Secret Conspiracy/Combination
A secret conspiracy or combination is an evil conspiracy that works in darkness and whose overall objective is “power and gain,” but especially “the control or overthrow of the government; often using political office to rule and do according to their [will], that they might get gain and glory of the world [Helaman 3:1].”1 Even though these completely corrupt combinations may work in secret, their works are often displayed in the open or to public view without any regard to concealment. These conspiracies have existed since the time of Cain, are inspired by Satan, and often use covert signs and oaths as they convert blood to cash and cash to blood: using the treasures of the earth “to rule with blood and horror on the earth.” Moroni characterizes the creating of a secret combination or conspiracy as the most corrupt and wicked of all, in the sight of God (Ether 3:17 CE) because of the intent to commit murder, secret murder (see Alma 37:22; 3 Nephi 9:9; Helaman 6:17, 29, 38), and secret works of darkness (see 2 Nephi 6:3, 7:3, 11:15; Alma 17:12; Helaman 2:33, 3:6, 19; Mormon 4:4).
The term secret combination(s) is primarily found in the Book of Mormon (in 19 verses), once in The Old Covenants (Genesis 3:12, which is an addition from the former revelation known as the Book of Moses), and once in the Teachings & Commandments (T&C 26:17). The Book of Mormon uses the secret societies of the Jaredites and the Gadiantons as examples of secret combinations. The Gadiantons “were (1) totally partisan, the laws and interests of the combination taking priority over all other laws and interests. (2) All were ambitious, hence the labor for power and gain; Cain is the type and model. (3) The combinations were highly competitive, feuding fiercely among themselves. (4) They sought to project a noble image. (5) They professed piety and religion. (6) They were paranoid, always attributing their troubles to the wickedness of others… They are constantly seeking to avenge their wrongs. (7) They flourish best in an affluent business society, and wither in times of poverty. (8) They crystallize around ambitious individuals. (9) They readily coalesce with king-men, would-be nobility, great families, ambitious local officials… (10) They have destroyed every civilization in the New World in which they have been able to thrive. (11) They cannot thrive or even survive without the acceptance and encouragement of society in general. Being predatory and non- productive, i.e., parasites, they must have a complacent society to host and support them. (12) they can be dormant for long periods of time and then, when circumstances are favorable, suddenly appear in full strength and vigor. The Gadiantons, terrible as they were, are treated more as a symptom than as a disease: the society that has them is sick, but they are like maggots that prey only on dead tissue, they simply exploit the evil situation that gives them their opportunity.”2
These murderous combinations or conspiracies threaten the downfall of our current civilization. The Book of Mormon is rather candid about the threat of Gentiles losing freedom, followed by their destruction: Therefore, you Gentiles, it’s God’s wisdom for you to be shown these things, so you’ll repent of your sins and not allow these murderous conspiracies, that are always set up for power and money, to control you, so that you won’t provoke your own destruction. Indeed, the sword of the justice of the Eternal God will fall upon you, to your ruin and destruction, if you allow these things to continue. Therefore the Lord commands you, when you see these things come among you, to wake up to a sense of your awful situation because of this secret society that’s come into existence among you. Woe to this conspiracy on account of the blood of those who have been killed; they cry out from the dust for vengeance upon it, and upon those who make and support it (Ether 3:18 CE).3
Nations are at war — both actively (in direct conflict) and passively (using economic, psychological, and cultural means to undermine and harm one another).4 Secret combinations and self-perpetuating cabals undermine the fundamental fabric of communities, societies, and civilizations, and the greatest threats occur from within. They do not confine themselves to only disrupting the balance of power in secular organizations or institutions; they want to control and exert power over religious institutions as well. In addition to controlling the dissemination of information, Satan uses every tool available to generate conflict and to pollute and subvert all establishments. It will come at a time when the blood of holy ones will cry out to the Lord because of secret conspiracies and works of darkness….It will come at a time when there will be great pollutions on the earth: there will be murders, robbing, lying, deceiving, whoredoms, and all kinds of abominations….You pollutions, hypocrites, and you teachers who sell yourselves for things that will corrode and decay, why have you polluted God’s holy congregation?… Why do you build up your secret abominations for the purpose of getting rich? (Mormon 4:4–5 CE). These secret combinations are an integral part and extension of Babylon, whose influence corrupts everything. They corrupt business. They corrupt governments. They corrupt churches. They corrupt society itself.5
“We live at a time when there are organized efforts to form groups for the sole purpose of killing others. This behavior is so directly analogous to the Gadianton conspiracy within the Book of Mormon that the lessons there should serve as notice to us. Moroni interrupted his translation of the Book of Ether to give us his warning in [Ether 3:18–19]….I do not think knowing our awful circumstance does a thing to fix it. What fixes it is to have more people come to the Lord, develop love for their fellow man, and live the commandments given by Him. That is something done one person at a time. I despair when I think in larger numbers than the individual. I rejoice when I think of the single person. For anything is possible with each person, no matter what their circumstances.”6
1 Hugh Nibley, Since Cumorah (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1967), 407.
2 Ibid., 408–409.
3 “Voting,” June 12, 2022, blog post.
4 “Last Dispensation, conclusion,” December 22, 2022, blog post.
5 500th Year Reformation Talk Five, Sandy, UT, Sept. 7, 2018, transcript of recording, 4.
6 “Current State of Things,” April 12, 2010, blog post.