Chapter One

Chapter One

Follow the Prophet

D&C 21:4-7

Receive the prophet’s words as if from God himself and use them to evaluate all other counsel.

We have a prophet living on the earth today. He is the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He alone has the right to receive revelation for the entire Church. He alone holds the “keys of the kingdom,” meaning he directs the administration of the ordinances.

Latter-day Saints sustain the first presidency and the twelve apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. However, when we speak of “the prophet” we mean the President of the Church, the President of the High Priesthood. No other person is authorized to receive God’s will for the membership of the Church. (See Gospel Principles [1978, Revised 1979, 1981], pp. 44-45.)

1. The Prophet Is Like Unto Moses

■D&C 107:91-92. “And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses--

“Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church.”

How is the Prophet “like unto Moses?” Do we sometimes feel that if we had a prophet like Moses, we would be let with greater manifestations of power than we now are? Yet, we know that the same spirit of revelation that rested upon Moses and enabled him to lead the children of Israel through the Red Sea rests upon the President of the Church today.

■Moses 1:25. “Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee, and thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God.”

Moses was told that the waters would obey his command “as if thou wert God” and they certainly did.

■Helaman 12:7-8 (7-16). “O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth.

“For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God.”

Because the dust of the earth is always obedient to God whereas the children of men are not always obedient, the children of men are here referred to as “less than the dust of the earth.” The elements are obedient to God and his prophet. Shouldn’t we likewise follow the prophet who is “like unto Moses” as if he were God?

■Exodus 4:15-16. Defining his relationship as Prophet to his brother Aaron, God said to Moses: “And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth,... and will teach you what ye shall do.

“And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.”

President Harold B. Lee, while a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, used these verses to explain the relationship that the prophet has with other Church leaders: “I think that is as clear a relationship as you can find anywhere--the relationship of the prophet, seer, revelator, to others of us to whom he may delegate authority.” (Teachings of the Living Prophets [Student Manual Religion 333, 1983], p.13.)

■In September of 1830, the First Presidency had not yet been organized, but Oliver Cowdery was the Second Elder of the Church. The question arose concerning who might receive revelations for the Church when Oliver Cowdery took the Prophet Joseph Smith to task for not accepting certain revelations that had been received by others. In answer to the Prophet Joseph’s prayer about this matter, the Lord revealed section 28 of the Doctrine and Covenants and gave the following instructions to Oliver Cowdery (see verses 2-3, 6-7):

“No one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.

“And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church...

“And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church.

“For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead.”

■D&C 43:1-4. The Lord plainly states that only the President of the Church is appointed to receive commandments and revelations, and “there is none other appointed...to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken.” (Italics added.)

■D&C 100:9-11. In 1833, the Lord reminded Sidney Rigdon, a counselor in the First Presidency, that he was to be a “spokesman” for the Prophet, and that the Prophet should “be a revelator unto thee.”

■D&C 132:7. “And there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred.”

The prophet is the only person on the earth who holds all of the keys of the priesthood and is “the only one who is empowered to receive revelation for the whole Church. Neither his counselors nor members of the Quorum of the Twelve nor any person in any position in the Church may declare official doctrine, change policies, or speak as the Lord’s representative for the entire Church, without the prophet’s authorization.” (Teachings of the Living Prophets [Student manual Religion 333, 1982], p. 13.)

2. Giving Heed To All the Prophet’s Words

■D&C 1:38. “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”

The prophet’s words are God’s words and God’s words shall all be fulfilled. (See 1 Ne. 7:13; 9:6; Alma 37:16; 3 Ne. 27:18; 29:1-3; D&C 42:39; 56:11; Moses 4:30; JS-M 1:35.)

■D&C 21:4-5. “Thou shalt give heed to all his [the prophet’s] words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;

“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.” (Italics added.)

The prophet’s teachings should be followed completely. There is no option to follow part of his counsel and discard that which is unpleasant or difficult. The Lord has commanded us to follow all of the prophet’s teachings. (See Gospel Principles [1978, Revised 1979, 1981], p. 45.)

3. There Is Safety In Following the Prophet

■President Harold B. Lee said our only safety lies in following the words of the living prophet as if from God’s own mouth:

“Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, ‘as he receiveth hem, walking in all holiness before me;... as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.’ (D&C 21:4-5.) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life...

“Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow the ones whom the Lord has placed to preside over his church. He knows whom he wants to preside over this church, and he will make no mistake. The Lord doesn’t do things by accident...

“Let’s keep our eye on the President of the Church.” (Living Prophets for a Living Church [Church Educational System, 1974], p. 32. See also The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 139.)

4. Use the Prophet’s Words To Evaluate the Words of All Others

■President Ezra Taft Benson gave this counsel: “Let me give you a crucial key to help you avoid being deceived. It is this--learn to keep your eye on the Prophet. He is the Lord’s mouthpiece and the only man who can speak for the Lord today. Let his inspired counsel take precedence. Let his inspired words be a basis for evaluating the counsel of all lesser authorities. Then live close to the Spirit so you may know the truth of all things.” (Seek to Obtain My Word [Melchizedek Priesthood Personal Study Guide 1989], p. 58; see also The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 134; italics added.)

■President Benson has taught this same principle many times. The following examples are representative of his teachings on this subject:

“Other officers in the kingdom have fallen, but never the Presidents. The words of a living prophet must and ever will take precedence. (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 134; italics added.)

“As members of the Church we have some close quarters to pass through if we are going to get home safely. We will be given a chance to choose between conflicting counsel given by some. That is why we must learn--and the sooner we learn, the better--to keep our eye on the prophet, the President of the Church.” (Ibid., p. 139.)

“Some so-called experts of political science want the prophet to keep still on politics. Some would-be authorities on evolution want the prophet to keep still on evolution. And so the list goes on and on.

“How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness.” (Ibid., pp. 139-140.)

“Of all mortal men, we should keep our eyes most firmly fixed o the captain--the prophet, seer, and revelator, and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the man who stands closest to the fountain of living waters (Jeremiah 2:13; 1Nephi 11:25). There are some heavenly instructions for us that we can only receive through the prophet. A good way to measure your standing with the Lord is to see how you feel about, and act upon, the inspired words of His earthly representative, the prophet-president. The inspired words of the President are not to be trifled with. All men are entitled to revelation for their particular assignment. But only one man stands as the Lord’s spokesman to the Church and the world, and he is the President of the Church. The words of all other men should be weighed against his inspired words.” (Ibid., p. 140; italics added.)

“All men are entitled to inspiration, but only one man is the Lord’s mouthpiece. Some lesser men have in the past, and will in the future, use their office unrighteously. Some will use it to lead the unwary astray; some will use it to persuade us that all is well in Zion; some will use it to cover and excuse their ignorance. Keep your eye on the prophet.” (Ibid., p. 142.)

“What better way can one become informed than by first studying the inspired words of the prophets and using that as a foundation against which to test all other material?” (Ibid., p. 305.)

Chapter Two

The Prophet and the Constitution

D&C 101:77,80

God established the United States Constitution and raised up a Prophet Patriot to help us preserve it.

President Ezra Taft Benson will be remembered as one of the greatest patriots of our time. President Harold B. Lee said of him: “The two ruling passions of his life might be said to be, first, his unshakable faith in the intervention of an Omnipotent Power in the affairs of men; and second, his certainty that the Constitution of the United States was divinely inspired.” (Introduction to So Shall Y Read [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1960], p. viii.)

For more than fifty year, in Church and government service, Ezra Taft Benson has boldly and courageously defended the United States Constitution against its domestic and foreign foes. Today it is our privilege as Citizens of the united States to follow him as we step forward to help save the Constitution.

1 Constitution Established by God for All Mankind

■Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2. President Ezra Taft Benson has said of these verses: “The coming forth of the Constitution is of such transcendent importance in the Lord’s plan that ancient prophets foresaw this event and prophesied of it...The Constitution fulfilled the ancient prophecy of Isaiah that ‘out of Zion shall go forth the law.’” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 595.)

Other nations will recognize the blessings of freedom provided by the Constitution and , of their own free will, “adopt similar government systems, thus to fulfill the ancient prophecy of Isaiah and Micah that out of Zion shall go forth the law.’” (Ibid.)

■In the October 1987 General Conference, President Ezra Taft Benson said that Church members throughout the world should be grateful for the blessings of freedom enjoyed by the Church as a result of the Constitution: “[I] speak to you about our divine Constitution, which the Lord said ‘belongs to all mankind’ (D&C 98:5) ‘and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles’ (D&C 101:77; italics added).

“The Constitution of the United States has served as a model for many nations and is the oldest constitution in use today.

“‘I established the Constitution of the land,’ said the Lord, ‘by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose’ (D&C 101:30)....

“The signing of the United States Constitution...marked the beginning of a series of...events leading up to the ratification of the Constitution, implementation of the government it created, and the writing and ratification of the Bill of Rights.... It is as a result of theses events that we are able to meet today in peace as members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. For this we should all be eternally grateful.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1987, Ensign, Nov. 1987, p. 4; italics in original.)

■On another occasion, President Benson reminded us: “In the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer...the Lord directed the prophet Joseph Smith to say: ‘May those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our father, be established forever.’ (D&C 109:56.)” (“The Constitution--A Glorious Standard,” Ensign, Sept. 1987, p. 9.)

2 The Crisis of the Constitution

■In 1987, President Ezra Taft Benson said: “We must, with sadness, say that we have not been wise in keeping the trust of our Founding Fathers. For the past two centuries, those who do not prize freedom have chipped away at every major clause of our Constitution until today we face a crises of great dimensions.” (“The Constitution--A Glorious Standard,” Ensign, Sept. 1987, p. 10; as quoted in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 612.)

In 1986, President Benson said: “To all who have discerning eyes, it is apparent that the republican form of government established by our noble forefathers cannot long endure once fundamental principles are abandoned. Momentum is gathering for another conflict--a repetition of the crisis of two hundred years ago. This collision of ideas is worldwide. The issue is the same that precipitated the great premortal conflict--will men be free to determine their own course of action or must they be coerced?” (The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, p. 27; as quoted in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 623.)

■President Benson feels quite strongly about the following statement, which is taken from an address entitled “Stand Up For Freedom.” It has been published by him in four different books, in the Church News, and in pamphlet form. It was also filmed and audio taped for presentation to study groups and TV audiences:

“At the particular moment in history the United States Constitution is definitely threatened, and every citizen should know about it. The warning of this hour should resound through the corridors of every American institution-schools, churches, the halls of Congress, press, radio, and television, and so far as I am concerned it will resound--with God’s help.

“Wherever possible I have tried to speak out. It is for this very reason that certain people in Washington have bitterly criticized me. They don’t want people to hear the message. It embarrasses them. The things which are destroying the Constitution are the things they have been voting for. They are afraid of their political careers if these facts are pointed out. They therefore try to silence any who carry the message--anyone who will stand up and be counted.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 684.)

3 The New World Order--A Threat to the Constitution

■President Ezra Taft Benson has explained: “There is one and only one legitimate goal of United States foreign policy. It is a narrow goal, a nationalistic goal: the preservation of our national independence. Nothing in the Constitution grants that the president shall have the privilege of offering himself as a world leader. He is our executive; he is on our payroll; he is supposed to put our best interests in front of those of other nations. Nothing in the Constitution nor in logic grants to the president of the United States or to Congress the power to influence the political life of other countries, to ‘uplift’ their cultures, to bolster their economies, to feed their people, or even to defend them against their enemies.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 614; see also pp. 682 & 704.)

The Prophet continues: “Many well-intentioned people are now convinced that we are living I a period of history which makes it both possible and necessary to abandon our national sovereignty, to merge our nation militarily, economically, and politically with other nations, and to form, at last, a world government which supposedly would put an end to war.” (Ibid., p. 695.)

President Benson reasons: “The world is smaller, you say? True, it is, but if one finds himself locked in a house with maniacs, thieves, and murderers--even a small house--he does not increase his chances of survival by entering into alliances with his potential attackers and becoming dependent upon them for protection to the point where he is unable to defend himself. Perhaps the analogy between nations and maniacs is a little strong for some to accept. But if we put aside our squeamishness over strong language, and look hard at the real world in which we live, the analogy is quite sound in all but the rarest exceptions.” (Ibid., p. 696.)

The Prophet concludes: “Sovereignty for a nation is hard to come by and even more difficult to retain. It cannot be shared, for then sovereignty becomes something else, and, for want of a better word, when sovereignty is lessened the end-product is internationalism. Sovereignty is neither more nor less than self-government. American self-government is blueprinted in the Constitution.” (Ibid.)

■President Ezra Taft Benson has said: “Our leaders in Washington have been acting as though the American people elected them to office for the primary purpose of leading the entire planet toward international peace, prosperity, and one-world government. At times, these men appear to be more concerned with something called world opinion or with their image as world leaders than they are with securing the best possible advantage for us.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 682.)

4 Saving the Constitution

■The blessings of the Constitution will go forth to all nations, not by the conquest of war, but by the persuasion of righteous example. In order for that to happen, however, the Constitution must be preserved. President Benson has taught that the Church, as an institution, will not save the Constitution; nor will the Church tell us, as individuals, how to do it. Speaking in a General Conference of the Church, President Benson said: “Maybe the Lord will never set up a specific Church program for the purpose of saving the Constitution...

“The Prophet Joseph Smith declared it will be the elders of Israel who will step forward to help save the Constitution, not the Church...

“Brethren, if we had done our homework and were faithful, we could step forward at this time and help save this country. The fact that most of us are unprepared to do it is an indictment we will have to bear. The longer we wait, the heavier, the chains, the deeper the blood, the more the persecution, and the less we can carry out our God-given mandate and world-wide mission. The war in heaven is raging on earth today. Are you being neutralized in the battle?” (Conference Report, April 1965, Era, p. 539; as quoted in An Enemy Hath Done This, pp. 278-279.)

■Alma 48:11-13; 17. “And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;

“Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

“Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of blood....

“Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.”

President Ezra Taft Benson has said of these verses: “Part of the reason we may not have sufficient priesthood bearers to save the Constitution, let alone to shake the powers of hell, is because unlike Moroni, I fear, our souls do not joy in keeping our country free, and we are not firm in the faith of Christ, nor have we sworn with an oath to defend our rights and the liberty of our country.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 623.)

■In 1986, the Prophet said: “We have been instructed again and again to reflect more intently on the meaning and importance of the Constitution and to adhere to its principles. What have we done about this instruction? Have we read the Constitution and pondered it? Are we aware of its principles? Could we defend it? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? The Church will not tell us how to do this, but we are admonished to do it.” (The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, p. 29.)

“I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed His stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land. I testify that the God of heaven sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and He has sent other choice spirits--even you who read my words--to preserve it.” (The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, p. 31; as quoted in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 614.)

Chapter Three

The Prophet’s Warning

Ether 8:18-25

Strive to understand the Prophet’s warnings about a secret combination that seeks to rule the world.

In the first section below are six statements from President Ezra Taft Benson regarding a world-wide conspiracy that is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world. These warnings have come to us from God through His living prophet. All six statements have come since his call in 1985 to be President of the Church. They cannot be safely ignored. Without an understanding of these national and world events.

President Benson’s apostolic statements during the 42 years prior to his becoming President of the Church are also helpful as we seek to understand his prophetic statements on this important subject. Remember, God does not call as Prophets men who teach false doctrine.

1 Secret Combinations

■Oct. 1986: “From the Book of Mormon we see the evils of secret combinations portrayed in graphic and chilling reality....

“We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?’” (Conference Report, Oct. 1986, Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 6-7; also The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 59.)

■April 1989: “Secret combinations...are built up to get power, gain, and glory of the world. (See Hel. 7:5; Ether 8:9, 16, 22-23; Moses 5:31.)...Secret combinations brought down both the Jaredite and the Nephite civilizations and [have] been and will yet be the cause of the fall of many nations. (See Ether 8:18-25.)” (Conference Report, Oct. 1989j, Ensign, May 1989, p. 6.)

■Jan. 1988: “The situation in the world will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of God and quit building up and upholding secret combinations, which the Book of Mormon tells us proved the downfall of ancient civilizations.” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1988, p.5.)

■April 1986: “Our nation will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the rods of the God of this land, Jesus Christ, and quit building up and upholding the secret combinations which the Book of Mormon tells us proved the downfall of both previous American civilizations.” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Regional Representative Seminar, Friday, April 4, 1986, pp. 3-5; as quoted in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 61.)

2 Moroni’s Urgent Appeal

■In a General Conference of the Church, President Ezra Taft Benson said: “One of the most urgent, heart stirring appeals made by Moroni as he closed the Book of Mormon was addressed to the gentile nations of the last days. He foresaw the rise of a great world-wide secret combination among the gentiles which ‘seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries.’ (Ether 8:25.)” (Conference Report, Oct. 1961, Improvement Era, Dec. 1961, p. 953; as quoted in God, Family, Country, p. 348.)

For more than thirty years, the modern prophet Ezra Taft Benson has echoed the ancient prophet Moroni’s warning that “each gentile nation of the last days [must] purge itself of this gigantic criminal conspiracy which would seek to rule the world.” (Ibid.)

■The modern prophet Benson continues: “Moroni seemed greatly exercised lest in our day we might not be able to recognize the startling fact that the same secret societies which destroyed the Jaredites and decimated numerous kingdoms of both Nephites and Lamanites would be precisely the same form of criminal conspiracy which would rise up among the gentile nations in this day....

“Moroni described how the secret combination would take over a country and then fight the work of God, persecute the righteous, and murder those who resisted. Moroni therefore proceeded to describe the workings of the ancient secret combinations so that modern man could recognize this great political conspiracy in the last days. (See Ether 8:23-25.)” (Conference Report, Oct. 1961, Improvement Era, Dec. 1961, p. 954; as quoted in God, Family, Country, p. 349.)

“Today the Christian constitutionalist mourns for his country. He sees the spiritual and political faith of his fathers betrayed by wolves in sheep’s clothing. He sees the forces of evil increasing in strength and momentum under the leadership of Satan, the arch-enemy of freedom. He sees the wicked honored and the valiant abused. He senses that his own generation faces Gethsemanes and Valley Forges that may yet rival or surpass the trials of the early Apostles and the men of ‘76. And this gives him cause to reflect on the most basic of fundamentals--the reason for our existence. Once we understand that fundamental, the purpose for mortality, we may more easily chart a correct course in the perilous seas that are engulfing our nation.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 397.)

■In the April 1972 General Conference of the Church, President Benson stated: “Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon was the ‘keystone of our religion’ and the ‘most correct’ book on earth. (DHC, vol. 6, p. 56.) This most correct book on earth states that the downfall of two great American civilizations came as a result of secret conspiracies whose desire was to overthrow the freedom of the people. ‘And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking,’ says Moroni, ‘and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.’ (Ether 8:21.)

“Now undoubtedly Moroni could have pointed out many factors that led to the destruction of the people, but notice how he singled out the secret combinations, just as the Church today could point out many threats to peace, prosperity and the spread of God’s work, but it has singled out as the greatest threat the Godless conspiracy. There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon--it is a conspiracy fact.” (Conference Report, April 1972, Ensign, July 1972, p. 60; as quoted in God, Family, Country, pp. 321-322.)

■Ether 8:22. President Benson has emphasized over and over the ancient prophet Moroni’s warning that “whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations...until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed.” (see, for example, God, Family, Country, pp. 322 & 349; and An Enemy Hath Done This, pp. 331 & 333.)

■Our Prophet says we are “building up and upholding” this great world-wide conspiracy; that we have been “seduced...to believe its words,” and that it is “flourishing” and “increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world.” (See section 1 above.)

3 Most Abominable and Wicked Above All

■Ether 8:18-19. Why did Moroni say that secret combinations are the “most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God?”

1 Nephi 13:5. Nephi said that the church of the devil is “most abominable above all.” Is it possible that Nephi and Moroni were talking about the same thing?

3 Nephi 9:9. The voice of the Lord proclaimed that the wickedness of the great city Jacobugath “was above all the wickedness of the whole earth, because of their secret murders and combinations; for it was they that did destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land.”

■President Benson cites President J. Reuben Clark’s warning that “‘we stand in danger of losing our liberties, and that once lost, only blood will bring them back; and once lost, we of this church will, in order to keep the Church going forward, have more sacrifices to make and more persecutions to endure than we have yet known....’ (CR, April 1944, p. 116.) He also stated that if the conspiracy ‘comes here it will probably come in its full vigor and there will be a lot of vacant places among those who guide and direct, not only this government, but also this Church of ours.’ (CR, April 1952, p. 80.)” (Conference Report, April 1972, Ensign, July 1972, p. 61; as quoted in God, Family, Country, 323; quoted also in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 107; again on pp. 658-659.)

4 Seducing the Righteous

■2 Timothy 3:13. President Ezra Taft Benson has said of this verse: “The Apostle Paul saw our day. He...warned that ‘evil men and seducers would wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived’ (2 Timothy 3:13).” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 88; italics added.)

■Mark 13:22. “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” (Italics added.)

Matthew 24:24. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

President Benson has said of this verse: “There is a conspiracy of evil. The source of it all is Satan and his hosts. He has a great power over men to ‘lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken’ to the voice of the Lord (Moses 4:4). His evil influence may be manifest through governments; through false educational, political, economic, religious, and social philosophies; through secret societies and organizations; and through myriad’s of other forms. His power and influence are so great that, if possible, he would deceive the very elect (see Matthew 24:24).” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 404.)

■Helaman 6:38. The Modern Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, quoting the Book of Mormon Prophet Helaman, has noted that secret combinations flourish because they are able to seduce “the more port of the righteous” to “believe in their works and partake of their spoils.” (Conference Report, April 1987, Ensign, May 1987, p. 4.)

this seduction happens by deception. And the greatest deceptions were not among the Nephites, but are among us today. President Benson has said: “We are going through...the greatest propaganda campaign of all time. We cannot believe all we read.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 302; see also p. 90.)

■President Benson has said: “It is from within the Church that the greatest hindrance comes. And so, it seems, it has been. Now the question arises, will we stick with the kingdom and can we avoid being deceived? Certainly this is an important question, for the Lord has said that in the last days the ‘devil will rage in the hearts of men’ (2 Nephi 28:20), and if it were possible he ‘shall deceive the very elect’ (see Joseph Smith--Matthew 1:22).” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 406-407.)

5 We Must Awake

■Ether 8:24. The modern Prophet Benson and the ancient Prophet Moroni speak to us in unison: “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.” (See God, Family, Country, pp. 322 & 349; italics added.)

■The Prophet has said: “If you use the scriptures as a guide, you know what the Book of Mormon has to say regarding murderous conspiracies in the last day and how we are to awake to our awful situation today (see Ether 8:18-25). I find certain elements in the Church do not like to read the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants so much--they have too much to say about freedom.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 81; see also p. 42.)

The Prophet continues: “The Book of Mormon warns us that when we see these murderous conspiracies in our midst, we should awaken to our awful situation (see Ether 8:24). Now, why should we awaken if the Lord is going to take care of us anyway? Let us suppose that it is too late to save freedom. It is still accounted unto us for righteousness’ sake to stand up and fight. Some Book of Mormon prophets knew of the final desolate end of their nations, but they still fought on, and they saved some souls, including their own, by so doing. For, after all, the purpose of life is to prove ourselves, and the final victory will be for freedom.” (Ibid., p. 660.)

■President Benson has warned: “Our complacency as a nation is shocking--yes, almost unbelievable! We are a prosperous nation. Our people have high-paying jobs. Our incomes are high. Our standard of living is at an unprecedented level. We do not like to be disturbed as we enjoy our comfortable complacency. We live in the soft present and feel the future is secure. We do not worry about history. We seem oblivious to the causes of the rise and fall of nations. We are blind to the hard fact that nations usually sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity.

“I say to you with all the fervor of my soul: We are sowing the seeds of our own destruction in America a much of the free world today. It is my sober warning to you today that if the trends of the past continue, we will lose that which is as priceless as life itself--our freedom, our liberty, our right to act as free men. It can happen here. It is happening here....

“The sad and shocking story of what has happened in America in recent years must be told. Our people much have the facts. There is safety in an informed public. There is real danger in a complacent, uninformed citizenry. This is our real danger today. Yes, the truth must be told even at the risk of destroying, in large measure, the influence of men who are widely respected and loved by the American people. The stakes are high. Freedom and survival is the issue.” (Ibid., p. 582.)

“The fight for freedom is God’s fight.... When a man stands for freedom he stands with God. And as long as he stands for freedom he stands with God. And were he to stand alone he would still stand with God--the best company and the greatest power in or out of this world. Any man will be eternally vindicated and rewarded for his stand for freedom.” (Ibid., p. 656.)

Chapter Four

Every Citizen of Every Country

Learn the facts about modern secret combinations and stop building up and upholding their conspiracies.

During the 1970s, Ezra Taft Benson frequently recommended a non-Church book about he conspiracy entitled “None Dare Call It Conspiracy.” In fact, he gave this personal endorsement on its back cover.

“I wish that every citizen of every country in the free world and every salve behind the Iron Curtain might read this book.” (Gary Allen and Larry Abraham, None Dare Call It Conspiracy [Sea Beach, California: Concord Press, 1971], back cover.)

None Dare Call It Conspiracy discusses how the Insiders of a world-wide conspiracy are increasing their evil influence and control over America and the entire world through a “New World Order.”

As you read the following excerpts from its pages, please keep in mind Ezra Taft Benson’s endorsement printed on its back cover.

1 Don’t Confuse Me With Facts

Most of us have had the experience, either as parents or youngsters, of trying to discover the “hidden picture” within another picture in a children’s magazine, Usually you are shown a landscape with trees, bushes, flowers and other bits of nature. The caption reads something like this: “Concealed somewhere in this picture is a donkey pulling a cart with a boy in it. Can you find them?” Try as you might, usually you could not find the hidden picture until you turned to a page farther back in the magazine which would reveal how cleverly the artist had hidden it from us. If we study the landscape we realize that the whole picture was painted in such a way as to conceal the real picture within, and once we see the “real picture,” it stands out like the proverbial painful digit.

We believe the picture painters of the mass media are artfully creating landscapes for us which deliberately hide the real picture. In this book we will show you how to discover the “hidden picture” in the landscapes presented to us daily through newspapers, radio, and television. Once you can see through the camouflage, you will see the donkey, the cart and the boy who have been there all along....

There are a number of problems to be overcome in convincing a person of the possible existence of a conspiratorial clique of Insiders who from the very highest levels manipulate government policy....

It must be remembered that the first fob of any conspiracy, whether it be in politics, crime or within a business office, is to convince everyone else that no conspiracy exists. The conspirators success will be determined largely by their ability to do this. That the elite of the academic world and mass communications media always pooh-pooh the existence of the Insiders merely serves to camouflage their operations. These “artists” hide the boy, the cart and the donkey....

Psychological problems are also involved in inducing people to look at the evidence concerning the Insiders. People are usually comfortable with their old beliefs and conceptions. When Columbus told people the world was a ball and not a pancake, they were highly upset. They were being asked to reject their way of thinking of a lifetime and adopt a whole new outlook. The “intellectuals” of the day scoffed at Columbus and people were afraid they would lose social prestige if they listened to him. Many others just did not want to believe the world was round. I complicated too many things. And typical flat-earthers had such a vested interest involving their own egos, that they heaped abuse on Columbus for challenging their view of the universe. “Don’t confuse us with facts; our minds are made up,” they said.

Because the Establishment controls the media, anyone exposing the Insiders will be the recipient of a continuous fusillade of invective from newspapers magazines, TV and radio. In this manner one is threatened with loss of “social respectability” if he dares broach the idea that there is organization behind any of the problems currently wracking America....

Instead of getting mad at the Insiders, [some] people actually get angry at those who are trying to save the country by exposing the conspirators.

One thing which makes it so hard for some socially minded people to assess the conspiratorial evidence objectively is that the conspirators come from the very highest social strata. They are immensely wealthy, highly educated and extremely cultured. Many of them have lifelong reputations for philanthropy. Nobody enjoys being put in the position of accusing prominent people of conspiring to enslave their fellow Americans, but the facts are inescapable. Many business and professional people are particularly vulnerable to the “don’t jeopardize your social respectability” pitch given by those who don’t want the conspiracy exposed. The Insiders know that if the business and professional community will not take a stand to save the private enterprise system, the socialism through which they intend to control the world will be inevitable. They believe that most business and professional men are too shallow and decadent, too status conscious, too tied up in the problems of their jobs and businesses to worry about what is going on in politics....

We are hoping that the conspirators have underestimated the courage and patriotism remaining in the American people.

We fee there are a sufficient number of you who are not mesmerized by the television set, who put God, family and country above social status, who will bank together to expose and destroy the conspiracy of the Insiders....

2 Socialism--Royal Road to Power For the Super-Rich

Everyone knows that Adolph Hitler existed. No one disputes that. The terror and destruction that this madman inflicted upon the world are universally recognized. Hitler came from a poor family which had absolutely no social position. He was a high school drop-out and nobody ever accused him of being cultured. Yet this man tried to conquer the world. During his early career he sat in a cold garret and poured onto paper his ambitions to rule the world. We know that.

Similarly, we know that a man named Vladimir Ilich Lenin also existed. Like Hitler, Lenin did not spring from a family of social lions. The son of a petty bureaucrat, Lenin, who spent most of his adult life in poverty, has been responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of your fellow human beings and the enslavement of nearly a billion more. Like Hitler, Lenin sat up nights in a dank garret scheming how he could conquer the world. We know that too.

Is it not theoretically possible that a billionaire could be sitting, not in a garret, but in a penthouse, in Manhattan, London or Paris and dream the same dream as Lenin and Hitler? You will have to admit it is theoretically possible. Julius Caesar, a wealthy aristocrat, did. And such a man might form an alliance or association with other like-minded men, might he not? Caesar did. These men would be superbly educated, command immense social prestige and be able to pool astonishing amounts of money to carry out their purposes. These are advantages that Hitler and Lenin did not have.

I t is difficult for the average individual to fathom such perverted lust for power. The typical person, of whatever nationality, wants only to enjoy success in his job, to be able to afford a reasonably high standard of living complete with leisure and travel. He wants to provide for his family in sickness and in health and to give his children a sound education. His ambition stops there. He has no desire to exercise power over others, to conquer other lands or peoples, to be a king. He wants to mind his own business and enjoy life. Since he has no lust for power, it is difficult for him to imagine that there are others who have...others who march to a far different drum. But we must realize that there have been Hitlers and Lenins and Stalins and Caesars and Alexander the Greats throughout history. Why should we assume there are no such men today with perverted lusts for power? And if these men happen to be billionaires is it not possible that they would use men like Hitler and Lenin as pawns to seize power for themselves?

Indeed, difficult as this is to believe, such is the case. Like Columbus, we are faced with the task of convincing you that the world is not flat, as you have been led to believe all your life, but, instead, is round. We are going to present evidence that what you call “Communism” is not run from Moscow or Peking, but is an arm of a bigger conspiracy run from New York, London and Paris. The men at the apex of this movement are not Communists in the traditional sense of that term. They feel no loyalty to Moscow or Peking. They are loyal only to themselves and their undertaking. And these men certainly do not believe in the clap-trap pseudo-philosophy of Communism. They have no intention of dividing their wealth. Socialism is a philosophy which conspirators exploit, but in which only the naive believe....

We know that down through the annals of history small groups of men have existed who have conspired to bring the reins of power into their hands. History books are full of their schemes...like the Cosa Nostra where men conspire to make money through crime.... The question is: Which is the more lethal form of conspiracy--criminal or political? And what is the difference between a member of the Cosa Nostra and a Communist, or more properly, an Insider conspirator? Men like Lucky Luciano who have scratched and clawed to the top of the heap in organized crime must, or necessity, be diabolically brilliant, cunning and absolutely ruthless. But, almost without exception, the men in the hierarchy of organized crime have had no formal education. They were born into poverty and learned their trade in the back alleys of Naples, New York or Chicago.

Now suppose someone with this same amoral grasping personality were born into a patrician family of great wealth and was educated at the best prep schools, then Harvard, Yale or Princeton, followed by graduate work possibly at Oxford. In these situations he would become totally familiar with history, economics, psychology, sociology and political science. After having graduated from such illustrious establishments of higher learning, are we likely to find him out on the streets peddling fifty cent tickets to a numbers game? Would you find him pushing marijuana to high schooler’s or running a string of houses of prostitution? Would he be getting involved in gangland killings? Not at all. For with that sort of education, this person would realize that if one wants power, real power, the lessons of history say, “Get into the government business.” Become a politician and work for political power or, better yet, get some politicians to front for you. That is where the real power--and the real money--is.

Conspiracy to seize the power of government is as old as government itself. We can study the conspiracies surrounding Alcibiades in Greece or Julius Caesar in ancient Rome, but we are not supposed to think that men today scheme to achieve political power....

Many extremely patriotic individuals have innocently fallen for the conspiracy’s line. Walter Trohan, columnist emeritus for the Chicago Tribune and one of America’s outstanding political commentators, has accurately noted:

“It is a known fact that the policies of the government today, whether Republican or Democratic, are closer to the 1932 platform of the Communist Party than they are to either of their own party platforms in the critical year.”...

Doesn’t it strike you as strange that some of the individuals pushing hardest for socialism have their own personal wealth protected in family trusts and tax-free foundations? Men like Rockefeller, Ford and Kennedy are for every socialist program known to man which will increase your taxes. Yet they pay little, if anything, in taxes themselves....

We are usually told that this clique of super-rich are socialists because they have a guilt complex over wealth they inherited and did not earn. Again, they could relieve these supposed guilt complexes simply by divesting themselves of their unearned wealth. There are doubtless many wealthy do-gooders who have been given a guilt complex by their college professors, but that doesn’t explain the actions of the Insiders like the Rockefellers, Fords or Kennedys. All their actions betray them as power seekers.

But the Kennedys, Rockefellers and their super-rich confederates are not being hypocrites in advocating socialism. It appears to be a contradiction for the super-rich to work for socialism and the destruction of free enterprise. In reality it is not.

Our problem is that most of us believe socialism is what the socialists want us to believe it is--a share-the-wealth program....

If one understands that socialism is not a share-the-wealth program, but is in reality a method to consolidate and control the wealth, then the seeming paradox of super-rich men promoting socialism becomes no paradox at all. Instead it becomes the logical, even the perfect tool of power-seeking megalomaniacs. Communism, or more accurately, socialism, is not a movement of the downtrodden masses, but of the economic elite. The plan of the conspirator Insiders then is to socialize the United States, not to Communize it....

If you and your clique wanted control over the United States, it would be impossible to take over every city hall, county seat and state house. You would want all power vested at the apex of the executive branch of the federal government; then you would have only to control one man to control the whole shebang. If you wanted to control the nation’s manufacturing, commerce, finance, transportation and natural resources, you would need only to control the apex, the power pinnacle, of an all-powerful SOCIALIST government. Then you would have a monopoly and could squeeze out all your competitors. If you want a national monopoly, you must control a national socialist government. If you want a worldwide monopoly, you must control a world socialist government. That is what the game is all about. “Communism” is not a movement of the downtrodden masses but is a movement created, manipulated and used by power-seeking billionaires in order to gain control over the world...first by establishing socialist governments in the various nations and then consolidating them all through a “Great Merger,” into an all-powerful world socialist super-state probably under the auspices of the United Nations....

After the Insiders have established the United Socialist States of America (in fact if not in name), the next step is the Great Merger of all nations of the world into a dictatorial world government....

The Insiders’ code word for the world superstate is “new world order,” a phrase often used by Richard Nixon. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) states in its Study No. 7: “The U.S. must strive to: “A. BUILD A NEW INTERNATIONAL ORDER.” (Capitals in original.) Establishment spokesman James Reston (CFR member) declared in his internationally syndicated column for the New York Times of May 21, 1971: “Nixon would obviously like to preside over the creation of a new world order, and believes his has an opportunity to do so in the last 20 months of his first term.” Before you can facilitate the Great Merger, you must first centralize control within each nation, destroy the local police and remove the guns from the hands of citizenry. You must replace our once free Constitutional Republic with an all-powerful central government. And that is exactly what is happening today.... Every action of any consequence, despite the smokescreen, has centralized more power in what is rapidly becoming an all-powerful central government.

3 You Are The Answer

Many people cannot refrain from rationalizing. After reading this book, some will bemoan the fact that the situation is hopeless. These will be many of the same people who, before reading this book, really did not believe the problems facing us were serious. Some people wake up and give up in the same week. This is, of course, just exactly what the Insiders want you to do.

The conspiracy can by defeated. The Insiders are not omnipotent. It is true that they control important parts of the federal government, high finance and the mass media. But they do not control everything, or the vise would already have been closed. We might say the conspiracy controls everything but you. You are their Achilles heel if you are willing to fight. There is an old cliché in sports that quitter never win and winners never quit. We need a million Americans who are not quitters, but, moreover, who have the will to win!...

The one thing these conspirators cannot survive is exposure. The Insiders are successful only because so few of their victims know what is being planned and how Insiders are carrying out those plans. Conspiracies can operate only in the dark. They cannot stand the truthful light of day. Once any sizable minority of the American people becomes aware of the conspiracy and what it is up to, the many decades of patient planning and work by the Insiders in this country can be destroyed in an amazingly short period of time.

This job is largely a matter of getting others to realize that they have been conned and are continuing to be conned. You must become the local arm of the world’s largest floating university. But before you can go to work, pointing out these conspiratorial facts to others, you must know the facts yourself.... The concept of an army of individuals which is dedicated to exposing “the conspiracy” frightens the Insiders because it works outside the channels which they control....

Democrats and Republicans must break the Insider control of their respective parties. The C.F.R.-types and their flunkies and social climbing opportunist supporters must be invited to leave or else the Patriots must leave.

It is up to you to put the politicians on the spot and make the C.F.R.-Insiders a campaign issue. This can be accomplished easily by creating the base of thinking that will oppose their positions. The Socialists must be forced to gather into one party. The conspiracy doesn’t want the resultant clear distinction between party ideologies. The Insiders want the issues between the parties to be cloudy and gray, centering on personalities, not principles. Neither party can come out strongly against Socialism as long as it is pushing Socialist programs. But that is the way the Insiders want it....

You are in this fight whether you want to be or not. Unless you are an Insider, you are a victim. Whether you are a multimillionaire or a pauper you have an enormous amount at stake....

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Conclusion

Now is the time to courageously become alerted, informed, and active.

President Ezra Taft Benson has said: “Never before in the history of our country has there been a greater need for all of our people to take time to discover what is happening in the world.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 662.)

On another occasion, he said: “Our great need in America today is to be alerted and informed.... There is safety in an informed public. There is real danger in a complacent, uniformed citizenry. This is our real danger today.” (Ibid., p. 582.)

1 Becoming Informed

■It is hoped that, after reading this booklet, you will want to learn more about the New World Order, the U.S. Constitution and the conspiracy. Your most important reading, as discussed in the first chapter of this booklet, will be the words of the prophets, especially the Living Prophet.

Therefore, we recommend a careful study of President Benson’s book as listed on the Sources page of this booklet (p. Vi).

Another excellent book is Prophets, Principles and National Survival (Jerreld L. Newquist, comp., Publishers Press, 1964), which President Benson has recommended in three of his own books (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 568; God, Family, Country, p. 321; and An Enemy Hath Done This, pp. 276 & 286), as he did also in three General Conferences of the Church (October 1964, April 1965, and April 1972).

Of course you will want to read the entire book, None Dare Call It Conspiracy. This book is available from CPA Book Publisher, P.O. Box 596, Boring, Oregon 97009-0596.

For an up-to-date analysis of the New World Order and what the Insiders are doing today, we suggest a new book, The Insiders, by John F. McManus (The John Birch Society, 1992), which includes a survey of Insider control over the Carter, Reagan, and Bush administrations. And, for a recent in-depth look at the conspiracy, The Shadows of Power by James Perloff (Western Islands, 1988) is also available.

■On several occasions, President Benson has recommended a new magazine, The New American (formerly American Opinion). Examples of this are found in Conference Report, Oct. 1962, Improvement Era, Dec. 1962, p. 912; the Church News, Feb. 26, 1966, p. 12; and An Enemy Hath Done This, p. 44.

In 1986, President Benson purchased subscriptions to The New American for his counselors in the First Presidency and wrote to the magazine’s editor: “Congratulations on a job well done. I am deeply grateful for The New American.”

The New American is a biweekly publication affiliated with The John Birch Society, and is must reading for those who want to be accurately informed about the New World Order and other Insider schemes.

2 Now Is The Time

■President Ezra Taft Benson has reminded: “The Prophet Joseph Smith is reported to have prophesied the role the priesthood might play to save our inspired Constitution. Now is the time to move forward courageously--to become alerted, informed, and active.

“The Lord’s priesthood has a mission to perform for liberty-loving people everywhere. We cannot, any more than Jonah of old, run away from our calling.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 620; italics added.)

On another occasion, President Benson said: “Any Christian constitutionalist who retreats from this battle jeopardizes his life here and hereafter. Seldom has so much responsibility hung on so few, so heavily; but our numbers are increasing, and we who have been warned have a responsibility to warn our neighbor (see D&C 88:81).” (Ibid., p. 591.)

“[The] divine duty to be faithful fighter for freedom requires that those of us who have been warned do our duty to warn our neighbor.” (Ibid., p. 657.)

■Righteousness is important. In fact, President Benson has said repeatedly that “righteousness is the one indispensable ingredient to liberty.” (Ibid., p. 346; see also pp. 416 & 588.) “How,” asks the Prophet, “can we best befriend the Constitution in this critical hour and secure the blessings of liberty?” (Ibid., p. 621.)

The Prophet answers his own question: “First and foremost, we must be righteous.” (Ibid., italics in original.)

It as been suggested, however, that the fundamental principles of the Constitution will be upheld and the nation will be saved as members of the Church simply live the gospel. President Benson has responded to this suggestion as follows:

“Satan is anxious to neutralize the inspired counsel of the prophet and hence keep the priesthood off balance, ineffective, and inert in the fight for freedom. He does this through diverse means, including the use of perverse reasoning.

“For example, he will argue, ‘There is no need to get involved in the fight for freedom--all you need to do is live the gospel.’ Of course this is a contradiction, because we cannot fully live the gospel and not be involved in the fight for freedom.

“We would not say to someone, ‘There is no need to be baptized--all you need to do is live the gospel.’ That would be ridiculous because baptism is a part of the gospel. How would you have reacted if during the War in Heaven someone had said to you, ‘Look, just do what is right; there is no need to get involved in the fight for free agency.’ It is obvious what the devil is trying to do, but it is sad to see many of us fall for his destructive line.

“The cause of freedom is a most basic part of our religion. Our position on freedom helped get us to this earth and it can make the difference as to whether we get back home or not.” (Ibid., p. 656.)

■And finally, President Benson has warned: “One of our most serious problems is the inferiority complex which people feel when they are not informed and organized. They dare not make a decision on these vital issues. They let other people think for them. They stumble around in the middle of the road trying to avoid being ‘controversial,’ and get hit by traffic going both ways. In this mighty struggle each of you has a part. Every person on the earth today chose the right side during the War in Heaven. Be on the right side now. Stand up and be counted.” (Ibid., p. 387.)