than we would have to stop reading the Book of Mormon, for it is all about secret combinations & fighting for liberty & freedom. If we don't study about & learn to detect Secret Combinations & Gadiantons who want to take away our freedoms, on a political level or a personal level, we will surely be easily fooled by them & decieved to support their evil deeds & thus we will have to suffer the awful eternal consequences of evil with them.

I mean no disrepsect but your are DEAD wrong. The Book of Mormon purpose is to testify of Jesus Christ. EVERYTHING else is a far behind that.

[lundbaek]

No question in my mind that the Book of Mormon is a testament of Jesus Christ. But I counted 97 single verses or series of verses that seem to deal directly with secret combinations. (See "The Hidden Things Of Darkness" by C.S. Bentley, Pg 270-271) I don't think it was intended or desired by the Lord that we discount this topic. The fact that this seems to be a suppressed topic in General Conferences, in lesson materials, and in talks given on the local levels is due, I believe, to the failure of members in the past to follow the council of prophets and apostles which would have prevented at least a great deal of our present "awful situation". I think it is to late to reverse course. Much of the council we get now is directed to getting us to rig our rafts for the safest possible splashdown as we go over the waterfall.

[fps.sledge]

I mean no disrepsect but your are DEAD wrong. The Book of Mormon purpose is to testify of Jesus Christ. EVERYTHING else is a far behind that.

HA! Have you ever done that marking program where you highlight all the references to the Godhead? I have. The war chapters are an easy example where Christ is not the focus of the pages. Obviously testifying of Christ is the primary purpose of the Book of Mormon. They are not "dead" wrong. Come on. No disrespect. Just pointing out that the scriptures, whatever testament they are, do discuss matters of politics. God himself has actually given instruction to prophets regarding matters of govt and warning others of social-like govts.

[Amore Vero]

It should obviously be a priority in our lives to focus on the 3-mission fold.

The reason we are even down here on this earth to do things like the 3 fold-mission of the Church, is because we fought for freedom in the life before this.

And if we aren't vigilant & continually fighting for & protecting our freedoms here & now, the opportunity to even be able to do the 3 fold missions of the Church will be taken away from us. And no one can disregard freedom & even stay righteous & worthy to participate in the 3 fold mission of the Church.

[lundbaek]

In a book published by the Church "PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL" one can read on Pages 135 & 136:
“The men who framed the Constitution were directed by the Spirit of the Lord in establishing the basic freedoms guaranteed the citizens of this country....Unless we members of the Church do all we can to preserve the freedoms we have, within the bounds of the laws of God, we will be held accountable.”

It appears "PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL" has been discontinued as a Church publication. I know of no current Church publication other than the Doctrine and Covenants that addresses this topic.

[Hyrcanus]

As of late I hear increasingly from local church leadership that one should not concern oneself with conspiracy “theories”, nor with freedom issues and constitutional principles, but instead focus on the 3-Fold Mission of the Church. It is suggested that focus on the 3-Fold Mission of the Church will resolve, or lead to resolution of the problems created by certain conspiracies (a.k.a. “secret combinations”) and the attacks against our Constitution and freedoms.

I fail to see that focus on the 3-Fold Mission of the Church, to the exclusion of efforts to awaken ourselves and others to our “awful situation” and responsibilities to work for freedom and honour and “befreind” the Constitution and its principles will contribute to the prophesied restoration of constitutional principles in government and establishment of the Kingdom of God. I can see that introducing more people to the Gospel and ALL of its principles could get them in a condition spiritually such that they could awaken on their own to our “awful situation” and their responsibilities to support freedom and constitutional principles, can consider conspiracy theories and distinguish between fact and fiction, and decide for themselves what, if any, action they should take. But to avoid concern about the attacks against our freedoms and constitutional principles seems to me to be disobedient to the Lord.

I can only surmise that the First Presidency considers it too late to reverse our course now, and is just trying to bring the Gospel into the lives of as many people as possible, until the "cleansing" sorts out the remnant who will contribute to establishing the Kingdom of God.

I've heard some of the same things said by local leaders. I'm not vouching for every occurrence, but the last time I heard it I was reminded of Bruce R. McConkie's advice on avoiding hobby topics. Sometimes it is easy to get so focused on an aspect of truth that we lose our perspective on the broader gospel plan. I often have a hard time detecting this myself, not realizing it until someone else steps in and points out to me that I've found some particular topic to harp endlessly on.

While the specifics of individual situations may not conform to this, my experience is that generally the advice is meant to remind us to keep the broader purpose of the Church in focus. An old Stake President of mine used the example of spending time on particular doctrine's in the same measure that the scriptures do. When we're focusing 90% of our time and effort on a topic that the scriptures only mention in a few verses, we're probably out of balance.

That said, I've also heard people give advice like that in an attempt to simply silence someone who is saying something they dislike.