Election crossroad

"Behold, it came to pass that the son of Nephihah was appointed to fill the judgment-seat, in the stead of his father; yea, he was appointed chief judge and governor over the people, with an oath and sacred ordinance to judge righteously, and to keep the peace and the freedom of the people, and to grant unto them their sacred privileges to worship the Lord their God, yea, to support and maintain the cause of God all his days, and to bring the wicked to justice according to their crime."

(Alma 50: 39 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/50.39?lang=eng#p38)

Wouldn't it be awesome if our governors and judges, who are appointed (voted in) by the people, would take office "with an oath and sacred ordinance to judge righteously, and to keep the peace and the freedom of the people, and to grant unto them their sacred privileges to worship the Lord their God, yea, to support and maintain the cause of God all [of their] days [in office], and to bring the wicked to justice according to their crime."

Unfortunately, that is not the case. It hasn't been for some time, and it's getting worse.

"Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they [the judges and lawyers] received their wages according to their employ, therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ, that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them; therefore they did stir up the people against Alma and Amulek."

(Alma 11:20 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/11.3%2C20?lang=eng#p2)

There are appropriate cases for legitimate litigation. And I know there are good people who are lawyers. But, the majority are in it for the money.

And I think many judges, particularly at the Federal levels, are looking to legislate from the bench. That is their power, their gain, their way to force their will on the people. It would not surprise me if many have colluded with others to manipulate the law, to "stir up the people," and to pass laws (disguised as judgments).

From 3 Nephi 6:27-30 an observant person, who has made a diligent effort to read from a variety of news sources, can easily see a correlation to today's political climate (you easily substitute "politician" in the place of judge or lawyer):

"27 Now it came to pass that those judges had many friends and kindreds; and the remainder, yea, even almost all the lawyers and the high priests, did gather themselves together, and unite with the kindreds of those judges who were to be tried according to the law.
"28 And they did enter into a covenant one with another, yea, even into that covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness.
"29 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, which was about to be administered according to the law.
"30 And they 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 should be subject unto kings."

Verse 30 is particularly applicable, the judges (including those in political power) "did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country." As verse 27 states, "almost all the lawyers and high priests" (and in our country this would be "almost all" or our judges, politicians, and those in any form of political, legislative, or regulatory power or authority) were united together. Their first goal was to get their fellow conspirators freed from the law, "to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice."

But, their main goal was to "establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty but should be subject unto kings."

This is the conspiracy: to take away the people's liberty and to make them subject to those in power. Those in power could be kings, a president, or any government system whose intent is to control the people through laws, regulations, restrictions, or other legislative controls that take away the liberty and freedom of the people.

This is the goal of communism, socialism, fascism, dictatorships, and most governments: to subject their people to the will of those in power, usually under the guise of protection and safety. And these promises of protection and safety are not just from physical threats, such as terrorism and crime, but also include protections against what many see as social issues, including illness, poverty, and lack of education. Such protections include health care for all, redistributing wealth through oppressive taxation, and various free government programs. Most of these protections end up increasing the feeling of entitlement--where people feel they have some "right" or believe they are inherently deserving of some privilege or special treatment. And those in power are more than willing to provide the "services" that ends up making the people more dependent on the government and those in power.

Even a so-called democracy is susceptible when the people get stirred up and desire the promised protections and safety.

I believe our nation has survived as long as it has because it is a Constitutional Republic, and not a true democracy, so it is not ruled by the majority (which at its most basic level is mob rule) but by representatives of the majority from each individual state. Because of the representation, states with lower populations still have a voice and are not easy over trodden by the more populous states. It is also because of this representation that the actual Constitutional rights of the minorities are protected, whereas in a true democracy the majority rules.

Over the last several decades things have been changing, and over the last decade the pace has been accelerating.

Many leaders, inside and outside of the Church, have given warning. One of the more vocal ones was President Benson. Maybe it was because he served as Secretary of Agriculture to President Dwight D. Eisenhower for eight years and had a front row seat to seeing what was happening to the country. And that was beginning in 1953. Things have become much worse since then.

I know there are those who those who have concerns about many of Benson's earlier views and statements, seen as ultra-conservative and anti-communist. Some even wonder if he was unduly influenced when he became the Church's President and he became less outspoken against communism. It is my opinion that the Church President is often much more focused on the Gospel principles, while the apostles often have more leeway in addressing more controversial topics. However, over the last couple decades it has appeared that general authorities are taking a lower profile in controversial topics, unless the subject is directly related to doctrine, such as the LGBTQ push towards same-sex marriage. Some theories suggest it is to help keep the church leaders off of government tracking lists.

In 1972, President Benson gave this address "Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints" (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1972/04/civic-standards-for-the-faithful-saints?lang=eng). There is valuable advice and some profound warnings in that address.

While the entire address is worth reading, here are a few excerpts:

"The warning of President Joseph Fielding Smith is most timely: “Now I tell you it is time the people of the United States were waking up with the understanding that if they don’t save the Constitution from the dangers that threaten it, we will have a change of government.” (Conference Report, April 1950, p. 159.)"

"The greatest handbook for freedom in this fight against evil is the Book of Mormon."
"This most correct book on earth states that the downfall of two great American civilizations came as a result of secret conspiracies whose desire was to overthrow the freedom of the people. “And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking,” says Moroni, “and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.” (Ether 8:21.)" 

"Now undoubtedly Moroni could have pointed out many factors that led to the destruction of the people, but notice how he singled out the secret combinations, just as the Church today could point out many threats to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God’s work, but it has singled out the greatest threat as the godless conspiracy. There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon —it is a conspiracy fact." 

"Then Moroni speaks to us in this day and says, “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” (Ether 8:14.)" 

"The Book of Mormon further warns that “whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold they shall be destroyed. …” (Ether 8:22.)" 

"This scripture should alert us to what is ahead unless we repent, because there is no question but that as people of the free world, we are increasingly upholding many of the evils of the adversary today. By court edict godless conspirators can run for government office, teach in our schools, hold office in labor unions, work in our defense plants, serve in our merchant marines, etc. As a nation, we are helping to underwrite many evil revolutionaries in our country." 

"President Clark warned us that “we stand in danger of losing our liberties, and that once lost, only blood will bring them back; and once lost, we of this church will, in order to keep the Church going forward, have more sacrifices to make and more persecutions to endure than we have yet known. …” (CR, April 1944, p. 116.) And he stated that if the conspiracy “comes here it will probably come in its full vigor and there will be a lot of vacant places among those who guide and direct, not only this government, but also this Church of ours.” (CR, April 1952.)"

Regarding our civic standards, President Benson said, the "four great civic standards for the faithful Saints are, first, the Constitution ordained by God through wise men; second, the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon; third, the inspired counsel of the prophets, especially the living president, and fourth, the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

When I read those "four great civic standards" I realize that they have all been disregarded by many members of the Church.

Too many members support various groups whose agendas include increased erosion of Constitutional rights, through laws, regulations, restrictions and other legislative actions that limit, reduce, or eliminate our rights. Of course, these groups do not pose their agendas as being against the Constitution. Instead, they are advocates for supposed "rights" of some minority group, or proponents of increased protection and safety for our children and communities. However, the results of such "progressive" efforts is the erosion of freedoms for all due to the increased involvement and control of government.

Generally speaking, most members of the Church have not remembered the Book of Mormon and have not given themselves to more thorough study of God's word in the scriptures. The scriptures are taken too casually. The events in the scriptures are seen as past, which is true, but most fail to recognize the patterns which get repeated, and are repeating.

Many members profess to "follow the prophet," but too many justify and rationalize to themselves or others why one counsel or another is not applicable to them. Too many want the Church leaders to change doctrines to make the Church more socially appealing. Too many are following after the ways of Babylon, putting the gain and glory of the world first while relegating the things of God to a token gesture, if there is time in their busy lives.

Fewer members are truly seeking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Too many are relying on their own knowledge, their own abilities.

Seeking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit also extends to allowing the Spirit to work within us, and to help us believe in the Lord's atonement, to allow the power of the atonement to heal us and bring joy into our lives. Too many believe they need to do more on their own BEFORE they can allow the atonement to become a part of their lives, thinking they need to somehow become worthy of the atonement while forgetting the atonement was made because we are not worthy, and it's only through the atonement that we can become worthy to return to God.

It may be because we (generally speaking) have not followed the prophet, have not remembered the Book of Mormon, and do not follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost that the Constitution is becoming more shredded and those who have conspired to overthrow our liberties have become more pervasive throughout our society.

In any case, President Benson's quote from President Clark is applicable today. However, instead of being in danger of losing our liberties, many of our liberties have already been lost. Which brings us to the next part of the quote, "once [our liberties are] lost, only blood will bring them back; and once lost, we of this church will, in order to keep the Church going forward, have more sacrifices to make and more persecutions to endure than we have yet known."

We are at this point in time, when persecution and sacrifice will become more than the Church has previously endured.

Personally, I do not think this will happen immediately. Most likely these, particularly persecutions, will be increasing in intensity and frequency over the next several years. I think it will be a time of great trials and testing of faith, and, unfortunately, there will be many who will leave or apostatize and become enemies of the Church. It may be that some of the biggest sacrifices that will be made could be the time when faithful saints are called to gather, before the plagues and judgments come on the nation.

As for restoring our liberties, it is unfortunate that blood will be the price to bring them back. And it probably won't happen until after the nation faces its judgment through multiple mega-disasters, plagues, civil war, and invasion of foreign troops, when the remnants have become humbled and return to God.

It should be noted that 3 Nephi chapter 6 has a time frame of A.D. 26-30, but the previously cited verses occur in the year 30. For another correlation to our time, read verses 10-15 of that same chapter. The real point is these events in the Book of Mormon occur about 4 to 8 years before the Savior's death, when earthquakes, storms, and other events cause great destruction across the land.

The ultimate downfall and destruction of the Nephite and Jaredite nations was the result of the secret combinations, the conspiracies that sought to take away the liberties of and exert control and power over the people.

I believe we are in a similar situation, with only a few years left, maybe as few as 3 or up to 7.

As President Ballard, our nation and others of the world are at another crossroad. Although he didn't specify what the crossroad is, I think it's clear that the choices of the majority, particularly over the next year as we move from these elections into the 2020 presidential election, will certainly determine the next several years. Whether those years continue to slow the erosion of our freedoms or will cause the floodgates to open are dependent on what choices are made. Which direction at this crossroad do we take?

Next week we have the opportunity to cast our votes. There are few national elections, but the reality is we are more directly affected by local, county, and state politicians than those at the national level. Make sure you have studied the issues, bond requests, propositions, resolutions, and especially those seeking election.

Vote for those who will uphold the Constitution and maintain our liberties.

Be especially cautious of supporting any call for increased debt--such as any bonds. If our economy does end up in a recession, and there is a really good chance it will within the next year, the last thing needed is increased debt obligations. When the recession hits there will be fewer businesses and individuals able to sustain the heavy tax burden that is increasingly forced on us, but the debt will still need to be paid. Financially it would be better to wait a year or so after a recession hits before seeking out more debt. I suggest this because rates will probably be lowest around that time and the reality of the recession will have hit home and more prudent financial decisions can be made.

--

As a side note, this post was started more than 2 years ago. But, with graduate school and other life factors, it wasn't published until now. Originally this post was started in response to this KSL article "Utah to obey order for DEA drug database search" https://www.ksl.com/?sid=45511629&nid=148&title=utah-to-obey-order-for-dea-drug-database-search

In that article, it states that Utah will not appeal a court order to let the DEA search Utah's prescription-drug database without a warrant. The state has a law to protect patient privacy, but the court has ruled in favor of the DEA, claiming that in regards to highly regulated drugs patients do not have an expectation of privacy.

"U.S. District Judge David Nuffer decided last month that database queries don't violate laws against unreasonable search and seizure because the prescription drugs are already tightly controlled. 'Prescription drugs are a highly regulated industry in which patients and doctors do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy,' Nuffer wrote in the ruling handed down last month."

Clearly a case where the ruling of a judge is overruling a state law and creating a new law, by allowing a Federal agency to be exempt from a state law. It will pave the way for other federal law enforcement agencies to pry into the privacy of citizens.

And the argument the DEA made was that it said "the searches are an important tool early in investigations."

"The agency sued after agents asked to search the database to find out whether a medical provider was prescribing drugs to members of a criminal organization with ties overseas." My question is if the agency had credible evidence that could justify a warrant, then they should have been able to get a warrant. But, it appears that they did not have sufficient evidence for a warrant.

Most people will probably side with the court and DEA because they buy into the argument that the ability to perform this warrant-less search will, somehow, better protect Americans and provide increased safety.

However, because of the precedence set it will very likely carry over to the FBI, CIA, NSA, and other national law enforcement agencies. It may even open it up to state law enforcement to search the database without the need of a warrant.

It's also possible other "searches" into various state and national databases could be opened up to warrant-less searches, especially if the judge rules that no privacy can be expected. I could certainly see how gun owner databases could be opened up as the ATF or FBI might argue that owners who register the guns have not expectation of privacy, and the Constitution guarantees no such privacy to gun owners.