Secret Combinations aka Conspiracies

A prophet in the Book of Mormon warns us to beware of conspiracies in the last days, although in the Book of Mormon conspiracies are referred to as secret combinations.

Basically, a "secret combination" is an organized effort that combines against what is right, against God, and its goal is to get power and money (gain) using any means (lies, cheating, bribes, murders, etc.) it can through secrecy. Oaths of secrecy and loyalty are administered to those who are involved. These oaths are to not reveal plans or actions of the group, and severe repercussions result on those (and their families) who break their oaths.

In the book of Ether chapter 8, the prophet Moroni tells of one instance (that led to the destruction of the Jaredite nation) and then warns us about secret combinations (I've bolded certain parts for emphasis):

8 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;
19 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.
20 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.
21 And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.
22 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.
23 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.
24 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.
25 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.

A few things to note:

• The oaths of secret combinations are "had among all people"
• Secret combinations have the goal to "get power and gain"
• Secret combinations caused the destruction of the Jaredite and Nephite nations.
• Secret combinations murder, lie, and seek to "overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries.
• When secret combinations spread throughout the nation, it leads to destruction.

The Book of Mormon was written for us in the last days, for the time leading up to the Second Coming of the Savior. In the above scripture, the prophet warns us that "this secret combination which shall be among you."

It's not "if" but "shall."

Related to my previous post, conspiracies (aka secret combinations) exist. They exist because there are those who desire power and/or money and they are willing to do whatever is needed to get and maintain it. For these people power and money means control and influence over others. In their mind, power and money sets them above and makes them better than others. In order to get more power and money, they need more control, which means the people will lose more freedoms. 

The loss of freedom can come through increasingly restrictive laws and regulations, often under the guise of protecting lives (such as "we need this law even if it saves one life" and "we need this law to protect our children") and increasing safety.

Loss of freedom also comes from an over-reliance on the government, whether it is for protection and safety or for various assistance programs.

I believe there should be social safety nets. But, they should be designed to get people back on their feet and self-reliant, with the goal to get people out of whatever program they are in. 

Unfortunately, most government programs suck people in and they either can't, or don't want to, get out. Most government programs cause people to become dependent and reliant on the government. And, most people who get sucked into these programs don't realize what is happening. They like the free handouts. They feel entitled and deserving. But, they don't realize they are becoming willing slaves to the those in power. 

I say "willing slaves" because they want to continue to have their entitlements, benefits, and free handouts and they elect those who promise to continue those programs. However, like a slave they have to continue doing what their masters in the government tell them to do and they are losing more freedoms and liberties in the process. They become subjected to increased regulations, increased involvement of the government in their lives, and increased dependency and reliance on their masters.  

As the conspiracies continue to erode our freedoms, we are subjected to increasing attempts to monitor, control, and regulate our rights to free speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to keep and bear arms, freedom from unwarranted search and seizure, as well as the restricted and diminished other freedoms and rights under the Constitution.