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A Prophetic Warning

Posted by Connor on October 23rd, 2006
Hinckley

I find it interesting when people claim that there must no longer be a threat of secret combinations, conspiracy, and government corruption. The argument these people put forward is that modern prophets have been silent on this issue, whereas in the days of Presidents McKay and Benson these things were broadly discussed and made known in Church conferences and talks.

First of all, I would like to propose that when a people doesn’t listen to the prophet, the Lord stops sending the message. For example, we have this section of scripture regarding the Church’s condemnation for treating lightly the things in the Book of Mormon:

And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—
Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.
And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—
That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion. (D&C 84:54-58)

Here the Lord is saying that Zion is under condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, and the former commandments which have been given. Likewise, it is a common belief among Latter-day Saints that we’ve yet to receive the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon because we’re not ready for it. We often hear people say “oh, we don’t study and pay attention to our current scriptures enough, so why is the Lord going to give us more?” Indeed. The Book of Mormon is permeated with examples, warnings, and commandments regarding secret combinations and political corruption. It is my belief that the vast majority of Latter-day Saints seemingly ignore this aspect of scripture.

Another example is when Mormon is commanded not to preach any more to the people because of their rebellion and hardness of heart:

And I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them; for behold they had wilfully rebelled against their God; and the beloved disciples were taken away out of the land, because of their iniquity.
But I did remain among them, but I was forbidden to preach unto them, because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of the hardness of their hearts the land was cursed for their sake. (Mormon 1:16-17)

Additionally, we have been warned over and over and over again by modern prophets to prepare for what is to come by storing, at the very least, a year’s supply of food and other needed items. Have we obeyed? Do you have your year’s supply? It is estimated that 4-6% of members in the LDS church have a year’s supply of food. This is saddening. That means that 4-6% of the members are listening to God’s prophet, and as Mormon labeled it, “wilfully rebel[ling] against their God” . Sad indeed.

Upon reading these examples, one might be led to think that the reason the prophets have been silent on this issue is due to the rebellion and hardness of heart among the people. While this argument does carry weight, I believe that the Lord, in His infinite mercy, never fully stops warning the people who will listen.

For example, the children of Israel were taught things in the simplest of terms, with blatantly obvious examples and situations, that they might learn that the LORD was their God. But when their hearts had been hardened for too long, they were no longer privileged to be taught with such clarity. For this reason, among others, Christ taught in symbols and metaphors. Not everybody picked up on what he was saying. Understanding his statements and teachings required being spiritually in tune. As he said, “he who hath ears to hear, let him hear”.

So, for those who “have ears to hear”, it is clear that modern prophets have still spoken out and warned us about these things. Listen to the words of our modern prophets:

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.
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Testimony Vibrant and True”, August 2005

Fast forward eight months, and President Hinckley confirms that “we are involved in terrible wars”. Brothers and sisters, I give you Book of Mormon prophesy in the making!

The major writers of the Book of Mormon did not intend it to be a history book at all. In fact, Jacob said that his brother Nephi commanded him that he “should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people” (Jacob 1:2).

Each time we read the book we should probably ask ourselves: “Why did these writers choose these particular stories or events to include in the record? What value are they for us today?

Among the lessons we learn from the Book of Mormon are the cause and effect of war and under what conditions it is justified. It tells of evils and dangers of secret combinations, which are built up to get power and gain over the people. It tells of the reality of Satan and gives an indication of some of the methods he uses. It advises us on the proper use of wealth. It tells us of the plain and precious truths of the gospel and the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for all mankind. It informs us of the gathering of the house of Israel in the last days. It tells us of the purpose and principles of missionary work. It warns us against pride, indifference, procrastination, the dangers of false traditions, hypocrisy, and unchastity.
—Elder L. Tom Perry, “Blessings Resulting from Reading the Book of Mormon”

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.
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Times in Which We Live”, October 2001

I testify that the Lord’s prophets are still speaking. Only those who are attuned to such things will pick up on them and understand them. We, as a people, will remain under condemnation until we “repent and remember”. We must prepare, we must store a year’s supply of goods, and we must listen attentively to the prophet of our God. Anything less than that will not suffice.

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6 comments so far. Care to chime in?

Calls for peace fall on deaf ears in the last days.

#1 Dan | October 23rd, 2006 12:41 PM

You miss the point, Connor Boyack.

President Gordon B. Hinckley was referring to the Jihadists as THE secret comb, not some “inside” job.

“It is the terrorist organizations that must be ferreted out and brought down. ”

President Gordon B. Hinckley supports the War on Terror and regime change in Iraq. Why is that so hard for you to believe?

#2 LDS Patriot | October 23rd, 2006 3:57 PM

Oh, brother…

“…the wiles of ambitious and scheming leaders…”

Is Al-Qaeda composed of our leaders? No.. I think the proper term for that is “government”.

“…who oppressed them with burdensome taxes…”

Does Al-Qaeda burden us with taxes?

“…who lulled them with hollow promises…”

Has Osama promised you anything?

“…who countenanced and even encouraged loose and lascivious living…”

Yeah, those racy Iraqis sure do try to encourage that…

“These evil schemers led the people into terrible wars…”

:::cough::: Bush :::cough:::

Stop interpreting things as you want to see them and open your eyes, brother.

#3 Connor | October 23rd, 2006 4:05 PM

When Joseph Smith spoke of our government and our freedoms being threatened he referred to secret organizations who usurp power through legislation and also just outright refusal to follow the constitution. He spoke of those who were above the law. Further, he prophesied of due process of law being denied as outlined in our Bill of Rights.

Islamic terrorists are not in control of our government and cannot deny us “due process of law”. This protection was setup by our founding fathers to secure us against kangaroo courts and tyranny. Here is an example of this prophesy from the Ensign:

D. Michael Stewart, “I Have a Question,” in Ensign article, June 1976, p 64-65, stated, “Brethren and sisters, let me say in closing that we have it of record, that the prophet Joseph Smith said the time would come when, through secret organizations taking the law into their own hands, not being governed by law or by due process of law, but becoming a law unto themselves, when, by those disintegrating activities, the Constitution of the United States would be so torn and rent asunder, and life and property and peace and security would be held of so little value, that the Constitution would, as it were, hang by a thread…”

The Prophet also “ warned against those individuals who would hope to sell political schemes which had as a result the diminution of individual liberty and free agency—who bring about stretches of power or restrictions of rights which too often appear as acts of legislation to pave the way to some political scheme destitute of intrinsic merit as a wolfs heart is of the milk of human kindness…federal government paternalism…expanding bureaucratic machinery, controls, laws, regulations; concentration of power in the executive, stifling taxes, circumvention of the constitution, indebtedness, inflation, continued devaluation of the dollar. (Journal of Discourses, Vol. II, p. 113; Richard Vetterli, Constitution By A Thread, P.187)

Are Islamic Terrorists accomplishing these destructive devices upon us? No they are not. They are the excuse used to destroy the once cherished freedoms our founding fathers fought and died for. James Madison warned of the tyranny which could come to this country when he said,
“If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.” Moreover, he said ‘Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people, by gradual and silent encroachments, by those in power, than by sudden and violent usurpations.”(An Enemy Hath Done This, p. 6; Elliot’s Debates 3:87; Prophets, Principles and National Survival, p.104)

Freedoms have always been threatened by those in power from time immemorial. Tyranny has been the norm not the exception. Our constitution was put in place to hold our leaders in check. Our freedoms must be guarded with the utmost jealousy. However, the American people have been duped into giving up freedom in the guise of fighting this perpetual war on terror. A perpetual war on terror means no more liberty. Again James Madison said, “No nation can preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.”

Virtually all the signs and warnings are being fulfilled regarding the destruction of our freedoms and country. The warnings and prophecies are all relative to our government and their abuses.

Lastly, the Prophet Joseph Smith spoke of secret combinations and corruption in our government in the latter days. Eliza R. Snow, present with the Prophet Joseph Smith stated, “I heard the prophet say, ‘The time will come when the government of these United States will be so nearly overthrown through it’s corruption, that the Constitution will hang as it were by a single hair…’”(Ensign, June 1976, p 64-65).

#4 D. Lamb | October 23rd, 2006 8:00 PM

[...] http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/a-prophetic-warning [...]

#5 In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children « My Life IN/OF Pictures | October 31st, 2008 8:28 AM

God Bless you brother!

Fight Against Tyranny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrEDMye-L1c

The Lord will save us, if we obey God and fight for our rights!

#6 striker_gt | December 8th, 2009 2:50 PM

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