Moroni's Warning to the Reader
Towards the middle of Ether, Moroni interjects with a strong warning to the reader:
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. (Ether 8:22)
Here, Moroni is explicit that any nation which tolerates or even supports secret combination is setting themselves up for destruction. Moroni goes on the explain:
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things [secret combinations] 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 [secret combinations] to be.
Moroni explains the purpose of knowing about secret combinations, through the Book of Mormon, is to wake the Gentiles (us) up to repent. The idea is now that we know what secret combinations can do and the havoc they release, this will prompt us to repent to ensure avoid the fate of Jaredites (and the Nephites).
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things [secret combinations] 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. (Ether 8)
Moroni then warns the us that if the secret combinations gain power over us, "awful is our situation." For the nation that supports these secret combinations will be destroyed.
Taking the Book of Mormon Seriously
The purpose of this post is to explain why Moroni issued such a strong directive warning his reader about these secret combinations. But before doing that, I'd like to first address the (possible) elephant in the room.
For many, myself included at one point, the idea of secret combination seemed to "fringy" to be taken seriously. And on the surface it makes sense, since talking about a group of people who use oaths and covenants to get gain in society or even usurp control seems more Hollywood than reality.
However, one purpose of this post is to persuade us (especially the skeptical reader) otherwise. This is because a close-reading of the Book of Mormon reveals that secret combinations are a big deal, and we shouldn't treat it lightly, as church leaders throughout the modern era have warned:
Satan has control now. No matter where you look, he is in control, even in our own land. He is guiding the governments as far as the Lord will permit him. That is why there is so much strife, turmoil, confusion all over the earth. One master mind is governing the nations. It is not the President of the United States…it is not the king or government of England or any other land; it is Satan himself. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 3, pp. 314-315)
And do not think that these usurpations, intimidations, and impositions are being done to us through inadvertence or mistake; The whole course is deliberately planned and carried out; its purpose is to destroy the Constitution and our constitutional government; then to bring chaos, out of which the new Statism with its slavery is to arise, with a cruel, relentless, selfish, ambitious crew in the saddle, riding hard with whip and spur, a red-shrouded band of night riders for despotism.”(J. Reuben Clark, jr.,Church News, September 25, 1949)
[Wickedness] is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world. (Ezra Taft Benson, I Testify, Conference, October 1988).
If we are to take the Book of Mormon seriously (which we should), we need to take the entire book seriously (which many don't). This means that we can't skip or ignore concepts that don't make sense to us. The writers' purpose in writing the Book of Mormon was to teach undiluted doctrine and warn the future inhabitants of the America lands (i.e., us) about what lays in store if we don't repent and when we allow secret combination to gain a foothold in society.
It's important to remember that the Book of Mormon was written for us. As President Benson reminded us, "[I]t was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us."
It's also worth remembering that Book of Mormon was recorded on gold. Unlike paper or papyri, the act of writing would have taken time and been a laborious process. For instance, I recently read in a Book of Mormon commentary the opinion that it took Nephi almost 10 years to record parts of the wilderness narrative. Given all that Nephi was responsible for, especially serving as king, his record likely involved a lot of time to complete -- and thus a lot of sacrifice.
Therefore when Moroni chooses to interject the narrative of the Jaredite nation to warn us (especially given the fact that he was on the run for his life), it's worthwhile for us to pay attention.
The Purpose of Secret Combinations
Through both the Book of Mormon and more explicitly in the Book of Moses, we learn how secret combinations came to be. In Moses 5, we learn that Cain, through the influence of Satan, established the first secret combination. In a desire to be able to murder Abel, Cain swore a secret oath to Satan. In exchange, Satan delivered Abel into Cain's hand to kill him. Central to the modus operandi of secret combinations is the ability to murder and rob to get power and gain.
These secret groups, moreover, appear to be behind the fall and collapse of any society, not just those discussed in the Book of Mormon. For instance, Ezekiel is shown a vision of 25 men in Ezekiel 8 whose backs are towards the temple, worshipping the "sun god" within the inner courts of the temple. The angelic guide tells Ezekiel that these men have "filled the land with violence..."
Later in Ezekiel 11, he sees these same 25 men again and learns that these men "are the men that devise mischief and give wicked counsel in the city." As a result of their mischief, "the streets" of Jerusalem have been "multiplied...with the slain."
Secrecy is a fundamental part of secret combinations, as it allows them to avoid detection. Thus they are able to hide their crimes and commit the wicked deeds of their heart with impunity.
But in addition to secrecy, secret combinations also use other methods to "get power" and "get gain. One of these methods is through lies and flattery.
And it came to pass that in the ninety and fourth year they [secret combinations] began to increase in a great degree, because there were many dissenters of the Nephites who did flee unto them, which did cause much sorrow unto those Nephites who did remain in the land. 29 And there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in years, that they became for themselves, and were led away by some who were Zoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those Gadianton robbers. (3 Nephi 1:28)Another way is through gaining positions of power, often by infiltrating the government.
And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment-seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land... (Helaman 4:7)
And they increase the positions of power, by seducing more people to join them:
...the Nephites did build them 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. (Helaman 6:38-39)
Once in that position, they use their influence to further their conspiracy and also insulate themselves from prosecution (see 3 Nephi 6). These groups consists of the elites, the wealthy, and leaders of society (see Ezekiel 11).
The purpose of gaining power is to overthrow the liberty of the people
For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it [secret combination] up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people… (Ether 8:25)
And
They [secret combinations] did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country; and they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor, and to establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty but be subject unto kings. (3 Nephi 6:30)
Secret combinations seek to overthrow the liberty of the people for a few reasons:
First, to gain power and money. A well ordered system that protects the liberties and God given rights of its people is a bulwark to the desires of secret combinations. Moreover, a free people can't be exploited by the wicked. The wicked who involve themselves in secret combinations seek to turn people into property to use and exploit for their evil purposes. When that happens, they can do anything they want, which is the true desire of their hearts (see Ether 8:16).
The second reason is more spiritual. Given that Satan is the author of secret combinations, he desires to bring others into his grasp so he can rule over them. Satan receives joy and pleasure through the misery of others. Thus by overthrowing the liberty of the people, he is able to vicariously, through the work of his wicked servants, glut himself off the suffering and misery of others.
Sadly for the Nephites, Jaredites, and even the Jews, secret combination were able to gain an upper hand in their society, leading to their downfall.
How Secret Combinations Gain Influence
While secret combinations have been around since the beginning of human existence, their influence ebbs and flows. Certainly throughout the period of Adam to Noah, secret combinations were widespread, leading to endless warfare among the people, and serving as the cause for the Lord's flooding of the earth.
But an existence of a nation does not necessarily coincide with the existence of secret combinations. For instance, the Nephite civilization existed many years until secret combinations became more influential. Neither is there a set timeline for when they arise, as the secret combinations exerted influence earlier on in the Jaredite nation than they did in the Nephite nation.
Nevertheless, secret combinations do gain a foothold when a society is slipping into wickedness. Particularly when there is political strife. For instance, in the Book of Mormon we learn of their rise upon the death Pahoran, which caused "much difficulty among the people..."
Something similar occurs in Ether, where the Jaredites had undergone an intense civil war between Jared and his father, Omer -- and later with Omer's additional sons he begat while in captivity.
In both cases, the political conflict created a vacuum for exploitation by those desirous for power. For the Nephites, it was the supporters of Pahoran's son, Paanchi, who used secret means to achieve political power. Similarly, it was Jared's daughter who sought out the records of the secret combinations of old, who "obtain[ed] kingdoms and great glory."
In addition to this, secret combinations also gain a foothold when division arises. This was true for the Nephites during the appointment of Pahoran's son. It was also true for Nephites in 4 Nephi who descended into wickedness. Secret combinations arose at the time the people started to distinguish themselves by the title Nephite and Lamanite. [1]
While this is not the only way secret combinations gain power, their rise in power does seem to follow a pattern and should cause us to reflect. Today we see great political conflict and civil division. Based on the discussed pattern, secret combinations are likely exploiting this to their advantage to gain a foothold or even a stronger one in today's society.
Effects of Secret Combinations
The danger of secret combinations is the effect they have upon a society. Not only do these groups desire to have power, but they desire this power at the expense of others who are merely collateral damage. Consider some of the effects they have:
1. The righteous are persecuted
Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money…” (Hel 7:5)
2. The laws and commandments of God are set aside
“...having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men;” (Hel 7:4)
3. The prophets and saints are killed [2]
Therefore they did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter into a covenant to destroy them, and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice… (3 Nephi 6:29)
For behold, they murdered all the prophets of the Lord who came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lord their God for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness and secret combinations. (Alma 37:30)
4. The righteous are seduced and led astray
38 And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them 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. (Hel 6:38)
5. Repentance is prevented
7 And they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord, because of their wicked combinations; wherefore, there began to be wars and contentions in all the land, and also many famines and pestilences, insomuch that there was a great destruction, such an one as never had been known upon the face of the earth; and all this came to pass in the days of Shiblom. (Ether 11)
6. They stir up rebellion [3]
5 And it came to pass that the brother of Shiblom caused that all the prophets who prophesied of the destruction of the people should be put to death; 6 And there was great calamity in all the land, for they had testified that a great curse should come upon the land, and also upon the people, and that there should be a great destruction among them, such an one as never had been upon the face of the earth, and their bones should become as heaps of earth upon the face of the land except they should repent of their wickedness. 7 And they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord, because of their wicked combinations; wherefore, there began to be wars and contentions in all the land, and also many famines and pestilences, insomuch that there was a great destruction, such an one as never had been known upon the face of the earth; and all this came to pass in the days of Shiblom. (Ether 11)
7. Nations and civilizations are destroyed
And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi. (Hel 2:13)
And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking [Jaredites], and also the destruction of the people of Nephi. (Ether 8:21)
How we respond to their influence is the topic of the next post.
Footnotes
[1] In Mormon 8, Moroni tells us that the Book of Mormon will come forth during a time when secret combinations are around. Not surprisingly, during the period of the Book of Mormon's coming forth, the United States was growing in division and there was political strife about.
At the age, then, of sixty years, our blooming republic began to decline under the withering touch of Martin Van Buren! Disappointed ambition; thirst for power, pride, corruption, party spirit, faction, patronage; perquisites, fame, tangling alliances, priest-craft, and spiritual wickedness in high places, struck hands and revelled in midnight splendor. Trouble, vexation, perplexity, and contention, mingled with hope, fear, and murmuring, rumbled through the union and agitated the whole nation as would an earthquake at the centre of the earth the world, heaving the sea beyond the bounds, and shaking the everlasting hills; so, in hopes of better times, while jealousy, hypocritical pretensions, and pompous ambition, were luxuriating on the ill-gotten spoils of the people, they rose in their majesty like a tornado, and swept through the land, till General Harrison appeared as a star among the storm clouds for better weather. – Joseph Smith, 1844, General Smith’s Views of the Power and Policy of the Government.
Some notable and contentious events:
November 1824: The U.S. presidential election of 1824 was deadlocked with no clear winner, and the political machinations of the controversial election ended the period of American politics known as The Era of Good Feelings.
February 9, 1825: The election of 1824 was settled by a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, which elected John Quincy Adams as president. Supporters of Andrew Jackson claimed a "Corrupt Bargain" had been struck between Adams and Henry Clay.
August 21, 1831: Nat Turner led a rebellion by enslaved people in Virginia.
June 24, 1832: A cholera epidemic which had ravaged Europe appeared in New York City, causing enormous panic and prompting half the city's population to flee to the countryside. Cholera was closely linked to polluted water supplies. As it tended to occur in poor neighborhoods, it was often blamed on immigrant populations.
March 27, 1834: President Andrew Jackson was censured by the U.S. Congress during a bitter disagreement over the Bank of the United States. The censure was later expunged.
[2] In addition to these statements, we know from the Book of Mormon that due to Lehi's prophesying his life was in danger. We know that Jeremiah and Lehi were contemporaries. We learn from Jeremiah 9: 2-8 that there was a "secret lying conspiracy." The Lord told Jeremiah that “a conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem” (Jeremiah 11:9). Ezekiel, another contemporary of Lehi, spoke of the same in these terms: “There is a conspiracy of [Jerusalem’s false] prophets in the midst thereof . . . they have taken the treasure and precious things” (Ezekiel 22:25).