The Hidden Things of Darkness: Political Secret Combinations

Topics: Conspiracy, Secret Combinations, Communism, Socialism, Corruption.

This lesson is not meant to expose specific individuals or groups that are part of the conspiracy but is intended as a warning that such secret combinations do exist – even today – and they seek to overthrow the freedom of all nations and people. At the end of this lesson, and in the links throughout, there are several additional recommended resources that explore more specific details of the conspiracy. In many ways the people are to blame for the corruption and tolerance of tyranny and injustice in America – we sow the seeds of our own destruction. There are also people who work in darkness behind the scenes to influence the course of the nation, whether directly or indirectly. We know that these secret combinations exist, even today, and it has been prophesied in our scriptures:

…it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you… 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… (Book of Mormon, Ether 8)

Ezra Taft Benson warned us on multiple occasions, in General Conference, about these secret combinations:

Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon was the “keystone of our religion” and the “most correct” book on earth. 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.”
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.
And along this line, I would highly recommend to you a new book entitled None Dare Call it Conspiracy, by Gary Allen.
(Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints. Ensign, July 1972, 59.)

These problems are not just on a national level and they haven’t gone away since the warnings from Ezra Taft Benson. A few individuals in an organization called Defending Utah have been hard at work researching and discovering solid evidence of Utah’s Secret Combinations. There have been forces at work in Utah with the apparent goal of preventing Zion and leading us more and more into Babylon. The conspiracy has been accomplished via means of government, politics, political parties and through the public education system.

John Taylor acknowledged the existence of the conspiracy in Utah:

The scenes which we are now witnessing in this territory are the results of a deep-laid and carefully planned conspiracy, which has been in process of formation for years. Its originators knew the elements they had to deal with, and by cunning contrivance they have effected a wonderful combination… Each is made to believe that it is to his direct interest to combine to destroy Mormonism. (John Taylor, Deseret News, 13 April 1886)

In 1961 Ezra Taft Benson gave a talk in General Conference further identifying the secret combination in America:

The world-wide secret conspiracy which has risen up in our day to fulfil these prophecies is easily identified. President McKay has left no room for doubt as to what attitude Latter-day Saints should take toward the modern “secret combinations” of conspiratorial communism. In a lengthy statement on communism, he said:
“. . . Latter-day Saints should have nothing to do with the secret combinations and groups antagonistic to the constitutional law of the land, which the Lord ‘suffered to be established,’ and which ‘should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh according to just and holy principles.’ ” (Gospel Ideals, by David O. McKay p. 306. Italics added.)
What is the official position of the Church on communism? In 1936 the First Presidency made an official declaration on communism which has never been abrogated. I quote the concluding paragraph:
“We call upon all Church members completely to eschew communism. The safety of our divinely inspired constitutional government and the welfare of our Church imperatively demand that communism shall have no place in America”

Some might declare that “the war against communism is over, and we won”, but the reality is that the threat against our freedom still exists and has had much success in the 50+ years since Ezra Taft Benson gave that talk. It becomes more apparent in some of the additional comments Benson made in that same talk:

We must ever keep in mind that collectivized socialism is part of the communist strategy. Communism is fundamentally socialism. We will never win our fight against communism by making concessions to socialism. Communism and socialism, closely related, must be defeated on principle. The close relationship between socialism and communism is clearly pointed out by Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina in a letter to the editor of the Washington Post, of August 6, 1961, in these words:
“…Both socialism and communism derive from the teachings of Marx and Engels. In fact, the movements were one until the split over methods of approach, which resulted after the Russian revolution in 1905…. The aim and purpose of both was then and is now world socialism, which communism seeks to achieve through revolution and which socialists seek to achieve through evolution.
“The industrial achievements of the U. S. are the result of an economic system which is the antithesis of socialism. Our economic system is called ‘capitalism’ or ‘private enterprise’ and is based on private property rights, the profit motive and competition.
“Both communism and socialism seek to destroy our economic system and replace it with socialism; and their success, whether through evolution by socialism or through revolution by communism or a combination, will destroy not only our economic system, but our liberty, including the ‘civil’ aspects as well…”
When socialism is understood, we will realize that many of the programs advocated, and some of those already adopted in the United States, fall clearly within the category of socialism. What is socialism? It is simply governmental ownership and management of the essential means for the production and distribution of goods.
We must never forget that nations may sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity.
The socialistic-communist conspiracy to weaken the United States involves attacks on many fronts. To weaken the American free-enterprise economy which outproduced both its enemies and allies during World War II is a high priority target of the communist leaders. Their press and other propaganda media are therefore constantly selling the principles of centralized or federal control of farms, railroads, electric power, schools, steel, maritime shipping, and many other aspects of the economy–but always in the name of public welfare.
This carries out the strategy laid down by the communist masters. John Strachey, a top official in the Labor Socialist party of Great Britain, in his book entitled The Theory and Practice of Socialism said:
“It is impossible to establish communism as the immediate successor to capitalism. It is accordingly proposed to establish socialism as something which we can put in the place of our present decaying capitalism. Hence, communists work for the establishment of socialism as a necessary transition stage on the road to communism.”

In the August 2005 Ensign, President Gordon B. Hinckley exhorted the Members to read the Book of Mormon by the end of year and stated:

The Book of Mormon narrative is a chronicle of nations long since gone. But in its descriptions of the problems of today’s society, it is as current as the morning newspaper and much more definitive, inspired, and inspiring concerning the solutions of those problems.
I know of no other writing which sets forth with such clarity the tragic consequences to societies that follow courses contrary to the commandments of God. Its pages trace the stories of two distinct civilizations that flourished on the Western Hemisphere. Each began as a small nation, its people walking in the fear of the Lord. But with prosperity came growing evils. The people succumbed to the wiles of ambitious and scheming leaders who oppressed them with burdensome taxes, who lulled them with hollow promises, who countenanced and even encouraged loose and lascivious living. These evil schemers led the people into terrible wars that resulted in the death of millions and the final and total extinction of two great civilizations in two different eras.

In the last talk he gave in General Conference, Ezra Taft Benson testified of the continued threat of secret combinations:

I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world.

To conclude this lesson, I will quote from an article entitled The 11th Commandment of the Book of Mormon:

The question arises, “Even if this is true, what am I supposed to do about it?” I don’t believe one can really answer that question until they know that IT IS TRUE. And the ONLY way you’re going to find out that its true is by careful study of the evidence of the secret combinations themselves. Consider the council given in D&C 123: 12–15:
For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it— Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven— These should then be attended to with great earnestness. Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.

– – –

Recommended related resources: