Secret Oaths and Combinations

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

There are secret oaths and evil combinations

Of such we are reluctant to write or offer exposition

But think it wise to warn against such vile associations

That we be not blind to their evil design and disposition

To speak or write of dark things is not something one should do casually.   But from time to time, it is important to turn a spotlight on such things – to raise a warning voice.  Such was the case when an ancient prophet looked at our day and said, "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." (Book of Mormon, Ether 8:14-26.)

Many of us are beginning to feel a sense of being in an “awful situation” as we look for principled people to take key leadership roles in our countries around the world.   Regardless of country or nationality, we look about us today and watch as the apparent majorities seem to love assertive, even abusive power more than principle, and the promise of not just something for nothing, but nearly everything for nothing.  Once value-based societies are voting, legislating, and by judicial decree creating valueless societies.

In some countries dishonest, deceitful, power-hungry and narcissistic personalities seem to be “the people’s choice” for ministerial, parliamentary, and democratic legislative and executive positions.  Reasonable public discourse is descending into political pundancy and weightier matters go wanting.  

According to the ancient philosopher Aristotle, “Nature abhors a vacuum.”  In the space where legislative, executive, and judicial discourse, decision, and leadership should abound, we sense a void, a vacuum.  History has taught us that such a vacuum is a most dangerous situation.  When national leaders are bereft of leadership, principle, and basic goodness, then we make room for what the Apostle Paul called, “… principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness … and spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)  When hate and fear become part of a political platform, the masses are ripe for recruitment into various forms of radicalism.

Hence, we cautiously write of dark things, but do so in the hope of alerting us to “awful things” that may come.

Whispering in gullible ears and hearts by designing men

In every generation, scheming how to control our soul

Through plots of intimidation with no limits as to sin

Covenanted combinations of evil luring us into their fold

But with these warnings we plead and pray for spiritual strength and resolve:

May our covenants be with He who reigns above

And forswear the secrets of him who reigns below

Living in obedience, righteousness, and Godly love

Secure through Him from whom all blessings flow

Secret Oaths and Combinations

But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts …, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, ….  And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret words; ….And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness … and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.

Book of Mormon   Helaman 6:21-22, 25-26, 30

There are secret oaths and evil combinations

Of such we are reluctant to write or offer exposition

But think it wise to warn against such vile associations

That we be not blind to their evil design and disposition

Founded by the author of sin and wicked abomination

Promoted by him who seeks our ultimate destruction

He seeks recruits for his band and brand of alienation

With secret oaths and signs, and other evil instruction

Whispering in gullible ears and hearts by designing men

In every generation, scheming how to control our soul

Through plots of intimidation with no limits as to sin

Covenanted combinations of evil luring us into their fold

Let us avoid such wicked combinations and turn away

Protected by the armor of light and the Spirit’s sword

Let us defend our liberties and all God’s covenants obey

Until Satan is bound and perpetual peace is restored

May our covenants be with He who reigns above

And forswear the secrets of him who reigns below

Living in obedience, righteousness, and Godly love

Secure through Him from whom all blessings flow

Larry Doyle Crenshaw