What Are The Secret Combinations Of Today?

And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.

Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.

Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.

For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.

Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved. (Ether 8:22-26)

What are today’s secret combinations?

The secret combinations discussed in this chapter involve secretly planning a coup to get gain. Remember, the story is about Jared who is plotting to kill his own father Omer. Jared’s daughter sees that her father wants to be king so she proposes dancing for another man, Akish. Akish then is told that he can only marry Jared’s daughter if he kills the king. Akish administers the oaths (secret combinations) to his friends. Omer escapes, Jared becomes king, but then Akish kills him so he can become king. What a mess.

To quote the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, secret combinations:

..seek to subvert public virtue and legally constituted authority. They defile, defraud, murder, deceive, and destroy the elements of good government, religious or secular. Their goal is to seize power and to rule over all the people (3 Nephi 6:27-30), which results in the destruction of human freedom and agency and the paralysis of peaceful and just communities.

What do you think of when you consider today’s secret combinations?

https://www.millennialstar.org/what-are-the-secret-combinations-of-today/

Unlocking Secret Combinations

A secret combination can be two people conspiring to get a recommend from the bishop to get into the temple unworthily.

Lucifer will introduce it to anyone who will give him a listening ear.

A lot of our enemies are former members of the Church.

They leave us, but can’t leave us alone.

From the beginning of time, secret combinations have plagued the world.

They’ve modernized, but everything they do is still the same.

Secret combinations will have secret covenants and signs to ensure the privacy of their society. 

Interestingly enough, many of these signs imitate, and mock, sacred temple occurrences.

When we see these secret combinations you’re going to find some parallel. 

The adversary takes things that we do that are sacred to us in the temple and he’ll imitate some things.

Similarly to this, secret combinations will make a mockery of the things we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hold sacred.

The intention of most secret combinations: to murder, plunder and get gain.

Life doesn’t seem to mean much to terrorists. 

The Adversary didn’t get a life … if he can cut somebody’s life short it’s all the better.

Most of all, secret combinations want to take away freedom. 

With freedom, they justify, comes sin. Their idea of command, is similar to Satan’s.

Just think about terrorists today, they don’t like democracy. 

They don’t want freedom, they want control.

Luckily, there’s a way to avoid and, if enough are faithful, overthrow these secret combinations.

When things get really bad, people often feel threatened or concerned and so they begin to think more about religion. 

Isn’t that, in a way, sad that that’s what it takes to get there.

While secret combinations depend of principles of wickedness, having power over others, to survive, I urge you to follow principles of righteousness in your lives. 

This principle is power, not over man, but over the natural man.

These are being revealed … to get power over the devil and all the influences we face. 

That is done to help us to become like Christ so we can help lift others and be as he is.”

http://universe.byu.edu/2011/08/18/unlocking-secret-combinations/

Coming Soon

SALT LAKE CITY — (KUTV) A disturbing, concerning image is circulating online claiming that a group is targeting the LDS temple in San Deigo, California. The picture which was allegedly released by a pro-ISIS media group shows a burning temple with an alleged member of ISIS looking on and the bloody words “Coming Soon.”

The LDS church is not commenting on the photo and in a statement the FBI said to 2News:

At this time the FBI is not aware of any specific and credible threat to our community. The FBI regularly assesses intelligence regarding possible threats to the U.S. and its interests abroad. We urge law enforcement and the public to remain vigilant. Members of the public should maintain awareness of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. The FBI will continue working with federal, state, and local partners should there be any potential threat to public safety.

But University of Utah law Professor Amos Guiora, who is a counter-terrorism expert, said it’s still an image you cannot ignore. Especially when you consider the climate across the world right now.

“I think it warrants attention,” Guiora said. “We have a tendency to dismiss things that seem this can’t happen. but I think what we’ve learned in the past period - literally anything can happen. Terrorists say what they mean and they mean what they say."

At the same time, Guiora said the last thing we want to do is stay home.

"You don’t want people to stay home, because if you stay home then terrorism wins,” he said.

http://kutv.com/news/local/image-with-lds-temple-terrorist-circulating-online

THE ONLY TRUE AND LIVING CHURCH

The only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth. (D&C 1:30)

This doctrine often generates resistance and repels the casual investigator. Some have said, "We want nothing to do with anyone who makes so presumptuous a claim as that."

The early Latter-day Saints were bitterly persecuted for holding to this doctrine. They were the butt of many clever stories. We, of course, are not free from that today. Should we not then make one accommodation and set this doctrine aside? ...Some have recommended that we confine ourselves strictly to evidences of the gospel: happy family life, and temperate living, and so on. Could we not use the words better or best? The word only really isn't the most appealing way to begin a discussion of the gospel.

If we thought only in terms of diplomacy or popularity, surely we should change our course. But we must hold tightly to it even though some turn away. ("The Only True Church," Ensign, Nov. 1985, 80-81) https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1985/10/the-only-true-church?lang=eng

This is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" according to the word of revelation. Here lies the truth. Here lies the priesthood. Hold to the Church. Do not ever lose sight of the fact that the Church must ever remain preeminent in your lives if you are going to be happy as the years pass. Never let yourselves be found in the position of fighting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You cling to it and be faithful to it. You uphold and sustain it. You teach its doctrine and live by it. And I do not hesitate to say that your lives will be the richer and the happier because of that. You cannot find happiness fighting the work of God. Those who have done so have gone down to a dismal end. ("Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley," Ensign, Apr. 1996, 72-73)

That is not my statement. That is the statement of the Lord himself. A minister once said to me, "Aren't you very arrogant to make a statement concerning such magnitude as that?" I said, "I didn't say it. The Lord said it, and because He said it, I believe it is true." (Gordon B. Hinckley "Inspirational Thoughts," Ensign, July 1998, 4)

Secret Combinations and LDSs

In the Forward to Brother Jack Monnett's book " Awakening To Our Awful Situation - Warnings from the Nephite Prophets", World Affairs Brief Editor, Brother Joel Skousen wrote: "The LDS faith is a great advantage in this world of deception. It is the only church with multiple scriptures warning the Saints to beware of these powerful secret combinations. The Book of Mormon, in particular, points out the way they operate, specifically touching upon their ability to use government and judges to provide cover and immunity....most Mormons pay little attention to this threat....it is disguised and not obvious to the cursory glance....But with those Book of Mormon warnings comes a grave responsibility to see the danger within and warn others, lest we be partially responsible for the fall of liberty. No, its not something you can leave to government, because the modern day Gadianton robbers have fully taken over large parts of government...." In the last paragraph of the Forward Joel wrote: "If....you cannot sense that something is wrong, you will have to await the grand announcements of the Second Coming -- when the secret acts of men throughout all the history of the earth will all be revealed."

Nephi son of Lehi prophesied "concerning the last days;" and included in his prophecy that there will be "secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil,..." [2 Nephi 26: 14&22].

Helaman and his son Nephi gave us excellent detailed insights into the evil works of secret combinations in their time. The goal of those conspiracies was "to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory...." by plundering wealth and taking control of government.

And Moroni gave us further warning and commandment in writing "....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." and "....awake to a sense of your awful situation. . . ." [Ether 8:20-26]. President Boyd K. Packer reminded us of these statements most recently in the August 2010 Ensign Magazine [Page 23].

In the October 1988 Church General Conference, President Ezra Taft Benson told us that "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." Other latter-day prophets and apostles have given us similar such warnings.

But are Latter-day Saints generally awake and alert to this "awful situation"? We have been given commandments to read the scriptures, to be involved in learning about government, history, current events, and prophecy [D&C 88:79 and President Dieter Uchtdorf's reminder of this commandment in the October 2009 General Priesthood Meeting]. We have been told by almost every latter-day prophet and many apostles of the vital importance of studying, defending, upholding and abiding by the Constitution of the United States, with emphasis on understanding the original intent of the Founding Fathers who wrote it under the inspiration of the Lord. The ball is in our court.

https://www.ldsfreedomforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19473&p=821340#p821340

The People In Whose Heart I Have Written My Law

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. (2 Nephi 8:7)

The prophet speaks of a righteous group of people in the last days, and the Lord will write the law in their hearts. Jeremiah taught this same doctrine when he spoke of the new and everlasting covenant to be revealed in the last days.

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33)

How will the Lord write the law in their hearts?

The Lord always commands his prophets to write down his laws. In this instance, he is writing the law in the hearts of the righteous. This is exactly what happens when the saints attend the temple - they learn the law of the Lord. However, this law cannot be written down on parchments or stone tablets. Rather, through regular temple attendance and sheer repetition, it is written in the hearts of the temple patrons.

They Who Will Not Hear The Voice Of The Lord...Shall Be Cut Off From Among The People

...and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people (D&C 1:14)

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. (Acts 3:22-23)

Joseph Fielding Smith
"This in substance was quoted to the Prophet Joseph Smith by the Angel Moroni on the night of that visitation ninety-nine years ago, when he quoted the 22nd and 23rd verses of the third chapter of Acts, which reads similarly. The angel declared unto Joseph Smith that the time was near at hand when this scripture should be fulfilled, in which it says that they who will not hear the voice of that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people. Now that applies to the members of the Church as well as to those who are in the world. If we as members will not hearken unto the words of the apostles and the prophets and especially to this prophet referred to, who is Christ, then we shall take our places among the stubble and shall be destroyed by the brightness of his coming. The time is near at hand when the Lord will come in power, and shall cleanse the earth. We must not deceive ourselves." (Conference Report, October 1922, Afternoon Session 75.)

Confrontations between Good and Evil

Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh;

And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth.

And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;

For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant;

They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall. (D&C 1:12-16)

And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin.

And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me.

For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin.

And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.

And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now. (D&C 84:49-53) 

And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God;

For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.

And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites.

And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.

And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.

Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.

Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.

For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning. (Ether 8:18-25) 

I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. 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.  (President Ezra Taft Benson General Conference, October 1988)

A Prophetic Word

Yea, I have sent my warnings and signs but you did not heed them. You pray and seek my face, yet you do not humble yourselves before my throne. You just go through these days as though there is not a thing at hand, almost like you are blind. You are. But now comes the force of the times you were warned of. Finances, pestilences, earthquakes, fires, turbulence. This coming time is very dark. Very dark. As you have never experienced before, but when it is dark; the light shines brightly. It is your time. It is time to let your light shine. As the people see the darkness approaching and getting darker, they will see the light of the world. I am the light of salvation. The only way. The only truth. The only life. Life as you know it is and will rapidly change in the blink of an eye. Seek me. Seek me. Seek me. Yes, no man knows the day or the time you are in like I do. I am the author and finisher of faith and I call out to you to walk in that faith that you say that you have. You have seek me as never before my children. Draw closer to me.

If Adam is God, then Who are You?

Adam-God is a teaching from the 1850’s church of which modern LDS are unfamiliar. It is not taught today as a doctrine in the mother (LDS) church. In fact, modern LDS leaders have made an effort to refute Adam-God. One who is unfamiliar with the “doctrine” of Adam-God might want to turn to the numerous articles that have been written on the subject. Many of these can be found on the internet or in publications of fundamentalist LDS churches that teach it.

Briefly, Adam-God refers to a teaching that emerged publicly in the 1850’s LDS church that “Adam is the very Eternal Father of Heaven.” Of course, this is taken literally by these early LDS (as well as fundamentalist LDS churches today), meaning that Adam is the personage that fathered Jesus and is the one whom Jesus referred to as his “Father”. Again, it is a literal view.

But, is there another (a non-literal) meaning that is more profound? In the LDS endowment, patrons are told to “consider themselves as Adam and Eve”, but few seem to do so. If Adam is the Father in Heaven, then who are you? Perhaps there is a profound allegorical meaning here that is not anything new at all because it is taught many places in the Biblical scriptures? In fact, there is a profound encounter of Jesus with his disciples who asked him to “shew us the Father”, but the reply was the cryptic “If you have seen me, ye have seen the Father” (cf John 14:9). Moreover, many Christian denominations will even refer (rightly) to Jesus as “the Father” as well as “the Son.”

As one begins to contemplate these things, one realizes it brings us full circle back to the same thing as other scriptural metaphors. Essentially, it is that man is the outward man(ifestion) of God (thereby a Son). He (physical man) is the temple in which God resides, although a usurper often sits on the throne (that belongs to the Father). Despite the carnal misunderstandings, every man (and woman) is both the Father and the Son (Christ Michael – Adam).

One who searches for God should realize that he has not far to travel because the Kingdom of Heaven is as close to him as his own hands. If God is omnipresent (as well as omniscient, omnipotent), then he is everywhere present. If he is everywhere present, then he is right here, right now. That narrows ones search down quite a bit.