We have thought it wise at this column to avoid too much discussion on political things, sensing that the answers to mankind's dilemmas and problems are, at root, spiritual and moral.
We are aware that the Master Himself said, "My kingdom is not of this world," thus correcting the false hope of His people the Jews that He would deliver them from the hated Roman occupation of their land.
I am not even a citizen of this once great nation, though I am a lover and defender of its basic institutions, its divinely inspired founding, and the Founding Fathers who brought forth, under the clear inspiration of the Almighty, its articles and documents of origin. I likewise am in an ongoing love affair with this land---this choice land of the Americas.
I live in the shadow of---less than a hundred yards away from---the beautifully white and lovely Saint George temple in southern Utah, in which sacred edifice it thrills me to recall daily those very same Founding Fathers, with George Washington as their united voice, appeared to Wilford to "demand", in Wilford's own word, their earthly ordinances at his hand. The large painting in the temple foyer where I attend often shows this remarkable and awesome event.
Having now disavowed overtly political discourse in these GIFTS articles and Sabbathoughts, I feel to speak in this one on a matter of real urgency with words of soberness and clarity, if the Lord will help me.
The title of this article---"Spiritual Wickedness in High Places"---is from Paul's epistle to the Ephesian Saints (6:12). The whole verse states, "For we [the Saints] 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."
Paul continues in the next several verses to show the Saints how to do this, how to resist the evil he has identified and described, and how to defend against it all, by putting "on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." In other words, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." And, "stand ye in holy places."
The purpose of this message is to assert in boldness that, as Paul and a host of prophets have warned, it is ominously clear as we look around that we are now "in the evil day." Please follow our reasoning here:
In this 400th-anniversary year of the miraculous bringing forth of the King James Version of the Bible, it is worth affirming again that we Latter-day Saints believe the Bible. It is the only place to learn of the life and mortal ministry of the Lord Jesus. It is the book of books, and the mighty Book of Mormon has been sent to confirm the truths, as a second witness---or Another Testament---that the Old and New Testaments are essentially true.
In 1979 the Church brought forth an LDS edition of this KJV Bible, complete with a footnote system and other study aids that would point up in clear relief that its central figure, the Lord Jesus Christ, is indeed the literal Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
These study aids have been warmly praised by the world's scholars, and the Church has received awards for this user-friendly Bible, which is true to the KJV text down to the last comma, jot and tittle, while also clarifying the text with the Joseph Smith Translation and numerous other study helps.
The purpose and value of these helps can be illustrated at our source scripture, Ephesians 6:12.
If you glance back to the text of this verse in the sixth paragraph above to refresh its content in your mind, it will be profoundly meaningful to learn that our LDS Bible contains footnote helps of many dozens of cross-reference verses for this verse 12 on Opposition, Flesh and Blood, Spiritual Darkness, Secret Combinations, Governments, and Wickedness---all found in the Topical Guide.
Profoundly, those topics or categories for further study, show the story of that verse 12 in a remarkably clear and specific way. Do you see the point? Have we said it clearly enough? That footnote summary is a terse, concise synopsis of our message here.
To illustrate further, and to be transparent in cryptic language (!):
I am not exactly computer literate. I know just enough to produce these articles and e-mail them out and do research to learn good stuff. That's about it.
A few months ago an urgent message appeared on my monitor screen, telling me of imminent virus dangers that could cripple my computer. The solution, said the urgent message, was to install anti-virus software to deal with the threat, at a cost of about $80.
I did not have the money, but trusting the dire warning and not wanting to lose computer access I bought and installed the software, charging it to an almost-maxed credit card. Two months later my computer "crashed" and my only recourse was to take it to the store where their "Geek Squad" of computer-savvy experts told me that such software companies as I bought the online "protection" from are able to smuggle or import a virus into your computer through the very software you bought, at high cost, to cure it.
Talk about adding insult to injury!
The Analogy (see if you can follow me here as I speak in code. Please read this slowly or you may miss it . . . !):
America Trojan-horsed into the very heart---even the head---of its central government a crippling virus that is destined by its own announced intentions (and if not checked and removed) to destroy the nation. To "fundamentally transform" this nation from the divinely inspired model of its foundings and moorings.
That viral threat has actually been installed---by the legitimate electoral process of the vote of the American people---as head of state. . . . I trust I make myself obscure, in order to allay any suspicion. (You may want to go back and read that again for clarity.)
Do we know the signs of the times? Do we know the true destiny of this nation, and its designed purpose to be the cradle of the Restoration of the gospel of life and salvation and happiness? Do we know the premium the Lord placed on this plot of land? Do we know the scriptures and words of the prophets that tell in plainness of these things?
For those of you who catch the impact of Ephesians 6:12 and our application of it here in our commentary, you cannot conceive in the world of politics and in the affairs of men of a greater irony---and a greater evil---than this.
These thoughts and comments are a companion to what we wrote for Independence Day three weeks ago: "Wherefore [that is, in view of these things], 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 . . . ."
May I ask, are you familiar with this passage? Are you aware who wrote it, and where it can be found? Are you fluent in the language and warning voice of the Book of Mormon? Do these things galvanize your attention and claim your best thinking?! Or is all well in Zion, with you?
The Lord's own voice: "Behold, verily [that is His trademark, His voiceprint, if you will; no one else says "verily", which means "truly" . . . you can count on this], 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 you this word of wisdom by revelation."
The Lord proceeded to reveal His Law of Health and Well Being for His Saints. Does anyone doubt that these divine words constitute a context and a warning for an even greater danger than tobacco and strong drink!
Especially in view of the Lord's own announcement that the whole Book of Commandments itself---now known as the Doctrine and Covenants---begins with a preface dictated by the Lord Himself in which He introduces it by defining it as "the voice of warning . . . unto all people", firstly unto His Saints, who are then expected to warn the world.
"For this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words. For I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days."
May we ask: Is there anyone out there, reading this, who knows where those words are found? Do you---do I---know this book of Doctrine . . . and . . . Covenants . . .---this voice of warning---inside out, forwards and backwards, so that it comes out spontaneously when we speak in our families and in our testimonies and in our lessons?
May we reserve the right to visit this subject again soon? Is there more to be said on this subject? Do you have anything to say on it?
In conclusion, here is a prophet's key (and therefore the Lord's key) for this next critical national election in just over three months: "Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord." [So much for those who think the Constitution and the whole Judeo-Christian tradition back to Moses is now obsolete and out of date!]
The same prophet continues: "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." [The majority, or plurality vote in an election is the way to set up government leaders, unless!---now note this final verse. This is strong and powerful.]:
"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."
The inevitable questions: Do you know where to find that trenchant prophetic passage? Are you---were you before---familiar with those verses? And their meaning and context? Do you see how to apply these strong words to the national and local elections in November 2012?
I have chatted with a few people in Utah---a handful, no more---mostly LDS, and asked them who they voted for president in 2008. Their response stunned and dismayed me. They all were sheepish and confessed they did not know why, only that it seemed the thing to do---they did not know the candidate, nor the issues, not really, and they all now regret their vote.
Time to wake up.
Would I give offense, would it raise your wrath, if I said that it is a disgrace that an ignorant non-citizen from Oldham, England is bringing these things boldly to your attention?
Oh, that we need to know our stuff! All of this is consistent with the Lord's command in the Olive Leaf for the School of the Prophets---which school should now consist of all the Latter-day Saints---to "teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom . . . theory . . . principle . . . doctrine . . . the law of the gospel . . . all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God . . . Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been [history], things which are [current events and common knowledge and truth], things which must shortly come to pass [!], things which are at home [!], things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations [!], and the judgments which are on the land [weather?!]; and a knowledge also of countries [Norway? . . . the Arab world?] and of kingdoms--- [And why all of this?] That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify [your] calling" to warn and bless and heal and save the nations. (This was given at Christmas 1832.)
There is more to be said. I would love to hear you say it. . . !
God bless us all,
Steve
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