Question
Gramps,
Why, when the Book of Mormon was so clear that secret combinations would be the downfall of America and the world in the last days and modern day prophets, particularly president Benson were very explicit about their control of the world, are we not being warned currently? I’ve always believed that the reason we have a current prophet is to warn us of the dangers of our day. I don’t believe that one has to be too bright to see that secret combinations are controlling the world leaders.
Larry
Answer
Dear Larry,
We can only speculate as to why the current prophet and apostles don’t directly address the question of secret combinations. But let’s consider some principles and a hypothetical example:
1. In Matthew 9:10-13, the Lord explains that he teaches in parables so that those who refuse to hear will not understand. Parables are an indirect way of teaching truth. Is it possible that our leaders are teaching us to resist secret combinations without calling it that?
2. In April 2018 General Conference, President Nelson said, “But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” If we are constantly guided by the Holy Ghost, will that not enable each of us to do as much as we individually are able to lift those around us and resist evil?
3. In Joseph Smith–Matthew 1:37, the Lord, in speaking about his Second Coming said that those who treasure his word will not be deceived and will be gathered at his coming. Could it be that by treasuring up his word – especially the Book of Mormon – we will be guided to know what to do as regards secret combinations?
4. In Helaman 5, we learn that those “who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good” and therefore, the laws and government were corrupted. Nephi (son of Helaman), who was the chief judge at this point, does not institute reforms or call for corrupt officials to be removed from office or otherwise try to fix the government or laws. Instead, he gives up the judgement-seat and spends the remainder of his life preaching the word of God (along with his brother Lehi).
Around this same time, the Lamanites hunted down the “robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites.”
Could it be that the best way to fight against secret combinations is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ – what President Nelson calls the gathering of Israel?
5. We are taught that the Book of Mormon was written for our day. Prophets and apostles frequently encourage daily study. Consider the prophetic promises that were part of the 2020 Book of Mormon Come, Follow Me manual, including this one from President Nelson:
My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.
Could it be that our daily study of the Book of Mormon will prepare us for whatever we need to do to resist secret combinations?
Now, with those principles in mind, let’s consider a hypothetical situation. What if the President of the Church were to publicly announce that this person or that were the leader of a secret combination, and then listed the activities of that secret combination? What do you suppose that leader would do? How do you suppose others would react? Would members of the Church believe? Would potential converts refuse to even listen to the missionaries? Or would they dismiss the Church as one that embraces “conspiracy theories”?
Larry, I don’t know the answer to your question, but I do know that the Lord Jesus Christ leads this Church through President Russell M. Nelson and that they are teaching us the things we need to know for our day and time. My counsel to you and every member of the Church is to follow the counsel of our prophet. Seek to have the Holy Ghost as your constant companion. Do all you can to help gather Israel. Spend time daily in the Book of Mormon. Practice daily repentance. Study the words of the living prophet and apostles. Do these things and we will not be deceived.
Gramps
