The Book of Mormon narrative is a chronicle of nations long since gone. But in its descriptions of the problems of today’s society, it is as current as the morning newspaper and much more definitive, inspired, and inspiring concerning the solutions of those problems.
I know of no other writing which sets forth with such clarity the tragic consequences to societies that follow courses contrary to the commandments of God. Its pages trace the stories of two distinct civilizations that flourished on the Western Hemisphere. Each began as a small nation, its people walking in the fear of the Lord. But with prosperity came growing evils. The people succumbed to the wiles of ambitious and scheming leaders who oppressed them with burdensome taxes, who lulled them with hollow promises, who countenanced and even encouraged loose and lascivious living. These evil schemers led the people into terrible wars that resulted in the death of millions and the final and total extinction of two great civilizations in two different eras.[/size]
No other written testament so clearly illustrates the fact that when men and nations walk in the fear of God and in obedience to His commandments, they prosper and grow, but when they disregard Him and His word, there comes a decay that, unless arrested by righteousness, leads to impotence and death. The Book of Mormon is an affirmation of the Old Testament proverb: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34).
The God of heaven spoke to these people of the Americas through prophets, telling them where true security could be found: “Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12).
While the Book of Mormon speaks with power to the issues that affect our modern society, the great and stirring burden of its message is a testimony, vibrant and true, that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah...
President Hinckley gave us FOUR KEYS to identifying the "evil schemers" - did you catch this? We'll return to this; but pls look for yourself NOW.
Moroni urges us to "awaken to your awful situation" and tells of the two civilizations destroyed by secret combinations aka Gadiantons aka "evil schemers":
Ether 8:
-- NOTE this is just what Pres. Hinckley referred to when he said of the "evil schemers",18 And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God; ...
21 And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking [Jaredites], and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.
Reads "like the morning newspaper", doesn't it? President Hinckley was right! Then he added with emphasis that made my hairs stand on end at the following April 2006 General Conference, using the same terminology:"evil schemers led the people into terrible wars that resulted in the death of millions and the final and total extinction of two great civilizations in two different eras"
We are involved in terrible wars with lives lost and many crippling wounds.
Back to Moroni's warning, given to "us in our generation" (said Pres. Packer, quoting from Ether 8, see Ensign Aug 2010):
Note especially that there is a "wo" pronounced - not just on the "secret combination" -- butEther 8: 23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
Catch that? is that you and me?and also upon those who built it up
We could also refer to Helaman chapter 6 and 7, where Nephi warns that the Gadiantons had obtained "sole management of the government" and the Nephites needed to AWAKEN to their "awful" situation and NOT SUPPORT the Gadiantons who were in fact "evil schemers".
Now President Benson:
As President of the LDS Church:"Now undoubtedly Moroni could have pointed out many factors that led to the destruction of the people, but notice how he singled out the secret combinations... There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon—it is a conspiracy fact." (Conference Report, April 1972, Ensign, July 1972, p. 60; as quoted in God, Family, Country, pp. 321-322.)
OK, that's important now. We must "quit building up and upholding" these "evil schemers", the latter-day Gadiantons.And our nation will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of the God of this land, Jesus Christ, and quit building up and upholding the secret combinations which the Book of Mormon tells us proved the downfall of both previous American civilizations.” (Ezra Taft Benson, A Witness and a Warning: A Modern-Day Prophet Testifies of the Book of Mormon, p. 80. January 1988.)
Well said! I love these great Prophets and their succinct warnings to US.
Now to the important task of identifying the Gadiantons, and taking steps to stop "building up and upholding" these evil schemers!