Such a dominance as terrorism has over the theme of our times, makes one wonder of any prophecies in the Book of Mormon (or anywhere else) pointing to the chaos these bands are unlawfully inflicting.  In pondering over this question, one realises that the Book of Mormon, too, has a theme running throughout most of the the history it covers: that of secret combinations, those underground, criminal gangs bent on personal gain at the expense of others’ property and lives.

Whilst narrating the chilling events of 50 BC, where a secret society with the objective of murdering the Chief Judge has just been discovered by the same, the Prophet Mormon breaks from the narrative and adds something he does not do: he informs us of the literary progression the Book of Mormon will take.  Usually, he simply recounts the events of the past and adds his prophetic insight, but here, he becomes a novelist of sorts.

‘And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi.

‘Behold I do not mean the end of the book of Helaman, but I mean the end of the book of Nephi, from which I have taken all the account which I have written’ (Helaman 2:13-14).

This gives us idea into the extreme power that secret combinations had over the livelihood of the Nephite nation.  But were they terrorists?

 

The Nephite combinations were highly organised, as terror groups are.  However, the Gadianton Robbers — the foremost of the combinations — were just that, robbers.  It is apparent from a reading of the Book of Mormon that their goal was to attain unto great wealth and power: they did not kidnap, assasinate and cause coups for some political or moral cause.  This is the one great difference we find between terrorists and secret combinations.

It is useful, therefore, to bring dear President Hinckley in on this matter:

‘It is the terrorist organizations that must be ferreted out and brought down.We of this Church know something of such groups. The Book of Mormon speaks of the Gadianton robbers, a vicious, oath-bound, and secret organization bent on evil and destruction. In their day they did all in their power, by whatever means available, to bring down the Church, to woo the people with sophistry, and to take control of the society. We see the same thing in the present situation’ (from “The Times in Which We Live”, Liahona, Jan. 2002, pp. 83–86).

For further validation, I bring in the curious words of President Benson:

‘I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world’ (from “I Testify”, Ensign, Nov. 1988, p. 86).

However, President Benson also identified another force as the modern day secert combination:

‘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 the greatest threat as the godless conspiracy. There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon —it is a conspiracy fact.

Then Moroni speaks to us in this day and says, “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” ‘ (from “Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints,” Ensign, Jul. 1972, p. 59).

My linking ancient and modern murders thus is in wondering if terrorism is to have the same effect on us in this dispensation as it did in the Nephite.  One cannot help but be reminded that the Book of Mormon was indeed written for our time and the prophesies such as this one: ‘And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed,’ (Ether 8:22) are certainly there for our heeding.

I do not know if the Prophet Mormon was referring to Al Qaeda when he highlighted to his future readers the combinations of his time.  Perhaps he knew terrorism was coming, but knew of a greater secret combination, that of a culture of sin, would arise, to give he gave more attention.

There is a visible mantle associated with the holy office of Prophet.  Previously, I keenly recognised this in President Hinckley, whose entire persona was that of the Lord’s chosen oracle on the Earth.  However, this last General Conference bore witness to me — and millions of others around the world, I am certain — that Thomas S. Monson is now the Prophet.

I was privileged to view his first address at a General Conference as Prophet in the Priesthood Session.  By the time he had completed his first sentence, I knew, the Spirit softly burning in confirmation, that I had witnessed something sacred.  President Monson has changed: one can see it in his manner; one hears it in the words he speaks in the name of Jesus Christ.  His style of address is different, reminiscent, even, of President Hinckley’s.  Surely there is a Prophet in Israel!

Is it not coincidental that this event is strikingly similar to that which occured after the death of the Prophet Joseph?  Brigham Young addressed an assembly of the Church, whilst factions had developed therein with fantastical zealots jostling for an ‘election’ to the vacancy.  Did not President Woodruff later record that, had he not seen with his own eyes President Young before him, he would have thought that Joseph had come back from the dead and was speaking to them?  Many heard Joseph’s voice uttered by President Young.  That wondrous occasion has been repeated somewhat.  Truly, the Saviour is affirming to His Church His approval of President Monson!

Brother Monson, you have accepted this holy offering, which has been held by the greatest men of the history of this globe.  You have the members’ unconditional love, sustaining and regard.  We know you will lead us as the Lord wishes.

I caught the ‘genealogy bug’ a few years ago.  My grandmother, who converted me to the Church, was zealous in getting her family history work done.  Together with our ward family history consultant, she got hundreds of names prepared and submitted to the temple.  Finding out that I am a descendant of William the Conqueror, I do admit, was quite a push to do my own research.

With so much of my father’s line done (my grandmother, brother and I are the only members of our family to have joined the Church on the Earth), I set about looking into my mother’s line.  After much procrastination, I submitted my maternal grandparents to the temple and had the privilege of being confirmed for my grandfather.  As I am unendowed still, I am now relying on other people to get the further ordinances completed.  Anyway, after my grandparents’ baptisms and confirmation, I had the distinct impression, which has remained with me since, that my grandmother accepted or embraced her baptism.  After she was endowed (my other grandmother was proxy!), I again received the same impression.  I think that was one of the reasons why the Spirit of Elijah has touched me so much: I was spiritually enthralled by those promptings.

Since then, I really got into genealogy.  My mother’s family is South African.  Finding information for the South African deceased is somewhat of a challenge.  After finding that our National Archives has conveniently indexed a considerable amount of their records, I searched the website.  South African death notices contain a wealth of information, including the deceased’s parents, children, spouse or spouses, et cetera.  I found one of my great-grandparents and felt that first ‘kick’ that only finding an ancestor can bring.

Since then, I’ve expanded on my father’s line as well, making use of Ancestry.co.uk, whose databases are truly invaluable.  I have thus become so into genealogy that I am certain it will be a life-long hobby.

Naturally, upon hearing about New FamilySearch, I was caught into the snare!  I think that I am now obsessed with it, despite the fact that the Johannesburg temple is only going live sometime next month.  I am so captivated by the concept and to hear that President Hinckley asked for it gives the project that divine stamp of approval.

Earlier this year, I discovered that FamilySearch has been commandeering a massive indexing project and that they invite volunteers to assist in digitising the entire vault in Salt Lake City.  I naturally volunteered and eventually got my grandmother into doing it.  She does at least one batch every day.  I haven’t the time to do that, but I nevertheless do do as much as possible.

Having recently assisted in transcribing Irish marriage indices, I am most excited for the advent of the Irish birth, marriage and death indices to be made available on the pilot FamilySearch record search.  I Irish lines and since they decided to burn down their census records and make access to the BMD indices to difficult, I will be able break down many brick walls I have encountered.  Obviously, NFS will also be able to assist me in this regard as I am hopeful that I have long-lost family somewhere out there who have contributed to those lines I cannot find.

I often think of counsel I received from my ward family history consultant.  She said that since redeeming the dead is a third of the mission of the Church, a third of our time should be spent doing it.