The Sound of the Trump?

In these latter days, with all the hyper-ventilating by right-wing conservatives and their disciples about the insidious advance of a socialist / communist tyranny,¹ one might seriously believe that the original soundtrack of the angel flying in the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice,

Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (New Testament | Revelation 14:7)

has been updated to

Fear the socialist / communist; and give glory to the capitalist system for all her riches and delicacies; and worship² the free-market that made heaven attainable, and converted the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters into private property, etc., etc.

Except perhaps, we should return to the next original verse:

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (New Testament | Revelation 14:8)

So here again, we encounter Babylon as the enemy of God and Creation. Do we really think that Babylon’s chief voice is that of the socialist / communist who advocates:

▪ equality and a classless society?
▪ equity and justice for the proletariat (working class)?
▪ humbling of the bourgeois (wealthy elite)?
▪ common property and ownership?
▪ contempt for religion and the abuses of religion?
▪ etc.³ (For clarity, read the footnote.)

We seem to be missing the repeated message of those neglected voices from the dust⁴—those déjà vu pleadings from Book of Mormon prophets and seers who cried against:

▪ inequality and dividing into classes;⁵
▪ despising the poor and needy;⁶
▪ pride and the wearing of costly apparel;⁷
▪ building up churches for gain;⁸
▪ etc. (Read all the verses in these footnotes and ask: What system do these words describe?)

How many times must we be told in the Book of Mormon that threatened tyranny from Lamanites, dissenters, kingsmen, Gadiantons, secret combinations, etc. was almost never a real threat until after the majority of the people⁹ had, in the exercise of their agency, rejected the ways of truth, justice, mercy, love, and so forth as they pursued the ways of Babylon—the ways of power and gain, pride and inequality?

Can we not see that:

▪ a tyranny like socialism / communism (or even a NWO) is stage two in a two-stage degeneration?
▪ tyranny, by consequence, overcomes after people have first been captivated by error (by Babylonian philosophies) with flatteries, riches, vain things, inequalities, pride, etc.?
▪ we don’t understand much of cause and effect, truth and consequence relating to spiritual matters because we refuse to acknowledge the transrational—the science of Heaven¹⁰?
▪ spiritual laws governing growth and progression, justice and mercy, flesh and spirit, life and death can be as unyielding to corruption, ignorance, egoism, or hubris as certain laws of physics and chemistry?
▪ tyranny can be a linear consequence that God makes use of in working out His transrational purposes within the agency of man?

And the Lord God said unto me: They shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in remembrance of me; and inasmuch as they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them even unto destruction. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:25)

The promises of God to the faithful are repeated time and again, beginning with Moses:

The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 28:7; see numerous others at footnote 11 below.)

It seems we have a terrible time admitting that “Fear God” means “repent OR face the mien of Justice.” Instead, we keep pursuing the ways and means of the flesh,¹² of the world, of Babylon—being immersed in a corrupted, capitalist, corporatist system—where we spend a fortune arming against enemies and scaring ourselves because we have already sold ourselves.

The tragic fact is that IF tyranny, of whatever nature, becomes a serious threat, it is likely we have already fallen to the seductions and errors of the world by our own free will and choice (and maybe ignorance).

The good news is—there is a way back. It is to turn around¹³ before it’s too late. It is to heed the sound of the (transrational) trump.

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1. Communism being the political system that uses extreme socialism as its economic system. For those who will see, Zion and Socialism / Communism share many features, but the critical difference is that one is freely chosen; the other is administered through coercion. And if we think coercion is the main tool of the adversary, I suggest we are mistaken. He captivates far more souls through their agency, than will ever be eternally enslaved through coercion. See also: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/12/deception-inc.html
2. “Worship at the altar of the free-market”: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/05/truth-be-told.html
3. (most of which turn out, in practice, to be a sham, as “leftist” leaders get caught up in the seductions of power and gain)
4. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:54-58 ~ 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.
5. Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:32 ~ And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 6:10-18 ~ But it came to pass in the twenty and ninth year there began to be some disputings among the people; and some were lifted up unto pride and boastings because of their exceedingly great riches, yea, even unto great persecutions; For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers. And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches. Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God. And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world. And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity; therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years. And thus, in the commencement of the thirtieth year—the people having been delivered up for the space of a long time to be carried about by the temptations of the devil whithersoever he desired to carry them, and to do whatsoever iniquity he desired they should—and thus in the commencement of this, the thirtieth year, they were in a state of awful wickedness. Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did wilfully rebel against God.
6. Book of Mormon | Alma 4:12 ~ Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.
Book of Mormon | Alma 5:53-55 ~ And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, … Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them?
Book of Mormon | Alma 28:13 ~ And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.
7. Book of Mormon | Alma 1:4-6 ~ And [Nehor] also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life. And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money. And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching.
Book of Mormon | Alma 1:32 ~ For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible.
Book of Mormon | Alma 4:6-11 ~ And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign of the judges, that the people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their fine-twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds, and their gold and their silver, and all manner of precious things, which they had obtained by their industry; and in all these things were they lifted up in the pride of their eyes, for they began to wear very costly apparel. Now this was the cause of much affliction to Alma, yea, and to many of the people whom Alma had consecrated to be teachers, and priests, and elders over the church; yea, many of them were sorely grieved for the wickedness which they saw had begun to be among their people. For they saw and beheld with great sorrow that the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure. And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God. And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling–block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress. And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.
Book of Mormon | Alma 31:27-28 ~ Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. Behold, O God, they cry unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness, with the vain things of the world. Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.
Book of Mormon | Helaman 13:27-29 ~ But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet. Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him. O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?
8. Book of Mormon | 4 Nephi 1:24-26 ~ And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world. And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them. And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.
9. Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:26-27 ~ Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.
Book of Mormon | Alma 10:19 - 21 ~ ...yea, well did [Mosiah] say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction. And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people, by the voice of his angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Yea, well doth he cry, by the voice of his angels that: I will come down among my people, with equity and justice in my hands.
10.  Transrational: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2012/11/transrational.html ; http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2013/11/god-is-not-rational.html
11.   Protection from enemies:
» For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous. Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire. (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 22:16-17)
» He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:22)
» And behold, according to the words of the prophet, the Messiah will set himself again the second time to recover them; wherefore, he will manifest himself unto them in power and great glory, unto the destruction of their enemies, when that day cometh when they shall believe in him; and none will he destroy that believe in him. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 6:14)
» Wherefore, the people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies. (Book of Mormon | Jacob 7:25)
» Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. (Book of Mormon | Omni 1:7)
» And now, my brethren, I would that ye should do as ye have hitherto done. As ye have kept my commandments, and also the commandments of my father, and have prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies, even so if ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God which shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 2:31)
» And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies. And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of my people. And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 11:21-23)
» ... because of their iniquities they were brought into bondage. And were it not for the interposition of their all–wise Creator, and this because of their sincere repentance, they must unavoidably remain in bondage until now. But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:18-20)
» And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren? (Book of Mormon | Alma 9:10)
» For were it not for the wickedness which first commenced at our head, we could have withstood our enemies that they could have gained no power over us. (Book of Mormon | Alma 60:15)
» But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us. (Book of Mormon | Alma 61:13)
» And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, and also all those great cities which are round about, which are in the land of our possession, shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them; for behold, the Lord will not grant unto you strength, as he has hitherto done, to withstand against your enemies. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 7:22)
» Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity. And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him. O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world! Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom's paths! (Book of Mormon | Helaman 12:2-5)
» And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 4:33)
12. The Flesh: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/the-flesh.html ; http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/the-divided-soul.html
13. The Doctrine of Two Ways: see http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/up-or-down.html

The Pity Ploy

(“It’s not my fault!”)

In her book, The Sociopath Next Door, Martha Stout gives her assessment of the best tip-off to avoiding sociopaths. It is not “some sinister-sounding detail of behavior or snippet of body language or threatening use of language that is the subtle give-away” for “none of these things is reliably present” (p. 107). She continues:

Rather the best clue is, of all things, the pity ploy. The most reliable sign, the most universal behavior of unscrupulous people is not directed, as one might imagine, at our fearfulness. It is perversely, an appeal to our sympathy (p. 107).

When deciding whom to trust, bear in mind that the combination of consistently bad or egregiously inadequate behavior with frequent plays for your pity is as close to a warning mark on a conscienceless person’s forehead as you will ever be given (p. 109).

All of which is a fascinating insight considering the brief profile of the first conscienceless person identified by name. Here is what was written of Cain after he murdered his brother Abel.

And Cain gloried in that which he had done, saying: I am free; surely the flocks of my brother falleth into my hands.

Then God appears on the scene.

And the Lord said unto Cain: Where is Abel, thy brother?

And he said: I know not. Am I my brother's keeper?

And the Lord said: What hast thou done?
The voice of thy brother's blood cries unto me from the ground.
And now thou shalt be cursed from the earth
which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand.
When thou tillest the ground
it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength.
A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
(Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:33-37)

Now, comes the pity ploy.

And Cain said unto the Lord:
Satan tempted me because of my brother's flocks.
And I was wroth also; for his offering thou didst accept^[1] and not mine;
my punishment is greater than I can bear.
Behold thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the Lord,
and from thy face shall I be hid;
and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth;
and it shall come to pass, that he that findeth me will slay me,
because of mine iniquities, for these things are not hid from the Lord.
(Moses 5:38-39)

And so it began and so it continues, and will continue unless we awaken to things as they were and as they now are; and thenceforth follow the advice:

Never agree, out of pity or for any other reason, to help a sociopath conceal his or her true character [or crimes]. ... Other people deserve to be warned more than sociopaths deserve to have you keep their secrets (Stout, pp. 161-162).

And that goes especially for the human agents of sociopathic / psychopathic institutions, societies, clubs, organizations, and nations.

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1. Some have wondered why

… the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering; But unto Cain, and to his offering, he had not respect. Now Satan knew this, and it pleased him. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (Moses 5:20-21)

(Note: it is not because Cain’s offering was the fruits of the field, for “first fruits” are acceptable. Listen to the temple endowment words.)

There may be several factors to account for God’s lack of respect, but surely this reason is foremost:

And Cain loved Satan more than God. And Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offering unto the Lord. (Moses 5:18)

So, Cain was acting in obedience to Satan, not God. Also, we do not know the quality of Cain’s offering, but we do know he already had an attitude problem:

Who is the Lord that I should know him? (Moses 5:16)
And Cain was wroth, and listened not any more to the voice of the Lord, (Moses 5:26)

Thus, his perceived “obedience” to God was just the opposite.

Without Conscience

Perhaps the greatest obstacle that believers / unbelievers have in accepting the mind-boggling horrors perpetrated by conspiracies and secret combinations¹ is the incomprehensibility of humans living without conscience. Yet, it is now estimated that there are 4 in every 100 (1 in 25) who do so—many of whom are in positions of power and leadership.

For a flavor of what it means to live without conscience, you can read The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout, Ph.D.; or begin with this audio introduction:



at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFVrvoYTGu0 .

But the great tragedy is that there are 96 out of 100 who do have conscience, and yet our world is in desperate straits:

» toxic medicines, foods, air, and water;
» pervasive business, government, and science frauds and scams;
» state-sponsored or contracted torture and murder;
» violations of human and legal rights;
» perpetual wars;
» police brutality;
» genocides;
» oppression;
» and on and on.

BUT, why do those of conscience tolerate the machinations of those without conscience?

Here are some possible reasons why:

▪ failure to recognize psychopathic / sociopathic traits and behaviors;
▪ inability to accept that there are people without conscience (PWOC) despite the evidence;
▪ too much participation and pleasure in the “trickle-down” perks of money, power, fame, immunity, etc. with which PWOC often surround themselves;
▪ fear of exposure after violating one’s conscience or moral code at the persuasion / instigation of PWOC;
▪ threats, intimidation, blackmail;
▪ fear of what PWOC might resort to if they perceive themselves as “betrayed” or offended;
▪ difficulty in standing up to “authority” figures² for many people with conscience (PWC);
▪ impressive favors and rewards accruing to PWOC by way of competitive capitalism;
▪ acceptance of aggressive self-interest in cultures that promote extreme individuality and bottom-line;
▪ “pity-me” (victim) ploys invoked by many PWOC to keep their game going;
▪ tendency of PWC to be trusting, courteous, forgiving, hopeful, etc.
▪ shaming, denigration, mockery, etc. of PWC;
▪ believing mind-boggling, massive lies and deceptions concocted and perpetrated by PWOC because, as Hitler, a classic person without conscience, wrote:

... the broad masses … more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods. It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation. For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying. —Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, vol. I, ch. X (See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_lie ).

And so, 4% of the population (along with a sizable portion of conned or corrupted PWC) have managed, with the above and other strategies, to exercise enough power, control, and deception to bring the entire world to the brink of disaster. (Most of us can’t even fathom how close!) So what can the remaining percentile of people with conscience do? Perhaps we can begin immediately and aggressively to act by:

▪ refusing any and all association or support of PWOC, including faux-persons (being many corporations);
▪ daring to question things and to speak up;
▪ continually demanding accountability, consequence, and responsibility for harms done;
▪ recognizing how immersed we are in the ways of Babylon (the archetypical fraternity of PWOC);
▪ supporting local small business for all needs;
▪ sourcing small business products as locally as possible;
▪ banking with local credit unions;
▪ sharing more and making do with less;
▪ living the gift-economy as much as possible;
▪ participating in reputable income-generating programs for suffering peoples;
▪ recommitting to personal moral values and integrity (no matter the cost);
▪ repenting of our failures and paying the consequences (no matter the cost) in order to be free of PWOC and their disciples.

Albert Einstein said:

The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.³

So, let us do whatever we can. If enough PWC can reject the ways of Babylon and of PWOC, perhaps we can, even in the midst of chaos, look confidently to the promise:

[L]et us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 123:17)

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1. See http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/12/unbelievers.html
2. See the Stanley Milgram experiment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment . Despite some controversy, his findings have been replicated showing that as many as 63 % of people will act against conscience at the instigation of an authority figure.
3. As quoted in The Sociopath Next Door: The Ruthless Versus the Rest of Us by Martha Stout, p. 106.
Other relevant quotes from Stout’s book:

» ...life without conscience is deception and illusion (p. 91).
» What sociopaths want, what motivates them, is completely outside our experience (p. 96).
» The most reliable sign, the most universal behavior of unscrupulous people is not directed, as we might imagine, at our fearfulness. It is, perversely, an appeal to our sympathy (p. 107).
» ... American society seems to allow and even encourage me-first attitudes elevated to the pursuit of domination (p. 136).
» ... our culture, which informs them resoundingly that their ability to act guiltlessly on their own behalf is the ultimate advantage (p. 137).

Deception, Inc. ?

Frankly, it is discouraging to hear good Christians rail against socialism¹ as the great enemy of God and mankind—as if socialism were the despised Babylon. Yet the facts witness that socialism is a convenient decoy to keep us distracted from the real Babylon.

What are those facts?

▪ Socialism has never had the capacity, incentives, or excess to constitute Babylon with all her merchants and her

merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. (New Testament | Revelations 13:12-13)

▪ Socialism is not “clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! (New Testament | Revelations 13:16) Or as Nephi describes:

I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots. And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church. (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 13:7-8)

▪ Socialism will never achieve the prosperity or opulence ascribed to Babylon.

▪ Socialism is essentially a national merchant with everyone working for the one (corrupted) merchant-state which, more often than not, presides over scarcity and rationing.

So, if we want to discover who Babylon really is, and shift our paradigm and focus to the greater enemy, maybe we should ask some comparative questions, like:

What economic system:

» has a surfeit of merchants?
» is known for its “abundance of delicacies” (as opposed to recurring scarcity and rationing)?
» owns malls, media, and markets that promise: “You can buy anything in this world with money” (and then offers it, no matter how depraved or trivial)?
» makes massive profits from perpetuating the myths of free markets, “invisible hand,” faux-personhood, meritocracy, trickle-down, and on and on?
» co-ops freedom and free-markets in order to amass private oligopolies, monopolies, and tyrannies?
» enslaves more persons worldwide (including faux-persons) with credit and debt?
» manipulates global markets, strategies, and governments?
» measures everything in terms of money and bottom-line?
» profits most from war and disease?
» traffics in (i.e., buys and sells with money) the souls of men (via HyPE² contracts; perks; bonuses; loyalty demands; investments without accountability; promises of wealth, power, immunity; etc.)?
» sells to and buys up armies and navies, politicians and pundits, researchers and writers, publishers and performers, churches and colleges, actors and activists, lawyers and lobbyists, and on and on (as opposed to nationalizing / expropriating / confiscating, / prohibiting / threatening, etc.)?
» has a foundation and future that depends on perpetual, unsustainable growth and increasingly transitory stuff?
» best fits the description of John the Revelator in prophesying the nature and fall of Babylon:

… the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (New Testament | Revelation 18:3)

the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: (Ibid. 18:11)

The merchants of these things,^[3] which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate (Ibid. 18:15-19)?

Socialism (like every other economic system of the world) is administered by the Natural Man⁴ who will forever siphon-off the most and best of everything for self and let the common man portion out the remaining, minor percentage. Socialism may speak fine words (equity and justice for the working class), but just like Democrats and Republicans, Conservatives and Liberals, it all goes by the board when perks and privileges come knocking at the door of power-hungry leaders. Thus, we are sadly misled if we think that Socialism, with all its scarcities and rationing, is the great archenemy, which God defines as Babylon.⁵ We are even more tragically misled to think that the excesses and disparities of Babylon can be ignored or, even worse, praised and promoted as the inherent, just rewards of (what must surely be!) God’s economy.⁶

When do we finally clue-in that God’s economy is not of this world? And if we don’t clue-in, is that the great deception?

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1. It seems in recent decades that Socialism (an economic system) has replaced Communism (a political system) as the great enemy. They are in fact linked because Communism manages its economics through an extreme form of socialism (or at least pretends to). But Communism / Socialism is as susceptible to the tendencies of the Natural Man (fn 4) as all other systems are, so we always find at the “classless” top of communist / socialist systems, a group of privileged elites who come nowhere near sharing the lot of the common man. Communism / socialism always descends into a pretense of itself, just as democratic / republican / free-market systems do.
2.  (Highly Paid Employee)
3. [“the fruits that thy soul lusted after”; all things which were dainty and goodly” (New Testament |  Revelations 18:14]
4. The Natural Man: Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:19 ~ For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Book of Mormon | Alma 41:11 ~ … all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.
Book of Mormon | Alma 42:10 ~ Therefore, as they [mankind] had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.
5. Additional descriptions of Babyon:
» Old Testament | Isaiah 13:19 ~ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, (See also: Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 23:19)
» Old Testament | Isaiah 14:4) ~ … the golden city …
» New Testament | Revelation 18:3 ~ For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
» New Testament | Revelation 18:9-19 ~ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Compare with Book of Mormon, great and abominable Church:
» Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 13:4-9 ~ And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles the formation of a great church. And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity. And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it. And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots. And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church. And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints of God, and bring them down into captivity.
6. Do we think the word free in free-markets is the operative word? Or is this scripture more on point?

... freely ye have received, freely give. (New Testament | Matthew 10:8)

See also: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2013/12/gods-economy-christmas-perspective.html and http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/06/gods-economy-is-it-possible.html

Unbelievers?

If ever there were a people who should believe in the déjà vus and evils of conspiracies and secret combinations that are intent on destroying the work and glory of God,¹ it should be the latter-day people of the Books,² and yet it seems the majority are unbelievers (as manifest through attitudes and behavior), or as Jeremiah lamented:

Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: (Old Testament | Jeremiah 5:21)

There are also numerous other witnesses crying in the wilderness, and where are we?—too tired after enduring the daily demands of life to investigate?—too naive?—too trusting in the arm of flesh?—too stressed with debt, disease, distractions, busy-ness?—too anesthetized with the processed, denatured products of corporate “food”?—too immersed in the perks and pleasures of Babylon?—too persuaded or shamed by the nay-sayers and de-bunkers of “conspiracy theories” as they mock from the great-and-spacious-building?³

Yes, it is hard to fathom the depth of iniquity of a Master Mahan⁴ and those numerous committed disciples who murder for gain—but history is full of them; and so are current events.

Take your pick:

▪ Making a Killing: The Untold Story of Psychotropic Drugging ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tse5TtcNZ8U ~ (Time: 1.34.42); also Dr. Ann Blake-Tracy at http://www.drugawareness.org/ ; Robert Whitaker podcast on Psychiatric Drugs at http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/features/2014/06/08/robert-whitaker-on-psychiatric-drugs/ (Time: 29.50)
▪ Seeds of Death ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUd9rRSLY4A ~ (Time: 1.19.37)
▪ Geoengineering ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W3_ymVSqRg ~ (Time: 1:17:43); see also Dane Wigington at http://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/
▪ Salt, Sugar, Fat ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxFmqajTn3c (Time: 44.49); Also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3fiYKnYECQ ~ (Time 18:25)
▪ Power, Money, and Wall Street ~ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/money-power-wall-street/ ~ (Time: 4 parts, about 1 hour each)
▪ Toxic Sludge is Good for You: ~ The Public Relations Industry Unspun by John Stauber ~ http://vimeo.com/80599109 ~ (Time: 44:51)

And this is just a small sampling!

So, why should we pay attention to conspiracy? Here’s why:

Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation— (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 89:4)

And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:22)

And they [the secret oaths and combinations] have caused the destruction of this [Jaredite] people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi. And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not. Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up. For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning. (Book of Mormon | Ether 8:21-25; bold emphasis added.)

And now, I will speak unto you concerning those twenty–four plates, that ye keep them, that the mysteries and the works of darkness, and their secret works, or the secret works of those people who have been destroyed, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, all their murders, and robbings, and their plunderings, and all their wickedness and abominations, may be made manifest unto this people; (Book of Mormon | Alma 37:21)

And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness his brother should do he should not be injured by his brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant. And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 6:22-23)

Now behold, those secret oaths and covenants did not come forth unto Gadianton from the records which were delivered unto Helaman; but behold, they were put into the heart of Gadianton by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit— Yea, that same being who did plot with Cain, that if he would murder his brother Abel it should not be known unto the world. And he did plot with Cain and his followers from that time forth. And also it is that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was that same being who led on the people who came from that tower into this land; who spread the works of darkness and abominations over all the face of the land, until he dragged the people down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell. Yea, it is that same being who put it into the heart of Gadianton to still carry on the work of darkness, and of secret murder; and he has brought it forth from the beginning of man even down to this time. And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 6:26-30, bold emphasis added.)

And the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of the secret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophets. And they did cause a great contention in the land, insomuch that the more righteous part of the people had nearly all become wicked; yea, there were but few righteous men among them. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 7:6-7)

And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the 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 abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 16:10)

Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 30:2)

For so great had been the spreading of this wicked and secret society that it had corrupted the hearts of all the people; (Book of Mormon | Ether 9:6)

And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God [in thought, word, and deed?⁵] belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth. (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 14:10)

Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 18:20)

Perhaps the greatest reason to pay attention could be voiced in the same words given to the Saints 175 years ago:

It is an imperative duty that we owe to God,
to angels, with whom we shall be brought to stand,
and also to ourselves, to our wives and children,
who have been made to bow down with grief, sorrow, and care,
under the most damning hand
of murder, tyranny, and oppression,
supported and urged on and upheld
by the influence of that spirit
which hath so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers,
who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of the children,
and filled the world with confusion,
and has been growing stronger and stronger,
and is now the very mainspring of all corruption,
and the whole earth groans
under the weight of its iniquity.

It is an iron yoke, it is a strong band;
they are the very handcuffs, and chains,
and shackles, and fetters of hell.

Therefore it is an imperative duty that we owe,
not only to our own wives and children,
but to the widows and fatherless,
whose husbands and fathers have been murdered
under its iron hand;

Which dark and blackening deeds are enough
to make hell itself shudder,
and to stand aghast and pale,
and the hands of the very devil to tremble and palsy.
And also it is an imperative duty that we owe
to all the rising generation,
and to all the pure in heart—

For there are many yet on the earth
among all sects, parties, and denominations,
who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive,
and who are only kept from the truth
because they know not where to find it—

Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives
in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness,
wherein we know them;
and they are truly manifest from heaven—

These should then be attended to with great earnestness.

Let no man count them as small things;
for there is much which lieth in futurity,
pertaining to the saints,
which depends upon these things.

You know, brethren, that a very large ship
is benefited very much
by a very small helm in the time of a storm,
by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren [and sisters],
let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power;
and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance,
to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 123:7-17)

So, are we believers or unbelievers? What do our thoughts, words, and deeds witness? What is the legacy we are leaving to the children? Do we really believe?

… I will not spare any that remain in Babylon. Wherefore, if ye believe me, ye will labor while it is called today. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 64:24-25)

---------------------------/
1. Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:39 ~ For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
2. (Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, Bible)
3. Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 8:26-27 ~ And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.
Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 12:18 ~ And the large and spacious building, …, is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men. (also 11:35 ~ “the world and the wisdom thereof”)
4. Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:28-31 ~ And it came to pass that Cain took one of his brothers' daughters to wife, and they loved Satan more than God. And Satan said unto Cain: Swear unto me by thy throat, and if thou tell it thou shalt die; and swear thy brethren by their heads, and by the living God, that they tell it not; for if they tell it, they shall surely die; and this that thy father may not know it; and this day I will deliver thy brother Abel into thine hands. And Satan sware unto Cain that he would do according to his commands. And all these things were done in secret. And Cain said: Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain. Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness.
Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:49-52 ~ For Lamech having entered into a covenant with Satan, after the manner of Cain, wherein he became Master Mahan, master of that great secret which was administered unto Cain by Satan; and Irad, the son of Enoch, having known their secret, began to reveal it unto the sons of Adam; Wherefore Lamech, being angry, slew him, not like unto Cain, his brother Abel, for the sake of getting gain, but he slew him for the oath's sake. For, from the days of Cain, there was a secret combination, and their works were in the dark, and they knew every man his brother. Wherefore the Lord cursed Lamech, and his house, and all them that had covenanted with Satan; for they kept not the commandments of God, and it displeased God, and he ministered not unto them, and their works were abominations, and began to spread among all the sons of men. And it was among the sons of men.
5. Book of Mormon | Mosiah 4:30 ~ But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

A Few Additional Witnesses:
▪ The World According to Monsanto ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6_DbVdVo-k ~ (Time 1.49.01)
▪ Sugar: The Bitter Truth ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM ~ (Time: 1.26.29)
▪ Vaccines: The Toxic Truth ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03K2ONrFiYc ~ (Time: 55.52)
▪ Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA736oK9FPg ~ (Time 1.33.41)
▪ The Merchants of Cool (PBS Documentary) ~ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/view/ ~ (Time: 58:26)
▪ The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power by Joel Bakan et al. ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6zQO7JytzQ ~ (Time: 2.25.18)

Additional Scriptures:
For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven— Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined. And now I show unto you a mystery, a thing which is had in secret chambers, to bring to pass even your destruction in process of time, and ye knew it not; (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 38:11-13)

… the father of lies, … who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:9)

Wherefore, for this cause, that my covenants may be fulfilled which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh, I must needs destroy the secret works of darkness, and of murders, and of abominations. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 10:15)

For there was one Gadianton, who was exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery; (Book of Mormon | Helaman 2:4)

For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 6:17)

And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 6:38)

And behold, they both belong to your secret band, whose author is Gadianton and the evil one who seeketh to destroy the souls of men. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 8:28)

And it was this secret band of robbers who did carry on this work of destruction and wickedness. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 11:2)

And thus in time, yea, even in the space of not many years, they became an exceedingly great band of robbers; and they did search out all the secret plans of Gadianton; and thus they became robbers of Gadianton. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 11:26)

… the Gadianton robbers, who dwelt upon the mountains, who did infest the land; for so strong were their holds and their secret places that the people could not overpower them; therefore they did commit many murders, and did do much slaughter among the people. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 1:27)

And it shall come in a day when the blood of saints shall cry unto the Lord, because of secret combinations and the works of darkness. Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be denied, and churches become defiled and be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of them who belong to their churches. (Book of Mormon | Mormon 8:27-28)

Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads? (Book of Mormon | Mormon 8:40)

Now the daughter of Jared was exceedingly fair. And it came to pass that she did talk with her father, and said unto him: Whereby hath my father so much sorrow? Hath he not read the record which our fathers brought across the great deep? Behold, is there not an account concerning them of old, that they by their secret plans did obtain kingdoms and great glory? (Book of Mormon | Ether 8:9)

And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish. And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning. And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms. And it was the daughter of Jared who put it into his heart to search up these things of old; and Jared put it into the heart of Akish; wherefore, Akish administered it unto his kindred and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever thing he desired. And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God; (Book of Mormon | Ether 8:15-18)

And they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord, because of their wicked combinations; wherefore, there began to be wars and contentions in all the land, and also many famines and pestilences, insomuch that there was a great destruction, such an one as never had been known upon the face of the earth; and all this came to pass in the days of Shiblom. ... And it came to pass that there arose a rebellion among the people, because of that secret combination which was built up to get power and gain; and there arose a mighty man among them in iniquity,(Book of Mormon | Ether 11:7, 15)

And even now, let him that goeth to the east teach them that shall be converted to flee to the west, and this in consequence of that which is coming on the earth, and of secret combinations. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 42:64)

And the children of men were numerous upon all the face of the land. And in those days Satan had great dominion among men, and raged in their hearts; and from thenceforth came wars and bloodshed; and a man's hand was against his own brother, in administering death, because of secret works, seeking for power.(Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:15)

Up or Down?

(Doctrine of the Two Ways)

Hugh Nibley: By the very nature of things, there is no third way—as the early Jewish and Christian writers remind us repeatedly in their doctrine of the Two Ways. According to this oldest and best-established of teachings (though quite unpopular with the conventional Christianity and Judaism of our time), there are Two Ways lying before every person in this life, the Way of Light and the Way of Darkness, the Way of Life and the Way of Death; and every mortal every day of his life is required to make a choice between them. Unfortunately for our peace of mind, any compromise between the Two Ways is out of the question, since they lead in opposite directions. As the wise Heraclitus pointed out long ago, "The up-road and the down-road are one and the same." Which one you are on depends entirely on the way you are facing.¹

So, for starters, let’s look at the “down-road” as that seems to be the one historically (and currently) preferred, despite numerous directives and lamentations. Here is a sample from God (and His prophets):

▪ Behold, I, the Lord, who was crucified for the sins of the world, give unto you a commandment that you shall forsake the world. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 53:2)

▪ And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 25:10)

▪ And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (New Testament | Romans 12:2)

▪ And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 59:9)

▪ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (New Testament | James 1:27)

▪ Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (New Testament | James 4:4)

▪ Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (New Testament | 2 Peter 1:4)

▪ Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (New Testament | Colossians 2:8)

▪ Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (New Testament | Titus 2:12)

▪ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (New Testament | 1 John 2:15-17)

▪ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (New Testament | 1 John 5:4-5)

▪ Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you. (Book of Mormon | Alma 39:14)

▪ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (New Testament | John 15:18-19)

And though, by these words, it is clear that the way of the world leads away from God, yet:

He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:24)

And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. (Book of Mormon | Ether 12:33)

So apparently it all comes down to one road. Do we go up or down? We decide.

Though from the witness of trivial, vain, and excessive things,² it seems the majority of us do not really believe in the “Doctrine of Two Ways.” When at last, we appear before the pleading bar³ of God what will we plead? “I didn’t know.” “I didn’t understand.” “I thought I was doing OK—maybe even great.” “Nobody told me otherwise.” “I guess, I didn’t remember it was that important.” “Anyway, the test was awfully hard.” “Everybody was talking mercy and I forgot—justice and judgment.”

Or should we just keep it short and say, “Babylon beguiled me and I did eat”?

And what will the great Judge say? Maybe nothing. Maybe He will just hand us our scriptures.

----------------------/
1. (Hugh Nibley, Approaching Zion, edited by Don E. Norton [Salt Lake City and Provo: Deseret Book Co., Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1989], 30-31.)
More Nibley from the same source:
* There is an unbridgeable gap between Zion and Babylon. We cannot compromise on the two ways, because the two ways lead in opposite directions. In recent years, the course of the whole world has suddenly and dramatically vindicated the position taken by the early saints and largely forgotten by their descendants. We are discovering that there really are two worlds; that the one leads to sure destruction written in capital letters on everything we behold, as Joseph Smith put it, fn and only the other offers salvation. This is the ancient doctrine of the "Two Ways" taught in the early church—the way of darkness and the way of light. fn It was impossible to try to compromise between them because they led in opposite directions. (18-19.)
* When we try to mix Zion and Babylon, Babylon has already won the game. It is amazing that any teaching so fundamental and so clear-cut could be so effectively silenced today among people professing to preach and to practice the restored gospel. (18-19.)
2. as in: houses, garages, retreats, lands, estates, cupboards, clothes, closets, storage units, storage sheds, cars, car-less garages, RVs, boats, toys, tools, equipment, devices, electronics, phones, TVs, dishes, furniture, décor (especially Xmas, Halloween, etc.), shareholdings, investments, accounts, etc., etc. If this list offends, well … perhaps it’s just a déjà vu reflex of the flesh! Anyway, to clear the air, not all things of the world are bad, only when we misuse or abuse or become obsessed, burdened, or distracted with them. So once again, I confess, in the near words of Groucho Marx: “These are my [views]; if you don’t like them, I have others.”
3. From The Book of Mormon: The Earliest Text edited by Royal Skousen (2009) where he corrects “pleasing bar” to “pleading bar” in both Jacob 6:13 and Moroni 10:34.

» Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the plea[d]ing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen. (Jacob 6:13)
» And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the plea[d]ing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen. (Moroni 10:34)

More references to “the way of the world”:
(Does repetition count in the gravity of a matter?)

NEW TESTAMENT:
» Matthew 13:22 ~ He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
» Matthew 16:26 ~ For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (see also: Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25)
» John 1:29-30 ~ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
» John 12:25 ~ He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
» John 14:17 ~ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
» John 16:33 ~ These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
» John 17:14-16 ~ I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
» John 18:36 ~ Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
» 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 ~ For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
» 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 ~ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
» 1 Corinthians 2:6-12 ~ Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
» 2 Corinthians 4:4 ~ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
» 2 Corinthians 7:10 ~ For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
» Galatians 1:4 ~ Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
» Galatians 6:14 ~ But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
» Ephesians 2:2 ~ Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
» Ephesians 6:12 ~ For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
» 1 Timothy 6:7 ~ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
» 2 Peter 2:20-21 ~ For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
» 1 John 3:13 ~ Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
» 1 John 4:1-5 ~ BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
» 1 John 5:19 ~ And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

BOOK OF MORMON:
» 1 Nephi 6:5 ~ Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world.
» 1 Nephi 11:36 ~ And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great.
» 1 Nephi 13:9 ~ And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints of God, and bring them down into captivity.
» 1 Nephi 22:23 ~ For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet.
» 2 Nephi 9:18 ~ But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.
» 2 Nephi 9:30 ~ But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.
» 2 Nephi 26:29 ~ He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
» 2 Nephi 27:16 ~ And now, because of the glory of the world and to get gain will they say this, and not for the glory of God.
» Mosiah 4:22-23 ~ And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done. I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.
» Alma 1:16 ~ Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor.
» Alma 4:8 ~ For they saw and beheld with great sorrow that the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure.
» Alma 5:37 ~ O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!
» Alma 5:53 ~ And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches?
» Alma 7:6 ~ But behold, I trust that ye are not in a state of so much unbelief as were your brethren; I trust that ye are not lifted up in the pride of your hearts; yea, I trust that ye have not set your hearts upon riches and the vain things of the world; yea, I trust that you do not worship idols, but that ye do worship the true and the living God, and that ye look forward for the remission of your sins, with an everlasting faith, which is to come.
» Alma 31:27-28 ~ Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. Behold, O God, they cry unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness, with the vain things of the world. Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.
» Alma 60:32 ~ Behold, can you suppose that the Lord will spare you and come out in judgment against the Lamanites, when it is the tradition of their fathers that has caused their hatred, yea, and it has been redoubled by those who have dissented from us, while your iniquity is for the cause of your love of glory and the vain things of the world?
» Alma 60:36 ~ Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country.
» Helaman 7:4-5 ~ And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment–seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men; Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—
» Helaman 7:21 ~ But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity.
» Helaman 12:4 ~ O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!
» 3 Nephi 6:15 ~ Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world.
» 4 Nephi 1:24 ~ And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.
» Ether 8:7 ~ And now Jared became exceedingly sorrowful because of the loss of the kingdom, for he had set his heart upon the kingdom and upon the glory of the world.
» Mormon 8:38-41 ~ O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world? Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not? Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads? Behold, the sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer.

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS:
» Section 1:16 ~ They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.
» Section 29:4 ~ Verily, I say unto you that ye are chosen out of the world to declare my gospel with the sound of rejoicing, as with the voice of a trump.
» Section 35:13-14 ~ Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of my Spirit; And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them.
» Section 39:9 ~ Nevertheless, thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of the world.
» Section 40:2 ~ And he received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution and the cares of the world caused him to reject the word.
» Section 50:8 ~ But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.
» Section 50:41-42 ~ Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.
» Section 58:39 ~ And let him repent of his sins, for he seeketh the praise of the world.
» Section 64:2 ~ For verily I say unto you, I will that ye should overcome the world; wherefore I will have compassion upon you.
» Section 95:13 ~ Now here is wisdom, and the mind of the Lord—let the house be built, not after the manner of the world, for I give not unto you that ye shall live after the manner of the world;
» Section 101:36 ~ Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.
» Section 103:7-8 ~ And by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given unto the saints, to possess it forever and ever. But inasmuch as they keep not my commandments, and hearken not to observe all my words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against them.
» Section 121:34-36 ~ Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
» Section 132:22-23 ~ For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me. But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.
» Section 134:12 ~ We believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world:
» Section 135:6 ~ … the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption.