SEVERAL PROPHETS SAW OUR DAY

Here is what the scripture says about Adam.

“And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation.”²

Then we read that Enoch knew about the present day when the missionaries would flood the earth with the message of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of the Gospel. The scripture says:

“And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth. . . to sweep the earth as with’ a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four corners of the earth.” ³

The prophet Isaiah saw our day and wrote a whole chapter about the coining forth of the Book of Mormon and the marvelous work and a wonder that would follow among other things, he said:

“And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. . . .Wherefore, behold, I [ will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder."⁴

It was Nephi who saw our day in great detail but was forbidden to write about it. The Lord said:

"And the angel said unto me; Behold, one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb... shall see and write the remainder of these things....And the things which thou shall see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them.... and I Nephi heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the lamb was John." ⁵

NEPHI’S GREAT SECRET

It is a great burden to know what is going to happen in our day and not be able to tell about it. On two different occasions this prophet almost told too much.

The first time was at the end of the book of First Nephi. He was describing the major events leading up to the Second Coming and the ushering in of the Millennium when suddenly he stopped and said:

"I durst not speak further as yet concerning these things." ⁶

This almost sounds as though he hoped he might be able to do it at some future time. In any event he did not write his second book until he was an old man. During the years he had carefully read the writings of Isaiah and quoted thirteen chapters of Isaiah because he knew that prophet had seen the same vision as Lehi, Nephi and Jacob. Nephi therefore let Isaiah relate what each of them had seen. Nevertheless, as Nephi came toward the end of his Second Book of Nephi and began waxing eloquent in proclaiming the doctrine of Christ, he seems to have reached a point where he had something he was especially anxious to record. But he suddenly stopped and said:

"I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit STOPPETH MINE UTTERANCE."⁷

He then goes into mourning because he is fearful the people will not search out the "great knowledge" which he feels is in the scripture but the evil spirit will discourage them from finding it. Nevertheless, he hopes that through prayer the Holy Ghost will reveal it to them. Meanwhile he was forbidden to utter those things he was so anxious to declare openly and plainly. It was reserved to be included in the writings of John .

SO WE TURN TO THE REVELATION OF THE APOSTLE JOHN

The marvelous reve1ation to the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos is sometimes difficult to analyze because he recorded events which he saw in heaven right along with things which he saw happening on earth. Sometimes it is difficult to tell which sphere is being discussed. For example, he talks about the 144,000 being sealed in their foreheads during the sixth seal ⁸ but seven chapters later he speaks of the 144,000 performing their great mission on earth after the opening of the seventh seal. ⁹

Is this a contradiction?

We have reason to believe that the first reference to the 144,000 during the sixth seal is referring to the selection and sealing up of these choice servants IN THE SPIRIT WORLD before they came into the earth. That there were such foreordinations in the spirit world is described by Alma:

"And this is the manner after which they were ordained - being called and prepared from the FOUNDATION OF TUE WORLD according to the FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD. "¹⁰

And we also have the words of Joseph Smith who said:

"Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council."¹¹

"Question: What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel

"Answer: If you will receive it this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things.

"Question: What TIME are the things spoken of in this chapter to be accomplished?

"Answer: They are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand years or the opening of the SIXTH seal.

"Question: What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand out of all the tribes of Israel - twelve thousand out of each tribe? [the opening of the seventh seal and the gathering of the Ten Tribes]?

“Answer: We are to understand that those who are sealed… to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are ordained out of every nation [THE ANGELS to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, and bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn." ¹²

"Question: When are the things to be accomplished, which are written in the 9th chapter of Revelation [the cleansing of the earth]? They are to be accomplished after the opening of the SEVENTH seal, before the coming of Christ.”¹³

From these scriptures it is quite clear why we have the foreordination and sealing up of the 144,000 in the spirit world as described in the seventh chapter of Revelation, and a description of the subsequent ministry of the 144,000 among the children of men in Revelation, chapter fourteen.¹⁴

JOHN BEGINS DESCRIBING MODERN TIMES AFTER THE OPENING OF THE SEVENTH SEAL

Now John is ready to transfer his attention from the five chapters outlining the preparations in heaven for the Second Coming and concentrate on the unfolding of these events on earth. All of these events are controlled by the factor of “time.” He therefore defines the period in which these events will occur. John says:

“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” ¹⁵

This immediately raises four highly significant questions. For example:

#1. According to OUR calendar, when will the seventh seal be opened, and the half-hour of silence begins in heaven?

Until 1582 A.D. our calendar was not at all accurate, but Pope Gregory employed a group of mathematicians and astronomers to restructure the calendar. They set up the new calendar so that it was in perfect harmony or calibration with the sun. To make it completely accurate they had to add one day every four years and that is how we got our “leap year.”

But even with all that restructuring, how are we certain that it is completely accurate? The best answer to that question is in the Doctrine and Covenants. On two occasions the Lord used the Gregorian calendar in such a way that it seemed to clearly imply his approval of it.

In Section 20 the Lord said he wanted the Church established on the sixth day of April because it would be “one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh.” ¹⁶

In the very next section we are told the Church was set up by Joseph Smith under the guidance of the Holy Ghost and then it says:

“Which church was organized and established in the year of your Lord eighteen hundred and thirty, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April.” ¹⁷

So if our calendar is accurate and apparently approved by the Lord, there is no question about the date of the opening of the seventh seal and the half hour of silence in heaven. It will commence in the year 2000 AD .

#2. Why is there suddenly “silence in heaven” when the SEVENTH seal is opened?

Apparently there is a great deal of furious activity in heaven right up to the time the seventh seal is opened. The Priesthood of this dispensation are required to work at a tremendous pace to get ready for the Second Coming. This was explained to Wilford Woodruff the last time he was allowed to see Joseph Smith in the spirit world. He says:

“Joseph Smith continued visiting myself and others up to a certain time and then it stopped. The last time I saw him was in heaven. In the night vision I saw him at the door of the temple in heaven. He came and spoke to me. He said he could not stop to talk with me because he was in a hurry. The next man I met was Father Smith; he could not talk with me because he was in a hurry. I met a half a dozen brethren who had held high positions on earth and none of them could stop to talk with me because they were in a hurry. I was much astonished. By and by I saw the Prophet again, and I got the privilege to ask him a question. ‘Now,’ said I, ‘I want to know why you’re in a hurry. I have been in a hurry all through my life but I expected my hurry would be over when I got into the kingdom of heaven, if I ever did.’ Joseph said, ‘I will tell you, Brother Woodruff, every dispensation that has had the Priesthood on the earth and has gone into the celestial kingdom, has had a certain amount of work to do to prepare to go to the earth with the Savior when He goes to reign on the earth. Each dispensation has had ample time to do this work. We have not. We are the last dispensation, and so much work has to be done and we need to be in a hurry in order to accomplish it.’ Of course, that was satisfactory with me, but it was a new doctrine to me.” ¹⁸

Joseph Smith made it plain to Wilford Woodruff that the Priesthood of this dispensation are working under a fantastic deadline to teach everyone who has died without the gospel since the apostolic times. This task has to be completed by the time of ‘the opening of the seventh seal when the hosts of heaven will have a new task connected with the final preparation and cleansing of the earth for the Second Coming.

#3. DO WE KNOW WHEN THE HALF HOUR OF SILENCE ENDS?

From a modern revelation we learn when the half hour of silence ends. Here is what the Lord says:

“And there shall be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour, and IMMEDIATELY after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, AND THE FACE OF THE LORD SHALL BE UNVEILED; and the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him.” ¹⁹

Obviously we are talking about the Second Coming. So this tells us when the half hour of silence ends. It is just before the Second Coming.

#4. CAN WE calculate THE ACTUAL DURATION OF TH HOUR OF SILENCE?

Since we know the half hour of silence begins at 2,000 A.D. when the seventh seal is opened and since we know from a modern revelation that the half hour of silence ends with the Second Coming, can we calculate in terms of years the length of time which will elapse between these two monumental events? In other words, can we determine about how long the half hour of silence lasts?

One of the apostles felt that such a calculation was possible. Here is the way Elder Bruce R. McConkie suggested it could be done. After talking about the half hour of silence, he says:

“If the time here mentioned is ‘ Lord’s time’ in which one day is a thousand years, the haft hour would be some twenty-one of our years.”

Elder McConkie reached this conclusion based on the following scriptures:

“A day with the Lord after his manner of reckoning, it being 1000 years according to the time appointed to that [ whereon thou standest."

And again:

"But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that ONE DAY is with the Lord as a THOUSAND YEARS, and a thousand years as one day."

The next step was to divide 1,000 years by 24 to determine what an hour would be according to God’s time. It turned out to be 41.66 years or just under 42 years. This means that a half hour of God’s time would be ? 7 years or nearly 21 years. This would clearly suggest that this is the duration of the half hour of silence in heaven and the period of time when the angels undertake the calamitous preparation of the earth for the Savior’s second coming.

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN DURING THE HALF HOUR OF SILENCE?

In the next five chapters John tells us of the careful and precise assignment of the angels in heaven so the earth can be cleansed of all wickedness and prepared for the Second Coming.

Here is a brief summary of each of these chapters.

Chapter 8. After the seventh seal is opened, the first four angels receive their assignments to cleanse certain portions of the earth.

Chapter 9. The fifth and sixth angels are assigned their ministry of cleansing the earth but they are not ‘to torment or destroy those who have the "seal of God in their foreheads." (verse 4) This probably refers to those who are under the Lord’s covenant, or members of the church. However, all others will be tormented until they "seek death and shall not find it." (verse 6) But in the end over a third of mankind will be destroyed. (verse 15) During the raging wars over two hundred million men will be under arms. (verse 16) There is an amazingly accurate description of the highly mechanized instruments of war that will be employed. (verses 17-19) Nevertheless, in spite of all this period of turmoil and bloodshed the people not only refuse to repent but become more depraved and debauched than ever. (verse 20-21)

It will be recalled that when Joseph Smith was asked the specific time when the 144,000 would be foreordained and sealed he said: "In the sixth thousand years or the opening of the sixth seal." ²³ but later Joseph Smith was asked, "When are the devastating things to be accomplished which are written in the 9th chapter," he replied: "After the opening of the seventh seal, before the coming of Christ." ²⁴ as we shall see later, the coming of the ten lost tribes and the ministry of the 144,000 to every nation just before the Second Coming, all occur after the opening of the seventh seal.

Chapter 10. The seventh angel (identified in verse 7) holds up a little book whereupon seven thunders roar out a message which John was forbidden to record. (verse 4)

When Joseph Smith was asked what this little book represented, he said:

"We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is the Elias, who, as it is written must come and restore all things." ²⁵

During the June Conference of 1831 Joseph Smith revealed that John the Beloved was already among the ten tribes of Israel who had been led away by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to prepare for their return from the long dispersion. ²⁶

This is not referring to the remnants of Israel scattered among the various nations, but that supremely righteous segment of the Ten Tribes whom Moses said eventually would be gathered in from the "outmost parts of heaven." ²⁷

chapter 11. This is a heavenly vision of the climax to the second worldwide dictatorship. It will culminate in the great battle of Armageddon which we will discuss later.

chapter 12. This chapter provides the background for the fall of Lucifer and his hosts after the war in heaven. John says it was there that the righteous fought against Satan "by their word and their testimony" trying to persuade the confused and uncommitted spirits to support Christ’s gospel plan. In the end, two-thirds rallied behind Jehovah but one-third supported Satan and were cast out into the mortal earth. (verses 7-11)

John depicts the Saints of God as being like "a woman clothed with the sun." (verse 1) John looks back through the centuries and realizes that because of Satan’s persecution of God’s kingdom there would be "a time and times and half a time" (verse 14) when the woman would have to flee into hiding. This would be off and on throughout the 3,500 years incorporated in the dispensation of Joseph, Moses and the apostles. John saw that not until 1,830 A.D. would the woman of the Church of Jesus Christ come forth in all her power and glory. Then John says:

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed (God’s servants in the latter days] which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (verse 17)

It will be appreciated that the previous five chapters are describing the elaborate structure of the angelic forces in heaven to prepare for the mighty contest that will take place on the earth after the opening of the sixth and seventh seals. John wants us to know that during this contest Satan will lay the foundation for two worldwide dictatorships. Now we are ready for Revelation, chapter thirteen.

THE RISE OF THE FIRST WORLDWIDE DICTATORSHIP AS SEEN BY JOHN

Beginning with Revelation, chapter 13, John is talking about event which unfold on the earth after the opening of the seventh seal and the beginning of the half hour of silence in heaven referred to earlier.

John says the first worldwide dictatorship will come into its full dimension of power shortly after the year 2,000 but its beginning will be during the sixth seal. It is not a single dictatorship, but a coalition of nations. Here is how John describes it:

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” ²⁹

The reference to HIS horns and HIS heads demonstrates that these nations were a unified coalition. We do not know why seven heads would have ten horns and ten crowns unless three of these nations had colonial dominions.

John leaves no doubt that this monster rising out of the sea was a Satanicinstitution. Speaking of the monster as a united entity, John says “the dragon” gave him his power and his seat of authority. ³⁰

John describes the figurative symbols used by God, and says this dictatorship had the sinister cunning of a leopard, the feet and claws of a bear, and the teeth and mouth of a lion.

IS THERE ANY MILITARY OR POLITICAL ENTITY THAT SEEMS TO FIT THIS DESCRIPTION?

Since the opening of the seventh seal is upon us, has any military or political entity been emerging which seems to reflect any of these characteristics?

An apostle has warned that there is. For many years J. Reuben Clark, former U.S. Under-Secretary of State and a member of the First Presidency of the LDS Church, had been sounding the alarm.

He first became concerned when President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill signed the Atlantic Treaty on a U.S. cruiser off the coast of Newfoundland in August, 1941. Of course, who might have suspected that this might be the beast John saw rising out of the sea? It was viewed by most people as merely a mutual defense pact

However, World War II changed the whole world landscape and the United States came out of that terrible conflict as the new world leader with the Soviet Union a jealous and frantically obsessed competitor.

There were several reasons why the United States forged into first place as a world leader. To begin with, her Wall Street bankers had invented a virtually unlimited “debt based” economy so – to a large extent – the U.S. generously financed the major part of the Allied war effort. Secondly she had out produced most of the rest of the world in planes, ships, tanks and military supplies. Third, she was far and away the leader in high technology although Russia, by stealing many of America’s top secrets, was not far behind.

World War II ended in 1945, but by 1949, Russia had muscled and maneuvered her way into dominating approximately 1/3 of the entire planet. Europe, Asia and Latin America looked to the United States to prevent further Communist expansion.

Thus it was on April 4, 1948, that the United States, Britain and certain other countries dangerously threatened by the Soviet Union, signed THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY. It provided that if the Soviets attacked ONE member of the treaty it was an attack against ALL. This pact contained a score of blatant violations of the U.S. Constitution, nevertheless, to a large extent the new NATO treaty was popular, but not with J. Reuben Clark.

After he studied the document he gave a thundering warning which was first heard by the Trust Division of the American Bankers Association on August 17, 1949. He said:

“The North Atlantic Treaty, recently passed, is a military alliance pure and simple. It is what our forefathers called an ‘entangling alliance.’” ³¹

This entire speech was filled with fiery quotations from the American Founding Fathers predicting disastrous results if the United States ever allowed itself to be trapped within an international conglomerate of interdependent alliances.

Of course, the North Atlantic Treaty was just the beginning.

THE EVOLUTION OF NATO TOWARD A NEW WORLD ORDER

Nevertheless, the United States – as the principal defense against, the Soviet Union – began to look upon itself as the policeman of the world. Consequently, the State Department managed the next two major wars and they were disastrous. The Korean War has been described as the worst-managed war in the history of the United States and the Vietnam War is the only war the United States ever lost.

As a result of these and other fiascos, Ronald Reagan was elected President in 1980. He got the backing of both parties and spent two trillion dollars building America back up to the most powerful nation on earth.

The Soviet Union tried to compete with the United States but finally went bankrupt and in 1989 the whole Soviet Union fell apart. Russia became an isolated, despondent, disorganized non-entity, and the Cold War was over.

Now we go back to John who saw something amazing happen. He says:

“And I saw one of his heads as [if] were wounded to death; and his DEADLY WOUND WAS HEALED: and all the world wondered after the beast.

“And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying Who is like unto the beast? WHO IS ABLE TO MAKE WAR WITH HIM?” ³²

One of the amazing things about the Cold War was the fact that the Soviet Union was crushed into near annihilation. It was completely fragmented and left with only the original, isolated Russia as a wounded remnant of what had been a world super-power. Never had there been such a golden opportunity to require the Soviets to disarm, defuse or destroy her intercontinental ballistic missiles, get her factories converted over to domestic production and launch a massive road construction so her farmers could get the vast food supply from the muddy Russian fields to the central markets. But none of this happened. John saw what did happen.

The United Nations extended a generous helping hand to the Soviet Union – which had previously set out to conquer the world – and used the resources of the free world to begin building her up again. Eventually, this bloody head that was saved by the rest of the UN may prove to be once more the most dangerous facet of the first world dictatorship.

So the coalition of many heads and horns John saw in vision, will continue to strengthen itself until it becomes a world-wide dictatorship of ruthless proportions. It will dominate the whole human race for 3.5 years. This is still future.

THE NEW WORLD ORDER BECOMES A REALITY

The Soviet Union began to desperately urge her former allies to continue the Communist expansion program. On August 2, 1990, the dictator of Iraq – with Soviet encouragement- overran and occupied an oil-rich neighbor, Kuwait. The UN Security Council set a deadline for Saddam Hussein and his forces to retire and when it was ignored, the UN called upon all its members to enforce the UN decree.

George Bush was the new President and he had always favored a New World Order to enforce justice and peace. He looked upon the crisis in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as an ideal opportunity to show what the policeman of the world, acting in the name of the United Nations, could do to give itself credibility. Therefore, without following the requirements of the Constitution, he asked Congress to ratify a UN resolution and the next thing the country knew, half a million Americans were in the PersianGulf War.

A gigantic, massive air attack ended the war after a few days and its success established the precedent J. Reuben Clark had hoped would never happen. From this point on the President the United States as commander in chief would look upon any UN decree as an order to take “police” action. But the Persian Gulf War was the only success so far. It didn’t happen in Somalia, Bosnia, or Yugoslavia.

THE PATTERN IS ESTABLISHED AND JOHN SAW THE FUTURE

“And there was given unto him [of the many kingdoms collectively] a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue FORTY AND TWO MONTHS.” ³³

So the first dictatorship reaches a point where it dominates the world and sustains the ongoing society of immorality, abortion, non-religious education, high crimes and misdemeanors for which even the President could not be impeached even though he was finally forced to confess what he had done, and the House found him guilty of two counts. However, the Senate did not have enough support to convict him because under the 17^th Amendment the Senators had to face a popular election and too many of the Senators felt the President was supported by most of the people so that if they impeached him they might not be re-elected themselves. (Under the original Constitution, Senators were appointed by the state legislatures to protect the Constitution and states rights. This was changed in 1915.)

And so, as John says, it will continue until at some point the first dictatorship will attain a position of absolute power for three-and-a-half years. Then an amazing thing will happen.

THE FIRST DICTATORSHIP WILL MAKE A DEADLY MISTAKE

However, at this point, John saw that the first dictatorship would make a lethal mistake which will eventually wipe it out of existence. Here is what happens:

“And he [beast or dictator] opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

“And it was given unto him to make WAR AGAINST THE Saints and to OVERCOME them: and power was given him over all mankind, and tongues and nations.” 34

FROM THIS POINT ON, THE FIRST DICTATORSHIP WILL DRIFT INTO OBLIVION

Just as John’s account reaches a point of supreme suspense with the monster declaring war against the Saints – and overcoming them – John tells us the first dictatorship has been obliterated.

But what happened? He doesn’t tell us what happened! He simply closes the account of the first dictatorship with this rather amazing philosophical comment:

“If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” ³⁵

In other words, the first dictatorship has disintegrated into ashes and the faith of the saints is vindicated.

But what brought this about after the first dictatorship turned on the Saints and overpowered them?

Perhaps John left out this vital part of his story so it could be told by his Master. In any event we now have the whole story in the Book of Mormon, and it probably gives us far greater details than John could have provided.

THE RESURRECTED JESUS TELLS WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FIRST DICTATORSHIP

When the resurrected Jesus appeared to his “other sheep” on the American continent in 34 A.D., he talked a lot about America in the latter days. He talked about the Gentiles coming from Europe and setting up the first free people in modern times. He talked about their riches and their power. But he also talked about their wickedness . He said the pure original gospel would be restored among them but unless they embraced it as a people, America would be entirely cleansed of its gentile wickedness and this continent would be largely depopulated.

Here is the way Jesus said it:

“And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all 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 combinations, and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I WILL BRING THE FULNES MY GOSPEL FROM AMONG THEM.” ³⁶

BUT HOW WOULD AMERICA BE CLEANSED?

On God’s prophetic time line, the cleansing of America was recognized in heaven as such a monumental watershed in history that God was talking about it with his prophet Micah clear back around 700 B.C. ³⁷ Having already discussed this momentous event with one of his prophets, Jesus therefore quoted Micah to the Nephites. He introduced it by saying:

“And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land for your inheritance.

“And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people – then shall ye WHO ARE A REMNANT OF THE HOUSE OF Israel go forth among them, and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many, and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

“Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor. For I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass. And thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it.” 38

WHERE IS THE SEED OF JACOB THAT WILL CONQUER THE FIRST DICTATORSHIP?

The predominantly Lamanite-Nephite nations – which comprise the seed of Jacob today – are not difficult to identify. They are the Latin American nations from Mexico to Argentina.

But what would provoke them to attack the gentile nations which are located primarily in North America? And how would they ever have the military strength to win a decisive victory of a dictatorship that had ruled the whole world for three-and-half years?

As we have already seen, John the Revelator said the first dictatorship would disintegrate right after it commences to “make war with the saints, and overcome them.” ³⁹

But is this the CAUSE of its downfall or merely a COINCIDENCE which occurs incidental to the collapse of the first dictatorship?

During the past twenty years something has been occurring among the Latin American countries which has kindled a violent bitterness toward the United States, although it has received practically no publicity. Here is what happened.

According to Dr. Patrick S.J. Carmack, the massive privately-owned banks which dominate the United Nations World Bank and International Monetary Fund went down to the Latin American countries around 1980 and offered them huge quantities of money on loan. The Latin American countries and their corrupt leaders eagerly accepted the money.

However, they have not been able to pay the interest on these loans, let alone the principal. The banks said they would just add the unpaid interest to the principal and soon these poverty stricken countries found themselves paying vast amounts in COMPOUND INTEREST on huge sums which represented not only the original loan but the accumulated interest they have not been able to pay. This is called COMPOUND INTEREST.

Dr. Carmack points out that the anguish of the Latin American countries is reflected in the fact that between 1980 and 1990 they paid $418 billion in interest on the original loans of 80 billion. ⁴⁰

The bank managers knew from the beginning that these nations would never be able to pay off these huge debts, but they had a scheme to liquidate the debts by exchanging them for valuable national assets of these nations.

Dr. Carmack reports that such a proposal was made during the Fourth World Wilderness Conference in 1987. The plan allows Third World debtors to transfer their debt to the World Conservation Bank which then negotiates with each nation in terms of their national assets (such as undeveloped mining sites, wilderness areas, etc.) until the full indebtedness is liquidated. This scheme has already been implemented in Bolivia, Costa Rica and Ecuador. ⁴¹

The main significance in all of this is the discovery that there are powerful engines of resentment and desperate hatred being generated among the Latin American countries. They are focused on the United States because they feel these financial traps were engineered by the IMF and World Bank under the control of the United States.

Under certain provocative circumstances this is the type of explosive indignation that might generate an uprising. This would be particularly true if the United States was suddenly engulfed in some natural disaster or plague THAT LEFT HER SUDDENLY WEAK.

THE CRASH OF THE FIRST DICTATORSHIP MAY BE FACILITATED BY DIVINE INTERVENTION

In one revelation the Lord mentions some divine intervention which will be operating during the cleansing of America. He says:

“For behold, and lo, vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungodly as the whirlwind; and who shall escape it? The Lord’s scourge shall pass over by night and by day, and the report thereof shall vex all people. It shall not be stayed until the Lord comes.

“Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her.”

“But if she observe not to do whatsoever I have commanded her, I will visit her according to all her works; with sore affliction, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire.” ⁴²

Joseph Smith saw a vision of the cleansing of America and wrote:

“And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country.” ⁴³

There are three other accounts by those who were allowed to see a vision of what it will be like when the cleansing of America occurs.

The first is the account by John Taylor who was allowed to see the nation in the grip of a terrible scourge which he said would leave whole cities without any life whatever. ⁴⁴

The second is Brigham Young who also saw the terrible plagues and scourges which would make the United States extremely vulnerable to any hostile invasion. ⁴⁵

The third is by Charles D. Evans who describes the nature of the plague which is horrible to contemplate. ⁴⁶

Finally, a modern revelation verifies the reality of this terrible pestilence and it is just as ghastly and abhorrent as that which these three men saw in vision. ⁴⁷

The Lord also says:

“And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.” ⁴⁸

UNDER SUCH CALAMITOUS CONDITIONS HOW COULD THE RIGHTEOUS PROTECT THEMSELVES?

Perhaps the reason Nephi was so anxious to tell us about the things he saw was to assure us that our Heavenly Father would not be unmindful of us. As we have already seen, the Lord said:

“Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her.” ⁴⁹

This is confirmed in another revelation where the Lord says:

“But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die…When all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you will all be fulfilled.” ⁵⁰

As President Heber C. Kimball described these prophecies of the latter days, the people asked him, “What will become of this people?” He replied:

“That will depend, altogether upon our conduct. We have it within our power; God has given it to us to save ourselves from the desolation and calamities that will come upon this nation. How? By doing that which is right… .If we do this, prosperity will be upon the inhabitants…prosperity will be upon the towns and cities erected by this people, the hand of the Lord will be over us to sustain us, and we will spread forth…

“Now we have the choice. It is within our reach… .And on the other hand, we ca n reach forth the hand and partake of wickedness and bring desolation and destruction upon our borders.” ⁵¹

THE LORD WILL DEPEND UPON FOUR GROUPS TO REBUILD AMERICA AFTER THE CLEANSING

There will be a gigantic task to perform after America has been cleansed of her wickedness but the wreckage and ruin of a whole civilization has been left behind.

THE FIRST GROUP

The first group will be the righteous saints whom the Lord has preserved. All these will have been disciplined in Priesthood principles and will have studied God’s law so they will know’ what to do. In very short order, the other groups will lean upon this first group for guidance.

THE SECOND GROUP

The second group will be made up of the members of God’s kingdom from all over the world. After America is cleansed and the clouds of the second dictatorship are beginning to replace the first dictatorship the Saints will be anxious to rally when the Priesthood leaders sound the trumpet and call them to gather to America. The Lord says:

“Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father, to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name. Yea, and. then shall the work commence, with the Father, among all nations, in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance.” ⁵²

And of course for the members of The Church, that’s America! The Lord speaks of these gathering Saints from all over the world in a modern revelation:

“And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among ALL NATIONS, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.” ⁵³

THE THIRD GROUP

The third group to help reconstruct the western hemisphere will be the righteous gentiles who survive the cleansing. This is an interesting group of people. They are of many faiths. They love the Lord, they bow the knee in contemplation of his coming. They admire his Church and love the Saints. But they don’t join the Church. Nevertheless, they want to live under God’s Law and be part of God’s kingdom. The amazing part is that God extends an invitation to the righteous gentiles to be part of the political kingdom of God.

Brigham Young knew that a lot of the Saints would expect the kingdom of God to be only members of the church, but President Young said that is not the way the Lord planned it. Here are his words:

“The Kingdom of God [Those living under God’s Law] consists in correct principles; and it mattereth not what a man’s religious faith is; whether he be a Presbyterian, or a Methodist, or a Baptist, or a Latter-day Saint or ‘Mormon,’ or a Catholic or

Episcopalian, or Mohammedan, or even pagan, or anything else, if he WILL BOW THE KNEE AND WITH HIS tongue CONFESS THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, and will support good and wholesome laws for the regulation of society, we hail him as a brother, and will stand by him while he stands by us in these things; for every man’s religious faith is a matter between his own soul and his God alone.” ⁵⁴

THE FOURTH GROUP

Finally, there is the fourth group will help restore the western hemisphere. These are the peacemakers . They are people in other parts of the world who see they are about to be drafted into Prince Gog’s vast, second dictatorship. They may have even heard that he has ambitions to set up an army of 200,000,000. ⁵⁵ So all of these are allowed to flee to America. The Lord says:

“And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take up his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.” ⁵⁶

How grateful these peace-loving families will be after Prince Gog gets going with the second dictatorship. The scripture says:

“And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT SHALL NOT BE AT WAR ONE WITH ANOTHER.” ⁵⁷

SETTING UP THE NEW ORDER OF THINGS

Once all of these choice groups of people are in place they will set about building the New Jerusalem and setting up ideal Zion cities from one end of the American continent to the other. To accomplish this, the whole structure of government and economics will be changed as well as the adoption of a highly elevated society. Here are the highlights:

1. The people will be organized by families into tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands. The unit of around one hundred families will be called a secular, non-denominational “ward” similar to the Anglo Saxons and ancient Israel.
2. The judges or captains over each unit of ten, fifty, hundred and thousand families, etc. shall be elected each year and will be selectively nominated by the supreme councils and their officers as described in Exodus, chapter 1. This procedure eliminates the need for political parties.
3. The people will be governed by the original inspired Constitution as revealed to the Founding Fathers and endorsed by the Lord in 1834. ⁵⁸
4. Civil and criminal law are to be administered according to the law revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai as set forth principle by principle in chapters three to nine inclusive in the author’s text, The Majesty of God’s Law, Ensign Publishing Company,1996, pp.3
5. The economy will be practiced in harmony with the principles laid down byAdam Smith in 1776, but in the spirit of the Golden Ru1e.
6. The money system will be based on gold and silver with silver as the basic medium of exchange and gold circulating at free market value. Paper money issued by the government will be redeemable in precious metal and have reserves in the vaults for any currency issued. Borrowed money will be based on guaranteed collateral at market value.
7. God’s “law of consecration” will be allowed to operate under the control of God’s kingdom for those who have qualified in the temple and prefer its practice to the system of competitive free enterprise.

AMERICA IS SEALED OFF

While all of these new arrangements are being worked out among the four groups of survivors in America, God will begin to isolate America with what Luke called, “waves roaring.” ⁵⁹ The Lord warned that this would happen. He said:

“Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters., And it shall be said in days to come that none IS ABLE TO GO UP TO THE LAND OF ZION UPON THE WATERS, but he that is upright in heart. ⁶⁰

This verse would suggest that while America is by violent seas it will be impossible for ordinary people to either fly or sail across the turbulent oceans in an effort to get to Zion or America.

Another scripture implying complete isolation of the western hemisphere is the Lord’s statement we have already quoted which says:

“And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.” ⁶¹

Joseph Smith warned that when the signal goes out to gather to Zion, the people must not tarry or they may lose their opportunity to even get to Zion. He said:

“The cry is to make haste. The last revelation says, Ye shall not have tine to have gone over the earth [ our missionaries), until these things come. It will come as did the cholera, war, fires and earthquakes; one pestilence after another..

This isolation of the righteous and peace-loving people in America& will be an ideal situation for the building of theNew Jerusalem and setting up numerous Zion cities on the western hemisphere. Concerning America at this particular time, the Lord says:

"...the wicked will not dare come unto it, and it shall be called Zion." ⁶³

THE RISE OF THE SECOND MILITARY DICTATORSHIP

While all of this orderly progress has been occurring in "sealed-off" America something totally evil will have been hovering over the rest of the world. After the collapse of the first military dictatorship, it will immediately allow numerous world leaders with satirical ambitions to begin maneuvering for an opportunity to claw their way to the top and build another world empire. Here is the way Johndescribed what he saw happening:

"And I beheld ANOTHER BEAST COMING UP OUT OF THE EARTH; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake like a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the FIRST beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

"And he doeth great wonders, so he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of these miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword and did live.

"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free or bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

"And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark; or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.... and his number is Six hundred three score and six." ⁶⁴

It was the ambition of the second dictatorship to exercise "all the power of the first beast. . .and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." ⁶⁵

Ezekiel tells us that this second dictatorship was designed to mobilize all the gentile nations of the world under a massive army. But what happens to the heathen nations? (See 3 Nephi 21:21) The leader of this vast army will be known as Gog, prince of the Gentiles. ⁶⁶ As the prophetic story unfolds, we learn that since the fall of the first dictatorship some remarkable things have happened in Israel.

First, the Jews have gathered their people and their wealth from all over the world to the security of Israel. They will have built their capital city of Jerusalem into a magnificent metropolis secured by heavy walls. (Ezekiel, chapters 40-43)

Second, the prophet Zechariah (6:12-13) tells us that a beautiful temple will occupy the heights of Mount Moriah where the "Dome of the Rock" once stood.

We cannot help wondering how all of this can happen.

SOMETHING IMPORTANT MUST RAVE HAPPENED TO THE ARABS DURING THE FIRST WORLD DICTATORSHIP

It will be recalled that ever since 1967 - when the Israeli forces took over Jerusalem - the Jews have wanted to rebuild their temple. But the traditional site for the temple has been occupied since 691 A.D. by a very sacred building of the Moslem faith. This shrine is known as the "Dome of the Rock." It covers the huge threshing floor of Araunah where Abraham is said to have offered Isaac as a sacrifice. It is also the spot where Mohammed says he ascended to heaven on a white horse to commune with the ancient patriarchs and receive the teachings of the Moslem faith.

Once the Jews had occupied Jerusalem in 1967 the Moslems feared the Israelis might destroy their sacred building, but they were assured by the leading rabbis that the Jews would never desecrate the sacred places of other faiths.

The press felt the rabbis were saying: "If God wants his temple on Mount Moriah, he will have to make the necessary arrangements".

By the time of the second dictatorship, Ezekiel indicates this will have been accomplished. None of the prophets tell how it would happen, but several scenarios have been suggested.

WHAT IF THE ARABS LOST CONTROL OF THEIR OIL?

One theory is that the first dictatorship might undertake to confiscate the Arab’s vast treasure of oil. The Soviet Union has proposed this for many years since possession of the Arab oil could be the key to taking over Europe. As late as 1996 this was being proposed by a militant Russian political leader.

It is speculated that if the first world dictatorship undertook to confiscate the Arab oil there would be a mighty resistance and very likely the Dome of the Rock would be destroyed during the struggle. Furthermore, if the Arabs were robbed of their oil, the Moslem influence would be greatly reduced. It is therefore speculated that if the Dome of the Rock were destroyed and Arab influence diminished, there would be virtually no significant resistance to the rebuilding of the Jewish temple.

THE WORLDWIDE GATHERING OF THE JEWS

Ezekiel describes in chapter 34 how scattered and distressed the Jews will be when the Lord reaches out to rescue them. The Lord said to Ezekiel:

‘.. .yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep and seek them out....and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the river, and all the inhabited places of the country.... And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, EVEN MY SERVANT, Davida prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it." ⁶⁷

Many scholars, including the King James translators, thought these passages referred to the Savior. However, as we have just seen in Ezekiel, chapter 34, verses 23 and 24 the Lord specifically refers to this particular David as his "servant."

Joseph Smith referred to this Prince David and said he would replace his great ancestor temporarily because "the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him [ancient David] and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.” ⁶⁸

The administration of this outstanding leader apparently will last a long time, clear over to the time when the Ten Tribes return and become one with Judah. ⁶⁹

In Ezekiel, chapter 46, we read how David, the prince, will conduct the services at the temple when they come to worship the Lord, and Jeremiah said:

“For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will break his (Israel’s] yoke from off thy neck and.. .they shall serve the Lord their God MID DAVID THEIR KING, WHOM I SHALL RAISE UP TO THEM.” ⁷⁰

Notice that in all of these passages “David” is identified as a servant of the Lord and not the Lord himself.

Isaiah speaks of this great leader of Israel in the latter days as a “rod” that would come from “the stem of Jesse,” which is Christ, ⁷¹ and in a modern revelation the Lord said:

“Behold, thus saith the Lord, It (the rod) is a servant in the hands of Christ, which is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom is laid much power.” ⁷²

There has been some question as to whether this refers to Prince David or Joseph Smith. In either case we have an interesting disclosure by the Lord that this distinguished leader is a mixture of both Juda and Ephraim. It would be amazing to the Jews if David turned out to be partly Ephraim and it certainly would be somewhat surprising to the members of the restored kingdom if Joseph Smith turned out to be part Jewish.

As David the prince gathers the Jews from all over the world to the land of Israel, there will be both wealth and manpower to beautify the city of Jerusalem. We learn later that he will raise up its mighty walls as a defense and then rebuild the temple. ⁷³

For the Jews, this will be their 4th temple. This is the temple seen by Ezekiel in vision and the one to which the Savior will come. The three previous temples – One built by Solomon around 950 B.C., the one built by Zerubbabel around 516 B.C., and the one built by Herod at the time of Christ were all destroyed, and while this fourth temple will be attack fl, it will continue to survive right into the Millennium.

GOG, THE MIGHTY EMPEROR OF THE SECOND WORLD DICTATORSHIP

Ezekiel says the second dictatorship which will arise at this time is headed up by a fierce and ambitious tyrant named Gog the height of his power he will be like the leader of the first dictatorship and consider himself totally invincible, but the Lord said to his prophet:

“Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal and prophesy against him.” ⁷⁴

This happens right at the time the beautiful edifice of the temple is being raised up to crown the heights of Mount Moriah. ⁷⁵ This will be the most elaborate “house of the Lord” ever constructed, and no doubt Prince Gog will have his spies carefully reporting every phase of its construction. Of course, he will be contemptuous of the Jewish belief that this is a holy place – a center of sacred worship. On the contrary, Prince Gog will look upon this temple as a mighty treasure house in which the Jews have stored away their wealth from all over the world.

As the greedy eyes of Gog are focused on the loot he will derive from a raid on Jerusalem, the Lord is saying:

“Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief of princes of Mesheck and Tubal; and I will turn thee back and put hooks into thy jaws and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them, clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.” ⁷⁶

The Lord had Ezekiel describe precisely what this bloodthirsty tyrant would do:

“Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.” ⁷⁷

Because the Lord could read Gog’s mind, he said:

“Thou shalt think an evil thought: and thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without wa1ls and having neither bars nor gates, to take spoil, and to take a prey, to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land..” ⁷⁸

GOG LOOKS TOWARD JERUSALEM

It appears that Gog will have conquered all of Europe and Asia before he turns his greedy war machine on the land of Palestine. This man will have established terroristic Gadiantonism and a murder-cult criminal spoils system everywhere but in America. John says:

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” ⁷⁹

It is interesting that the whole earth will be under his domination exept North and South America. As we have mentioned earlier a modern revelation says he would have invaded America except for his fear of the consequences. Gog and his cohorts are quoted in this scripture as saying:

“Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible, wherefore we cannot stand.” ⁸⁰

Some of this may have been due to heavenly powers possessed by God’s servants in Zion similar to that which Enoch exhibited during the first thousand years of human history. It says:

“…their enemies came to battle against them; and he (Enoch] spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions were heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.” ⁸¹

But in the beginning of the second dictatorship seen by John, the violent Gog and his hordes of ferocious military forces will be spreading their “abomination of desolation” in every direction. ⁸²

JOEL WITNESSES A VISION OF HORROR – THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

A prophet named Joel – living several centuries before Ezekiel – used two whole chapters to describe the terrifying weapons of modern warfare which Gog would employ to set up his second dictatorship. Joel could scarcely find words to describe what he saw. In fact, until the nuclear age, no generation could have completely comprehended what Joel was trying to describe:

“A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.” ⁸³

Joel felt he was seeing the very ultimate in destructive warfare. He said:

“There hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.” ⁸⁴

Joel did his best to describe what he saw:

“The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.” ⁸⁵

But these were not like any horses he had ever seen. Notice his bold attempt to describe the strange mobile units which he saw:

“Like the noise of chariots [not of horses] on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble;…they shall run like mighty men [once more the simile changes] they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break ranks: neither shall one thrust another, they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses: and they shall enter in at the window like a thief. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble.” ⁸⁶

It sounds very much as though the prophet is attempting to describe helicopter gun ships and a modern armored division rumbling across a city with cannon and flame-throwers spreading destruction all around.

THE FAMOUS BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON

But at Jerusalem Gog and his mighty host will come to a sudden halt. It turns out that Prince David has two powerful allies that Gog would have never suspected. He has 2 prophets whom God will raise up among the Jews with powers unlike anything Gog has seen. An angel describes what he sees the two prophets will be able to do:

“If any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” ⁸⁷

For three-and-a-half years these prophets will hold Gog and these great gentile armies at bay. ⁸⁸

When the prophet Joel saw the predicament in which the Jews would find themselves, he knew there was no human power that could save them. Apparently, even before Joel saw the two prophets demonstrating their powers, Joel pleads with the Jews to begin their fasting and prayer with fervent pleadings that God will intervene and save them. He cried:

“Rend your hearts ⁸⁹ and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God…. Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation … let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach.” ⁹⁰

WHY WOULDN’T THE SAINTS IN AMERICA ASSIST THE JEWS?

When we consider all the circumstances it is highly probable that the people in America will have no idea what is happening to the Jews. With the violent storms raging around the western hemisphere ⁹¹ it might be impossible to communicate with the other parts of the world as well prove to be impossible to sail or fly.

Some have suggested that by this time the storms might have subsided, but this does not seem likely since millions would immediately flee to America to escape the cruel dictatorship of Gog and Magog. The Lord says that during this period “no flesh shall be safe upon the waters. And it shall be said. . .that none is able to go up to the land of Zion upon the waters, but he that is upright in heart.” ⁹²

The last phrase implies that the few righteous stragglers who did not get to America before the “roaring seas” took over will be able to reach Zion only by divine intervention. ⁹³

MEANWHILE, THE WORST OF ALL POSSIBLE TRAGEDIES WILL OCCUR AMONG THE JEWS

In spite of all the prayers and petitions of the Jews, Gog will launch a do-or-die assault on the walls of Jerusalem,- at the height of his stubborn fury his army does succeed in penetrating the strong walls and kill the two prophets. Then they will slaughter the Jews by the thousands as they make their way toward the temple.

The Lord told the prophet Zechariah – who lived a generation after Ezekiel (520 B.C.) – that the invasion of Jerusalem will be terrible indeed. He says:

“And the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity.” ⁹⁴

GOG AND HIS HOSTS WILL CELEBRATE FOR THREE-AND-A-HALF DAYS

At this juncture, Prince Gog will be supremely jubilant. In triumphant glee the dictator will order a brief cease-fire. He wants to hold a victory banquet and spread the news that the prophets who “tormented” them have been overcome and killed. Gog will not permit the bodies of the two prophets to be buried, but orders them left lying in the street while he and his generals celebrate in a drunken orgy for three-and-a-half days. ⁹⁵

But at the end of this period, Gog and his army will have the most shocking surprise of their lives.

The mutilated bodies of the two prophets will suddenly arise up from the ground, fully restored. Then a great voice will be heard from heaven saying, “Come up hither,” and the two prophets will ascend in a cloud as Gog and his hosts watch in amazement. ⁹⁶

THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE JEWS

Then things will really begin to happen.

Jesus will suddenly appear on the Mount of Olives with a great host, and the scripture says he shall “utter his voice an all the ends of the earth shall hear it.” At this point the prophet Zechariah says:

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great earth quake; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains….” ⁹⁷

It is interesting that when Jesus makes himself visible to the Jews in the great valley between the separated halves of the Mount of Olives, he withholds his glory . Just as when he appeared after his resurrection to his apostles and others, he came as an ordinary man and had to show them the wounds in his hands and his feet and his side to prove his identity. ⁹⁸

So it will be when he appears to the Jews. Apparently neither he nor the Saints will appear in glory. The Jews will therefore be unafraid and gather round him in jubilant adoration. But they will still not know him. Finally, someone standing nearby will ask in curious wonderment:

“What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet?” ⁹⁹

At this point Jesus decides to tell them the rest of the story. Here are his own words:

“Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am he that was crucified. I am the Son of God.

“And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king.” ¹⁰⁰

At last the Jews will know the true identity of their great Messiah. It is none other than Jesus Christ who was slain when he came the first time because they thought he was an impostor. ¹⁰¹

Even while the Jews are in mourning because their ancestors failed to recognize the Savior, they will now try to make it up to him. In a spirit of humble adoration they will lead him to their beautiful temple and enter the holy sanctuary by the eastern gate. The gate will then be closed and never opened again. ¹⁰²

This is purely symbolic, of course, since the apostles learned in their day, that the resurrected Jesus could appear and depart when the gates were closed and the doors were locked. ¹⁰³

For the Jews , this is a supremely joyous time.

THE FATE OF GOG AND HIS HOSTS

Of course, Gog and his hosts will be completely oblivious to the sensational events which are taking place among the Jews who have survived their great crisis. But they will be terribly aware of something else – their own destruction. A tidal wave of devastation will be sweeping down upon them. The Lord had described to Ezekiel what would happen:

“I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.” ¹⁰⁴

“And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee.” ¹⁰⁵

As with the wicked Gentiles in America, the hosts of Gog are devastated by the power of God. Here is the way Zechariah describes it:

“And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in the holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” ¹⁰⁶

MOSLEMS OF OUR OWN DAY WOULD SCARCELY BELIEVE WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT

The prophets were shown that the great events at Jerusalem would be world-wide ‘ . The city of Jerusalem will be rebuilt and millions of people in the surrounding nations will eagerly seek to visit there. The Jewish prophet Zechariah describes it:

“Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord…. In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that GOD IS WITH YOU.” ¹⁰⁷

The converted Christian Jews in Israel will not only make their covenants with their great Messiah through baptism, but they will have radiant testimonies to proclaim to all who come to Jerusalem their witness concerning their newly discovered gospel of salvation. The results of all this will generate a wonderful bonding among the descendants of Abraham. The Arabic nations that surround the Mediterranean and the Moslems of India, China, Russia and elsewhere will thirst for the message of the Jewish Messiah. Isaiah says this great new wave of Christian conversion will bind the Jews to their Moslem cousins:

“The Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt MY PEOPLE, and Assyria THE WORK OF MY BANDS, and Israel MINE INHERITANCE.” ¹⁰⁸

Not only will the Jews and Arabs become united but so will many of the Gentile nations. After Armageddon Zechariah says:

“And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

“And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” ¹⁰⁹

CLEANSING THE LAND

The tens of thousands of the hosts of Gog who will be slain will be a plague on the land of Israel. For months the people will be laboring by day and by night to bury the dead. Ezekiel writes:

“And it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamon-gog.

“And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them….And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the to cleanse it: after the end of 7 months shall they search.” ¹¹⁰

THE END OF BLOOD SACRIFICES AT THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

The fourth temple in Jerusalem will be copied after the earlier temples of the Jews and will therefore be designed for blood sacrifices. However, once the Jews have learned that their Messiah has come, the purpose of these blood sacrifices – in anticipation of Christ’s sacrifice – will give them a new perspective. Nevertheless, Joseph Smith indicated that the law of sacrifice will be continued as part of the “restitution of all things” until the sons of Levi have learned how to offer these sacrifices “in righteousness.” ¹¹¹

Such a time was anticipated by John the Baptist when he restored the Aaronic Priesthood and said:

“This (Priesthood of Aaron) shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.” ¹¹²

Malachi indicates that the problem for the Levites is not merely learning the ritual in righteousness but having a corps of humble and righteous Levites who are worthy to perform the ordinances. He says:

“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.” 113

When the Lord is fully satisfied that the “offering of Judah and Jerusalem is pleasant unto the Lord,” he will no doubt say to the Priesthood in Jerusalem as he did to the Priesthood among the Nephites:

“And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings. And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heartand a contrite spirit.” 114

It will probably be about this time that all of the higher ordinances can be introduced into the holy precincts of the temple in Jerusalem just as they will, be practiced in the beautiful temple in New Jerusalem.

THE UNITING OF EPHRAIM AND JUDAH

In fact, by this time a warm relationship will have developed between the leadership of God’s two great capitals. Both people will be worshipping the same Messiah, both people will have the same ordinances in their temples, both people will now be prepared to finish the final preparation for the Second Coming of the Messiah. As Isaiah predicted:

“The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.”

ONLY TWO MORE GREAT EVENTS TO OCCUR BEFORE THE SECOND COMING

We have now reached a summit on the God’s prophetic time line so that only two major events must occur before the Second Coming.

The first is THE RETURN OF THE 10 tribes which the prophets have been talking about for centuries.

The second is the selecting and sealing of TWELVE THOUSAND OUT OF EACH TRIBE so that these 144,000 consecrated missionaries can scour the earth and seek out any fragments of humanity who still want to accept the gospel. Those who accept the gospel will be baptized, confirmed and sent to America where they can be caught up when the Savior comes. Those who reject the gospel will be sealed up to destruction as described by Malachi:

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up; saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” ¹¹⁶

In a future discussion we will consider these two monumental events and the highlights of the Second Coming.

1. D&C 38:30
2. D&C 107:56
3. D&C 7:62
4. Isaiah 29:11–14
5. Nephi: 14:20-21, 25, 27
6. 1 Nephi 22:29
7. Nephi 32:7
8. Revelation 7:8–4
9. Revelation 14:1–8
10. Alma 13:3
11. History of the Church. vol. vi, p. 364
12. D&C 77: 11
13. D&C 77: 13
14. Revelation 7:3–4 with 14:1-8
15. Revelation 8:1
16. D&C 20:1
17. D&C 21:2–3
18. N. B. Lundwall, Temples of the Most High, 1941, p. 291—292; original source: The Deseret Weekly News, vol. 53, No. 21, November 7, 1896
19. D&C 88:95
20. R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah (one volume) Deseret Book, 1982, p. 382
21. Abraham 3:4
22. 2 Peter 3:8
23. D&C 77:10
24. D&C 77:13
25. D&C 77:14
26. Essentials of Church History, By Joseph Fielding Smith, 1937 edition, p. 126
27. Deuteronomy 30:4; see also Matthew 24:81; and D&C 138:7 and Pearl of Great Price 45:37
28. Revelation 8:1
29. Revelation 13:1
30. Revelation 13:2
31. Quoted in “Stand Fast by the Constitution” by J. Reuben Clark, p. 85
32. Revelation 13:1–4
33. Revelation 13:5
34. Revelation 13:6–7
35. Revelation 13:9–10
36. 3 Nephi 16:10
37. Micah 5:7–15
38. 3 Nephi 20:14–19
39. Revelation 13:7
40. Patrick R. J. Carmack, The Money Masters, p. 5
41. Patrick R. J. Carmack, The Money Masters, p. 4
42. D&C 97:22–26
43. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 17
44. “Published by Wilford Woodruff in Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, ol. 7, pp. 419-423.
45. 45 Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 123
46. 46 The Contributor, an LDS magazine, vol. 15, pp. 638-841
47. 47 D&C 29:17–20
48. 48 D&C 45:31
49. 49 D&C 97:25
50. 50 D&C 45:32’35
51. Journal of Discourses. vol. 12:344
52. 3 Nephi 21:27–28
53. D&C 45:71
54. Millennial Star, vol. 10, March 15, 1848, p. 87; Hyrum Andrus, Doctrines of the Kingdom, Salt Lake City Bookcraft, 1973, p. 396
55. Revelation 9:16
56. D&C 45:68
57. D&C 45:69
58. D&C 101:77:80 and 98:6-10
59. Luke 21:25–26
60. D&C 61:15–16
61. D&C 45:69
62. History of the Church, vol. 3, pp. 390- 391
63. D&C 45:67
64. Revelation 13:11–18
65. Revelation 13:12
66. Ezekiel 38:2
67. Ezekiel 34:6, 11–13, 23–24
68. Doc. History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 253
69. Ezekiel 37:22–24
70. Jeremiah 80:8–9
71. D&C 113:2
72. D&C 113:4
73. Zechariah 6:12–13
74. Ezekiel 38:2
75. Ezekiel, chapters 41-42
76. Ezekiel 38:3–4
77. Ezekiel 38:9
78. Ezekiel 38:10–12
79. Revelation13:16-17
80. D&C 22: 16–17
81. Moses 7:18–14
82. Daniel 11:31
83. 2:2-3
84. Joel 2:2
85. Joel 2:4
86. Joel 2:5–10
87. Revelation 11:5–6
88. Revelation 11:2–3
89. 2 Nephi 2:7
90. Joel 2:13–16
91. Luke 21:24–25
92. D&C 61:15–16
93. D&C 61:15
94. Zechariah 14:2
95. Revelation 11:11–10
96. Revelation 11:11–12
97. Zechariah 14:4
98. This is described in Luke 24:13–16
99. Zechariah 12:10; Doctrine and Covenants 45:49
100. Doctrine and Covenants 45:52–53
101. For details see Skousen, Days of the Living Christ, op. cit. pp. 828-829
102. Ezekiel 44:2
103. John 20:19, 26
104. Ezekiel 28:22
105. Ezekiel 39:2
106. Zechariah 14:12. To compare this with the plague among the wicked Gentiles in America, see Doctrine and Covenants 29:18–19
107. Zechariah 8:22–23
108. Isaiah 19:25
109. Zechariah 14:16–17
110. Ezekiel 39:11–14
111. Teachings of Joseph Smith, pp. 172-173
112. D&C 13:1
113. Malachi 3:3–4
114. 3 Nephi 9:19–20
115. Isaiah 11:13
116. Malachi 4:1

Buy the book on Amazon.com…

I, and others, sat before him as we studied the book, The 5000 Year Leap, asked questions and received commentary directly from the principle author of the book, Dr. W. Cleon Skousen. The research that went into the writing of this book was done at the request of past president of the LDS Church, David O. McKay. This research is also what led to other great books: The Making of America and The Majesty of God’s Law. In the forward of The Majesty of God’s Law, Skousen wrote:

“In 1967 a great leader (David O. McKay) whom I admired and loved said that a crisis was coming to America and the legal minds of the nation were not getting ready to deal with it.

“He indicated that the Founding Fathers knew this would happen and they knew what to do about it. He suggested…that I take time to get acquainted with the things the Founders knew…

“So, for over a quarter of a century I have been struggling to put it all together. This book is the result of that labor…”

Previously this same modern-day Prophet, David O. McKay, endorsed Skousen’s book, The Naked Communist, in LDS General Conference (1), and so did another Prophet, Ezra Taft Benson, on multiple occassions. (2) (3) (4). President McKay had also asked Skousen to write the book.

As I studied with W. Cleon Skousen I came to know a man who is filled with Christ-like love for others, and has a dedicated commitment to truth. When I read of others criticizing, mocking and mischaracterizing Skousen, I am very disappointed, especially when this is coming from fellow Latter-day Saints, many of whom have never even read his books, and could not cite one disagreement they have with his teachings.

W. Cleon Skousen researched, understood and taught the principles of Freedom; he was also very knowledgeable on other doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m certainly not saying he was perfect and without fault or error; unfortunately Skousen’s detractors are not concerned with truth and simply jump to false conclusions. Skousen’s detractors also seem to ignore the fact that his books were so well-researched and documented. Skousen also had the assistance of other expert researchers.

In my earlier years of becoming a Constitutionalist, learning the principles of freedom and the proper role of government, I mostly turned to Skousen’s books to find answers to my questions because of the fact that he so often quoted the direct words of the Founding Father’s on the subjects of my questions.

You might ask why I would bother to write a letter defending Skousen’s character? I know the fruits of his labor and they are good fruits. The things Skousen taught will only bring a person to the truth and closer to Christ.

I like to use the saying, “attack the message, not the messenger”. In the case of Skousen, both the message and the messenger are deserving of much respect.

Don’t just take my word for it. I now call in another witness to speak of W. Cleon Skousen’s character and works in life… Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a living prophet, seer and revelator.

At the funeral of author W. Cleon Skousen, Thomas S. Monson recited, from memory, a passage found in The First 2,000 Years (by Skousen). President Monson said that he had previously quoted this to a man who had asked about Skousen’s character:

“Often the wisdom of God is foolishness to men, but the greatest single lesson to be learned in mortality is that when God commands and a man obeys, that man will always be right.”

President Monson also said: “Everyone he spoke to, everyone he taught, is closer to Christ than before they met Cleon Skousen.”

Other comments made at Skousen’s funeral by President Monson, who at the time was the first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church:

“He (Cleon Skousen) has lived a wonderful life, extended, look at all these years, but he has never ever deviated.”

“…and the song that Cleon Skousen is hearing: ‘well done thy good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’”

President Thomas S. Monson went on to read a message from the LDS First Presidency (Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust) to Skousen’s wife, Jewel. Some excerpts from that letter:

“We were saddened to hear of the passing of… our friend” President Monson then interjected “The Savior used the word Friend…”

“Skousen was indeed an extraordinary man who set a high standard of integrity and achievement…”

“His fierce loyalty to our country and his attempts to protect our freedoms are well-recognized. As he lifted his voice, both in the books he authored and the speeches he delivered, he was a powerful influence for good…”

“His vision and achievements will remain a lasting legacy and blueprint for others to follow…”

After reading the letter, President Monson also said:

“Our lives are better because of him whom we honor.”

(Listen to audio excerpts of President Thomas S. Monson speaking at W. Cleon Skousen’s funeral)

The Making of America is about the world’s greatest political success formula. In a little over a century, this formula allowed a small segment of the human family — less than 6 percent — to become the richest nation on earth. It allowed them to originate more than half of the world’s total production and enjoy the highest standard of living in the history of the world.”

“But Americans have more to share than their wealth. They have the world’s greatest political success formula to share. In this respect they have been at fault. They have been too self-conscious about their system and its accomplishments. At times they have been almost apologetic that they have had such a remarkable system when the rest of the world did not. The world needs to know this formula.” – From the introduction to the Making of America

In this book you will learn the Founding Fathers’ story. Much of it is told in the words of the Founders themselves. You will feel the power of their minds sweeping away centuries of bad government and bad laws to formulate a whole new society based on human freedom.

Purchase: The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution by W. Cleon Skousen

Beginning with the hosts of Israel, Dr. Skousen follows God’s Law throughout history, showing the glory of those nations that embraced God’s law fully, and the fate of those who rejected it. He concludes with a startling revelation about the destiny of America and what will be necessary before God’s law can be adopted by our nation.

Purchase The Majesty of God’s Law by W. Cleon Skousen (Now back in print!)

Discover the 28 fundamental beliefs of the Founding Fathers which they said must be understood and perpetuated by every people who desired peace, prosperity, and freedom.

These beliefs have made possible more progress in 200 years than was made previously in over 5,000 years. Thus the title “The 5,000 Year Leap”.

The following is a brief overview of the principles found in The 5,000 Year Leap, and one chapter is devotes to each of these 28 principles.

Principle 1 – The only reliable basis for sound government and just human relations is Natural Law.

Natural law is God’s law. There are certain laws which govern the entire universe, and just as Thomas Jefferson said in the Declaration of Independence, there are laws which govern in the affairs of men which are “the laws of nature and of nature’s God.”

Principle 2 – A free people cannot survive under a republican constitution unless they remain virtuous and morally strong.

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” – Benjamin Franklin

Principle 3 – The most promising method of securing a virtuous people is to elect virtuous leaders.

“Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who … will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man.” – Samuel Adams

Principle 4 – Without religion the government of a free people cannot be maintained.

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports…. And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.” – George Washington

Principle 5 – All things were created by God, therefore upon him all mankind are equally dependent, and to him they are equally responsible .

The American Founding Fathers considered the existence of the Creator as the most fundamental premise underlying all self-evident truth. They felt a person who boasted he or she was an atheist had just simply failed to apply his or her divine capacity for reason and observation.

Principle 6 – All mankind were created equal.

The Founders knew that in these three ways, all mankind are theoretically treated as:

1. Equal before God.
2. Equal before the law.
3. Equal in their rights.

and more….

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Because so many millions of Americans finally realize that something is seriously wrong with the way the government is handling our affairs, people are continually asking: “Do you think there is still time to turn it around?”

When you ask, “Still time before what?” they usually reply: “Before total disaster overtakes.”

For those who wonder about such things the answer is this: “Yes, there is still time, but not much.”

The next question is: “What can we do to get America turned around and regain our national sanity?”

The answer is: “Elect a President and a majority in Congress who still believe in the Constitution and will fight to return America to her original moorings.”

Identifying Constitutional Candidates

“But how can you tell when a candidate for political office is really a Constitutionalist?”

If the candidate is already in office he will have a voting record which will clearly show whether or not he is a Constitutionalist. Several organizations monitor the Congress and publish the results.

However, if the candidate is a newcomer to politics you will have to test his knowledge of Constitutional principles by asking a few questions.

What Kind of Questions Should Be Asked?

We are listing a few of the many questions which might be addressed to a candidate in order to determine whether or not he stands for those basic principles advocated by the Founding Fathers.

As we go through these questions you will note that nearly all of them can be easily answered by anyone who has attended the “Miracle of America” seminars on the Constitution. In the text for this course the answers to all of these questions are explained and documented. If your candidate does not know the answers, invite him to take a Constitutional seminar at the earliest possible date. The thirteen hours required for this study may turn out to be the best investment in political orientation he could find. No American should run for public office until he has studied the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers.

Questions on General Principles

1. Under the Constitution, who has the sovereign authority to govern?

The founders said it is in the people “by God’s own allowance”. No branch or agency of the government should be allowed to operate in violation of the expressed will of the people. Their collective will is set forth in the Constitution and the laws passed by the people’s representatives.

2. In what way are “all men created equal?”

All humanity are equal in three ways: 1. equal before God, 2. equal before the law, 3. equal in their rights. In all other respects people are different.

3. What is an inalienable right?

An inalienable right is one which comes as an “endowment from the Creator” and cannot be violated without coming under the judgment of God.

4. Which inalienable rights were listed in the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence lists the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

5. What did the founders mean by the “pursuit of happiness?”

This is a collective phrase designed to cover all of the other inalienable rights.

6. Give an example of an inalienable right which is essential to the pursuit of happiness.

The Founders believed, for example, that human happiness requires that each of us enjoy the right to acquire, develop and dispose of property. They believed that without the protection of property rights, all other rights are placed in serious jeopardy.

7. What are some of the other inalienable rights?

The inalienable rights of mankind include such things as the right of self government; the right of human beings to beget their own kind; the right of parents to rear their children free from outside interference (unless there is criminal abuse or neglect); the right to freedom of belief; the right to freedom of speech; the right to assemble; the right to petition; the right to change residence; the’ right to change jobs, etc.

8. What is the purpose of government?

The Founders said the basic reason for creating a government is to protect the inalienable rights of the people. The government is to provide “liberty under law,” which means that no law should be passed unless it is specifically designed to protect the freedom, liberty. and well-being of the people.

The American Structure of Government

9. What is a democracy?

A democracy is a government wherein decisions are made by the masses of the people rather than by elected representatives.

10. What is a republic?

A republic is a system in which the laws are passed and decisions made by the elected representatives of the people.

11. Why did Jefferson call the American system a democratic-republic?

Because the system allows the masses of qualified voters to participate in the election of their officials (democracy) and then the people’s elected representatives enact the laws and administer the affairs of the people under majority rule but with the equal protection of individual rights (a republic).

12. Is it a mistake, therefore, to call the United States a democracy?

Yes. The only part of the American system which is borrowed from “democracy” is the popular election of government officials. Except for this, the Founders strongly emphasized the republican aspects of the American system. A republic places the responsibility for sound government and decision-making on the people’s elected representatives rather than allowing the fluctuating and superficial emotions of the people to override law and order or the rights of minorities. The classical example of government functioning on republican principles and prevailing over “pure democracy” would be the case of a sheriff protecting a prisoner against a lynch mob.

The Task of Controlling Power

13. Why is separation of power safer than concentration of power?

Government is “force” which Washington compared to “fire” and said government is a “dangerous servant” and a “fearful master.” Power should be dispersed among the people where they can keep it under control.

14. How should the powers of government be separated?

First of all the Founders wanted political power separated vertically. They considered the principal power base of society to be the family. However, there are a few things which a community of families can provide better than a single family (police, fire, water, utilities, etc.). Power to perform these functions is therefore delegated to the community. Then there are a few things which groups of communities can do better than the single community. These tasks are assigned to the higher level of the county. There are also a few things that a group of counties can do better than a single county and these are assigned to the State level. The Founders also discovered that there were certain matters dealing with foreign affairs, problems of war and peace, imports, etc. which need to be handled in behalf of all the states. These responsibilities are therefore assigned to the Federal Government. It should be noted that the Founders’ pyramid of power provided that the greatest number of responsibilities should rest with the family. Only a few responsibilities were assigned to the levels of government above the family and the Federal Government was to have the least of all. 1

15. What remedies did the Founders provide if government officials violated the channel of power assigned to them?

Administrative pressures from other departments are provided and if his offenses are serious he can be impeached for treason, bribery, high crimes or misdemeanors.

16. Why did the Founders want the powers of government to flow from the bottom up rather than the top down?

Jefferson stated that a political unit governs best which governs least. In other words, the services which the people need from government are relatively simple and when circumstances are normal the people like to conduct their affairs with as little interference from the government as possible. Consequently, in the Founders’ original plan for a happy and prosperous society, the functions of government were designed to be relatively simple and remarkably cheap.

17. Then why do we have such a complicated and expensive government today?

The professional politicians learned that in a war, depression, or a serious crisis, the people will endure higher taxes and a far greater concentration of authority on the higher levels of government. Certain politicians therefore set out to exploit every emergency as an excuse for the acquiring of more power. During most of the twentieth century ambitious politicians trumpeted the message that the government can solve practically all problems better than the people. Today, as a result, Americans are being literally “programmed” to death. And taxes have skyrocketed.

Separating Power Horizontally

18. How did the Founders separate power horizontally?

There are three functions of government at each level of society. One function is to make the law, another is to administer the law and a third is to interpret the law. These are all on the same horizontal level and are referred to as the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government. The Founders wanted these three functions to be separated into equal, independent departments. At the same time, they wanted to coordinate these functions so that one department could not function without the other two. Each department was therefore assigned to serve as a check on the others. The idea of the Founders was to have these functions of government “coordinated but never consolidated.” This was one of the most ingenious devices contributed by the Founders.

19. What happens if the separation of powers breaks down either vertically or horizontally?

The Founders warned that if the vertical separation of power should ever break down so that all power began to be concentrated in Washington, there would be a severely arrogant abuse of the people by government officials. They also said that if the legislative executive and judicial departments failed to act as a check on each other, there would be tyranny and the people would lose their freedom. For more than one full generation this is what has been happening.

Americans Experiment with Another System

20. Is the consolidation of government functions the trend today?

Yes. Consolidation of power is gravitating toward Washington at a pace which would have greatly alarmed the Founders.

21. What has caused this?

Beginning around 1900 certain wealthy influential groups lost confidence in the original American system and began propagandizing the people into believing that a “redistribution of the wealth” by the government would greatly improve the American life style. This theory of economics with its concentration of political power at the center of government is usually referred to as socialism. Samuel Adams vigorously warned against these principles. He said socialism violates equal protection of rights and completely destroys the concept of limited government. In fact, he said the Founders had done everything possible to make these collectivist policies “unconstitutional.”

22. What has been the result?

These policies launched the United States on a wild and dizzy trajectory which has resulted in run-away inflation; a huge burden of national debt; taxes which are devouring nearly half of the peoples’ earning power; a serious invasion of individual rights; and a virtual collapse of states rights.

23. Has socialism or “collectivism” worked anywhere in the world?

Unfortunately, it has not. In fact, the militant forms of socialism such as Communism, Nazism, and Fascism have caused more wars and shed the blood of more human beings than any system of government in the history of the world. Even the so-called “peaceful” forms of socialism such as Democratic Socialism and Fabian Socialism, have proven counter-productive and have continuously crept along the razor’s edge of perpetual bankruptcy. Americans have sent over hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign aid trying to help the socialist nations survive. Now we are bordering on bankruptcy ourselves.

24. How did the Founders structure the American system so that socialism would be unconstitutional?

They did it by setting up a “limited” form of government with carefully enumerated powers. Jefferson called these limitations on government the “chains” of the Constitution.

American Leaders Began to Abandon the Founders Success Formula

25. Does this mean Theodore Roosevelt was In error when he said the President could do anything except that which the Constitution forbids?

Yes, he was turning the Constitution upside down. The President and all other officials of the government are only allowed to do that which is expressly authorized. The Founders referred to any exercise of power outside of these Constitutional chains as “usurpation.”

26. Was President Woodrow Wilson also in error when he said the United States should become involved in the political and economic affairs of the world?

Yes. The Founders had continually warned against foreign, entangling alliances. The Founders believed the United States should try to be friendly with all nations, but beholden to none. They knew that political interdependence leads to the development of power blocs, and power blocs ultimately lead to war.

27. Was Franklin D. Roosevelt in error when he structured the New Deal?

Yes. The New Deal was structured on collectivist principles designed by such men as Harry Hopkins who saw socialism as a tremendous vehicle to acquire power over the people and their resources. His famous formula was “tax, tax — spend, spend — elect, elect!”

28. Was Lyndon Johnson in error when he said, “We will take from the haves and give to the have nots!”

The Founders would certainly have called it an error. There is absolutely no Constitutional authority for the government to engage in any such invasion of private property rights. Throughout history it has always been popular for governments to pretend they are going to “soak the rich,” but such programs have always ended up with government officials using this newly acquired power to violate the inalienable rights of both rich and poor. It is a political trick to build bigger government with bigger debts and bigger taxes.

29. Was President Nixon in error when he continually tried to involve the United States in a “New World Order”?

Yes. It is extremely dangerous for Americans to enter into foreign engagements where decisions for Americans are made by non-Americans. The Founders believed that we should coordinate but never consolidate our free and independent society with foreign nations.

30. Was President Carter in error when he began meddling in domestic affairs of foreign nations?

Yes. The Monroe Doctrine specifically promised that the United States would never undertake to meddle in the domestic affairs of other countries. Any President or Secretary of State who has followed a policy of “interventionism,” has operated outside of his Constitutional authority.

Presidential Violations of the Constitution

31. What about executive orders which are treated as laws after being published in the federal register?

In the eyes of the Founders these would be considered unconstitutional. The President can issue executive orders to the administrative branches of government under his supervision but he has no authority whatever to make “laws” for the people since the Constitution assigns that authority exclusively to the Congress. An act of Congress could stop this whole illegal procedure.

32. What about executive agreements between the President and heads of foreign governments?

This procedure is also unconstitutional. The Founders provided that all agreements with foreign nations must have the advice and consent of the Senate. Since American Presidents began holding summit conferences with the heads of foreign governments, they have been entering into secret engagements which very often never see the light of day let alone receive the advice and consent of the Senate. Each year there are many more executive agreements signed by the President than there are treaties ratified by the Senate.

Judicial Violations of the Constitution

33. What about new laws laid down by the Supreme Court?

This is called “judicial legislation.” This occurs when the Supreme Court creates a new law by pretending to interpret an old one. In the Federalist Papers the Founders specifically warned against this type of arrogance by the Supreme Court.

34. How is the Supreme Court supposed to interpret the Constitution?

The Founders made it very clear that the Supreme Court would be violating its assignment if it substituted its own opinions for that of the Founders. Until recently it has always been an established principle that the

Constitution must be interpreted the way the Founders intended it and not according to the whims or caprice of modern justices.

35. Is there any way to curb the Supreme Court from exercising its power in an unconstitutional manner?

Yes. A Judicial Reform Amendment would allow any Supreme Court decision to be overturned by two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate. A decision could also be overturned by concurring resolutions from three-fourths of the State Legislatures. Had this procedure been available the States would have’ undoubtedly outlawed forced busing of school children at least twenty years ago.

Unconstitutional Edicts of Regulatory Agencies

36. Is it Constitutional for an agency of the Federal Government to write rules and regulations which are enforced in the courts as “laws?”

No. This is a recent development in governmental procedures. It is called “administrative law.” The Founders provided no power in any agency of government to make laws except the Congress.

Blurring the Founders’ Division of Labor Between

the States and the Federal Government

37. How did the Founders intend to divide the problem-solving powers between the States and the Federal Government?

James Madison spelled it out in the Federalist Papers, No. 45. He wrote: “The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal Government are few and defined…. The powers reserved to the several states will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and the properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement and prosperity of the State.”

38. How did the Founders know whether to assign a problem to the State or Federal Governments?

If a problem involved foreign relations (war, peace, treaties, etc.) or matters which could not be handled by any one of the states (regulating interstate commerce, crimes on the high seas, navigable waters, naturalization, etc.) it went to the Federal Government. All other powers were retained by the States.

39. How many areas of power were ultimately assigned to the Federal Government?

The Constitution gives the Federal Government twenty powers. These are set forth in Article I, Section 8.

40. What if the Federal Government thinks it needs more power?

The government cannot legally exercise any powers except those which are specifically granted to it by the Constitution. The only way Washington can get any additional legitimate power is by an amendment.

41. Where does it say that the Federal Government is specifically restricted from exercising any power not granted to it by the States?

The Tenth Amendment

42. Then how did the government get so much power?

The dominating arrogance of the Federal Government today came about primarily through three channels: 1. outright usurpation of power, 2. an edict by the Supreme Court in the Butler Case in 1936 reversing the original meaning in the Welfare Clause, and 3. distorting the Commerce Clause as the means of shattering the restrictive chains of the Constitution and expanding Federal jurisdiction into hundreds of areas never intended by the Founders..

Subverting Two Important Constitutional Clauses

43. What was the Butler Case?

In this decision, Justice Roberts included in his opinion a dictum that the Congress would no longer be restricted in its taxing and spending powers so long as it was in the “general welfare” of the nation. This immediately opened the U.S. Treasury to looting for all kinds of give-away programs which politicians began using to buy votes.

44. In what way has the Commerce Clause been distorted to give the Federal Government unconstitutional powers?

This clause was simply designed to give the Federal Government sufficient power to insure the “free flow” of commerce so that the States would not interfere with inter-state shipments as they had done in the past. Since 1936 the original intent of the Founders has been expanded to include Federal control over practically everything which affects inter-state commerce either directly or indirectly. This usurpation of authority by Congress (which has been upheld by the Supreme Court), has shattered some of the most important restrictions on Federal intervention in the business and commercial life of the nation.

Some Practical Questions

45. Doesn’t the more complex nature of modern society require a far more extensive control of the economy by the Federal Government?

No. The more complex society becomes the more it needs the automatic problem-solving devices of a free-market economy operating with the least possible interference from government. As Adam Smith pointed out, government interference only adds to the complexity of the system and results in a serious deterioration of individual freedom.

46. What is a modern example of the Founders’ original success formula solving some of the highly complex problems of a modern society?

No nation could have had a much more complex situation than West Germany right after World War II. Every major city in Germany was bomb-gutted and the people were surviving in basements and make-shift hovels. Chancellor Konrad Adenauer of West Germany took over in 1949 and immediately initiated the basic economic principles advocated by the Founding Fathers. By using freedom instead of heavy-handed government regulations, West Germany achieved the highest standard of living in Western Europe within eight years. The West Germans were not only fully employed but importing foreign labor besides. Clothing, food and housing were abundant and cheap. West Germany became so prosperous she was the envy of socialized Sweden. It will be recalled that Sweden wasn’t even in the war and had boasted of the superiority of her socialist controls. However, in Sweden a young married. couple has to wait ten years to get a one-room apartment because of the government monopoly over housing. It was obvious West Germany had chosen a better way.

Questions About Money and the Budget

47. What happened to the Federal budget after the “Butler” case?

In 1936 (the year of the Butler case) the Federal budget was around six billion dollars. By 1980 the looting of the American taxpayer had pushed the Federal budget to more than six hundred billion dollars!

48. Is it Constitutional for the government to spend more money that it takes in?

Yes. The Constitution allows the government to borrow in emergencies. Unfortunately, during the last 50 years Congress has continually found excuses to borrow whether there was an emergency or not. The only way to stop this is to replace the big spenders in Congress with Constitutionalists who recognize that we are presently on a disaster course.

The National Debt

49. How much is the national debt today?

The U.S. National Debt is nearly a trillion dollars (extremely higher today!) requiring interest payments which cost more each year than the entire cost of World War I. Future liabilities to which the government is already committed will require taxation of an additional six to seven trillion.

50. How does the U.S. debt compare with the debts of other nations?

The United States now owes more than all of the rest of the nations of the world combined.

51. Why would the Founders have considered this gigantic indebtedness immoral?

The Founders said that no generation should go so deeply in debt that it becomes guilty of squandering the next generation’s inheritance. They said such extravagance is immoral. All past generations tried to pay off all the debts accrued during their time. Ours is the first generation which has deliberately squandered the inheritance of its children.

What About Welfare?

52. But hasn’t much of our money been spent for welfare and other Important social programs?

This was the main excuse for sky-rocketing taxation and deficit spending. Tragically, however, the money has been squandered primarily to build a vast bureaucracy. It is amazing how many of the government’s multibillion dollar social programs have provided only a pittance to trickle down to the poor, the sick and the elderly.

53. But didn’t the government have to try to do something to help those in need?

The Founders specifically warned against this type of political deception where the compassion of the people is exploited to build big government and raise taxes. They said that all types of charity and welfare should be handled on the local level where abuses could be quickly detected and corrected.

54. But what if the states do not provide needed services?

The existence of a need on a State level does not create a power on the Federal level. When a State fails to fulfill its obligation the pressure should be exerted on the State, not the Federal government. Jefferson said there is no way to preserve freedom if all political power gravitates to Washington.

The National Debt and Foreign Aid

55. In view of America’s tremendous national debt, why do we continue giving foreign aid to over a 125 countries?

This whole procedure violates the Constitution and common sense. What started out as part of the defense program in the interest of the United States has turned into an international Santa Claus give-away program. similar to the extravagant give-away programs at home. Tens of billions given away each year automatically add to the national debt.

Social Security

56. Is Social Security an insurance plan or a welfare plan?

The Supreme Court has held that it is a welfare plan. This means that it can be terminated at anytime. It also means the government can distribute its proceeds arbitrarily. The contributor to social security payments acquires no rights and receives only what the government condescends to distribute to him as “payments” if he qualifies under the government’s arbitrary poverty level.

57. Is there a better way?

Yes. It is called an annuity program. If the money contributed by an employee (and his employer) between 25 and 65 were invested in American industries under an annuity plan, the fund could be built to a quarter of a million dollars by the time he retires. An annuity fund of this kind would permit an employee to retire at $1,200 to $1,500 per month. Furthermore, the money is his. He does not have to be poor to get it. If he dies it goes to his widow and children. He earned it. He owns it. [these figures would be higher now]

58. Is the Federal Income Tax Constitutional?

Yes. The Sixteenth Amendment was adopted according to the requirements of the constitution.

59. Is this the type of tax which the Founding Fathers would have employed?

No. They provided that direct taxes be apportioned to the States according to population, not according to the incomes of the people.

60. Has income tax been administered uniformly?

No. A graduated income tax violates the equal protection of rights. It violates the principle of uniformity required by the Constitution and makes the property of accumulated wealth less sacred than those who have less.

61. Is it possible to administer the Income Tax fairly?

No. This could only be done by setting up a universal monitoring system similar to a “police state.” This would violate all of the basic rights guaranteed in the Fourth Amendment.

62. Would it ever be possible to repeal the Federal Income Tax?

Yes. By phasing out governmental activities which are clearly outside the Constitution, the cost of government would be greatly reduced and the income tax could be safely eliminated.

63. Would the repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment interfere with defense and other legitimate Federal responsibilities?

No. Corporate taxes and other sources of Federal revenue would more than adequately provide for the legitimate expenses of the Federal Government if its unconstitutional expenses were phased out. Who knows, there might even be a surplus!

64. What about the thousands of Federal-aid programs covering nearly every aspect of American life?

Federal grants are unconstitutional unless directly related to some power specifically delegated to the Federal Government. A strict interpretation of the Constitution would probably wipe out at least 95% of the Federal-aid programs presently plaguing the nation.

Federal Regulatory Agencies

65. What about EPA?

The Environmental Protection Act involves problems which the Founders delegated exclusively to the States where local supervision could prevent abuses and deal with over-regulation more readily. Today, federal control over air, water, and land environment is strangling the economy and suppressing the development of energy and natural resources.

66. What about OSHA?

Occupational safety and health are important responsibilities but they should never have been delegated to the Federal level. The Founders knew that government is too big, and the legal machinery too expensive for most citizens to handle. They therefore endure the disruptive and oppressive edicts of this agency because it has been too big for the average citizen to fight.

67. What about the Federal Communications Commission?

This agency was designed to “police” the traffic on the air waves but the FCC has used its licensing power to control the editorial content of programs. This is in direct violation of the First Amendment.

68. What about the Pure Food and Drug Administration?

There is no authority for this agency under the Constitution. If it is in the national interest to have such an agency it should have been authorized by an amendment. There is already a wide-spread criticism of the arbitrary manner in which this agency has exercised its broad spectrum of power.

69. What about Consumer Protection?

Here again we have an exercise of power unauthorized by the Constitution. Do we really want that much power allocated to the Federal level where the agency is so big and powerful that not even the largest corporations are able to cope with its abuses?

What About the Government Setting Up Business Operations?

70. Is there any authority in the Constitution for the government to set up tax-exempt corporations or business operations to compete with tax-paying citizens?

The answer is no, unless the corporation or business is directly connected with an area of Federal responsibility enumerated in the Constitution. For example, an independent government corporation to provide mail service would be constitutional. However, a corporation set up to compete in the production of electricity, the manufacturing of clothes, or the operating of a chain of public restaurants, would not.

71. How many corporations and businesses does the government operate at the present time which are unauthorized by the constitution?

Around 700 corporations and 11,000 businesses. [much higher now]

72. Are all of these tax-exempt?

Yes. They are not only tax-exempt but most of them are being subsidized out of tax funds because they are not being operated efficiently.

What Caused the “Sagebrush Rebellion?”

73. Shouldn’t all of the states have been admitted to the Union on an equal basis?

Yes. This was set forth by Congress in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

74. Which states were strong-armed into accepting statehood without being admitted on an equal footing?

All of the Western States and Alaska.

75. In what way were they forced to accept statehood unequally?

Large regions of these states were retained by the Federal Government for purposes not authorized by the Constitution in Article I, Section 8, Clause 17.

76. About how much of the land did the Federal Government usually withhold from these states?

The government retained around 50% of the land in most Western States, but 79% of Nevada and 96% of Alaska.

77. Are any of these states attempting to get this land back?

Yes. The press has labelled this effort the “Sagebrush Rebellion,” but it is not a rebellion. These states are simply following the legal and Constitutional procedures necessary to have this land turned back to them.

What About Locking Up State Territory As Wilderness Areas?

78. Does the Constitution authorize the President and the Secretary of the Interior to lock up large blocks of land within a state as a “wilderness reserve?”

No. This violates the express provisions of the Constitution but was upheld by the Supreme Court on extremely tenuous grounds.

79. Does the Constitution authorize the Federal Government to have a national forest within the confines of a state?

No. This is not included in the list of territories which the Federal Government is allowed to occupy with the consent of the State. (See Article I, Section 8, Clause 17) The Supreme Court had to distort the Constitution to justify it. Historically, the States have had fewer forest fires and have maintained the State forests on a higher level than the national forests.

80. Does the Constitution authorize the Federal Government to have national parks within the confines of a State?

No. For the same reasons as those cited above, the Supreme Court should have disallowed them. It has been observed that as a rule State Parks are better maintained and provide better facilities than those operated by the Federal Government.

What About Federal Control of Energy Resources?

81. Does the Constitution authorize the government to control, regulate, or inhibit the production of energy resources within a state?

No.

Problems with Government Monopolies

82. What about the widely expanded activities of the Interstate Commerce Commission?

The Founders never intended the “regulation of commerce” to include cartel monopolies, fixing prices, fixing routes, and regulating industries into bankruptcy. The recent deregulation of airlines dramatically demonstrated the advantage of free-market competition over a system of unconstitutional governmental regulations.

83. Does the Constitution authorize the Federal Government to set prices?

Not in time of peace.

84. Does the Constitution authorize the Federal Government to set wages?

Not in time of peace.

The National Labor Relations Board

85. Does the Constitution authorize the Federal Government to enter into labor-management disputes in the private sector?

No. This area of Federal usurpation occurred during the “New Deal” days by completely distorting the original intent of the Commerce Clause.

The Department of HEW

86. Is there any Constitutional foundation for the extravagant and wasteful expenditures of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare?

No. Each of the agencies under HEW has developed since the Butler Case. The dictum in this case authorized the general welfare clause to be interpreted in a manner which extended government intrusion into areas specifically excluded from Federal jurisdiction by the Founders.

87. About how much of the Federal budget Is spent each year on these unconstitutional activities?

Around 201 billion dollars in 1980 which is approximately 1/3 of the Federal budget.

88. Would it require an amendment to the Constitution to eliminate the Department of HEW?

No. An act of Congress could dismantle this extremely costly department which has probably been more wasteful and nonproductive in its assigned area of activity than any other branch of the government.

The Equal Rights Amendment

89. Why are so many millions of American women now opposing the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment?

In the beginning nearly everyone assumed that this amendment was designed to provide equal rights for women. This supposed objective was widely approved. It was only after 30 states had ratified this amendment that it was realized that the simple wording of this amendment would actually destroy a broad spectrum of rights which American women already have.

90. What are some of the rights of American women which ERA would destroy?

At present American women enjoy both the common law right as well as the statutory right to be supported, along with their children, by their husbands. ERA would not only destroy this right but also eliminate many rights relating to employment, maternity leave, insurance and survival rights which are presently provided by law.

91. Would passage of the Equal Rights Amendment give women any more rights than they now have?

No. All of the rights which the advocates of ERA claim they are getting for women through the passage of this amendment are already provided by law.

92. Would the passage of ERA further damage the original separation of powers instituted by the Founders?

Yes. For example, it would transfer a large percentage of cases involving family and other domestic problems from the State courts to the Federal judiciary which is already smothered with legal problems.

Abortions

93. Is Federal funding of abortion a violation of the Constitution?

Yes. The specific and limited authority granted to the Federal Government does not include any funding for abortions.

The Gold and Silver Standard

94. Was the United States taken off the gold and silver standard in violation of the Constitution?

Yes. The gold standard is written into the Constitution (Article I, Section 10, Clause 1) and was removed by several acts of Congress without an amendment to the Constitution between 1934 and 1964. From the Founding Fathers standpoint this whole procedure was illegal.

The Federal Department of Education

95. Is it Constitutional for Federal funds to be used in the financing of local schools?

No. The Founding Fathers warned against the funding of schools by the Congress. In fact, education in the U.S. has seriously deteriorated since Federal funding began. James Madison equated the Federal funding of schools as extremely dangerous and said it was almost as bad as funding and controlling the churches of the nation.

96. Should the members of State and educational associations be required by law to pay dues to the National Educational Association?

No. The NEA is a private lobby with an annual budget of nearly $60 million dollars. It succeeded in getting the States to pass a law requiring the educators in State associations to pay dues to the NEA. These laws should be repealed. Teachers find themselves compelled to pay dues to this private organization which often advocates policies that are inimical to the best interests of American education.

Taxes on Dividends

97. Should stockholders be required to pay income taxes on their dividends when the corporation has already been subject to a corporate tax?

No. The stockholders are the owners of the company. They have already paid around 48% tax on the company’s earnings. The residue should be distributed among the stockholders as funds on which the required tax has already been paid.

Control of Firearms

98. Should the Federal Government pass laws providing for the control of guns?

No. The Founders left gun control under the exclusive jurisdiction of the State. They felt it was extremely dangerous to allow the Federal Government to “infringe” on the right to bear arms even in the slightest degree.

The Modem Method of Electing Senators

99. Should the Seventeenth Amendment be repealed?

The Founders would undoubtedly say yes. They set up a House of Representatives to represent the people and set up a Senate to represent the individual States. Senators were originally appointed by State legislatures and were the watchdogs of States rights. The Seventeenth Amendment took away the authority of the State Legislatures to appoint Senators. and therefore required Senatorial candidates to appeal to the people in a popular election. This resulted in the Senators frequently ignoring States rights in an effort to get more money for their States just as Congressmen do. States’ rights have been seriously deteriorating since the Seventeenth Amendment was adopted in 1913. It destroyed an important element of balance which the founders built into the Constitution.

The BLM

100. Should the Bureau of Land Management be abolished?

Yes. This bureau has been rapidly phasing out the traditional grazing rights of ranchers and setting up impossible regulations on land which should have been turned over to the States when they were admitted into the Union.

Government Expenses

101. Can you find out how the government spends its money?

Yes. A complete breakdown of government spending is published each year by the Government Printing Office. This is required by the Constitution.

Conclusion

Now, as nearly as we can ascertain from the writings of the Founding Fathers, this is about the way they would have answered each of these 101 questions. We have also tried to reflect the line of reasoning which their writings portray when similar questions were raised in their own day.

It is believed their point of view deserves careful consideration in view of the rather calamitous consequences which modern Americans have encountered as a result of following a different line of thinking. The socialist or collectivist formula has not worked for Americans; nor any one else for that matter.

It is believed this generation of Americans could earn the eternal gratitude of their descendants if they would immediately undertake to restore the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers.

Now let me make a very brief report to you. First of all, I so appreciate your patience this morning insofar as the seating is concerned. Because this building was not constructed for a dedication with several hundred people in attendance, we have had to ask some of you to watch us through the large plate-glass windows from seats in the front parking area, but I hope you can see and hear adequately.

The New National Headquarters

At the conclusion of the program, we hope you will make yourselves at home and go through the entire building. Please go upstairs where our research center is located along with the editorial offices for the Freemen Report. On the main floor you will see our mail-out section and extensive storage and supply section. The presses occupy a large area to the rear. This new headquarters facility is a completely self-contained operation.

A few months ago this structure was merely an empty shell of a building. It was made available to us as a result of some of our fine friends watching us as we attempted to operate out of rented quarters about half as big as this assembly room. Of course, in the beginning we were merely serving Utah and southern Idaho, but by 1976 our program had spilled over into nine States. At our other building, boxes were piled on top of one another, desks were jammed together, and students were trying to maneuver in between them to attend their seminars.

Some of our friends saw what was happening and said, “Look, this isn’t the way we are going to save the Constitution. You need operating space.” So they rallied together and helped obtain this building. Others helped by raising money to construct the interior and provide the modest but attractive and efficient facilities you see today. Now our headquarters are finally finished, and what is equally important, they are all paid for! (Applause)

May I express our grateful acknowledgment to the following friends for their outstanding assistance in making all of this possible:

The Dudley Swim family,

Frank and Arlene Talley,

the Orvin Nielson family,

the Don Buehner family,

the Joseph McPherson family,

the Rita and Woodrow Miller family,

plus the 300 pledged Freemen who have been faithfully sending in ten dollars or more per month to strengthen our arm in accomplishing this work.

The Purpose of the Freemen Institute

Now the whole purpose of the Freemen Institute is to preserve freedom in this country. That can only be done by restoring the original Constitution as contemplated by the founding fathers. On your program you will see a replica of Independence Hall surrounded by a halo which says, “The Constitution in the Tradition of Our Founding Fathers.” That is our new logo. In order to accomplish our primary objective it was necessary to begin by setting up an ever-expanding program of Constitutional seminars. Someday we hope these will extend from coast-to-coast and reach hundreds of thousands of people.

At present we are still in our infancy, but during the past eighteen months we have given the Constitutional seminars to more than 5,500 people. These seminars take one night a week for eleven weeks or a Friday night and Saturday morning for four weeks. During the past eighteen months we have also been invited to give talks on the Constitution to many community groups which have been attended by more than 53,000 people. Out of these tiny acorns we expect some mighty oaks to grow.

Years ago when President David O. McKay asked that we try to do something along these lines he said it would be very important to structure the program so that it was not associated with any particular church or any particular group. He said it must belong to all the people. It must be done in the name of freedom, in the name of the Constitution, and it must be done so that people of every race and every creed will feel comfortable in participating. Our program is therefore structured on this basis. We call ourselves Freemen and this, the Freemen Institute, simply because the founding fathers called themselves “Freemen” long before they referred to themselves as Americans.

The Constitutional Seminars

The Constitutional seminars sponsored by the Freemen Institute are unique. They are different from any course you would ordinarily take in school, especially in law school. A person in law school is required to study what has been said in various court cases, particularly what the court has said in its cases lately. Our course is what the Constitution said originally. We zero in on this approach because in the final analysis it was the original Constitution which made us the first free people in modern times and built us into a great nation.

Of course, case law is also important for our students to know. They cannot practice in the courts without it. But what Americans especially need to study is the philosophy of the Constitution and the original precepts of the founders which were never completely carried out.

In our research for this course we discovered that the founders had aspirations to set up the United States as a completely new kind of civilization. Their ideas were only partially realized. For example, we read in a recent biography of Thomas Jefferson this interesting comment:

“… Jefferson’s great ambition at that time was to promote a renaissance of Anglo-Saxon primitive institutions on the new continent. Thus presented, the American Revolution was nothing but the reclamation of the Anglo-Saxon birthright of which the colonists had been deprived by ‘a long trend of abuses.’ Nor does it appear that there was anything in this theory which surprised or shocked his contemporaries; Adams apparently did not disapprove of it, and it would be easy to bring in many similar expressions of the same idea in documents of the time.” 1

Jefferson, himself, argued for the necessity of cleansing the English law of the barnacles of feudalism and Roman Civil Law which had attached themselves to the English ship of state after the Norman conquest. He wrote:

“Are we not the better for what we have hitherto abolished of the feudal system…. Has not every restitution of the ancient Saxon laws had happy effects? Is it not better now that we return at once into that happy system of our ancestors, the wisest and most perfect ever yet devised by the wit of man as it stood before the 8th century?” 2

What is equally interesting is that when Jefferson, Franklin and Adams were assigned the task of designing a seal for the United States, they wanted to associate the Anglo-Saxon institutes with ancient Israel. In the Journals of Congress, volume V, p. 517, we read:

“Mr. Jefferson proposed (to depict on one side of the seal) the children of Israel in the wilderness led by a cloud by day, and a pillar by night — and on the other side, Hegist and Horsa, the Saxon chiefs, from whom we claim the honor of being descended, and whose political principles and form of government we have assumed.

“Franklin was in full accord except that he thought the Israelites should be shown emerging in the distance from the Red Sea which had been miraculously divided, and show the Egyptians in the foreground all being drowned.”

In the end, neither of these ideas were accepted for the United States seal because of the complexity of the portrayal, but it clearly demonstrates the way these leaders among the founding fathers were thinking.

The Israel Connection

Why did they associate the original Anglo-Saxon institutes of law with ancient Israel? One of the most interesting aspects of our research for the Constitutional seminars has been the discovery that secular sources now available clearly demonstrate that the Anglo-Saxons are descendants of the ancient Israelites. Although they lost the religious faith of their fathers, the Anglo-Saxons retained their basic concepts of law and government which had been given to the ancient Israelites by divine revelation.

When I was in law school we were told that our Constitution and our legal system was based on the precepts of the Anglo Saxons. I visualized a group of Druid priests huddled around a campfire and dreaming up all of these wonderful institutes of freedom. Frankly, it was not very inspiring to imagine all of this coming from a primitive band of Druid priests. But it was inspiring to learn that these great precepts came to us from ancient Israel under the mantle of divine revelation.

Only a few modern scholars seem to be aware of this because there is not the same amount of study devoted to the origin of the common law as there used to be. One of the exceptions was a man known to most of you, named Stephen L. Richards. A law professor himself, he graduated from the University of Chicago Law School and was acclaimed by his dean as the best student of that school during the dean’s tenure of office which lasted 25 years. Here is what Stephen L. Richards had to say about the connection between the Anglo-Saxon institutes of freedom on which the Constitution was built and the institutes of ancient Israel revealed by God:

“It might be said … that there is not a single fundamental institution of this country, ordained and established under the Constitution, that does not have something like a counterpart in the Israelitish form of government …”

He proceeded to give a number of illustrations and concluded:

“So it might be pointed out, if time would permit, a large list and line of comparisons which establish a very close relation between the government which predominated during the time that the children of Israel were governed by their judges, and the government established here. I wonder how many know that in that form of government which prevailed in ancient times, there were three departments, which are comparable to our three departments of government, namely, the legislative, the executive and the judicial…. There is abundant evidence to warrant the conclusion that the fathers drew liberally on their knowledge of, and training in, the Hebrew scripture, in building the democracy of the New World.” 3

Sir William Blackstone, a contemporary of the American founding fathers, was the first scholar to make a complete compilation of English common law. In his famous Commentaries he devoted the last chapter of volume four to the history of the changes which had occurred in English law from the time of the Anglo-Saxons. All of the founders were familiar with Blackstone and quoted him frequently. He was no doubt one of the foremost sources which alerted the founders to the fact that early Anglo-Saxon law was far more efficient in administering justice than the later English institutes which had been corrupted by elements of continental feudalism and Roman Civil Law. It is unfortunate that in 200 years Americans have never gotten around to adopting Jefferson’s suggestion that we administer justice according to Anglo-Saxon common law as it existed up to 800 A.D.

Anglo-Saxon Justice

Anglo-Saxon criminal justice followed the same pattern as that of ancient Israel. In both systems offenses against people or property required reparation to the victim plus a heavy penalty to motivate the offender to avoid similar depredations in the future. In other words, offenses against people or their property were considered as torts against the victim and not as crimes against the state. The only exceptions were capital crimes such as murder.

Under the law of Israel if a person stole a sheep, he had to return two sheep or the value thereof. If the sheep was stolen as part of a commercial operation then the penalty was four to one. If it involved cattle the penalty was five to one. Injuries to a victim required compensation in damages under threat of very severe penalties if the damages were not paid. This is the meaning of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” A person made it up to his victim or suffered the consequences.

Leading authorities on Anglo-Saxon law point out that the law in England was similar to ancient Israel up to the Norman conquest in 1066. As John Richard Green indicates in his well-known history:

The free man’s life and the free man’s limb had each on this system its legal price. “Eye for eye,” ran the rough customary code, and “limb for limb,” or for each fair damages. 4

Dr. Colin Rhye Lovell of the University of Southern California points out that:

“In its substantive aspects … the law was one of damages for injury to person or property; that is, by modern legal terminology, it was exclusively a law of torts with no distinction between civil and criminal wrongs.” 5

However, there were a few “crimes” or offenses against the whole community which were punished by death. Dr. Lovell says these included “treason, cowardice, desertion, and because of its threat to the tribal population, sexual perversion.” 6

Under Anglo-Saxon law the fines for other offenses all went to the victim. Think how much more just that system was than the one we use today where the fines go to the county, the state, or the government. Of course, even under our law the victim can sue the criminal if he wants to, but what hope of recovery is there when the criminal is in prison and his family is on welfare?

Reviving the Anglo-Saxon Approach to Justice

It is part of the program of the Freemen Institute to carry on where Jefferson left off. We have been pushing hard for “justice through restitution,” and others seem to be joining in the crusade. One Assistant United States Attorney General, John M. Greacen, wrote in the Barrister magazine for lawyers 7 that most offenses against people and property should be treated as torts and require payment of damages to the victim. He said this could virtually empty our jails and reserve the penal system for the more incorrigible criminal.

In Connecticut a grant of $288,000 has been set up to experiment with “victim restitution” cases. In Las Vegas a judge told me that he had used this approach with more than a hundred criminals and it had worked on all but one or two. Those who failed to cooperate were given heavy prison sentences.

Only last week I received a letter from the office of the Attorney General in California asking for a summary of recommendations from the Freemen Institute concerning our “justice through restitution” program. I have also been told that this whole subject will be brought up for extensive consideration by the Utah State Legislature this coming year.

Of course, this is only one facet of our Constitutional seminars but it is typical of the principles we are emphasizing so that people can appreciate that the founding fathers had practical, time-tested answers for many of the most serious problems confronting the nation today. We like to show how the founders anticipated nearly every major issue of today’s complex world and provided answers if we just have sense enough to apply them.

If Jefferson were here he would probably point out that they warned against the erosion of local self-government, they pointed out the danger of having too many laws, too many regulations, and too much power in a central government out of reach of the people. In our hedonistic age of degeneracy and low morality he would point out that according to Blackstone 8 the law of God is the supreme law of the land and any court or legislature which issues edicts or passes laws in violation of God’s law is “no law” at all. It is null and void. Jefferson would emphasize the sanctity of property rights which are unalienable along with liberty and the right to life. He would point out that popular books like the one written by Harvard psychologist B.F. Skinner, entitled Beyond Freedom and Dignity, is an act of philosophical treason against the American Constitution and the Christian concept of free agency.

Freemen In Action

Now, just a word in closing. I would like to say something about Freemen in action. In the Freemen Institute we do more than just study. We encourage our people to become active in the party of their choice and go to work. We want to encourage the promotion of Constitutional principles in all political parties throughout the United States. Under the Constitution, political action is a “numbers game,” and we must get thousands of people directly involved in the task of restoring the Constitution.

It was pretty exciting last Tuesday when we found five of our Freemen coming out of their respective parties as victors in the primaries. A lot of them gathered their workers together to celebrate their success. Since most of them were from one party it was interesting when a candidate from the other major party came bursting into the room and said, “I won too!” They all congratulated him and rejoiced in his success. You see, parties are important only as vehicles of action. When we get well-trained Constitutionalists coming up in all the parties they can work together and start turning things around.

Sometimes people come to me and say, “What can I do?” It isn’t always easy to tell them what to do but I know they can do something. A lot of people are self-starters and don’t need suggestions. One of these is Ken Porter who came to us last year and said, “How about starting seminars all over Idaho?” We already had a number of other fine friends initiating seminars in that State but he volunteered to spend his own time to serve as a coordinator for Idaho and get things going. As a result, we have held a whole series of seminars in Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, Salmon, Preston, Pocatello, and Burley.

John Scott and Lupe Barbare of North Dakota had us fly up to Bismark for four weekends and give our seminar to a packed audience at the Holiday Inn.

Dr. Robert Meese has done a great job at Tucson, Arizona.

Judge Kenneth Chatwin is coordinating our seminars in Phoenix.

Ken Warthen has put on two fine seminars in Las Vegas.

And President Jim Bean was very successful in sponsoring a seminar in Portland.

Up in Ogden Tom Hadley and his associates have had so many seminars we had to set up a branch Institute there to take care of the crowds.

Mark Porter and Clyde Baugh have handled our seminars in Logan.

We have been in Seattle and Yakima, Washington, and had people fly as much as 500 miles to attend from Montana and Wyoming.

In Salt Lake City we hold our seminars at the Carden School which is operated by two outstanding Freemen, Don and Anna Lou Jells.

In Utah we have held seminars all up and down the whole state from Logan to Kanab.

During the next few months we will be revising our text so that it will include all of the new and exciting information we have discovered. It will be so thoroughly documented that no one will have to ask where we found the information. As soon as the text is finished we will put the lectures on tapes and films so that we can start reaching tens of thousands.

I want all of you to know how deeply I appreciate your marvelous loyalty and support. I know many of you sacrifice both in time and money far beyond the ordinary call of duty to make this program succeed. I see some here today who have not only worked on this building but slept here at night so they could get started early the next morning. In my book all of you are cut from the stripe of the founding fathers themselves. Thanks to all of you for coming, and God bless you every one!

Introduction: In a special solemn assembly of the Church, April 6, 1986, Ezra Taft Benson was sustained as President of the Church. In what might be called his inaugural address, President Benson said he would implore the Lord to remove the scourge and the judgment which is presently threatening the Church. The Lord had talked about this scourge and threatening judgment clear back in 1833. A body of missionaries had just returned from the field and were rejoicing to be home again. But the Lord was not happy with them. They had gone forth thinking they were preaching the fulness of the gospel. The Lord said this was a display of their own vanity. He said they had not learned the fulness of the gospel themselves. It must have been shocking to these Elders of the Church as the Prophet Joseph relayed the Lord’s message to them as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord said:

“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received — which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.

“And 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.” 1

We Are Still Under Condemnation for Not Studying the Book of Mormon

Mormon had also anticipated the day when the members of the Church in our day would be worthy of a very special blessing the Lord wanted to bestow on them, but he knew this would not come until the modern Saints had achieved something which they have not yet achieved. Listen to Mormon as he was recording the teachings of the Savior to the Nephites:

“And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people; but behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people.

“And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.

“And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.” 2

Because we have not yet received the large plates of Nephi, President Benson knows we are still under the condemnation of the Lord and threatened by a scourge and a judgment if we do not repent. The revelation in 1833 described what we must do. The Lord says we must remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments.

Beautifying the Spirit With the New Covenant

Of course, the former commandments were all set forth in the old covenant given to Moses. The Lord wants us to study the old covenant and those former commandments. Of course, the prophets in the Book of Mormon knew we would have the writings of Moses in the Bible, 3 so they said very little about the old covenant and the former commandments. What they concentrated on was the new covenant which came with Christ. The new covenant did not do away with the old covenant, 4 but Jesus commanded the Saints to beautify their spirits far above the requirements of the old law.

This beautification of the spirit is the new covenant. This is why the Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes which means the beautification of the spirit. The rest of the sermon tells how this can be accomplished. When we are living the Sermon on the Mount, we are living the new covenant.

We should point out that the Sermon on the Mount can be much better understood in the Book of Mormon than the New Testament, and therefore the Lord identifies the new covenant with the Book of Mormon rather than any other scripture.

We should also point out that the Sermon on the Mount is not easy to live. In fact it is the foundation for a Zion society such as the people of Enoch lived, also the people of Melchizedek in the City of Salem, as well as the Nephites during the first 300 years after they were taught by the resurrected Christ.

I think all of us realize we are not yet living on the highly spiritual level of those great people of the past, but that’s where the Lord wants us. He wants us to lift our sights, lengthen our stride, and quicken our pace. Until we do, we are still under condemnation.

Now listen to a few more lines from President Benson’s great inaugural address:

“Now, in the authority of the sacred priesthood in me vested, I invoke my blessing upon the Latter-day Saints and upon good people everywhere.

“I bless you … that God will pour out upon each child of Zion and the Church a blessing hitherto unknown — and we will plead to the Lord that he will begin to lift the condemnation — the scourge and judgment. Of this I bear solemn witness.” 5

A Blessing Hitherto Unknown

II. What is the blessing hitherto unknown?

No doubt the blessing President Benson is talking about is the one promised by the Lord in 3 Nephi 21:22–25. There the Lord promises that if we will repent and cease to treat lightly the treasures of sacred knowledge we have received, the Lord will not only give us the large plates of Nephi containing all of the teachings of Jesus, but he will begin to lay the foundation for the New Jerusalem and establish cities of Zion from one end of America to the other.

To do this, we must sanctify the land as well as ourselves. America is the Lord’s land and he will not allow it to be desecrated. In fact, the Lord declared to the Book of Mormon prophets:

“For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fullness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.” 6

Then there follows the word of the Lord to the people who occupy America today:

“And this [warning] cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God — that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fullness come, that ye may not bring down the fullness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.” 7

America is Very Sacred to the Lord

America is very sacred to the Lord.

It was here that the Garden of Eden was planted.

It was here that Adam and Eve established their home at Adam-ondi-Adam after they were cast out of the Garden of Eden.

It was here they were first taught the gospel.

This is where Cain killed Abel.

This is where the City of Enoch was built, apparently comprising millions of people in a vast network of model cities. After 300 years this whole nation was translated. Paul refers to it in Hebrews 11:5.

This is where Noah built the ark and tried to warn the people of the great flood if they did not repent.

When Noah was 600, the Great Flood struck. According to Genesis chapter 5 plus Genesis 7:11 we know the flood engulfed the earth in 2344 B.C.

After the Great Flood, American continued to be the most choice part of the earth even thought it was not separate from the rest of the continental terrain at that time. The Book of Mormon makes this clear when it says:

“After the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof.” 8

But around 2250 B.C., in the days of Peleg, there was a great division of the tectonic plates which divided the land into continents and islands, so that America was thereafter considered a huge island by itself.

The Americas are the “Isles of the Sea”

The Book of Mormon says the prophet Isaiah knew about America and the Israelites scattered on the isles of the sea. In his book he frequently addresses himself to the “isles of the sea.” A typical example is Isaiah 49:1.

The Book of Mormon prophets were well aware that they were on an isle of the sea or a continent that had been separated from the mainland. As Jacob said:

“We have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea.

“But great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea; wherefore as it says isles, there must needs be more than this, and they are inhabited also by our brethren.

“For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure.” 9

Three great migrations to America occurred after it became an “island.” First the Jaredites came across the Atlantic around 2200 B.C. Then the Nephites came across the Pacific around 600 B.C., and were followed by the Mulekites who came across the Atlantic a few years later. The Jaredites killed themselves off in civil war around 250 B.C. and the Nephites amalgamated with the Mulekites a short time later.

After Christ established a Zion society among the Nephites, they prospered for nearly 300 years just as the City of Enoch had done, however, the Nephites were not translated. They collapsed into seventy years of civil war just like the Jaredites. Their civilization was devastated, but those who survived gradually spread out across the continent until they numbered several million people. But they had lost their heritage and a curse descended on them as the prophets had foretold. From that time forward America was virtually a lost continent. Concerning this epoch of America history, the Lord had told Lehi:

“And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance.” 10

The Discoveries of America

During the centuries which followed, America was discovered many times — by the Asiatics, the Chinese, the Scandinavians and the ancient sea kings. But none of these colonized this land. They came, made a few settlements, and then went away.

III. Nephi sees a vision of the coming of the Gentiles to America. He says:

“And it came to pass that I looked and beheld many waters; and they divided the Gentiles from the seed of my brethren….

“And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.

“And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it wrought upon other Gentiles … and it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise….

“And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance.” 11

Jesus had told the Nephites about these Gentiles and the great mission he had in store for them. He had said:

“For it is wisdom in the Father that they [the Gentiles] should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth.” 12

It is significant that the Lord was compelled to set up a “free people” before he could restore the gospel. There was no place on the face of the earth where the restoration of the gospel could have survived. In fact, it barely survived in America.

IV. When the gospel was first restored it was called three things:

1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

2. The Kingdom of God.

3. Zion.

All three of these terms were used loosely to refer to the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

However, by 1833 Joseph Smith was beginning to realize that the Church and the Kingdom of God were not the same thing even though the Lord was in charge of both of them.

The Church was established by open revelation, the ministering of angels, and the laying on of hands by those in authority.

The Kingdom of God emerged through God’s inspiration but without open revelation, without the ministering of angels, and without the laying on of hands.

The Prophet Daniel Sees The Latter-day Kingdom Established

Clear back around 600 B.C. the Lord had revealed to Daniel how it would happen. You recall that the Babylonian emperor, Nebuchadnezzar had a nightmare in which he saw a terrible image with a head of gold, a chest of silver, a belly of brass, hips and legs of iron, and toes made of iron and miry clay. The Lord told Daniel that the image represented what turned out to be around 3,000 years of brutal, bloody dictatorships. The first would be Babylon represented by the head of gold. Then came Persia represented by the chest of silver. Next came Greece under Alexander the Great represented by the belly of brass. Finally came Rome, the kingdom of iron, which divided into the two legs of the Eastern and Western Roman empires. Out of the Roman empire developed the smaller weaker kingdoms represented by the toes of iron and miry clay.

Now, after all this, here is what the Lord told Daniel to relate to Nebuchadnezzar:

“Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

“Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” 13

The U.S. Constitution Is a Precursor for the Kingdom of God on Earth

The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith, the development of the Kingdom of God cut out of the mountain without hands would go through two stages.

The first stage would be its emergence under inspiration without the laying on of hands. This would be the basis for the raising up of a “free people” under an inspired Constitution so that the gospel could be restored.

Then the gospel would be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, 14 but the gospel could only “roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountains without hands shall roll forth.” 15

In other words, a wave of passion for freedom would have to permeate each nation before the gospel could be successfully preached among its people.

The Lord then revealed to his prophet that eventually catastrophic circumstances would be such that the entire fabric of Constitutional principles would be seriously threatened with extinction and the terrified people would begin to turn to those who had honored the Law of the Covenant for leadership and guidance. Joseph Smith was told that this would happen when the Constitution would be “on the brink of ruin.” In the midst of this crisis the prophet said the people of the covenant “will be the staff on which the nation will lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction.” 16

After that, the servants of the Lord will be in charge and set up a “general council” containing representation from both the members of the Church and those who are not. This general council will take the place of our present political parties to select the best qualified people for various positions. The names of these candidates will then be presented to the people with whom they will be working for approval. Joseph Smith received a revelation on exactly how this political system will work when the Kingdom of God is operating under the inspiration of God’s chosen servants.

V. In the light of this knowledge it will be better appreciated why the General Authorities have been urging the members of the Church to diligently study the Founding Fathers and the principles they were inspired to put into the Constitution.

Joseph Smith said: “The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun.” 17

Our Responsibility to Study the Constitution

President McKay said: “No greater immediate responsibility rests upon members of the Church, upon all citizens of this Republic and of neighboring Republics than to protect the freedom vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United States.” 18

President Kimball said: “We urge members of the Church and all Americans to begin now to reflect more intently on the meaning and importance of the Constitution, and of adherence to its principles, in giving strength not only to this country but to the entire family of nations…. There is a need to rededicate ourselves to the lofty principles and practices of our founding fathers.” 19

President Benson said: “We must learn the principles of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers…. Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?

“As Jefferson said, ‘If a nation expects to be ignorant and free … it expects what never was and never will be.’” 20

The Remarkable Story of Christopher Columbus

It is interesting that from the very beginning, the spirit of inspiration whispered to various leaders that something marvelous was going to happen in America. For example:

Columbus told King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella that his expedition that led to the discovery of the America was guided by the Lord. He wrote: “I came to your Majesty as the Emissary of the Holy Ghost.” 21

Columbus said that during his dangerous expeditions he felt the power of God giving him courage and strength: “The Lord was well disposed to my desire, and he bestowed upon me courage and understanding…. Our Lord with provident hand unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my enterprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed, but who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?” 22

Nearly 2,000 years before Columbus was born he was seen in vision by the young prophet, Nephi. He wrote: “And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.” 23

Columbus is Aided by Moroni

The angelic companion of Columbus on his historic mission was the angel Moroni. In 1854, Apostle Orson Hyde gave a memorable address as part of the Fourth of July celebration. In one place he said:

“That same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the history of the early inhabitants of this country … was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by vision, respecting this New World. Trammelled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet his persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in the way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God helped him — was with him on the stormy deep, calmed the troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven.” 24

Orson Hyde called Moroni “the guardian angel of America.” 25

In his journal, Columbus wrote: “Neither reason nor mathematics nor maps of the world were of any help to me…. But the words of Isaiah were completely fulfilled…. If you have faith, you may be very confident of victory.” 26

Isaiah seemed to sense what the Book of Mormon later verified, that much of Isaiah was about America and events of the last days. The parts he felt specifically applied to him as well as others, were these passages:

“Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from afar; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name…. I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth…. Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, and the silver and gold with them…. Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come to mind.” 27

It is interesting that Nephi, the most authoritative commentator on Isaiah, said Isaiah’s words should be interpreted as applying to the reader where appropriate. 28

After the discovery of America, Columbus thought perhaps the opening up of this wonderful new land would bring about the great new age referred to by Isaiah and John the Revelator. Columbus wrote in his journal:

“Of the new heaven and the new earth which the Lord made, and of which St. John writes in the Apocalypse, as the Lord told of it through the mouth of Isaiah, he made me the messenger, and he showed me the way.” 29

There is no doubt that Columbus was well aware that he was in on something big. When others would ridicule him he would repeat the words of St. Matthew:

“I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou has hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” 30

Columbus Hears the Voice of Moroni

Insofar as the record shows, Columbus was never allowed to see or converse with his angelic guardian, but he did get to hear his voice. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, the co-authors of The Light and the Glory, describe the incident as follows:

“In the basement reading room of Beinecke Library [at Harvard] we made the discovery which would prove to be the most exciting of the entire project. In Columbus’s journal, he described an incident which took place on his fourth and final voyage…. He heard a stern voice strongly rebuke him for self-pity. The voice reminded him that the Almighty had singled out him, of all the men in his age, for the honor of bearing the Light of Christ to a new world, had given him all that he had asked for, and was recording in heaven every event of his life!” 31

Here are the actual words which Columbus recorded concerning this remarkable vision. Columbus says the angel spoke to him on April 6, 1503 with a “compassionate voice,” and said:

“O fool, so slow to believe and to serve thy God, the God of all! What more did He do for Moses or for His servant David? He has had thee in His care from the mother’s womb. When he saw thee a grown man, He caused thy name to resound most greatly over the earth. He gave thee the Indies, which are so rich a part of the world, and thou hast divided them according to thy desire. He gave thee the keys to the gates of the Ocean, which were held with such great chains. Thou wast obeyed in many lands, and thou hast won a mighty name among Christians.

“What more did He do for the people of Israel when He led them out of Egypt, or for David, that shepherd boy whom He made king in Jewry.

“Turn thyself to Him, and acknowledge thy sins. His mercy is infinite. Thine old age shall not prevent thee from achieving great things, for many and vast are His domains.

“Abraham was more than hundred years old when he begat Isaac; and Sarah, was she a girl? Thou cried for help, with doubt in thy heart. Ask thyself who has afflicted thee so grievously and so often: God or the world?

“The privileges and covenants which God giveth are not taken back by him. Nor does He say to them that have served Him that He meant it otherwise, or that it should be taken in another sense; nor does He inflict torments to show His power. Whatever He promises he fulfills with increase [interest]; for such are his ways. Thus have I told thee what the Creator has done for thee, and for all men.

“He has now revealed to me some of those rewards which await thee for the many toils and danger which thou hast endured in the service of others.”

Columbus continues:

“I heard all this as if in a trance, but I could find no reply to give to so sure a message, and all I could do was to weep over my transgressions.

“Whoever it was that had spoken ended by saying: ‘Fear not, but have faith. All these tribulations are written upon tablets of marble, and there is reason for them.’” 32

Had Columbus only known it, the angel, who obviously appears to have been Moroni, was better acquainted with suffering and sorrow than the great Admiral of the Ocean Seas. It is interesting to contemplate what it must have been like when Columbus met this angel just a little over two years later. Columbus died on Ascension Day (forty days after Easter), 1506.

America is the “New Israel”

Not only did Columbus consider America “a new heaven and a new earth,” but so did many prominent leaders of Europe and America during the next three centuries.

Nearly all of the early settlers repeatedly stated that they knew they were on a mission and that America was the “new Israel” where the preparation for the millennium would take place.

Bishop Berkely in Ireland wrote a poem referring to the fact that the four major events spoken of by Daniel had already taken place, so it was now time for the stone cut out of the mountains without hands to roll forth.

Thomas Jefferson predicted that the original gospel of Jesus Christ would be reformed and restored in America. His only regret was that it would not occur in his lifetime. He made this statement in 1820.

It was anticipated that the New Jerusalem would be built in America.

These early Founders considered America to be the main base of operations for the Lord as he prepared the world for the ushering in of the Millennium.

It is interesting that the Lord said in 1833 that it was “for this very purpose have I established the Constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this purpose.” 33

Notice that the Lord says: “I established the Constitution.” The Founders were merely instruments in the hands of the Lord. In fact, the Framers of the Constitution did such a superb job that the Lord commended them and said, “Anything that is more or less than this is evil.” No higher compliment could be paid a body of political engineers.

The Founders felt the Lord’s Spirit and talked about it. In his inaugural address George Washington said: “At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, Washington had called the final product a miracle. Madison also called it a miracle.”

Now the members of the Church are committed to three things:

1. Strengthen the Church.

2. Building up the Kingdom of God.

3. Establishing Zion.

Everyone will appreciate that up until recently it was assumed among the general membership of the Church that supporting and strengthening the Church was automatically Building up the Kingdom of God and establishing Zion. Now we learn that they are three different assignments. and the Church is under condemnation because we have not embraced the new covenant set forth in the Book of Mormon which tells us how to set up a righteous government and how to establish a Zion culture.

Strengthening the Church

VI. Strengthening the Church.

A. Strengthening the Church is threefold:

1. Getting the Saints to live the gospel by cleansing the inner vessel.

2. Perform the vicarious ordinances for those who are dead.

3. Perform the task of taking the gospel to the four corners of the earth, and flooding every nation kindred tongue and people with the Book of Mormon and the message of the restoration of the gospel. We have 39,000 missionaries in the field as of 1989. Before long the Church will need 100,000.

a. The opening up of Russia.

b. The opening up of China.

c. Opening up of Eastern Europe — Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Austria.

d. Opening of the Moslem world.

e. Opening of India.

f. Opening of Africa.

B. Preparing the Saints for leadership roles.

1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament (by) the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev’s promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers’ associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs of organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to “eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms.”

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. “Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art.”

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.”

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a “religious crutch.”

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the grounds that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the “common man.”

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the grounds that it was only a minor part of the “big picture.” Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture–education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand (or treat).

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.