I received this talk in a foreword from my dad. It is from a
general conference talk in 1961 given by then apostle Ezra Taft Benson. Even
though it was given over 50 years ago, it’s very fitting for us right now.
Especially in the wake of this election.
Secret
Combinations -- by Elder Ezra Taft Benson of
the Council of the Twelve Apostles. General Conference, October 1961.
My
brethren and sisters and friends, in keeping with the spirit of the keynote
address of our beloved President, I desire, if the Lord will bless me, to speak
to you about the American heritage of freedom–a plan of God.
I
direct my remarks particularly to the men of America and more especially to
those in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who hold the Holy
Priesthood of God.
Every
member of the priesthood should understand the divine plan designed by the Lord
to raise up the first free people in modern times. Here is how scripture says
it was achieved:
First:
Prophecy is abundant that God deliberately kept the American continent hidden
until after the Holy Roman Empire had been broken up and the various nations
had established themselves as independent kingdoms. Keeping America hidden
until this time was no accident. (2 Nephi 1:6, 8.)
Second:
At the proper time, God inspired Columbus to overcome almost insurmountable
odds to discover America and bring this rich new land to the attention of the
gentiles in Europe. (1 Nephi 13:12; Admiral of the Ocean Sea,
by Dr. Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 46-47.)
Third:
God revealed to his ancient American prophets that shortly after the discovery
of America there would be peoples in Europe who would desire to escape the
persecution and tyranny of the Old World and flee to America. ( 1 Nephi 13:13–16.)
Fourth:
God told his prophets that the kingdoms in Europe would try to exercise
dominion over the people who had fled to America, but that in the wars for
independence the American settlers would win. (This is a remarkable prophecy in
that 2,300 years before the Revolutionary War was fought, God through his
prophets predicted who would win it.) (Ibid., 13:16-19.)
Fifth:
The prophets were told that in the latter days when the gentiles came to
America they would establish it as a land of liberty on which there would be no
kings. The. Lord declared that he would protect the land and whosoever would
try to establish kings either from within or without would perish. (2 Nephi 10:8–14.)
Sixth:
Having declared America to be a land of liberty, God undertook to raise up a
band of inspired and intelligent leaders who could write a constitution of
liberty and establish the first free people in modern times. The hand of God in
this undertaking is clearly indicated by the Lord himself in a revelation to
the Prophet Joseph Smith in these words
“.
. . I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom
I raised up unto this very purpose….” (D&C 101:80.)
Seventh:
God declared that the United States Constitution was divinely inspired for the
specific purpose of eliminating bondage and the violation of the rights and
protection which belongs to “all flesh.” (Ibid., 101:77-80.)
Eighth:
God placed a mandate upon his people to befriend and defend the constitutional
laws of the land and see that the rights and privileges of all mankind are
protected. He verified the declaration of the founding fathers, that God
created all men free. He also warned against those who would enact laws
encroaching upon the sacred rights and privileges of free men. He urged the
election of honest and wise leaders and said that evil men and laws were of
Satan. (Ibid., 98:5-10.)
Ninth:
God predicted through his prophets that this great gentile nation, raised up on
the American continent in the last days, would become the richest and most
powerful nation on the face of the earth; even “above all other nations.” (See 1 Nephi 13:15, 30; Ether 2:12.)
Tenth:
Concerning the United States, the Lord revealed to his prophets that its
greatest threat would be a vast, worldwide “secret combination” which would not
only threaten the United States but also seek to “overthrow the freedom of all
lands, nations, (Ether 8:25.)
Eleventh:
In connection with attack on the United States, the Lord told the Prophet
Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying
the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the
Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time “this people
will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.” (Journal History,
Brigham Young’s Speech, July 4, 1854.)
It
is my conviction that the elders of Israel, widely spread over the nation will
at that crucial time successfully rally the righteous of our country and
provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of
constitutional government.
Twelfth:
The Lord revealed to the Prophet Nephi that he established the gentiles on this
land to be a free people forever, that if they were a righteous nation and
overcame the wickedness and secret abominations which would arise in their
midst, they would inherit the land forever. (1 Nephi 14:1–2.)
Thirteenth:
But on the other hand, if the gentiles on this land reject the word of God and
conspire to overthrow liberty and the Constitution, then their doom is fixed,
and they “. . . shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.”
(1 Nephi 14:6; 3 Nephi 21:11, 14,
21; D&C
84:114–115, 117.)
Fourteenth:
The great destructive force which was to be turned loose on the earth and which
the prophets for centuries have been calling the “abomination of desolation” is
vividly described by those who saw it in vision. Ours is the first generation
to realize how literally these prophecies can be fulfilled now that God,
through science, has unlocked the secret to thermonuclear reaction.
In
the light of these prophecies there should be no doubt in the mind of any
priesthood holder that the human family is headed for trouble. There are rugged
days ahead. It is time for every man who wishes to do his duty to get himself
prepared–physically, spiritually, and psychologically–for the task which may
come at any time, as suddenly as the whirlwind.
Where
do we stand today? All over the world the light of freedom is being diminished.
Across whole continents of the earth freedom is being totally obliterated.
Never
in recorded history has any movement spread its power so far and so fast as has
socialistic-communism in the last three decades. The facts are not pleasant to
review. Communist leaders are jubilant with their success. They are driving
freedom back on almost every front.
It
is time, therefore, that every American, and especially every member of the
priesthood, became informed about the aims, tactics, and schemes of
socialistic-communism. This becomes particularly important when it is realized
that communism is turning out to be the earthly image of the plan which Satan
presented in the pre-existence. The whole program of socialistic- communism is
essentially a war against God and the plan of salvation–the very plan which we
fought to uphold during “the war in heaven.”
Up
to now some members of the Church have stood aloof, feeling that the fight
against socialistic-communism is “controversial” and unrelated to the mission
of the Church or the work of the Lord. But the President of the Church in our
day has made it clear that the fight against atheistic communism is a major
challenge to the Church and every member in it.
During
the general conference of the Church in October 1959, President David O. McKay,
in discussing the threat of communism, referred to W. Cleon Skousen’s book, The
Naked Communist, and said, “I admonish everybody to read that excellent book.”
He then quoted the following from the flyleaf: “The conflict between communism
and freedom is the problem of our time. It overshadows all other problems.”
The
fight against godless communism is a very real part of every man’s duty who
holds the priesthood. It is the fight against slavery, immorality, atheism,
terrorism, cruelty, barbarism, deceit, and the destruction of human life
through a kind of tyranny unsurpassed by anything in human history. Here is a
struggle against the evil, satanical priestcraft of Lucifer. Truly it can be
called, “a continuation of the war in heaven.”
In
the war in heaven the devil advocated absolute eternal security at the
sacrifice of our freedom. Although there is nothing more desirable to a
Latter-day Saint than eternal security in God’s presence, and although God
knew, as did we, that some of us would not achieve this security if we were
allowed our freedom–yet the very God of heaven, who has more mercy than us all,
still decreed no guaranteed security except by a man’s own freedom of choice
and individual initiative.
Today
the devil as a wolf in a supposedly new suit of sheep’s clothing is enticing
some men, both in and out of the Church, to parrot his line by advocating
planned government guaranteed security programs at the expense of our
liberties. Latter-day Saints should be reminded how and why they voted as they
did in heaven. If some have decided to change their vote they should
repent–throw their support on the side of freedom–and cease promoting this
subversion.
When
all of the trappings of propaganda and pretense have been pulled aside, the
exposed hard-core structure of modern communism is amazingly similar to the
ancient Book of Mormon record of secret societies such as the Gadiantons. In
the ancient American civilization there was no word which struck greater terror
to the hearts of the people than the name of the Gadiantons. It was a secret
political party which operated as a murder cult. Its object was to infiltrate
legitimate government, plant its officers in high places, and then seize power
and live off the spoils appropriated from the people. (It would start out as a
small group of “dissenters” and by using secret oaths with the threat of death
for defectors it would gradually gain a choke hold on the political and
economic life of whole civilizations. )
The
object of the Gadiantons, like modern communists, was to destroy the existing
government and set up a ruthless criminal dictatorship over the whole land.
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. Italics added.) He warned each gentile nation of the last
days to purge itself of this gigantic criminal conspiracy which would seek to
rule the world.
The
prophets, in our day, have continually warned us of these internal threats in
our midst–that our greatest threat from socialistic-communism lies within our
country. Brethren and sisters, we don’t need a prophet–we have one–we need a
listening ear. And if we do not listen and heed, then, as the Doctrine and
Covenants states, ” . . . the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice
of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words
of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people.” (D&C 1:14.)
The
prophets have said that these threats are among us. The Prophet Moroni, viewing
our day, said, “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.”
(Ether 8:24.)
Unfortunately
our nation has not treated the socialistic-communist conspiracy as “treasonable
to our free institutions,” as the First Presidency pointed out in a signed 1936
statement. If we continue to uphold communism by not making it treasonable, our
land shall be destroyed, for the Lord has said that ” . . . whatsoever nation
shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall
spread over the nation, behold they shall be destroyed; . . .” (Ibid., 8:22.)
The
Prophet 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: “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,
“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; . . .
“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; . .
.” (Ibid., 8:23-25. Italics added.)
The
Prophet 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.
The
stratagems of the leaders of these societies are amazingly familiar to anyone
who has studied the tactics of modern communist leaders.
The
Lord has declared that before the second coming of Christ it will be necessary
to “. . . destroy the secret works of darkness, . . .” in order to preserve the
land of Zion–the Americas. (2 Nephi 10:11–16.)
The
world-wide secret conspiracy which has risen up in our day to fulfil these
prophecies is easily identified. President McKay has left no room for doubt as
to what attitude Latter-day Saints should take toward the modern “secret
combinations” of conspiratorial communism. In a lengthy statement on communism,
he said:
“.
. . Latter-day Saints should have nothing to do with the secret combinations
and groups antagonistic to the constitutional law of the land, which the Lord
‘suffered to be established,’ and which ‘should be maintained for the rights
and protection of all flesh according to just and holy principles.’ ” (Gospel
Ideals, by David O. McKay p. 306. Italics added.)
There
are those who recommend that the clash between communism and freedom be avoided
through disarmament agreements. Abolishing our military strength and adopting
an unenforceable contract as a substitute to protect us would go down in
history as the greatest mistake free men could make in a time of peril.
President
McKay declared:
“Force
rules in the world today, consequently, our government must keep armies abroad,
build navies and air squadrons, create atom bombs to protect itself from the
threatened aggression of a nation which seems to listen to no other appeal than
compulsion.” (Ibid., p. 304.)
This
parallels the historic statement by George Washington when he vigorously
warned:
“There
is a rank due the United States among the nations that will be totally lost by
the reputation of weakness. If we would avoid insult we must be able to repel
it, if we would secure the peace it must be known that we are at all times
ready for war.”
Some
timid, vacillating political leaders proclaim that communism is something we
will have to learn to live with . . . whether it is Khrushchev, or some other
leader. The present communist system, they declare, will continue because there
is no alternate system to replace communism. The policy of increasing power, of
pushing their system outward and using the communist party, they say, will go
on.
Such
a negative attitude writes off the hundreds of millions behind the iron curtain
as a lost cause. Surely no courageous, liberty-loving citizen will treat the
communist secret combination as “something we will have to learn to live with.”
There
is a more courageous and sounder point of view. President McKay expressed it in
these words:
“Men
will be free. I have hoped for twenty years that the Russian system would break
up. There is no freedom under it, and sooner or later the people will rise
against it. They cannot oppose those fundamentals of civilization and of God.
They can’t crush their people always. Men will be free.” (Church Section,
Deseret News, November 6 1957, in an article entitled, “President McKay
receives Senator Kennedy at Church Offices.”)
What
is the official position of the Church on communism? In 1936 the First
Presidency made an official declaration on communism which has never been
abrogated. I quote the concluding paragraph:
“We
call upon all Church members completely to eschew communism. The safety of our
divinely inspired constitutional government and the welfare of our Church
imperatively demand that communism shall have no place in America”
We
must ever keep in mind that collectivized socialism is part of the communist
strategy. Communism is fundamentally socialism. We will never win our fight
against communism by making concessions to socialism. Communism and socialism,
closely related, must be defeated on principle. The close relationship between
socialism and communism is clearly pointed out by Senator Strom Thurmond of
South Carolina in a letter to the editor of the Washington Post, of August 6,
1961, in these words:
“.
. . Both socialism and communism derive from the teachings of Marx and Engels.
In fact, the movements were one until the split over methods of approach, which
resulted after the Russian revolution in 1905…. The aim and purpose of both was
then and is now world socialism, which communism seeks to achieve through
revolution and which socialists seek to achieve through evolution.
“The
industrial achievements of the U. S. are the result of an economic system which
is the antithesis of socialism. Our economic system is called ‘capitalism’ or
‘private enterprise’ and is based on private property rights, the profit motive
and competition.
“Both
communism and socialism seek to destroy our economic system and replace it with
socialism; and their success, whether through evolution by socialism or through
revolution by communism or a combination, will destroy not only our economic
system, but our liberty, including the ‘civil’ aspects as well….
“.
. . The ‘common ground’ of socialism and communism is a factor to which the
American people should be alerted. Without a clear understanding that communism
is socialism, the total threat and menace of the cold war can never be
comprehended and fought to victory.”
When
socialism is understood, we will realize that many of the programs advocated,
and some of those already adopted in the United States, fall clearly within the
category of socialism. What is socialism? It is simply governmental ownership
and management of the essential means for the production and distribution of
goods.
We
must never forget that nations may sow the seeds of their own destruction while
enjoying unprecedented prosperity.
The
socialistic-communist conspiracy to weaken the United States involves attacks
on many fronts. To weaken the American free-enterprise economy which
outproduced both its enemies and allies during World War II is a high priority
target of the communist leaders. Their press and other propaganda media are
therefore constantly selling the principles of centralized or federal control
of farms, railroads, electric power, schools, steel, maritime shipping, and
many other aspects of the economy–but always in the name of public welfare.
This
carries out the strategy laid down by the communist masters. John Strachey, a
top official in the Labor Socialist party of Great Britain, in his book
entitled The Theory and Practice of Socialism said:
“It
is impossible to establish communism as the immediate successor to capitalism.
It is accordingly proposed to establish socialism as something which we can put
in the place of our present decaying capitalism. Hence, communists work for the
establishment of socialism as a necessary transition stage on the road to
communism.”
The
paramount issue today is liberty against creeping socialism. It is in this
spirit that President McKay stated:
“Communism
is antagonistic to the American way of life. Its avowed purpose is to destroy belief
in God and free enterprise…. The fostering of full economic freedom lies at the
base of our liberties. Only in perpetuating economic freedom can our social,
political, and religious liberties be preserved.” (Excerpt from Inaugural
address for Dr. Henry A. Dixon, President of USU, delivered by President McKay
at the USU fieldhouse, Logan, Utah, Monday, March 18, 1954.)
Again
President McKay warned, citing the words of W. C. Mullendore, president of
Southern California Edison Company:
“During
the first half of the twentieth century we have traveled far into the
soul-destroying land of socialism and made strange alliances through which we
have become involved in almost continuous hot and cold wars over the whole of
the earth. In this retreat from freedom the voices of protesting citizens have
been drowned by raucous shouts of intolerance and abuse from those who led the
retreat and their millions of gullible youth, who are marching merrily to their
doom, carrying banners on which are emblazoned such intriguing and misapplied
labels as social justice equality, reform patriotism social welfare.” (Gospel
Ideals, p. 273.)
It
is significant that 118 years ago this month the Prophet Joseph Smith, after
attending lectures on socialism, made this official entry in church history: “I
said I did not believe the doctrine.” (History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 33.)
No
true Latter-day Saint and no true American can be a socialist or a communist or
support programs leading in that direction. These evil philosophies are incompatible
with Mormonism, the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
What
can priesthood holders do? There are many things we can do to meet the
challenge of the adversary in our day.
First,
we should become informed about communism, about socialism, and about Americanism.
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. This is in keeping with the Prophet Joseph Smith’s motto, “When
the Lord commands, do it.” (Ibid., Vol. 2, p. 170.)
The
Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington-on-Hudson, New York on which
President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., served as a board member, continues to supply
sound freedom literature. We should know enough about American free enterprise
to be able to defend it. We should know what makes it possible for six percent
of humanity–living under our free economy–to produce about one-half of the
earth’s developed wealth each year.
We
should know why paternalism, collectivism, or unnecessary federal supervision
will hold our standard of living down and reduce productivity just as it has in
every country where it has been tried. We should also know why the communist
leaders consider socialism the highroad to communism.
Second,
we should accept the command of the Lord and treat socialistic communism as the
tool of Satan. We should follow the counsel of the President of the Church and
resist the influence and policies of the socialist-communist conspiracy
wherever they are found–in the schools, in the churches, in governments, in
unions, in businesses, in agriculture.
Third,
we should help those who have been deceived or who are misinformed to find the
truth. Unless each person who knows the truth will “stand up and speak up” it
is difficult for the deceived or confused citizen to find his way back.
Fourth,
we should not make the mistake of calling people “communist” just because they
happen to be helping the communist cause. Thousands of patriotic Americans,
including a few Latter-day Saints, have helped the communists without realizing
it. Others have knowingly helped without joining the party. The remedy is to
avoid name-calling, but point out clearly and persuasively how they are helping
the communists.
Fifth,
each priesthood holder should use his influence in the community to resist the
erosion process which is taking place in our political and economic life. He
should use the political party of his choice to express his evaluation of
important issues. He should see that his party is working to preserve freedom,
not destroy it. He should join responsible local groups interested in promoting
freedom and free competitive enterprise, in studying political issues,
appraising the voting records and proposed programs, and writing to members of
Congress, promoting good men in public office and scrutinizing local, state,
and federal agencies to see that the will of the people is being carried out.
He should not wait for the Lord’s servants to give instruction for every detail
once they have announced the direction in which the priesthood should go. Each
member should exercise prayerful judgment and then act.
Sixth,
and most important of all, each member of the priesthood should set his own
house in order. This should include:
1.
Regular family prayer, remembering especially our government leaders.
2.
Getting out of debt.
3.
Seeing that each member of the family understands the importance of keeping the
commandments.
4.
Seeing that the truth is shared with members of the family, with neighbors, and
with associates.
5.
Seeing that each member is performing his duties in the priesthood, in the
auxiliary organizations, in the temple, and in the civic life of the community.
6.
Seeing that every wage earner in the home is a full tithepayer and fulfilling
other obligations in financial support of the kingdom.
7.
Providing a one-year supply of essentials.
In
doing these things a member of the Church is not only making himself an
opponent of the adversary, but a proponent of the Lord.
In
the prophecies there is no promise except to the obedient. To a modern prophet
the Lord said:
“Therefore,
what I say unto one, I say unto all: Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his
dominions, and darkness reigneth;
“And
the anger of God kindleth against the inhabitants of the earth;
“.
. . I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to
you for your salvation.
“I,
the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye
have no promise.” (D&C 82:5–6,
9–10.)
May
God give us the wisdom to recognize the threat to our freedom and the strength
to meet this danger courageously.
Yes,
perilous times are ahead, but if we do our duty in all things, God will give us
inner peace and overrule all things for our good. God grant it may be so, I
pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
