The Latter-day Saints and those acquainted with the restoration
of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith should have a great
admiration for and testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon.
Joseph stated that it was the most correct of any book on the
earth and the keystone of our religion and that a man could get
nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.
(TPJS, p. 194)
The Prophet Nephi gives an important key in the understanding
of scriptures when he said, "For I did liken all scriptures
unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning" (1st
Nephi 19:23). This is profound advice considering the fact that
the Book of Mormon was written for us in our day. Every portion
in the book was carefully selected to give us the best view of
our characteristics and challenges in these very last days, as
seen and prophesied from those ancient authors.
Those inspired ancient prophets understood and saw clearly that
the Latter-day church and people would commit the same sins that
destroyed their people. It is unfortunate that today most of those
in possession of the Book of Mormon have developed a blind spot
concerning their dangerous condition.
"For behold, the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep. For behold, ye have closed your eyes, and ye have rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the seers hath he covered because of your iniquity." (2Nephi 27:5)
We must understand that in these last days we are on a virtual
parallel with the history and events of the people of the Book
of Mormon. God's dealings have always been focused on His covenant
people, the House of Israel; and today is no different. The Latter-day
Saints are God's covenant people. That status is a good thing
when people keep their covenants and serve God. It is a disastrous
predicament when God's chosen people stray from their covenants
and disobey His commandments. The Book of Mormon is replete with
the recurring episodes of pride, wickedness, apostasy, and subsequent
destructions of the Lord's people. We are warned in the Doctrine
and Covenants, "...but beware of pride, lest ye become as
the Nephites of old". (D&C 38:39) The Lord, in modern
times, has warned the Latter-day Saints that similar judgments
await all those who depart from the Lord.
The purpose of this pamphlet is to WARN God's covenant people
of the judgments and calamities that are soon to befall them and
also the world at large if sincere repentance is not sought. The
following is a journey through the sacred Book of Mormon with
emphasis on the warnings and judgments which surely will come
to pass in the last days.
In the beginning of the Book of Mormon, a prophet is called to proclaim repentance to an APOSTATE church and its people. Lehi was commissioned by the Lord, outside of Jewish church leadership channels, to take a message of judgment and destruction to the Lord's covenant people who had set at defiance the true religion of the Living God. The Jews in that day had a testimony and knowledge that they were the Lord's chosen people, but were absolutely blind to their own apostasy due to the breaking of their covenants, their love of riches and the praise of the world. Lehi's ministry was not well received:
"And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and abominations....And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away..." (1st Nephi 1:19-20).
The responses of Laman and Lemuel, Lehi's sons, give an insight
to the mind-set of the people of Jerusalem:
"And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them. Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father." (1st Nephi 2:12-13)
Further indications of the blindness exhibited by Laman and Lemuel
as to the apostasy of the people of Jerusalem is made manifest
when they said:
"And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all His commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people..." (1st Nephi 17:22).
This verse opens to view that:
1. They assumed they were a righteous people.
2. They did the outward performances of their religion such as paying tithing, attending meetings, performing ordinances, etc..
3. They were angry that anyone could judge their actions as being abominable.
4. They knew not the dealings of God or the coming judgments so clearly prophesied.
5. They revered church traditions of prophet founders but did not keep the covenants set forth by those prophets.
The covenant people today, which comprise for the most part, the
Latter-day Saints, are strikingly akin to the Jews of Lehi's era
because they exhibit the same self-assured attitude that they
are the Lord's chosen and, therefore, not subject to His wrath.
Are they aware of the perilous events just ahead? Are they aware
that they have discarded the doctrines and principles of Zion
as set forth by the Prophet Joseph Smith? Do they know that inspired
men are being sent to them with the warnings of the Lord?
It is our testimony that there exists a direct parallel between
the Jews of Lehi's day and the behavior of modern Israel. We bear
our solemn witness that the fiery judgments and calamities are
soon to be poured out on modern day Israel; and if repentance
is not sought, they will be smitten with great destruction. If
these words seem harsh to the reader, they should consider the
following verses:
"And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold they said unto me: Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear. And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center. And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us." (1st Nephi 16:1-3)
Some of the most panoramic and sweeping prophecies about the last days come from the works of Nephi, son of Lehi. Nephi speaks much of corrupt churches and ideologies that exist in our day. In fact, he saw so much of the final events in our dispensation that the Lord forbade him from saying too much:
"And behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw and heard; wherefore the things which I have written sufficeth me; and I have written but a small part of the things which I saw." (1st Nephi 14:28)
Nephi did his best to unlock for us the last day events, the final
punch line of which will surprise almost all of the inhabitants
of the earth when they unfold. (That is why he quoted so much
of the book of Isaiah, because Isaiah rendered a full account
of the happenings of the last days. Those with the spirit of prophecy
do understand the words of Isaiah. See 2nd Nephi 25:1-8. Also
3rd Nephi 23:1-3). Nephi is given to see our day, a day in which
the devil has much power and deception. He says:
"For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this according to the words of the prophet." (1st Nephi 22:23)
The chapter heading of 2nd Nephi 26 speaks of gentiles building
up false churches and secret combinations also the practice of
priestcrafts. In Doctrine and Covenants section 109:60, Joseph
Smith makes the statement that the Latter-day Saints are identified
with the Gentiles. Therefore, whenever the Book of Mormon refers
to the Gentiles in the Last Days, it certainly includes Latter-day
Israel.
"And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor...... He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion." (2nd Nephi 26:20,29)
"The Latter-day Saints are taught that if they do not live up to every covenant they make, they will be in Satan's power. Joseph Smith taught that when we reject anything that comes from God, the devil takes power." (TPJS, p.181)
H. Verlan Anderson, a General Authority in the LDS Church, recognized
the LDS apostasy and made these comments, "Religious history
testifies that, with the single exception of the inhabitants of
the City of Enoch, no people to whom the gospel has been given
have remained faithful to their covenants for more than a few
generations. Time after time the Lord has established His church
among a group who have lived His commandments for a few years
and then fallen away, thus bringing upon themselves His judgments.
This cycle of human folly which so many prophets have noted, has
repeated itself with such consistent regularity that any group
which finds itself to be favored recipients of the gospel would
do well to assume that their apostasy is certain, and the only
question about it is how long it will take." (The Great
and Abominable Church of the Devil, p. 167)
In the chapter heading of 2nd Nephi 27, it states that darkness
and apostasy shall cover the earth in the last days. H. Verlan
Anderson's comments about Gentiles should be noted as he said,
"If Church members from Gentile nations will bear in mind
that the term "Gentile" when used in the Book of Mormon
includes them, the prophecies therein will have much greater meaning
and be more disturbing." (The Great and Abominable Church
of the Devil, p.170)
"But, behold, in the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles-yea, behold all the nations of the Gentiles and also the Jews, both those who shall come upon this land and those who shall be upon other lands, yea, even upon all the lands of the earth, behold, they will be drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations--And when that day shall come they shall be visited of the Lord of Hosts, with thunder and with earthquake, and with great noise, and with storm, and with tempest, and with the flame of devouring fire." (2nd Nephi 27:1-2)
This quotation of scripture from Nephi does not imply a peaceful
merging of anyone into the Millennium. Many people today assume
that the Millennium is either many years in the future or that,
somehow, the Saints won't be severely chastened and scourged prior
to these events. Some LDS leaders have even denied the scriptures
by stating that we will peacefully merge into the Millennium.
What blindness!
"O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell! Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish." (2nd Nephi 28:15-16)
"O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe." (2nd Nephi 1:13)
The question of interest is why the Latter-day Saints do not liken
these scriptures to themselves as they should? Why is it that
in church meetings, classes, church publications, and spiritual
conversations amongst themselves they curiously omit the stern
warnings of the Lord to them at this perilous time? Perhaps this
phenomenon can be answered. It is identified as the "All
is well in Zion syndrome." Nephi dedicated the entire chapter
of 2nd Nephi 28 to this deceptive and deadly syndrome. The following
passages indicate how Satan seduces the saints today:
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well-and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none-and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.
23 Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.
24 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!
25 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!
26 Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
27 Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!
28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.
29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!
Who are the only people on earth that make such common use of
the word "Zion"? Nephi surely is taking direct aim at
the patterns of apostasy of the Latter-day Saints who consider
themselves a Zion people. The use of specific words in these verses
deserve attention.
Pacify--to appease, to calm, to still, to allay agitation, to tranquilize.
Carnal--pertaining to flesh, sensual, opposed to spiritual, being in the natural state, worldly-minded.
Security--protection, effectual defense or safety from danger of any kind, freedom from fear or apprehension, confidence of safety. Security in sin is the worst condition of the sinner.
Cheat--signifies to deceive, circumvent, to seduce, to disguise, to lay snares, to defraud in a bargain, fraud created by deception.
(taken from Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary)
With these definitions in mind, verse 21 could read like this:
And others will he appease and calm, and lull them away into confidence in their worldly ways and possessions, with freedom from fear, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well-- and thus the devil defrauds them in their bargain with him, and deceives their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
We testify that the Lord is not trifling with the Latter-day Saints.
We must repent in sackcloth and ashes from our dependence and
trust in the things of this world, which is Satan's kingdom, and
seek to build up the true Zion.
Leaders and people alike are subscribing to a false concept of
Zion. The devil is now cheating many souls into thinking that
their current course is pleasing to God. When many are left desolate
in the destructions of the Almighty, they cannot say that they
have not been warned. The Lord has warned the LDS people by placing
them under condemnation for rejecting the Book of Mormon:
"And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things which you have received-
Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
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.
For shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay." (D&C 84:54-59)
Surely, there will be those who profess that they need no repentance
and assure themselves that "we need no more of the word of
God, for we have enough!" (vs.29) This is folly in the extreme!
How many people in Mormonism today believe they have all the doctrinal
knowledge they need for exaltation? This attitude is evidence
of a wholesale ignorance regarding the Fulness of the Gospel.
This ignorance is encouraged and propagated by file leaders who
tell members to leave the mysteries alone. Wo to those who reject
plainness and understanding;
"And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be." (2nd Nephi 32:7)
It is interesting to note that the Lord's people have the tendency
to shift the attention of all the warning verses of scripture
to "those wicked people over there." They are often
too arrogant or confident that those hard words from the Lord
don't apply to them, their leaders, or their church.
Too often people place more trust in their future by way of investments,
homes, cars, retirement accounts, insurance plans, the stock market,
etc.. than they do in the God that created them. Therefore, heed
should be given to the following verse.
"Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost." (2nd Nephi 28:31)
Brigham Young had something to say about blind trust in church
leaders when he said,
"What a pity it would be if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 9: 150)
This conference quote by a Prophet is far different from current
day exhortations to "follow the brethren" and not to
follow dead prophets, only follow the living ones. If that were
true, we might as well throw the scriptures away, because they
are filled with the words of dead prophets. (for more information
about this topic, please see the pamphlet 'Follow
the Brethren, Fact versus Fiction' )
Truth is truth, in time and in eternity. The principles of
salvation and exaltation and the ordinances of God never change.
"Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed. All must be saved on the same principles." (TPJS pg.308)
Nephi also saw that the Latter-day people will deny God:
"Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts." (2nd Nephi 28:32)
Nephi's parting testimony is sobering:
"But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.
And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.
For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen." (2nd Nephi 33;2,13-15)
The reader is invited to prayerfully read 2nd Nephi, especially
Chapters 26 through 33. These chapters speak so forcefully and
plainly about the apostasy of the Latter-day Saints, leaders and
people, and the world at large, that to fail to comprehend this
message is to remain in blind ignorance and will surely bring
down the Lord's fierce judgment and destruction upon you.
Wicked King Noah and his people did not start out as an apostate
people, wicked before the Lord. Zeniff, Noah's father, was a righteous
man and sought to lead his people in the fear of the Lord. However,
the Church began to degrade when the kingdom was conferred to
Noah. The following parallel will be of interest in comparing
LDS patterns of change from its foundation, and wicked King Noah's
kingdom. Compare Mosiah chapter 11:
This was the state of affairs when the Prophet Abinadi came among
the people. It should be noticed that Abinadi came from outside
the Church.
When Abinadi spoke the truth about the fallen state of the
people and of their apostasy from the true religion, he was despised,
reviled and persecuted. The eyes of the people were blinded to
their abominations because of the vain, flattering and comforting
words spoken by the leadership of the church.
"Who is the Lord, that shall bring upon my people such great
affliction?", Noah exclaimed. Also the priests supported
the vain view of their own infallibility by calming the accusations
against him:
"And now, O king, what great evil hast thou done, or what great sins have thy people committed, that we should be condemned of God or judged of this man?
And now, O king, behold, we are guiltless, and thou, O king, hast not sinned; therefore, this man has lied concerning you, and he has prophesied in vain.
And behold, we are strong, we shall not come into bondage, or be taken captive by our enemies; yea, and thou hast prospered in the land, and thou shalt also prosper." (Mosiah 12:13-15)
The entire people were so confident that they were right, that
the Spirit of the Lord could no longer be felt or heeded by them.
No new learning, repentance or change could be adopted because
of the depth of their pride.
As the priests interrogated Abinadi, it was discovered that they
were doctrinally ignorant as to the meaning of the scriptures
and the plan of the Lord. Their chosen worship was foreign to
what their forefathers knew. Abinadi rebukes their gross blindness
doctrinally by asking:
"Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?
I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.
Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?" (Mosiah 12:25-27)
Abinadi goes on to rebuke the priests for not teaching the people
correctly and leading them astray. The power of God rested upon
him mightily as he rendered precious truths of the Gospel of Christ.
Again the use of specific words in these verses deserve attention:
pervert--to turn from truth, propriety, or from its proper purpose; to distort from its true use or end, to turn from the right, to corrupt. (Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary)
This definition applies just as strongly today as it did in
Abinadi's day.
When true religion, doctrines, principles and ordinances are distorted
from their true use it follows that apostasy, degeneration and
destruction result.
Abinadi goes on to teach the true Gospel by quoting Isaiah and
foreshadowing the coming of Christ, prophesying events yet to
come. Only Alma, one of the priests, had the Spirit witness the
truth of Abinadi's words to him. It was Alma and a small remnant
of people that escaped and established God's Church and truly
worshiped while hidden away in the wilderness.
Meanwhile, the demise of wicked King Noah, his priests, and the
people occurred as Abinadi prophesied. Abinadi was true to his
mission and sealed his words with his own blood. He went to an
apostate people and declared the harsh words of the Lord to them
with very little outward success. But, one, Alma saw his fallen
situation and had the courage to go against file leaders and defend
truth. The ministry of Abinadi resulted in the eventual reign
of the Church of God which saved many souls.
Like the Prophet Abinadi, God has called servants in these last
days to cry repentance to a wayward church and people.
If we have eyes to see and ears to hear we can use the examples
in "the most correct book", to recognize God's servants
and also to recognize the false priests. They each have identifiable
characteristics. It is important to remember that it was when
the people became prosperous that the false priests arose to power.
1. The power of God rested upon him.
2. When the true priest had imparted unto the people the word of God, they all returned again diligently unto their labors.
3. He did not esteem himself above his hearers.
4. The preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner.
5. He preached repentance.
6. The spirit witnessed to the hearer that what he taught was true.
Compare that with the characteristics and teachings of the false
priests in the land.
1. He sets himself up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
2. He stirs up those who are in his favor to anger against those who were not in his favor.
3. He is a wise man as to the wisdom of the world.
4. He is very cunning.
5. Mosiah 27:8 "...a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people...".
6. He teaches that every priest and teacher ought to become popular.
7. He teaches that they ought not to labor with their hands.
8. He teaches that they ought to be supported by the people.
9. He testifies unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day.
10. He teaches that the people need not fear nor tremble.
11. He teaches that the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.
12. He loves the vain things of the world.
13. He preaches false doctrines for the sake of riches and honor.
14. He preaches that all is well, instead of the need of repentance.
We, as Apostles of Jesus Christ, testify that the judgments of
God are soon to fall on all those who reject this testimony of
warning. The LDS Church has rejected every law that would establish
Zion, and has therefore failed its mission and charge.
Who are those that will respond like Alma and wake up to their
awful situation. Who are those who will stand up against file
leaders and tyranny and not fear ostracism and seek the truth?
Today is the time for the valiant and the Elect to wake up and
build up Zion in anticipation for the reign of Jesus Christ.
We invite all true seekers of the restoration that Joseph Smith
initiated, to come with us and help in the preparation for the
close of this last dispensation before the Millennium.
We bear solemn witness that the LDS Church is in a state of apostasy
just as deep as King Noah's Church was, and that the desolations
of the Lord are soon to befall them in like manner.
This is a day of warning and of the gathering of the Elect from
a dying world to come and perform the works of righteousness.
This is the message of the Book of Mormon: Don't let the apostasy
that destroyed the Lord's people over and over again, happen to
you in the last days.
We testify that the apostasy already exists, that decisions must
be made by individuals to come out from under condemnation. We
invite you to obtain a testimony from Heaven that the San Pete
Valley and The True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints
of the Last Days is the home of the gathering of the remnant of
the Elect.
"I do not know but that it would be an utter impossibility to commence and carry out some principles pertaining to Zion right in the midst of this people. They have strayed so far that to get a people who would conform to heavenly laws it may be needful to lead some from the midst of this people and commence anew somewhere in the regions round about in these mountains."(Orson Pratt, 1873, Journal of Discourses, 15:361)
Our mission is the redemption of Zion! We invite all the Elect
of Israel to come and earn the reward of the laborer in Zion.
The economic system encouraged by Korihor is disturbingly familiar to our own economy today.
"Every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime." (Alma 30:17)
This open economy is, in reality, the antithesis of the law of
consecration of Zion. One may reasonably ask how today's Latter-day
Saints have any promise of Zion when they build up the opposite
kingdom? (see D&C 105:5)
In Chapter 31 of Alma, we find an apostate people called the Zoramites.
They had had the word of God preached unto them. They were not
ignorant of the gospel by any means. However, they had fallen
into great errors because they would not observe the commandments
or performances of the Lord. (v.8-10) They did pervert the ways
of the Lord in many instances. They worshipped in a self-centered
manner which was astonishing to Alma and his brethren. The Zoramites
thanked God that they were elect and holy children-the only ones
who God would save.
"Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.
Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.
Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride." (Alma 31:23-25)
Latter-day Israel also finds itself in this same predicament today.
This self-assured status will be humbled to the dust just as were
Sodom and Gomorrah anciently. The enterprising, independent, strict,
image-conscious success of those who imbibe and thrive on this
competitive lifestyle will reap desolation very soon. It is this
very lifestyle and economy that oppresses the poor and exalts
the rich. This conduct by the Lord's people is most repugnant
to Him; they should know better.
It is interesting to note that the craft of the Zoramites was
destroyed when the true word of God was preached to them. (see
Alma 35:3) This uncovering of their false worship actually made
them angry. Their leaders and teachers secretly discovered how
the people felt in regard to the teaching of Alma. Those that
were in favor of the truth taught by Alma were cut off and cast
out of the land by these conspiring leaders. (35:6) There are
a multitude of parallels in the ways and attitudes of the Zoramites
as compared with the Saints of today.
This being true, reveals that the very leaders of the people,
and the people themselves are involved in a godless economy. It
also shows an apostasy from the Zion concepts taught by Joseph
Smith, Brigham Young, and others of the early restoration. This
message, repetitively taught in the Book of Mormon, demonstrates
how real the LDS apostasy actually is. It gives us a barometer
from which to compare. The similarities of our people indicate
that the same destructions await modern Israel. These real indictments
cannot be escaped. The people must wholly repent or expect the
wrath of a just God to come upon them. We testify that this day
is at hand.
Jesus Christ will come again in the last days and will have
a people prepared to meet Him. They will be abiding Celestial
Laws (D&C 105:5) and will be spared the complete destructions
that await the world at large. There were only a few of the righteous
looking forth for the coming of the Savior in America, when nearly
all the people were destroyed in the cataclysms that accompanied
the death of Jesus in Jerusalem.
The people in 3rd Nephi were not ignorant of their rebellion,
for they knew the will of God concerning them. In fact, they were
members of the true Church and thought that nothing terrible would
ever happen to them in their 'righteous' condition. The few years
prior to Christ's coming to America, most closely parallels our
day as we anticipate the second coming of the Savior. This sets
up an important parallel, that should be disturbing, as we contemplate
our condition today. (Refer to 3rd Nephi 6:10-30)
After the great destructions on the American continent, the
wicked were swept off and only a few of the more righteous were
spared. Jesus Christ then visited the remnant of the people and
taught them the precious truths of His Gospel. He then organized
Apostles and a Church. A Zion Society was established in which
it was said that there could not be a happier people that had
been created by the hand of God. This society lasted in peace
for 167 years.
Among Christ's teachings were some prophecies of events in the
last days. It was foreseen that the Latter-day Gentile Church
would sin against and reject the Fulness of the Gospel after it
had been restored unto them:
"And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them." (3rd Nephi 16:10)
This Gospel would then be brought to a righteous remnant of Ephraim
and Manasseh, of the house of Israel, and this land of America
would be given unto them for an inheritance. (3rd Nephi 16:16-20)
It is also prophesied that in the last days the Father will work
a great and marvelous work. What is this work? Is it more than
the restoration of the Gospel in 1830? We testify that the restoration
of the Gospel through Joseph Smith was the BEGINNING of the great
and marvelous work, and that the largest part of that work is
now proceeding with great rapidity in these very last days.
The prophesy is saying that the LDS Church would reject the Fulness
of the Gospel placed in its charge. The authority of God would
then be removed from them and given to a remnant of people who
will do the works of righteousness, and who keep their covenants.
This is the pivotal message of the Book of Mormon for the people
in the last days! This transition is now taking place, and the
Lord is doing His strange act in the gathering of the outcasts
of Israel. Priesthood authority has been given to this remnant
to establish a Church and begin to implement all the Laws of Zion.
The Lord no longer recognizes the LDS Church, for He has replaced
them and their apostate rebellion. These things are true as sure
as we live, and we testify to the truthfulness of the same.
"For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them." (3rd Nephi 21:9)
It is interesting to note that the prosperity of the Zion society
established by Jesus lasted approximately 167 years (34 A.D.-201
A.D.). Alma's Church began about 147 B.C., and broke up in 30
A.D. encompassing 177 years. The Restored Church in this dispensation
began in 1830 and finds itself now 165 years (1995) in parallel
with the Book of Mormon history. The following comparison of the
events in 4th Nephi are contrasted with the LDS patterns today:
(4th Nephi;24-44)
"It was very popular. The church grew phenomenally as a result of this. Remember, this is the church we're talking about. This is not apostates. Give them what they want and you'll win. This is the Nehor story already. Remember, the Nehors grew like crazy. We do that today of course. ...Verse 28 also teaches another thing--that phenomenal growth of the church is no proof that it is true at all, or that it is on the right path. It grew faster than anything because it was very popular. So do not use popularity as a gauge either." (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Sem. 4, F.A.R.M.S., p. 186)
This rejection of God's higher Laws to appease the world and find
comfort in peaceful co-existence has been a 'red flag' indicator
of apostasy. Many Prophets spoke out against this "Power,
popularity, and gain syndrome":
"When we see the time that we can willingly strike hands and have full fellowship with those who despise the Kingdom of God, know ye then that the Priesthood of the Son of God is out of your possession. Let us be careful how we make friends with and fellowship unrighteousness, lest the curse of God descends heavily upon us." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 10:273)
"...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4)
Those who have eyes to see, can see from recent events that the
church has struck hands with the godless international global
community. These associations, as stated above by a Prophet of
God, were to be abhorred by the Saints of God.
The purpose of the Book of Mormon message, in large part, is to
draw our attention to the patterns of apostasy and destruction
of the Lord's people! It is for those who have eyes to see, ears
to hear, and hearts that understand to wake up to the awful situation
that exists today! Is calamity, famine, pestilence, tempest and
warfare on our doorstep today? YES! And what people are the catalysts
of these events? We testify that the catalysts are the Lord's
chosen people who have rejected the Fulness of the restored Gospel
through Joseph Smith,Jr., in other words, the Latter-day Saints.
No other people have had the Fulness to reject!
One of the most clearly, yet poorly applied understandings of the Book of Mormon, is the knowledge of the existence of secret combinations. Once again, a blind spot has occluded the vision of the Saints on this subject. Several leaders in our recent past have properly identified the vehicle of secret combinations, ie. Ezra Taft Benson, H. Verlan Anderson, etc... This vehicle is government. For verification of this fact, let us read Helaman 6:38-40:
"And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them (secret combinations) up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations.
And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God.
And thus we see that they were in an awful state, and ripening for an everlasting destruction." (Helaman 6:38-40)
These verses also reveal that the more part of the righteous were
seduced by this secret combination. They learned to support it
because of the benefits they assumed it rendered them.
What is the secret combination today? It is the Satanic
plan to control and subject all mankind under a one world government
and take away the God-given rights of man. Who are the players?
The Illuminati, the United Nations, the United States Federal
Government, the Trilateral Commission, the Council on Foreign
Relations, The Federal Reserve, The Internal Revenue Service,
Bankers, Judges, Lawyers, Politicians, and some Churches. By no
means is this a complete list, for there are many agencies, institutions
and people being influenced by this one world empire.
There is a shadow power that is correlating all of these entities
towards one great goal; the eventual overthrow of all nations
and peoples, and their subjugation to one kingdom, Satan's Kingdom.
When Satan was cast out of the Garden of Eden, he vowed that he
would do such a thing, and he has nearly done it. Does God require
any man to obey the laws of a government that is corrupt and in
defiance of Him? The Lord has this to say:
"Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land; And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil. (D&C 98:6-7)
"And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God.
For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith.
And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake, shall find it again, even life eternal.
Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy.
For if ye will not abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me." (D&C 98:11-15)
It should be noted that this revelation was given in the year
1833 and the constitution was acceptable to God with its ten amendments.
Our U.S. Constitution is all but gone and forgotten as prophesied.
This is the awful situation spoken of in Ether, Chapter 8 that
we must awaken to:
"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 8:24-25)
These works of darkness are alive and well today. If you do not
recognize this iniquity, then you have been deceived and have
blindly helped to support such tyranny. What happens to a Church
that does not cry out against these unholy combinations, and actually
participates with them for power and gain? Answer: They are destroyed
when God pours out His scourges and judgments on the wicked. When
the Church of the Jews in Christ's day could not destroy Christ
by themselves, they turned to wicked government to crucify Him.
This is the standing of the LDS Church before the Lord. Their
secret dealings and abominations with wicked government will soon
prove their complete destruction. We have openly declared these
things with boldness so that no excuse can be made when God, in
His wrath, removes all these abominations from before His face.
As Moroni is finishing his father's record in Mormon Chapter 8, he gives a panoramic insight to the conditions of the last days: pollutions upon the face of the earth, wars and earthquakes, secret combinations abound and pride is the theme of the day. Moroni states that Jesus Christ had shown him our future day. Then a candid overview of churches and their practices is revealed:
1. Churches become defiled and the power of God is denied.
2. Leaders and teachers of churches rise up in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of those who belong to their churches.
3. Churches are built up that will say: Come unto me and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.
4. "Your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts." (Did he leave out anybody?)
5. "For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted."
6. "O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy Church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies-because of the praise of the world?
Who is the Holy Church of God? And how do you pollute the Holy
Church? Answer: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
is referred to as the Holy Church of God. Hugh Nibley confirms
who these verses refer to:
"...It is important to note that these people are church builders, and that they include the members of the true church. ...After the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, moreover, there is only one 'holy Church of God'(1 Nephi 14:10). The expression here, moreover, cannot refer to the primitive church, of which these latter-day Christians know nothing--they are not in a position to pollute it, and pollution is necessarily an inside job. And why should the true church be any more immune to the blandishments of money and fine clothes and beautiful churches today than it was in the days of the Nephites.
...Why should they now think that all these warnings are not meant for them, but only for the wicked outsiders? It is exactly the attitude which Nephi and Samuel the Lamanite attacked with such vigor. The Book of Mormon was given to us because it was meant for us." (Since Cumorah, vol. 7 of Hugh Nibley Collected Works, p. 378-79).
Pollution and corruption occur when ordinances are changed. When
knowledge of true doctrine is rejected and denied, the mission
of the church is changed from building up Zion and from establishing
the Kingdom of God. Compromise with the world always takes place.
Thus, perversion of the Church of God is the result, and the building
up of the Church of the Devil is the reward of these wicked acts!
The enemy truly has taken over the fort, but it still flies the
same flag! We testify that the Lord is setting His House in order
and that He has authorized, by Angelic visitation, His servants
to build up His Church and establish Zion. The LDS Church has
failed in its mission and will be destroyed by the decrees of
The Almighty God, who fulfills all His promises.
The Elect are being awakened from the midst of a deep sleep in
Babylon to be gathered in safety against the day when desolation
and distress will be sent upon the wicked without measure. This
day is very near at hand, even at the doors. Those who are the
Elect, according to covenant, will understand this message and
have the strength to stand up for truth at all costs. They will
follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and be numbered among
those that will build up the Zion that will be raised up to meet
the City of Enoch while the rest of those on earth will receive
the Lord's wrath. The True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of
Saints of the Last Days invites all builders of Zion to join ranks
and put on the yoke of Christ in these last days of trouble and
gloom. Now is the time to stand up and be counted.
"And ye need not imagine in your hearts that the words which have been spoken are vain, for behold, the Lord will remember his covenant which he hath made unto his people of the house of Israel.
And when ye shall see these sayings coming forth among you, then ye need not any longer spurn at the doings of the Lord, for the sword of his justice is in his right hand; and behold, at that day, if ye shall spurn at his doings he will cause that it shall soon overtake you. Wo unto him that spurneth at the doings of the Lord; yea, wo unto him that shall deny the Christ and his works!" (3rd Nephi 29:3-5)
We testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. All things
spoken in it will surely come to pass, either to the salvation
of the Elect, or the destruction of the wicked.
"Enter ye in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad the way which leads to death, and many there be that travel therein, until the night cometh, wherein no man can work." (3rd Nephi 27:33)
The great and dreadful day of the Lord is near. The prophecies
of the Book of Mormon are being fulfilled and the Great and Marvelous
Work of the Father is in motion. The Elect of Israel are invited
to come join in the redemption of Zion in these last days. We
bear this solemn witness in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Because of the vast amount of messages about our day, found in
the Book of Mormon, it is suggested that further reading be done
on the following passages:
Helaman Chapters 4 through 12 (apostasy of Lord's people).
The firm preaching of Samuel the Lamanite against the wickedness and apostasy of the Nephites (Helaman, Chapters 13 through 16)
The book of Ether shows the repetitive rise and fall of the Jaredites because of apostasy and darkness. The reader is especially directed to Chapter 8 of Ether where secret combinations are exposed in detail.
The reader is invited to test all of these words of warning in this pamphlet by the same standard that testifies the truth of all things:
"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:3-5)