Waking Up To Secret Combinations

For discussion of secret combinations (political, economic, spiritual, religious, etc.) (Ether 8:18-25.)
lundbaek
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Location: Mesa, Arizona

Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

Time for a reminder, and for new members of the forum.
An LDS Perspective on Conspiracy

Most of us seem content to accept the world largely in the way it is presented to us by what passes as the mainstream of society. Conspiracy, despite its overwhelming historical precedence, is often dismissed as non-existent or, at best, limited to small or foreign groups [1].
Consequently, when a discussion in a Church class arises upon the subject of secret combinations, such organizations as the Mafia, Ku Klux Klan and terrorist groups often end up on the blackboard.
While it is true, no doubt, that many of these groups conspire, and some do great evil, do they actually fit the full description of what we know about secret combinations? In trying to answer this we need to understand what the scriptures tell us about such oath-bound societies, as well as review the words of Church leaders on the issue.

What Do The Scriptures Teach Us About Secret Combinations? Secret combinations existed both in the Old and New World in ancient times. Below is a list of some of the things we learn from the scriptures concerning the nature, purpose and methods of these secret combinations:
1. Cain founded the first secret combination and became known as Master Mahan.[2]This title and the oaths and covenants were passed down to subsequent leaders of the secret combination (Moses 5: 31, 49;Helaman 6:30).
2. Secret combinations are “most abominable and wicked above all” in the sight of God (see Ether 8:18).
3. Secret combinations are Satanic in nature, receiving revelation from, and being founded and held up by, the devil (Moses 5:29–30; 2 Nephi 26:22; Helaman 6:26; 3 Nephi 6:28; Ether 8:16, 25) who transforms himself into an angel of light and stirs up men to contention whereby wickedness and thus secret combinations increase (2 Nephi 9:9; Helaman 6:21; 3 Nephi 7:7).
4. Secret combinations administer secret ancient oaths handed down from Cain (Ether 8:15–16), taken by swearing by the God of heaven, the heavens, the earth, the throat and the head (Moses 5:29–30;Ether 8:13–14).
5. The manner of their oaths and combinations are had among all people (Ether 8:20).
6. Secret combinations have secret signs and words (Helaman 6:22), protect one another (Helaman 6:21, 23), and mingle into society in a manner whereby they cannot be found (Helaman 1:12).
7. Members of secret combinations are punished by the combination if they reveal the wickedness of their co-conspirators (Helaman 6:24; Ether 8:14).
8. One of the purposes of secret combinations is to murder (Moses 5:31; Helaman 2:8); they also seek to murder the prophets of God (Alma 37:30). These combinations cause slaughter (3 Nephi 1:27, 2:11), war and millions of deaths; the Jaredites and Nephites being destroyed because of them (Helaman 2:13–14;Ether 8:21).
9. Secret combinations are established to rob and get gain (Moses 5:31; Helaman 2:8). The Book of Mormon refers to them as “robbers” over fifty times, which suggest that theft was their chief activity or the activity for which they were most notorious.
10. Gadianton Robbers prefer to plunder rather than working for themselves (3 Nephi 4:1–5).
11. Members of secret combinations regard each other as brethren and appear to have a communal attitude toward property (3 Nephi 3:6–7).
12. The teachings and practices of the robbers are tempting and corrupt the hearts of the people as they spread, eventually even seducing most of the righteous into believing in their works, partaking of their spoils, and even becoming involved in their secret murders and combinations (Helaman 6:38; Ether 9:6).
13. Pride, the desire for money, and seeking the praise of man make people susceptible to uniting with secret combinations; such go on to murder, plunder, and bear false witness against their neighbor (Helaman 7:21, 25–26).
14. Secret combinations help those who seek for power to gain power as well as to murder, plunder, lie and commit wickedness and whoredoms (Ether 8:16).
15. Secret combinations keep the people in darkness (Ether 8:16) and use fair promises to lead people away (Ether 8:17).
16. Secret combinations flourished first in the more settled parts of the land (Helaman 3:23) and among the wicked (Helaman 6:38; 4 Nephi 1:42).
17. One of the purposes of secret combinations is to gain power (Helaman 2:8; Ether 8:23, 11:15) by usurping power and authority over the people (Helaman 7:4). They seek to gain sole power over the government and, in the Book of Mormon, were successful in doing so (Helaman 6:39).
18. Secret combinations retain power so that they and their supporters may get gain and glory, and so that they may more easily steal, commit adultery, kill and do according to their own will (Helaman 7:5).
19. Secret combinations break the laws of God and the laws of their country (Helaman 6:23).
20. Secret combinations stir up rebellion (Ether 11:15) and dissent, and use lies and flattery to lead people to join with them (3 Nephi 1:28–29), targeting the rising generation (3 Nephi 1:29–30).
21. The members of secret combinations believe their secret works and society to be good (3 Nephi 3:9).
22. Secret combinations pretend to act on behalf of their people in reclaiming their rights (3 Nephi 3:10), believing they have been wronged and hating the righteous (3 Nephi 3:4).
23. Secret combinations seek to overthrow government (3 Nephi 7:6), establish kings – or oligarchies (see Mosiah 29:21–22) – and destroy the liberty of a republic (3 Nephi 6:30, 7:10); the king-men believe they have the blood of nobility (Alma 51:21).
24. Secret combinations, once in government, lay aside the commandments of God, corrupt righteous laws, and administer no justice to the people (Mosiah 29:22; Helaman 7:4), condemning the righteous for their righteousness, allowing the guilty to go free because of their money (Helaman 7:5).
25. Secret combinations shed the blood of the saints and oppress them (Helaman 6:39; 3 Nephi 6:29;Ether 8:22), threatening not only the rights and liberty of the people but also the Church (3 Nephi 2:12).
26. When any society has suffered such combinations to spread over them they will be destroyed (Ether 8:22).
27. One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to show us the work of ancient secret combination so that we may repent and suffer not that these same murderous combinations should get above us (Ether 8:23), and that we should awake to a sense of our awful situation when we see these things among us (Ether 8:24).
28. Speaking of a secret combination built up by the devil, the master of lies, in our day, the Book of Mormon tells us that those who build it up do so to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations and countries (Ether 8:25).
29. In the last days the gentiles shall build up secret combinations which shall spill the blood of the saints and seek to destroy the people (2 Nephi 26:22; Ether 8:25; Mormon 8:27).
30. Preaching the word of God destroys secret combinations (Helaman 6:37).

What Have Church Leaders Said About Secret Combinations? What do we know about secret combinations from latter-day prophets, seers and revelators? It’s interesting in reading these how they generally give a very different view than the one commonly held by members of the Church. The following quotations are in chronological order (titles added):
§ A secret band will sap the strength of America in the last days
“I have seen the end of this nation and it is terrible. I will tell you in the name of the LORD that a secret band will sap the life of this nation.”(Moses Thatcher, from an address given at the Franklin Ward, Franklin, Idaho, June 16, 1882 and entered into the Historical Record thereof)
§ We are in the midst of great propaganda and even the elect are being deceived
“We are in the midst of the greatest exhibition of propaganda that the world has ever seen. Just do not believe all you read or hear. The elect are being deceived.” (J. Reuben Clark, Conference Report, October 1941)
§ A global tyranny to be established by stealth in the last days
“Satan…[plans] to destroy liberty and freedom ~ economic, political, and religious, and to set up in place thereof the greatest, most widespread, and most complete tyranny that has ever oppressed men. He is working under such perfect disguise that many do not recognize either him or his methods.” (First Presidency, General Conference, October 1942)
§ Modern-day Gadiantons being blindly elected/appointed to government
“The Gadianton Robbers from the Book of Mormon are loose among us. The King-men, and women, are running our government. And, worst of all, we are blindly electing them, or appointing them so they can continue to destroy the things we cherish most.” (John Widtsoe, General Conference, April 1944)
§ Government & Church to suffer “vacant places” due to the Conspiracy
“If the conspiracy comes here it will probably come in its full vigor and there will be a lot of vacant places among those who guide and direct, not only this government, but also this Church of ours.” (J. Reuben Clark, Conference Report, April 1944)
§ Satan has control now and is guiding the governments of the world
“Satan has control now. No matter where you look, he is in control, even in our own land. He is guiding the governments as far as the Lord will permit him. That is why there is so much strife, turmoil, confusion all over the earth. One master mind is governing the nations. It is not the President of the United States…it is not the king or government of England or any other land; it is Satan himself.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 3, pp. 314-315)
§ Socialism-communism is a conspiracy
“…we should accept the command of the Lord and treat socialistic communism as the tool of Satan. We should follow the counsel of the President of the Church and resist the influence and policies of the socialist-communist conspiracy wherever they are found–in the schools, in the churches, in governments, in unions, in businesses, in agriculture.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Conference, October 1961)
§ A vast, worldwide secret combination to seek to overthrow all lands
“Concerning the United States, the Lord revealed to his prophets that its greatest threat would be a vast, worldwide ‘secret combination’ which would not only threaten the United States but also seek to ‘overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations…’(Ether 8:25)” (Ezra Taft Benson, Conference, October 1961)
§ A deliberate conspiracy to destroy the U.S. Constitution exists
“And do not think that these usurpations, intimidations, and impositions are being done to us through inadvertence or mistake; The whole course is deliberately planned and carried out; its purpose is to destroy the Constitution and our constitutional government; then to bring chaos, out of which the new Statism with its slavery is to arise, with a cruel, relentless, selfish, ambitious crew in the saddle, riding hard with whip and spur, a red-shrouded band of night riders for despotism.” (J. Reuben Clark, jr.,Church News, September 25, 1949)
§ Socialist-communist conspiracy at work both at home and abroad
“Our priceless heritage is threatened today as never before in our lifetime: from without by the forces of Godless Communism, and at home by our complacency and by the insidious forces of the Socialist-Communist conspiracy, with the help of those who would abandon the ancient landmarks set by our fathers and take us down the road to destruction. It was Alexander Hamilton who warned that ‘nothing is more common than for a free people, in times of heat and violence, to gratify momentary passions, by letting into the government, principles and precedents which afterwards prove fatal to themselves.’ (Alexander Hamilton and the Founding of the Nation, p. 462.)” (Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1968)
§ There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon
“This most correct book on earth states that the downfall of two great American civilizations came as a result of secret conspiracies whose desire was to overthrow the freedom of the people. “And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking,” says Moroni, “and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.” (Eth. 8:21.) Now undoubtedly Moroni could have pointed out many factors 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, just as the Church today could point out many threats to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God’s work, but it has singled out the greatest threat as the great conspiracy. There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon –it is a conspiracy fact. And along this line I would highly recommend to you the book None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen.” (Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1972; book recommendation added by Ezra Taft Benson during talk after he discovered a Russian delegation was in attendance. Not included in the prepared or text archives of the talk).
§ Modern founders of secret works arose about same time as Restoration
“It is well to ask, what system [referring to Isaiah 29:15–16] established secret works of darkness to overthrow nations by violent revolution? Who blasphemously proclaimed the atheistic doctrine that God made us not? Satan works through human agents. We need only look to some of the ignoble characters in human history who were contemporary to the restoration of the gospel to discover fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. I refer to the infamous founders of Communism and others who follow in their tradition…” (Ezra Taft Benson, A Witness and a Warning, Conference, October 1979)
§ Gadianton robbers fills the seats in many governments
“Gadianton robbers fill the judgement seats in many nations. An evil power seeks to overthrow the freedom of all nations and countries.” (Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, speaking in the April 1980 General Conference)
§ We must recognize, address and quit building up secret combinations
“…the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time…Now, we have not been using the Book of Mormon as we should. Our homes are not as strong unless we are using it to bring our children to Christ. Our families may be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless we know how to use the book to expose and combat falsehoods in socialism, rationalism, etc…The situation in the world will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of God and quit building up and upholding secret combinations, which the Book of Mormon tells us proved the downfall of ancient civilizations.” (Ezra Taft Benson, First Presidency Message, Ensign, January 1988).
§ A specific secret combination is increasing its global dominion
“[Wickedness] is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world.” (Ezra Taft Benson, I Testify, Conference, October 1988).
§ Modern-day Gadianton Robbers seek to bring down the Church, woo the people with sophistry and take control of society
“It is the terrorist organizations that must be ferreted out and brought down. We of this Church know something of such groups. The Book of Mormon speaks of the Gadianton robbers, a vicious, oath-bound, and secret organization bent on evil and destruction. In their day they did all in their power, by whatever means available, to bring down the Church, to woo the people with sophistry, and to take control of the society. We see the same thing in the present situation.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, General Conference, October, 2001)
§ Evil schemers promote heavy taxation, false promises, loose morals, war
“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.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, First Presidency Message, Ensign, August 2005)

onefour1
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by onefour1 »

My first wakeup as to who the secret combinations are was when I read the book, "The Creature From Jekyll Island" by G. Edward Griffin. I didn't realize some of the things in history that you just don't find in your High School or College History books. Also all the scamming for the privatized control of our monetary system. Excellent book!

lundbaek
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

"We live in a time of war, that spiritual war that will never end. Moroni warned us that the secret combinations begun by Gadianton ‘are had among all people. . . . Wherefore, O ye Gentiles [and the term gentile in that place in the Book of Mormon refers to us in our generation], 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. . . . 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." [Ether 8:20, 23–24] ( President Boyd K. Packer, in the August 2010 Ensign, Pg. 23 )

lundbaek
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

A couple of statements about who is really running things in the US:

“There has been an economic coup d’état in America and most of the world. We are now ruled by about 200 unelected central bankers, monetary apparatchiks and their minions and megaphones on Wall Street and other financial centers.” --( David Stockman, former US Congressman, & Director of the Office of Management and Budget under Reagan. Feb. 2016 )

“Now [the United States is] just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president. And the same thing applies to governors and U.S. senators and congress members. … So now we’ve just seen a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors …” ( — Jimmy Carter, former president, in 2015 https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015 ... l-bribery/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )

"There's no question that this is a time when corporations have taken over the basic process of governing." --( John Kenneth Galbraith, Canadian economist, prolific writer, etc (1908-2006))

GeeR
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by GeeR »

Lundbaek, your long treatise about the identifying characteristics of modern Gadiantions kind of turned me off from reading it when I first noticed it. I felt I didn't have time to go through it. However,something kept nudging me to read it so I sat down today and read it. Wow, what a great document you have put together, I thought it was well researched and thought out well. I encourage everyone to read it! Two aspects that I think are vital though to understanding Gadiantonism, you have omitted, are the "false flag" operation of Amalickiah and the intimidation and threat factor of Giddianhi the Gadianton leader, who used it when sending a letter to the Nephite governor Lachoneus demanding surrender. This threat paradigm was used when US official Richard Armitage went to, Musharraf President of Pakistan, and told him just before the US invasion of Afghanistan, that you will support the US in this endeavor in its "Operation of the Willing", or we will bomb your country back to the Stone Age. Then I remember shortly after 9/11 when Carl Rove went to Hollywood and had a meeting with all of the top movie producers and threatened them to give the official version of 9/11 in movies and t.V. or else.

lundbaek
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

Thank you, GeeR for your comments and additions to what I have started. The OP represents the work of others besides myself. I note there have been over 300 views of this topic and as of now only two additions to it. I wish there was more awareness of these things. I especially appreciate your note that " US official Richard Armitage went to, Musharraf President of Pakistan, and told him just before the US invasion of Afghanistan, that you will support the US in this endeavor in its "Operation of the Willing", or we will bomb your country back to the Stone Age." and " Carl Rove went to Hollywood and had a meeting with all of the top movie producers and threatened them to give the official version of 9/11 in movies and t.V. or else." I had read of the former but not the latter.

JohnnyL
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Posts: 9830

Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by JohnnyL »

GeeR wrote:Lundbaek, your long treatise about the identifying characteristics of modern Gadiantions kind of turned me off from reading it when I first noticed it. I felt I didn't have time to go through it. However,something kept nudging me to read it so I sat down today and read it. Wow, what a great document you have put together, I thought it was well researched and thought out well. I encourage everyone to read it! Two aspects that I think are vital though to understanding Gadiantonism, you have omitted, are the "false flag" operation of Amalickiah and the intimidation and threat factor of Giddianhi the Gadianton leader, who used it when sending a letter to the Nephite governor Lachoneus demanding surrender. This threat paradigm was used when US official Richard Armitage went to, Musharraf President of Pakistan, and told him just before the US invasion of Afghanistan, that you will support the US in this endeavor in its "Operation of the Willing", or we will bomb your country back to the Stone Age. Then I remember shortly after 9/11 when Carl Rove went to Hollywood and had a meeting with all of the top movie producers and threatened them to give the official version of 9/11 in movies and t.V. or else.
GeeR,

Here is one for Amalickiah:
https://bookofmormonnotes.wordpress.com ... -by-grego/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Giddianhi (not enough time to read through and find the best one):
https://bookofmormonnotes.wordpress.com/?s=lachoneus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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mirkwood
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by mirkwood »

I didn't post anything because I figured most of the LDS on this site area already familiar with the information. I'll add some stuff in the next day or two.

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mirkwood
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by mirkwood »

The New World Order: An Analysis for Latter-day Saints





The
New World Order
An Analysis for Latter-day Saints

From The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson


Dedicated to William Tyndale who was martyred in 1536 for printing the
words of the prophets without permission.

In Germany, in 1524, William Tyndale completed the first printed English
New Testament. Six thousand copies were smuggled into England, but anyone
found in possession of one had to relinquish it for burning or face
excommunication from the church. Tyndale continued his work on the Old
Testament, living like a fugitive, until he was finally arrested and
jailed. In October of 1536, he was martyred at the request of the English
authorities. (See Lenet H. Read, "How the Bible Came to Be, Part 6: No
Price Too Great," Ensign, July 1982, pp. 45-47.)

Prepared and Published in September 1992 by
R. Gary Shapiro, Kaysville, Utah 84037

Printed in the United States of America


Preface
The Apostle Paul wrote 14 of 27 books in the New Testament, two of them
before his ordination to the apostleship. He traveled the world as an
apostle for approximately 13 years.
Many of Bruce R. McConkie's writings, including his oft-quoted Mormon
Doctrine, were published before his call to the apostleship. He served as
an apostle for just under 13 years.
Neither of these two apostles became President of the Church. Yet today
nearly every Church lesson manual and magazine contains quotations from
both of them.
Ezra Taft Benson has served as an apostle for 49 years. In 1985, he became
President of the Church. Missionaries and Church members around the world,
young and old alike, bear frequent and solemn testimony that Ezra Taft
Benson is a Prophet of God.
This booklet is about some of Ezra Taft Benson's less popular teachings.
In the first chapter, we examine the importance of the Prophet's
teachings, whether popular or unpopular. Here we find that our only safety
lies in following the Prophet. Even when some are embarrassed by what he
says, we can be sure that God sustains him and expects us as individuals
to follow him. No living person or group of persons has authority from God
to question the Prophet's teachings.
In the second chapter, we review some of the Prophet's teachings about our
national Constitution. His concerns about internationalist proposals to
abandon our nationhood make it unmistakably clear that the emerging New
World Order imperils the Constitution. A significant part of his 49 year
ministry has been directed toward preserving the U.S. Constitution.
The third chapter evaluates several warnings from the Prophet about an
international conspiracy and its efforts to overthrow Constitutional
freedoms in all countries and rule the world. These warnings have caused
embarrassment among some members of the Church and have received limited
attention in Church curriculum materials. Some Church members go so far as
to belittle the idea of a conspiracy to overthrow the Constitution. Those
who would mock the words of the Prophet should carefully consider the
Lord's warning: "Fools mock, but they shall mourn." (Ether 12:26.)
During the 1960s, it was suggested by some that Communism was not actually
being run from Moscow or Peking, but was being run by a conspiracy of
influential and widely respected non- Communists from within the United
States and Europe. The term Insiders has been used to refer to members of
this conspiracy. During the 1970s, Ezra Taft Benson frequently recommended
a certain book about these Insiders and their efforts to establish a New
World Order. The last chapter of this booklet contains excerpts from that
book.
Regardless of how you have felt about Ezra Taft Benson's political views
in the past, you ought to consider them carefully now because God simply
does not call as Prophets men who preach false doctrine.



Contents
Chapter One
Follow the Prophet
1. The Prophet Is Like Unto Moses
2. Giving Heed To All the Prophet’s Words
3. There Is Safety In Following the Prophet
4. Use the Prophet’s Words To Evaluate the Words of All Others

Chapter Two
The Prophet and the Constitution
1. Constitution Established by God For All Mankind
2. The Crisis of the Constitution
3. The New World Order—A Threat to the Constitution
4. Saving the Constitution

Chapter Three
The Prophet’s Warning
1. Secret Combinations
2. Moroni's Urgent Appeal
3. Most Abominable and Wicked Above All
4. Seducing the Righteous
5. We Must Awake

Chapter Four
Every Citizen of Every Country
1. Don’t Confuse Me With Facts
2. Socialism—Royal Road to Power For the Super-Rich
3. You Are The Answer

Conclusion
1. Becoming Informed
2. Now Is The Time



Sources
President Ezra Taft Benson's statements quoted in this booklet have come
from his public writings after he was called to the apostleship.
The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (Bookcraft, 1988), was published three
years after he became President of the Church. Its preface notes that
"President Benson personally reviewed the entire manuscript, as did his
counselors in the First Presidency."
Other sources published since his call as Church President include The
Constitution: A Heavenly Banner (Deseret Book, 1986) and his official
General Conference messages.
God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties (Deseret Book, 1974) was
published after he became President of the Quorum of the Twelve, and his
book An Enemy Hath Done This (Parliament Publishers, 1969) was published
after he had served for more than 25 years as an apostle.

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mirkwood
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by mirkwood »

Chapter One
Follow the Prophet
D&C 21:4-7


Receive the prophet's words as if from God himself and use them to
evaluate all other counsel.

We have a prophet living on the earth today. He is the president of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He alone has the right to
receive revelation for the entire Church. He alone holds the "keys of the
kingdom," meaning he directs the administration of the ordinances.
Latter-day Saints sustain the first presidency and the twelve apostles as
prophets, seers, and revelators. However, when we speak of "the prophet"
we mean the President of the Church, the President of the High Priesthood.
No other person is authorized to receive God's will for the membership of
the Church. (See Gospel Principles [1978, Revised 1979,1981 ], pp. 44-45.)


1
The Prophet Is
Like Unto Moses
• D&C 107:91-92. "And again, the duty of the President of the office of
the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like
unto Moses—
"Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and
a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of
the church."
How is the Prophet "like unto Moses?" Do we sometimes feel that if we had
a prophet like Moses, we would be led with greater manifestations of power
than we now are? Yet, we know that the same spirit of revelation that
rested upon Moses and enabled him to lead the children of Israel through
the Red Sea rests upon the President of the Church today.
• Moses 1:25. "Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen
thee, and thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall
obey thy command as if thou wert God."
Moses was told that the waters would obey his command "as if thou wert
God" and they certainly did.
• Helaman 12:7-8 (7-16). "O how great is the nothingness of the children
of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth.
"For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the
dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God."
Because the dust of the earth is always obedient to God whereas the
children of men are not always obedient, the children of men are here
referred to as "less than the dust of the earth." The elements are
obedient to God and his prophet. Shouldn't we likewise follow the prophet
who is "like unto Moses" as if he were God?
• Exodus 4:15-16. Defining his relationship as Prophet to his brother
Aaron, God said to Moses: "And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in
his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, . . . and will teach you what ye
shall do.
"And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and he shall be to thee
instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God."
President Harold B. Lee, while a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, used
these verses to explain the relationship that the prophet has with other
Church leaders: "I think that is as clear a relationship as you can find
anywhere—the relationship of the prophet of the Lord and the President of
the Church, the prophet, seer, and revelator, to others of us to whom he
may delegate authority." (Teachings of the Living Prophets [Student Manual
Religion 333, 1982], p. 13.)
• In September of 1830, the First Presidency had not yet been organized,
but Oliver Cowdery was the Second Elder of the Church. The question arose
concerning who might receive revelations for the Church when Oliver
Cowdery took the Prophet Joseph Smith to task for not accepting certain
revelations that had been received by others. In answer to the Prophet
Joseph's prayer about this matter, the Lord revealed section 28 of the
Doctrine and Covenants and gave the following instructions to Oliver
Cowdery (see verses 2-3, 6-7):
"No one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this
church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even
as Moses.
"And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him,
even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations,
with power and authority unto the church. . . .
"And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the
church.
"For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which
are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead."
• D&C 43:1-4. The Lord plainly states that only the President of the
Church is appointed to receive commandments and revelations, and "there is
none other appointed . . . to receive commandments and revelations until
he be taken." (Italics added.)
• D&C 100:9-11. In 1833, the Lord reminded Sidney Rigdon, a counselor in
the First Presidency, that he was to be a "spokesman" for the Prophet, and
that the Prophet should "be a revelator unto thee."
• D&C 132:7. "And there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom
this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred."
The prophet is the only person on the earth who holds all of the keys of
the priesthood and is "the only one who is empowered to receive revelation
for the whole Church. Neither his counselors nor members of the Quorum of
the Twelve nor any person in any position in the Church may declare
official doctrine, change policies, or speak as the Lord's representative
for the entire Church, without the prophet's authorization." (Teachings of
the Living Prophets [Student Manual Religion 333, 1982], p. 13.)


2
Giving Heed To
All the Prophet's Words
• D&C 1:38. "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse
not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall
not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by
the voice of my servants, it is the same."
The prophet's words are God's words and God's words shall all be
fulfilled. (See 1 Ne. 7:13; 9:6; Alma 37:16; 3 Ne. 27:18; 29:1-3; D&C
42:39; 56:11; Moses 4:30; JS-M 1:35.)
• D&C 21:4-5. "Thou shalt give heed to all his [the prophet's] words and
commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in
all holiness before me;
"For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience
and faith." (Italics added.)
The prophet's teachings should be followed completely. There is no option
to follow part of his counsel and discard that which is unpleasant or
difficult. The Lord has commanded us to follow all of the prophet's
teachings. (See Gospel Principles [1978, Revised 1979,1981], p. 45.)


3
There Is Safety
In Following the Prophet
• President Harold B. Lee said our only safety lies in following the
words of the living prophet as if from God's own mouth:
"Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly
what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was
organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that
the Lord shall give through his prophet, 'as he receiveth them, walking in
all holiness before me; . . . as if from mine own mouth, in all patience
and faith.' (D&C 21:4-5.) There will be some things that take patience and
faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It
may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views.
It may interfere with some of your social life. . . .
"Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow the ones whom
the Lord has placed to preside over his church. He knows whom he wants to
preside over this church, and he will make no mistake. The Lord doesn't do
things by accident. . . .
"Let's keep our eye on the President of the Church." (Living Prophets for
a Living Church [Church Educational System, 1974], p. 32. see also The
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 139.)


4
Use the Prophet's Words To
Evaluate the Words of All Others
• President Ezra Taft Benson gave this counsel: "Let me give you a
crucial key to help you avoid being deceived. It is this—learn to keep
your eye on the Prophet. He is the Lord's mouthpiece and the only man who
can speak for the Lord today. Let his inspired counsel take precedence.
Let his inspired words be a basis for evaluating the counsel of all lesser
authorities. Then live close to the Spirit so you may know the truth of
all things." (Seek to Obtain My Word [Melchizedek Priesthood Personal
Study Guide 1989], p. 58; see also The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.
134; italics added.)
• President Benson has taught this same principle many times. The
following examples are representative of his teachings on this subject:
"Other officers in the kingdom have fallen, but never the Presidents. The
words of a living prophet must and ever will take precedence." (The
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 134; italics added.)
"As members of the Church we have some close quarters to pass through if
we are going to get home safely. We will be given a chance to choose
between conflicting counsel given by some. That is why we must learn—and
the sooner we learn, the better—to keep our eye on the prophet, the
President of the Church." (Ibid., p. 139.)
"Some so-called experts of political science want the prophet to keep
still on politics. Some would-be authorities on evolution want the prophet
to keep still on evolution. And so the list goes on and on.
"How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we
need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness."
(Ibid., pp. 139-140.)
"Of all mortal men, we should keep our eyes most firmly fixed on the
captain—the prophet, seer, and revelator, and President of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the man who stands closest to
the fountain of living waters (Jeremiah 2:13; 1 Nephi 11:25). There are
some heavenly instructions for us that we can only receive through the
prophet. A good way to measure your standing with the Lord is to see how
you feel about, and act upon, the inspired words of His earthly
representative, the prophet-president. The inspired words of the President
are not to be trifled with. All men are entitled to inspiration, and
various men are entitled to revelation for their particular assignment.
But only one man stands as the Lord's spokesman to the Church and the
world, and he is the President of the Church. The words of all other men
should be weighed against his inspired words." (Ibid., p. 140; italics
added.)
"All men are entitled to inspiration, but only one man is the Lord's
mouthpiece. Some lesser men have in the past, and will in the future, use
their office unrighteously. Some will use it to lead the unwary astray;
some will use it to persuade us that all is well in Zion; some will use it
to cover and excuse their ignorance. Keep your eye on the prophet."
(Ibid., p. 142.)
"What better way can one become informed than by first studying the
inspired words of the prophets and using that as a foundation against
which to test all other material?" (Ibid., p. 305.)

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mirkwood
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Posts: 1740
Location: Utah

Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by mirkwood »

Chapter Two
The Prophet
and the Constitution
D&C 101:77, 80


God established the United States Constitution and raised up a Prophet
Patriot to help us preserve it.

President Ezra Taft Benson will be remembered as one of the greatest
patriots of our time. President Harold B. Lee said of him: "The two ruling
passions of his life might be said to be, first, his unshakable faith in
the intervention of an Omnipotent Power in the affairs of men; and second,
his certainty that the Constitution of the United States was divinely
inspired." (Introduction to So Shall Ye Reap [Salt Lake City: Deseret
Book, 1960], p. viii.)

For more than fifty years, in Church and government service, Ezra Taft
Benson has boldly and courageously defended the United States Constitution
against its domestic and foreign foes. Today it is our privilege as
citizens of the United States to follow him as we step forward to help
save the Constitution.

1
Constitution Established
by God for All Mankind
• Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2. President Ezra Taft Benson has said of these
verses: "The coming forth of the Constitution is of such transcendent
importance in the Lord's plan that ancient prophets foresaw this event and
prophesied of it. . . . The Constitution fulfilled the ancient prophecy of
Isaiah that 'out of Zion shall go forth the law.'" (The Teachings of Ezra
Taft Benson, p. 595.)
Other nations will recognize the blessings of freedom provided by the
Constitution and, of their own free will, "adopt similar government
systems, thus to fulfill the ancient prophecy of Isaiah and Micah that
'out of Zion shall go forth the law.'" (Ibid.)
• In the October 1987 General Conference, President Ezra Taft Benson
said that Church members throughout the world should be grateful for the
blessings of freedom enjoyed by the Church as a result of the
Constitution: " speak to you about our divine Constitution, which the
Lord said 'belongs to all mankind' (D&C 98:5) 'and should be maintained
for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy
principles' (D&C 101:77; italics added)
"The Constitution of the United States has served as a model for many
nations and is the oldest constitution in use today.
"'I established the Constitution of this land,' said the Lord, 'by the
hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose' (D&C 101:80). .
. .
"The signing of the United States Constitution . . . marked the beginning
of a series of . . . events leading up to the ratification of the
Constitution, implementation of the government it created, and the writing
and ratification of the Bill of Rights
It is as a result of these events that we are able to meet today in peace
as members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. For this we should al1
be eternally grateful." (Conference Report, Oct. 1987, Ensign, Nov. 1987,
p. 4; italics in original.)
• On another occasion, President Benson reminded us: "In the Kirtland
Temple dedicatory prayer . . . the Lord directed the prophet Joseph Smith
to say: 'May those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended,
namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established
forever.' (D&C 109:54.)" ("The Constitution—A Glorious Standard," Ensign,
Sept. 1987, p. 9.)


2
The Crisis
of the Constitution
• In 1987, President Ezra Taft Benson said: "We must, with sadness, say
that we have not been wise in keeping the trust of our Founding Fathers.
For the past two centuries, those who do not prize freedom have chipped
away at every major clause of our Constitution until today we face a
crises of great dimensions." ("The Constitution—A Glorious Standard,"
Ensign, Sept. 1987, p. 10; as quoted in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson,
p. 612.)
In 1986, President Benson said: "To all who have discerning eyes, it is
apparent that the republican form of government established by our noble
forefathers cannot long endure once fundamental principles are abandoned.
Momentum is gathering for another conflict—a repetition of the crisis of
two hundred years ago. This collision of ideas is worldwide. The issue is
the same that precipitated the great premortal conflict—will men be free
to determine their own course of action or must they be coerced?" (The
Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, p. 27; as quoted in The Teachings of Ezra
Taft Benson, p. 623.)
• President Benson feels quite strongly about the following statement,
which is taken from an address entitled "Stand Up For Freedom." It has
been published by him in four different books, in the Church News, and in
pamphlet form. It was also filmed and audio taped for presentation to
study groups and TV audiences:
"At this particular moment in history the United States Constitution is
definitely threatened, and every citizen should know about it. The warning
of this hour should resound through the corridors of every American
institution—schools, churches, the halls of Congress, press, radio, and
television, and so far as I am concerned it will resound—with God's help.
"Wherever possible I have tried to speak out. It is for this very reason
that certain people in Washington have bitterly criticized me. They don't
want people to hear the message. It embarrasses them. The things which are
destroying the Constitution are the things they have been voting for. They
are afraid of their political careers if these facts are pointed out. They
therefore try to silence any who carry the message—anyone who will stand
up and be counted." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 684.)


3
The New World Order—
A Threat to the Constitution
• President Ezra Taft Benson has explained: "There is one and only one
legitimate goal of United States foreign policy. It is a narrow goal, a
nationalistic goal: the preservation of our national independence. Nothing
in the Constitution grants that the president shall have the privilege of
offering himself as a world leader. He is our executive; he is on our
payroll; he is supposed to put our best interests in front of those of
other nations. Nothing in the Constitution nor in logic grants to the
president of the United States or to Congress the power to influence the
political life of other countries, to 'uplift' their cultures, to bolster
their economies, to feed their people, or even to defend them against
their enemies." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 614; see also pp.
682 & 704.)
The Prophet continues: "Many well-intentioned people are now convinced
that we are living in a period of history which makes it both possible and
necessary to abandon our national sovereignty, to merge our nation
militarily, economically, and politically with other nations, and to form,
at last, a world government which supposedly would put an end to war."
(Ibid., p. 695.)
President Benson reasons: "The world is smaller, you say? True, it is, but
if one finds himself locked in a house with maniacs, thieves, and
murderers—even a small house—he does not increase his chances of survival
by entering into alliances with his potential attackers and becoming
dependent upon them for protection to the point where he is unable to
defend himself. Perhaps the analogy between nations and maniacs is a
little strong for some to accept. But if we put aside our squeamishness
over strong language, and look hard at the real world in which we live,
the analogy is quite sound in all but the rarest exceptions." (Ibid., p.
696.)
The Prophet concludes: "Sovereignty for a nation is hard to come by and
even more difficult to retain. It cannot be shared, for then sovereignty
becomes something else, and, for want of a better word, when sovereignty
is lessened the end-product is internationalism. Sovereignty is neither
more nor less than self-government. American self-government is
blueprinted in the Constitution." (Ibid.)
• President Ezra Taft Benson has said: "Our leaders in Washington have
been acting as though the American people elected them to office for the
primary purpose of leading the entire planet toward international peace,
prosperity, and one-world government. At times, these men appear to be
more concerned with something called world opinion or with their image as
world leaders than they are with securing the best possible advantage for
us." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 682.)


4
Saving
the Constitution
• The blessings of the Constitution will go forth to all nations, not by
the conquest of war, but by the persuasion of righteous example. In order
for that to happen, however, the Constitution must be preserved. President
Benson has taught that the Church, as an institution, will not save the
Constitution; nor will the Church tell us, as individuals, how to do it.
Speaking in a General Conference of the Church, President Benson said:
"Maybe the Lord will never set up a specific Church program for the
purpose of saving the Constitution. . . .
"The Prophet Joseph Smith declared it will be the elders of Israel who
will step forward to help save the Constitution, not the Church. . . .
"Brethren, if we had done our homework and were faithful, we could step
forward at this time and help save this country. The fact that most of us
are unprepared to do it is an indictment we will have to bear. The longer
we wait, the heavier the chains, the deeper the blood, the more the
persecution, and the less we can carry out our God-given mandate and
world-wide mission. The war in heaven is raging on earth today. Are you
being neutralized in the battle?" (Conference Report, April 1965, Era, p.
539; as quoted in An Enemy Hath Done This, pp. 278-279.)
• Alma 48:11-13; 17. "And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a
man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in
bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his
country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
"Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the
many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who
did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
"Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had
sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and
his religion, even to the loss of his blood. . . .
"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and
ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would
have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the
hearts of the children of men."
President Ezra Taft Benson has said of these verses: "Part of the reason
we may not have sufficient priesthood bearers to save the Constitution,
let alone to shake the powers of hell, is because unlike Moroni, I fear,
our souls do not joy in keeping our country free, and we are not firm in
the faith of Christ, nor have we sworn with an oath to defend our rights
and the liberty of our country." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.
623.)
• In 1986, the Prophet said: "We have been instructed again and again to
reflect more intently on the meaning and importance of the Constitution
and to adhere to its principles. What have we done about this instruction?
Have we read the Constitution and pondered it? Are we aware of its
principles? Could we defend it? Can we recognize when a law is
constitutionally unsound? The Church will not tell us how to do this, but
we are admonished to do it." (The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, p. 29.)

"I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document.
To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed His
stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land. I testify that the God
of heaven sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this
government, and He has sent other choice spirits—even you who read my
words—to preserve it." (The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, p. 31; as
quoted in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 614.)

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mirkwood
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Posts: 1740
Location: Utah

Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by mirkwood »

Chapter Three
The Prophet's Warning
Ether 8:18-25


Strive to understand the Prophet's warnings about a secret combination
that seeks to rule the world.

In the first section below are six statements from President Ezra Taft
Benson regarding a world- wide conspiracy that is increasing its evil
influence and control over America and the entire world. These warnings
have come to us from God through His living prophet. All six statements
have come since his call in 1985 to be President of the Church. They
cannot be safely ignored. Without an understanding of these prophetic
warnings, we cannot correctly interpret national and world events.

President Benson's apostolic statements during the 42 years prior to his
becoming President of the Church are also helpful as we seek to understand
his prophetic statements on this important subject. Remember, God does not
call as Prophets men who teach false doctrine.

1
Secret
Combinations
• Oct. 1986: "From the Book of Mormon we see the evils of secret
combinations portrayed in graphic and chilling reality. . . .
"We should constantly ask ourselves, 'Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or
Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn
from that to help me live in this day and age?'" (Conference Report, Oct.
1986, Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 6-7; also The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson,
p. 59.)
• April 1989: "Secret combinations . . . are built up to get power,
gain, and glory of the world. (See Hel. 7:5; Ether 8:9, 16, 22-23; Moses
5:31.) . . . Secret combinations brought down both the Jaredite and the
Nephite civilizations and [have] been and will yet be the cause of the
fall of many nations. (See Ether 8:18-25.)" (Conference Report, Oct. 1989,
Ensign, May 1989, p. 6.)
• Jan. 1988: "The situation in the world will continue to degenerate
unless we read and heed the words of God and quit building up and
upholding secret combinations, which the Book of Mormon tells us proved
the downfall of ancient civilizations." ("The Book of Mormon Is the Word
of God," Ensign, Jan. 1988, p. 5.)
• April 1986: "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." ("The Book
of Mormon Is the Word of God," Regional Representative Seminar, Friday,
April 4, 1986, pp. 3-4; as quoted in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.
61.)
• Oct. 1988: "Wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our
society. (See D&C 1:14- 16; 84:49-53.) It is more highly organized, more
cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret
combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret
combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and
countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and
the entire world. (See Ether 8:18-25.)" (Conference Report, Oct. 1988,
Ensign, Nov. 1988, p. 87; italics added.)
• April 1987: "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' (Helaman 6:38)." (Conference Report, April 1987, Ensign, May 1987,
p. 4; italics added.)


2
Moroni's
Urgent Appeal
• In a General Conference of the Church, President Ezra Taft Benson
said: "One of the most urgent, heart-stirring appeals made by Moroni as he
closed the Book of Mormon was addressed to the gentile nations of the last
days. He foresaw the rise of a great world-wide secret combination among
the gentiles which 'seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands,
nations, and countries.' (Ether 8:25.)" (Conference Report, Oct. 1961,
Improvement Era, Dec. 1961, p. 953; as quoted in God, Family, Country, p.
348.)
For more than thirty years, the modern prophet Ezra Taft Benson has echoed
the ancient prophet Moroni's warning that "each gentile nation of the last
days [must] purge itself of this gigantic criminal conspiracy which would
seek to rule the world." (Ibid.)
• The modern prophet Benson continues: "Moroni seemed greatly exercised
lest in our day we might not be able to recognize the startling fact that
the same secret societies which destroyed the Jaredites and decimated
numerous kingdoms of both Nephites and Lamanites would be precisely the
same form of criminal conspiracy which would rise up among the gentile
nations in this day. . . .
"Moroni described how the secret combination would take over a country and
then fight the work of God, persecute the righteous, and murder those who
resisted. Moroni therefore proceeded to describe the workings of the
ancient secret combinations so that modern man could recognize this great
political conspiracy in the last days. (See Ether 8:23-25.) (Conference
Report, Oct. 1961, Improvement Era, Dec. 1961, p. 954; as quoted in God,
Family, Country, p. 349.)
"Today the Christian constitutionalist mourns for his country. He sees the
spiritual and political faith of his fathers betrayed by wolves in sheep's
clothing. He sees the forces of evil increasing in strength and momentum
under the leadership of Satan, the arch-enemy of freedom. He sees the
wicked honored and the valiant abused. He senses that his own generation
faces Gethsemanes and Valley Forges that may yet rival or surpass the
trials of the early Apostles and the men of '76. And this gives him cause
to reflect on the most basic of fundamentals—the reason for our existence.
Once we understand that fundamental, the purpose for mortality, we may
more easily chart a correct course in the perilous seas that are engulfing
our nation." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 397.)
• In the April 1972 General Conference of the Church, President Benson
stated: "Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon was the 'keystone of
our religion' and the 'most correct' book on earth. (DHC, vol. 6, p. 56.)
This most correct book on earth states that the downfall of two great
American civilizations came as a result of secret conspiracies whose
desire was to overthrow the freedom of the people. 'And they have caused
the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking,' says Moroni,
'and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.' (Ether 8:21.)
"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, just as the Church today could point out many threats to
peace, prosperity and the spread of God's work, but it has singled out as
the greatest threat the Godless conspiracy. 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.)
• Ether 8:22. President Benson has emphasized over and over the ancient
prophet Moroni's warning that "whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret
combinations . . . until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they
shall be destroyed." (See, for example, God, Family, Country, pp. 322 &
349; and An Enemy Hath Done This, pp. 331 & 333.)
• Our Prophet says we are "building up and upholding" this great
world-wide conspiracy; that we have been "seduced . . . to believe its
words," and that it is "flourishing" and "increasing its evil influence
and control over America and the entire world." (See section 1 above.)


3
Most Abominable
and Wicked Above All
• Ether 8:18-19. Why did Moroni say that secret combinations are the
"most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God?"
1 Nephi 13:5. Nephi said that the church of the devil is "most abominable
above all" Is it possible that Nephi and Moroni were talking about the
same thing?
3 Nephi 9:9. The voice of the Lord proclaimed that the wickedness of the
great city of Jacobugath "was above all the wickedness of the whole earth,
because of their secret murders and combinations; for it was they that did
destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land."
• President Benson cites President J. Reuben Clark's warning that, "'we
stand in danger of losing our liberties, and that once lost, only blood
will bring them back; and once lost, we of this church will, in order to
keep the Church going forward, have more sacrifices to make and more
persecutions to endure than we have yet known. . . .' (CR, April 1944, p.
116.) He also stated that if the conspiracy 'comes here it will probably
come in its full vigor and there will be a lot of vacant places among
those who guide and direct, not only this government, but also this Church
of ours.' (CR, April 1952, p. 80.) (Conference Report, April 1972, Ensign,
July 1972, p. 61; as quoted in God, Family, Country, p. 323; quoted also
in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 107; again on pp. 658-659.)


4
Seducing
the Righteous
• 2 Timothy 3:13. President Ezra Taft Benson has said of this verse:
"The Apostle Paul saw our day. He . . . warned that 'evil men and seducers
would wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived' (2 Timothy
3:13)." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 88; italics added.)
• Mark 13:22. "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and
shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the
elect." (Italics added.)
Matthew 24:24. "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,
and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
President Benson has said of this verse: There is a conspiracy of evil.
The source of it all is Satan and his hosts. He has a great power over men
to 'lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken' to
the voice of the Lord (Moses 4:4). His evil influence may be manifest
through governments; through false educational, political, economic,
religious, and social philosophies; through secret societies and
organizations; and through myriads of other forms. His power and influence
are so great that, if possible, he would deceive the very elect (see
Matthew 24:24). (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 404.)
• Helaman 6:38. The Modern Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, quoting the Book of
Mormon Prophet Helaman, has noted that secret combinations flourish
because they are able to seduce "the more part of the righteous" to
"believe in their works and partake of their spoils." (Conference Report,
April 1987, Ensign, May 1987, p. 4.)
This seduction happens by deception. And the greatest deceptions were not
among the Nephites, but are among us today. President Benson has said: "We
are going through . . . the greatest propaganda campaign of all time. We
cannot believe all we read." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 302;
see also p. 90.)
• President Benson has said: "It is from within the Church that the
greatest hindrance comes. And so, it seems, it has been. Now the question
arises, will we stick with the kingdom and can we avoid being deceived?
Certainly this is an important question, for the Lord has said that in the
last days the 'devil will rage in the hearts of men' (2 Nephi 28:20), and
if it were possible he 'shall deceive the very elect' (see Joseph
Smith—Matthew 1:22)." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 406-407.)


5
We Must
Awake
• Ether 8:24. The modern Prophet Benson and the ancient Prophet Moroni
speak to us in unison: "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." (See God, Family, Country, pp. 322 & 349; italics added.)
• The Prophet has said: If you use the scriptures as a guide, you know
what the Book of Mormon has to say regarding murderous conspiracies in the
last day and how we are to awake to our awful situation today (see Ether
8:18-25). I find certain elements in the Church do not like to read the
Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants so much—they have too much to
say about freedom." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 81; see also p.
42.)
The Prophet continues: The Book of Mormon warns us that when we see these
murderous conspiracies in our midst, we should awaken to our awful
situation (see Ether 8:24). Now, why should we awaken if the Lord is going
to take care of us anyway? Let us suppose that it is too late to save
freedom. It is still accounted unto us for righteousness' sake to stand up
and fight. Some Book of Mormon prophets knew of the final desolate end of
their nations, but they still fought on, and they saved some souls,
including their own, by so doing. For, after all, the purpose of life is
to prove ourselves, and the final victory will be for freedom." (Ibid., p.
660.)
• President Benson has warned: "Our complacency as a nation is
shocking—yes, almost unbelievable! We are a prosperous nation. Our people
have high-paying jobs. Our incomes are high. Our standard of living is at
an unprecedented level. We do not like to be disturbed as we enjoy our
comfortable complacency. We live in the soft present and feel the future
is secure. We do not worry about history. We seem oblivious to the causes
of the rise and fall of nations. We are blind to the hard fact that
nations usually sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying
unprecedented prosperity.
"I say to you with all the fervor of my soul: We are sowing the seeds of
our own destruction in America and much of the free world today. It is my
sober warning to you today that if the trends of the past continue, we
will lose that which is as priceless as life itself—our freedom, our
liberty, our right to act as free men. It can happen here. It is happening
here. . . .
"The sad and shocking story of what has happened in America in recent
years must be told. Our people must have the facts. There is safety in an
informed public. There is real danger in a complacent, uninformed
citizenry. This is our real danger today. Yes, the truth must be told even
at the risk of destroying, in large measure, the influence of men who are
widely respected and loved by the American people. The stakes are high.
Freedom and survival is the issue." (Ibid., p. 582.)
"The fight for freedom is God's fight. . . . When a man stands for freedom
he stands with God. And as long as he stands for freedom he stands with
God. And were he to stand alone he would still stand with God—the best
company and the greatest power in or out of this world. Any man will be
eternally vindicated and rewarded for his stand for freedom." (Ibid., p.
656.)

User avatar
mirkwood
captain of 1,000
Posts: 1740
Location: Utah

Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by mirkwood »

Chapter Four
Every Citizen
of Every Country


Learn the facts about modern secret combinations and stop building up and
upholding their conspiracies.

During the 1970s, Ezra Taft Benson frequently recommended a non-Church
book about the conspiracy entitled, "None Dare Call It Conspiracy." In
fact, he gave this personal endorsement on its back cover:

"I wish that every citizen of every country in the free world and every
slave behind the Iron Curtain might read this book. (Gary Allen and Larry
Abraham, None Dare Call It Conspiracy [Seal Beach, California: Concord
Press, 1971], back cover.)

None Dare Ca11 It Conspiracy discusses how the Insiders of a world-wide
conspiracy are increasing their evil influence and control over America
and the entire world through a "New World Order."

As you read the following excerpts from its pages, please keep in mind
Ezra Taft Benson's endorsement printed on its back cover.

1
Don't Confuse Me
With Facts
Most of us have had the experience, either as parents or youngsters, of
trying to discover the "hidden picture" within another picture in a
children's magazine. Usually you are shown a landscape with trees, bushes,
flowers and other bits of nature. The caption reads something like this:
"Concealed somewhere in this picture is a donkey pulling a cart with a boy
in it. Can you find them*." Try as you might, usually you could not find
the hidden picture until you turned to a page farther back in the magazine
which would reveal how cleverly the artist had hidden it from us. If we
study the landscape we realize that the whole picture was painted in such
a way as to conceal the real picture within, and once we see the "real
picture," it stands out like the proverbial painful digit.

We believe the picture painters of the mass media am artfully creating
landscapes for us which deliberately hide the real picture. In this book
we will show you how to discover the "hidden picture" in the landscapes
presented to us daily through newspapers, radio and television. Once you
can see through the camouflage, you will see the donkey, the cart and the
boy who have been there all along. . . .

There are a number of problems to be overcome in convincing a person of
the possible existence of a conspiratorial clique of Insiders who from the
very highest levels manipulate government policy. . . .

It must be remembered that the first job of any conspiracy, whether it be
in politics, crime or within a business office, is to convince everyone
else that no conspiracy exists. The conspirators success will be
determined largely by their ability to do this. That the elite of the
academic world and mass communications media always pooh-pooh the
existence of the Insiders merely serves to camouflage their operations.
These "artists" hide the boy, the cart and the donkey. . . .

Psychological problems are also involved in inducing people to look at the
evidence concerning the Insiders. People are usually comfortable with
their old beliefs and conceptions. When Columbus told people the world was
a ball and not a pancake, they were highly upset. They were being asked to
reject their way of thinking of a lifetime and adopt a whole new outlook.
The "intellectuals" of the day scoffed at Columbus and people were afraid
they would lose social prestige if they listened to him. Many others just
did not want to believe the world was round. It complicated too many
things. And typical flat-earthers had such a vested interest involving
their own egos, that they heaped abuse on Columbus for challenging their
view of the universe. "Don't confuse us with facts; our minds are made
up," they said.

Because the Establishment controls the media, anyone exposing the Insiders
will be the recipient of a continuous fusillade of invective from
newspapers, magazines, TV and radio. In this manner one is threatened with
loss of "social respectability" if he dares broach the idea that there is
organization behind any of the problems currently wracking America. . . .

Instead of getting mad at the Insiders, [some] people actually get angry
at those who are trying to save the country by exposing the conspirators.

One thing which makes it so hard for some socially minded people to assess
the conspiratorial evidence objectively is that the conspirators come from
the very highest social strata. They are immensely wealthy, highly
educated and extremely cultured. Many of them have lifelong reputations
for philanthropy. Nobody enjoys being put in the position of accusing
prominent people of conspiring to enslave their fellow Americans, but the
facts are inescapable. Many business and professional people are
particularly vulnerable to the "don't jeopardize your social
respectability" pitch given by those who don't want the conspiracy
exposed. The Insiders know that if the business and professional community
will not take a stand to save the private enterprise system, the socialism
through which they intend to control the world will be inevitable. They
believe that most business and professional men are too shallow and
decadent, too status conscious, too tied up in the problems of their jobs
and businesses to worry about what is going on in politics. . . .

We are hoping that the conspirators have underestimated the courage and
patriotism remaining in the American people.

We feel there are a sufficient number of you who are not mesmerized by the
television set, who put God, family and country above social status, who
will band together to expose and destroy the conspiracy of the Insiders. .
. .


2
Socialism—Royal Road to Power
For the Super-Rich
Everyone knows that Adolph Hitler existed. No one disputes that. The
terror and destruction that this madman inflicted upon the world are
universally recognized. Hitler came from a poor family which had
absolutely no social position. He was a high school drop-out and nobody
ever accused him of being cultured. Yet this man tried to conquer the
world. During his early career he sat in a cold garret and poured onto
paper his ambitions to rule the world. We know that.

Similarly, we know that a man named Vladimir Ilich Lenin also existed.
Like Hitler, Lenin did not spring from a family of social lions. The son
of a petty bureaucrat, Lenin, who spent most of his adult life in poverty,
has been responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of your fellow
human beings and the enslavement of nearly a billion more. Like Hitler,
Lenin sat up nights in a dank garret scheming how he could conquer the
world. We know that too.

Is it not theoretically possible that a billionaire could be sitting, not
in a garret, but in a penthouse, in Manhattan, London or Paris and dream
the same dream as Lenin and Hitler? You will have to admit it is
theoretically possible. Julius Caesar, a wealthy aristocrat, did. And such
a man might form an alliance or association with other like-minded men,
might he not? Caesar did. These men would be superbly educated, command
immense social prestige and be able to pool astonishing amounts of money
to carry out their purposes. These are advantages that Hitler and Lenin
did not have.

It is difficult for the average individual to fathom such perverted lust
for power. The typical person, of whatever nationality, wants only to
enjoy success in his job, to be able to afford a reasonably high standard
of living complete with leisure and travel. He wants to provide for his
family in sickness and in health and to give his children a sound
education. His ambition stops there. He has no desire to exercise power
over others, to conquer other lands or peoples, to be a king. He wants to
mind his own business and enjoy life. Since he has no lust for power, it
is difficult for him to imagine that there are others who have . . .
others who march to a far different drum. But we must realize that there
have been Hitlers and Lenins and Stalins and Caesars and Alexander the
Greats throughout history. Why should we assume there are no such men
today with perverted lusts for power? And if these men happen to be
billionaires is it not possible that they would use men like Hitler and
Lenin as pawns to seize power for themselves?

Indeed, difficult as this is to believe, such is the case. Like Columbus,
we are faced with the task of convincing you that the world is not fiat,
as you have been led to believe all your life, but, instead, is round. We
are going to present evidence that what you call "Communism" is not run
from Moscow or Peking, but is an arm of a bigger conspiracy run from New
York, London and Paris. The men at the apex of this movement are not
Communists in the traditional sense of that term. They feel no loyalty to
Moscow or Peking. They are loyal only to themselves and their undertaking.
And these men certainly do not believe in the clap-trap pseudo-philosophy
of Communism. They have no intention of dividing their wealth. Socialism
is a philosophy which conspirators exploit, but in which only the naive
believe. . . .

We know that down through the annals of history small groups of men have
existed who have conspired to bring the reins of power into their hands.
History books are full of their schemes . . . . like the Cosa Nostra where
men conspire to make money through crime. . . . The question is: Which is
the more lethal form of conspiracy—criminal or political?

And what is the difference between a member of the Cosa Nostra and a
Communist, or more properly, an Insider conspirator? Men like Lucky
Luciano who have scratched and clawed to the top of the heap in organized
crime must, of necessity, be diabolically brilliant, cunning and
absolutely ruthless. But, almost without exception, the men in the
hierarchy of organized crime have had no formal education. They were born
into poverty and learned their trade in the back alleys of Naples, New
York or Chicago.

Now suppose someone with this same amoral grasping personality were born
into a patrician family of great wealth and was educated at the best prep
schools, then Harvard, Yale or Princeton, followed by graduate work
possibly at Oxford. In these institutions he would become totally familiar
with history, economics, psychology, sociology and political science.
After having graduated from such illustrious establishments of higher
learning, are we likely to find him out on the streets peddling fifty cent
tickets to a numbers game? Would you find him pushing marijuana to high
schoolers or running a string of houses of prostitution? Would he be
getting involved in gangland killings? Not at all. For with that sort of
education, this person would realize that if one wants power, real power,
the lessons of history say, "Get into the government business." Become a
politician and work for political power or, better yet, get some
politicians to front for you. That is where the real power—and the real
money—is.

Conspiracy to seize the power of government is as old as government
itself. We can study the conspiracies surrounding Alcibiades in Greece or
Julius Caesar in ancient Rome, but we are not supposed to think that men
today scheme to achieve political power. . . .

Many extremely patriotic individuals have innocently fallen for the
conspiracy's line. Walter Trohan, columnist emeritus for the Chicago
Tribune and one of America's outstanding political commentators, has
accurately noted:

It is a known fact that the policies of the government today, whether
Republican or Democratic, are closer to the 1932 platform of the Communist
Party than they are to either of their own party platforms in that
critical year.

Doesn't it strike you as strange that some of the individuals pushing
hardest for socialism have their own personal wealth protected in family
trusts and tax-free foundations? Men like Rockefeller, Ford and Kennedy
are for every socialist program known to man which will increase your
taxes. Yet they pay little, if anything, in taxes themselves. . . .

We are usually told that this clique of super-rich are socialists because
they have a guilt complex over wealth they inherited and did not earn.
Again, they could relieve these supposed guilt complexes simply by
divesting themselves of their unearned wealth. There are doubtless many
wealthy do-gooders who have been given a guilt complex by their college
professors, but that doesn't explain the actions of the Insiders like the
Rockefellers, Fords or Kennedys. All their actions betray them as power
seekers.

But the Kennedys, Rockefellers and their super-rich confederates are not
being hypocrites in advocating socialism. It appears to be a contradiction
for the super-rich to work for socialism and the destruction of free
enterprise. In reality it is not.

Our problem is that most of us believe socialism is what the socialists
want us to believe it is—a share-the-wealth program. . . .

If one understands that socialism is not a share-the-wealth program, but
is in reality a method to consolidate and control the wealth, then the
seeming paradox of super-rich men promoting socialism becomes no paradox
at all. Instead it becomes the logical, even the perfect tool of
power-seeking megalomaniacs. Communism, or more accurately, socialism, is
not a movement of the downtrodden masses, but of the economic elite. The
plan of the conspirator Insiders then is to socialize the United States,
not to Communize it. . . .

If you and your clique wanted control over the United States, it would be
impossible to take over every city hall, county seat and state house. You
would want all power vested at the apex of the executive branch of the
federal government; then you would have only to control one man to control
the whole shebang. If you wanted to control the nation's manufacturing,
commerce, finance, transportation and natural resources, you would need
only to control the apex, the power pinnacle, of an all-powerful SOCIALIST
government. Then you would have a monopoly and could squeeze out all your
competitors. If you want a national monopoly, you must control a national
socialist government. If you want a worldwide monopoly, you must control a
world socialist government. That is what the game is all about.
"Communism" is not a movement of the downtrodden masses but is a movement
created, manipulated and used by power-seeking billionaires in order to
gain control over the world . . . first by establishing socialist
governments in the various nations and then consolidating them all through
a "Great Merger," into an all- powerful world socialist super-state
probably under the auspices of the United Nations. . . .

After the Insiders have established the United Socialist States of America
(in fact if not in name), the next step is the Great Merger of all nations
of the world into a dictatorial world government. . . .

The Insiders" code word for the world superstate is "new world order," a
phrase often used by Richard Nixon. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
states in its Study No. 7.- "The U.S. must strive to: "A. BUILD A NEW
INTERNATIONAL ORDER." (Capitals in the original.) Establishment spokesman
James Reston (CFR member) declared in his internationally syndicated
column for the New York Times of May 21, 1971: "Nixon would obviously like
to preside over the creation of a new world order, and believes he has an
opportunity to do so in the last 20 months of his first term."

Before you can facilitate the Great Merger, you must first centralize
control within each nation, destroy the local police and remove the guns
from the hands of the citizenry. You must replace our once free
Constitutional Republic with an all-powerful central government. And that
is exactly what is happening today. . . . Every action of any consequence,
despite the smokescreen, has centralized more power in what is rapidly
becoming an all-powerful central government.


3
You Are
The Answer
Many people cannot refrain from rationalizing. After reading this book,
some will bemoan the fact that the situation is hopeless. These will be
many of the same people who, before reading this book, really did not
believe the problems facing us were serious. Some people wake up and give
up in the same week. This is, of course, just exactly what the Insiders
want you to do.

The conspiracy can be defeated. The Insiders are not omnipotent. It is
true that they control important parts of the federal government, high
finance and the mass media. But they do not control everything, or the
vise would already have been closed. We might say the conspiracy controls
everything but you. You are their Achilles heel if you are willing to
fight. There is an old cliche in sports that quitters never win and
winners never quit. We need a million Americans who are not quitters, but,
moreover, who have the will to win! . . .

The one thing these conspirators cannot survive is exposure. The Insiders
are successful only because so few of their victims know what is being
planned and how Insiders are carrying out those plans. Conspiracies can
operate only in the dark. They cannot stand the truthful light of day.
Once any sizeable minority of the American people becomes aware of the
conspiracy and what it is up to, the many decades of patient planning and
work by the Insiders in this country can be destroyed in an amazingly
short period of time.

This job is largely a matter of getting others to realize that they have
been conned and are continuing to be conned. You must become the local arm
of the world's largest floating university. But before you can go to work,
pointing out these conspiratorial facts to others, you must know the facts
yourself. . . . The concept of an army of individuals which is dedicated
to exposing "the conspiracy" frightens the Insiders because it works
outside the channels which they control. . . .

Democrats and Republicans must break the Insider control of their
respective parties. The C.F.R.-types and their flunkies and social
climbing opportunist supporters must be invited to leave or else the
Patriots must leave.

It is up to you to put the politicians on the spot and make the
C.F.R.-insiders a campaign issue. This can be accomplished easily by
creating the base of thinking that will oppose their positions. The
Socialists must be forced to gather into one party. The conspiracy doesn't
want the resultant clear distinction between party ideologies. The
Insiders want the issues between the parties to be cloudy and gray,
centering on personalities, not principles. Neither party can come out
strongly against Socialism as long as it is pushing Socialist programs.
But that is the way the Insiders want it. . . .

You are in this fight whether you want to be or not. Unless you are an
Insider, you are a victim. Whether you are a multimillionaire or a pauper
you have an enormous amount at stake. . . .

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

User avatar
mirkwood
captain of 1,000
Posts: 1740
Location: Utah

Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by mirkwood »

Conclusion


Now is the time to courageously become alerted, informed, and active.

President Ezra Taft Benson has said: Never before in the history of our
country has there been a greater need for all of our people to take time
to discover what is happening in the world. (The Teachings of Ezra Taft
Benson, p. 662.)

On another occasion, he said: Our great need in America today is to be
alerted and informed. . . . There is safety in an informed public. There
is real danger in a complacent, uninformed citizenry. This is our real
danger today." (Ibid., p. 582.)

1
Becoming
Informed
• It is hoped that, after reading this booklet, you will want to learn
more about the New World Order, the U.S. Constitution and the conspiracy.
Your most important reading, as discussed in the first chapter of this
booklet, will be the words of the prophets, especially the Living Prophet.

Therefore, we recommend a careful study of President Benson's books as
listed on the Sources page of this booklet (p. vi).
Another excellent book is Prophets, Principles and National Survival
(Jerreld L. Newquist, comp., Publishers Press, 1964), which President
Benson has recommended in three of his own books (The Teachings of Ezra
Taft Benson, p. 658; God, Family, Country, p. 321; and An Enemy Hath Done
This, pp. 276 & 286), as he did also in three General Conferences of the
Church (October 1964, April 1965, and April 1972).
Of course, you will want to read the entire book, None Dare Call It
Conspiracy. This book is available from CPA Book Publisher, P.O. Box 596,
Boring, Oregon 97009-0596.
For an up-to-date analysis of the New World Order and what the Insiders
are doing today, we suggest a new book, The Insiders, by John F. McManus
(The John Birch Society, 1992), which includes a survey of Insider control
over the Carter, Reagan, and Bush administrations. And, for a recent
in-depth look at the conspiracy, The Shadows of Power by James Perloff
(Western Islands, 1988) is also available.
• On several occasions, President Benson has recommended a news
magazine, The New American (formerly American Opinion). Examples of this
are found in Conference Report, Oct. 1962, Improvement Era, Dec. 1962, p.
912; the Church News, Feb. 26, 1966, p. 12; and An Enemy Hath Done This,
p. 44.
In 1986, President Benson purchased subscriptions to The New American for
his counselors in the First Presidency and wrote to the magazine's editor:
"Congratulations on a job well done. I am deeply grateful for The New
American."
The New American is a biweekly publication affiliated with The John Birch
Society, and is must reading for those who want to be accurately informed
about the New World Order and other Insider schemes.


2
Now
Is The Time
• President Ezra Taft Benson has reminded: The Prophet Joseph Smith is
reported to have prophesied the role the priesthood might play to save our
inspired Constitution. Now is the time to move forward courageously—to
become alerted, informed, and active.
"The Lord's priesthood has a mission to perform for liberty-loving people
everywhere. We cannot, any more than Jonah of old, run away from our
calling." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 620; italics added.)
On another occasion, President Benson said: "Any Christian
constitutionalist who retreats from this battle jeopardizes his life here
and hereafter. Seldom has so much responsibility hung on so few, so
heavily; but our numbers are increasing, and we who have been warned have
a responsibility to warn our neighbor (see D&C 88:81)." (Ibid., p. 591.)
"[The] divine duty to be a faithful fighter for freedom requires that
those of us who have been warned do our duty to warn our neighbor."
(Ibid., p. 657.)
• Righteousness is important. In fact, President Benson has said
repeatedly that "righteousness is the one indispensable ingredient to
liberty." (Ibid, p. 346; see also pp. 416 & 588.)
"How," asks the Prophet, "can we best befriend the Constitution in this
critical hour and secure the blessings of liberty?" (Ibid., p. 621.)
The Prophet answers his own question: "First and foremost, we must be
righteous." (Ibid.; italics in original.)
It has been suggested, however, that the fundamental principles of the
Constitution will be upheld and the nation will be saved as members of the
Church simply live the gospel. President Benson has responded to this
suggestion as follows:
"Satan is anxious to neutralize the inspired counsel of the prophet and
hence keep the priesthood off balance, ineffective, and inert in the fight
for freedom. He does this through diverse means, including the use of
perverse reasoning.
"For example, he will argue, 'There is no need to get involved in the
fight for freedom;all you need to do is live the gospel.' Of course this
is a contradiction, because we cannot fully live the gospel and not be
involved in the fight for freedom.
"We would not say to someone, 'There is no need to be baptized—all you
need to do is live the gospel.' That would be ridiculous because baptism
is a part of the gospel. How would you have reacted if during the War in
Heaven someone had said to you, 'Look, just do what is right; there is no
need to get involved in the fight for free agency.' It is obvious what the
devil is trying to do, but it is sad to see many of us fall for his
destructive line.
"The cause of freedom is a most basic part of our religion. Our position
on freedom helped get us to this earth and it can make the difference as
to whether we get back home or not." (Ibid., p. 656.)
• And finally, President Benson has warned: "One of our most serious
problems is the inferiority complex which people feel when they are not
informed and organized. They dare not make a decision on these vital
issues. They let other people think for them. They stumble around in the
middle of the road trying to avoid being 'controversial,' and get hit by
traffic going both ways. In this mighty struggle each of you has a part.
Every person on the earth today chose the right side during the War in
Heaven. Be on the right side now. Stand up and be counted." (Ibid., p.
387.)





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lundbaek
Level 34 Illuminated
Posts: 11123
Location: Mesa, Arizona

Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

Thanks , Mirkwood, for posting this piece on the forum. I have just finished reading it stem to stern and recognize that I had read all of this on previous occasions in bits and pieces.

I have long been impressed by the question that President Benson raised in his October 1987 General Conference address OUR DIVINE CONSTITUTION. "How," asks the Prophet, "can we best befriend the Constitution in this  critical hour and secure the blessings of liberty?" His reply to his own question I have taken to be a series of commandments (5 in all by my count) because of his use of the words WE MUST. I am not aware that they have been repeated by a prophet since that occasion, but neither have they ever been repealed by any prophet or apostle.

lundbaek
Level 34 Illuminated
Posts: 11123
Location: Mesa, Arizona

Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

I look forward to reactions of others to this article.

lundbaek
Level 34 Illuminated
Posts: 11123
Location: Mesa, Arizona

Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

I believe that the Church leadership, at least some of them, are well aware of our "awful situation" and that it has been created and continues to be fomented by the "secret combinations" that Nephi, Moroni, Presidents McKay, Benson, Packer, and others warned us would exist now in our time. But I think they are rightfully afraid that if they started warning us them now there would be retribution against the Church that the Lord apparently wants to avoid. Some of you may remember the warnings given us by Presidents McKay and Benson, and maybe read the warning given by President Packer as recently as August 2010 in the Ensign magazine. These warnings, as is the case with their admonitions that we learn, uphold an abide by the principles of the US Constitution, seem to have been ignored and neglected by most members when they were given. I cannot recall a single follow-up statement from a bishopric or stake presidency in a sacrament meeting or a stake conference. Can you ? I'd love to know of it for my own interest. I am aware of and have participated in a few recent stake firesides on the Constitution, and also of suggestions of same that were rejected by stake presidents.

This past Sunday evening Glen Beck and David Barton gave a presentation in a hotel conference hall on the Constitution here in Mesa AZ that drew several hundred people. I was pleased to note there were many young adults, teenagers and younger children in attendance. I was seated next to a lady and her teenage son who are immigrants from Denmark and both very much enthused about the presentation. The event was put together of very short notice and consequently not well publicized. Yet it was nice for me to note the enthusiasm of the attendees.

lundbaek
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

Moroni warns against secret combinations - From the 2016 Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual

After the death of Jared and his brother, the people were ruled by a succession of kings. With the passing of each generation, contention for the throne became more intense. As this contention grew, Jared’s daughter devised a plan to make her father the king (Ether 8:8; remind class members that the man named Jared in this account was a descendant of the Jared referred to in Ether 1–6).

What plan did Jared’s daughter create to make her father the king? (See Ether 8:9–12.) How did this plan introduce secret combinations in the land? (See Ether 8:13–18.)

What did Moroni teach about the danger of secret combinations? (See Ether 8:21–22.) Why did he include these things in his record? (See Ether 8:23, 26.) How can we recognize secret combinations and protect ourselves from them? (See Ether 8:23–25.)

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Jason
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by Jason »

Good stuff...now what do you do with it?

The reason I believe church leadership strays away from it now is that most don't seem to be able to decipher the threat and it turns to contentious battles over politics that go nowhere.

Name one political candidate today that is not tied into the conspiracy detailed above in one form or another?

And we have the prophetic address-
...not going to be saved in Washington...

lundbaek
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

It would be helpful to have a quiver full of arrows to shoot at people who are not awake to the doings of the latter-day gadiantons in this time. I'd like to invite comments about the freedoms being taken away from us by the secret combinations. In other words, how are they hurting us now ? My biggest aggravation is the depreciation of our money, as caused by the Federal Reserve. Second on my list is the mass migration and amnesty for illegal immigrants fomented IMO by a secret combination to bring about the collapse of our society. Third on that list is the giving away of our national sovereignty to the United Nations and various trade agreements. Fourth is the sending of our manufacturing industries to other countries. What are the secret combinations doing that inhibit your freedoms ?
Last edited by lundbaek on April 4th, 2016, 8:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

Teancum
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by Teancum »

There are numerous things that I could name to add to your list.

Loss of protection for speach (watch out what you say).
control and limit of innovation and knowledge.
criminalization of everyone and everything.
restricting movement, commerce, property ownership.
requiring permits, licenses, and taxes for things that used to be free and open.
constant surveilance because of the philosophy of guilty until forcibly and publicly proven innocent.
subject to loss of life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness if you happen to be a witness to something or have knowledge of something.

These are just some things I have noted. Then there are the struggles of going to the bathroom in certain states.
Anyway, that should be enough to darken your day. Enjoy!

lundbaek
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

It is so disappointing that most people do not see these things happening. And if brought to their attention, they would be denied or declared irrelevant. I realize it is difficult to show that, for example, the various major wars since WW1 were fomented by secret combinations, and ignorance of the real cause of these wars still prevails decades later. Terms like "new world order", "globalism", "North American Union", "Council on Foreign Relations," "Trilateral Commission", "Bilderbergers", are a mystery at best to most Americans. I believe these are the sort of things we supposed to awake to and to oppose as best we can. The term "secret combination" means "La Cosa Nostra"/"Mafia", "La Raza", and "Krips" and the like to most Mormons.

lundbaek
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

In THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE CONSTITUTION by H. Verlan Andersen, which was finished after his death by his son Hans V. Andersen Jr. one can read: [H. Verlan Andersen] realized the communists in Russia were not our greatest enemy, as does the prophet [President Benson]....while many joined the world in celebrating the demise of communism, President Benson was making his strongest statements ever about our sad state of affairs and the increasing power of the enemies of Christ....In particular, he [Elder Andersen] taught us [his family] the period of their [Alma, Helaman and first part of 3 Nephi] history are only a foreshadow of our own time leading up to the millennium, just as the Nephites had their shorter millennium."

larsenb
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Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by larsenb »

Just re-posting what Newt Gingrich has to say about Donald Trump regarding secret societies:

Newt Gingrich is apparently acting as a supporter of Trump in an unofficial capacity.

From InfoWars.com, but also in other locations: http://www.infowars.com/gingrich-establ ... t-society/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
“Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich told Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly last night that the establishment is scared of Donald Trump because he “didn’t belong to a secret society” and wasn’t involved in any of the rituals associated with such groups.

Discussing Mitt Romney’s anti-Trump speech yesterday, Gingrich said it represented “the panic of the establishment wing of the (Republican) Party,” and that the prospect of Trump becoming the nominee “absolutely drives them crazy”.

When asked why, Gingrich responded, “Well because he’s an outsider, he’s not them, he’s not part of the club, he’s uncontrollable, he hasn’t been through the initiation rites, he didn’t belong to the secret society.
Now you could make the case that he has associated with and perhaps been photographed with and plays golf with people who do belong to secret societies or are on the dark side to varying degrees. But how much of this is just guilt by association. If you are doing high-profile business in New York and surrounds and dealing with casinos, etc., probably hard not mingle with some of these people. Probably unavoidable.

However, to be fair, you would have to list all the people he has done business with who aren't notorious, are not in secret societies, have no Mafia ties, etc, to give a more rounded view of the man and his associations.

Gingrich's comment is interesting to me primarily because he strongly hints that secret societies/combinations are a decisive factor in our present day society and political world. First time I've really heard this kind of thing from a very well known anybody.

lundbaek
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Posts: 11123
Location: Mesa, Arizona

Re: Waking Up To Secret Combinations

Post by lundbaek »

lundbaek wrote:In THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE CONSTITUTION by H. Verlan Andersen, which was finished after his death by his son Hans V. Andersen Jr. one can read that [H. Verlan Andersen] realized the communists in Russia were not our greatest enemy, as does the prophet [President Benson]....while many joined the world in celebrating the demise of communism, President Benson was making his strongest statements ever about our sad state of affairs and the increasing power of the enemies of Christ....In particular, he [Elder Andersen] taught us [his family] the period of their [Alma, Helaman and first part of 3 Nephi] history are only a foreshadow of our own time leading up to the millennium, just as the Nephites had their shorter millennium."
Note carefully that much of what is written in Alma, Helaman and 3 Nephi is a foreshadow of our own time.

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