The Book of Mormon warns of a secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands that is built up by that same person who deceived our first parents, Adam and Eve, in the garden. Over the years many scholars have only touched on the nature of these secret combinations, but the origin of these secret combinations is much more ancient and insidious than people imagine. In fact when many people discover the well laid plans by some of these secret combinations they find that the plans have been implemented over a long period of time-in fact a period of time and with a continuity that exceeds the life span of a mortal man.

In Israelite thought a name is much more than just a title like Tom, Dick, or Harriet. A name encapsulates a condition, a state of being, and all the authority and commandments associated with that name. For example, even in English culture when a king would issue a royal decree it was said to be done, “In the Name of the King”. The same concept existed in Israelite culture with much more depth. For example, to “pray in the name” also meant that a person “prayed to God” to fulfill his commandments. To “call upon the name” meant to come before the throne or court room of heaven to request a legal decree or to invoke the dominion of Heaven. In other words “The Name” is associated with the establishment of God’s dominion on this earth as it exists in Heaven. This is why one of the greatest of promises is iterated and reiterated throughout the record of the Book of Mormon.

I think Mormons are some of the most incredible people on earth. They are good and honorable. They work hard. They care about their families and their neighbors. They seek the Lord’s will and to keep His commandments.

Where some of us differ, is that I believe secret combinations have infiltrated the church. Men who seek their own glory have risen to the highest levels of authority.

The Book of Mormon prophets warn us many times about secret combinations and show us how they were the cause of the entire destruction of their church. Their highest leaders had been infiltrated (3 Nephi 6:21) right before their church broke apart (3 Nephi 6:14).

Maybe you believe there are secret combinations today, but you aren’t sure about how prevalent they are. If you want to know the truth, study Ether 8. Moroni saw the secret combinations in our day. The Lord has commanded us to wake up to our awful situation (Ether 8:24).

We live in one of the most pivotal times in the history of the earth. The world is crying out desperately for answers and hope—more than ever before! The Book of Mormon contains the answers and solutions we have been looking for.

I believe the Book of Mormon contains not only guidance at an individual level, but also the most detailed prophecy of our future—a blueprint for building Zion, discerning modernist deceptions, and navigating the turmoil of the last days! The Book of Mormon literally foretells our future, as well as portrays our past and present from the Lord’s perspective.