Looking for input from this forum.

[Elias Returns]

I have been in discussion with a dear friend that has authored several books over the last couple of years.....you may have heard of them. "Awaking to Our Aweful Situation".........anyways I too am beginning the stages to write a book. I am in the research stages right and find some forum members here very knowledgable and insightful. I pose this question to you.

If you were a member of the Church, but very green when it comes to the secret combinations, and the signs of the times events, what would you want to read that would draw you closer to the Spirit of truth regarding these subjects? I already plan on utilizing the Scriptures and Prophetic warnings from our leaders. I want to help those that believe "all is well in Zion", and help them to change their mindset to be open to see truly what is going on here. I want it to be very fact based, but yet keeping the reader intrigued to keep turning pages. What topics would be the trigger points?

[davedan]

That is a very good question. I don't know. My wife doesn't like me to talk about conspiracy at all, but since it is sort of a World View that explains much of what happens, its hard not to talk about it with regard to any subject. The wives, of several friends who are partially active in the church don't like me to talk about it with their husbands either. So far these discussions haven't of themselves miraculously inspired them to repent.

So no, I don't think this subject matter is going to scare weak Saints into repentance. So far, it hasn't made a difference to 2 people I know. If they are improving in the gospel it is due to our positive relationship and the workings of the spirit.

However, if might be of interest to other members who want information on this topic.

I think conspiracy has helped me sin less because I understand more who and what is behind the temptation. I feel the end is closer than ever, and i am trying to purify my life as much as possible.

Knowing the Second Coming of Christ is close is a motivation for me to repent. But, you don't need to look at the EVIL to be convinced that Summer is nigh, a person can be focused on the GOOD and come to the same conclusions.

Some people are like LEHI, who never noticed the filthiness of the water. Some people are like NEPHI who spent great effort to describe the filthiness of the water (Great and Abominable Church)

[davedan]

1 Nephi 15:27

And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water.


That said, I feel that Elder Bednar did call us to be more Nephi like.

Elder David A. Bednar "Watching with All Perseverance," (April 3, 2010): We live in a day of warning. Those who bare testimony of the warning in the Book of Mormon will be "blessed with eyes that can see afar off and with ears that can hear the sound of the trumpet . . . [and] will enable you to stand as watchmen on the tower for your families—”watching … with all perseverance”

[Elias Returns]

Thank you davedan....I look forward to more of your insight.

[Mahonri]

A MUST read is Christopher Bentley's "Hidden Things of Darkness: Exposing the Enemies of Christ"

This series is on the subject form and LDS view as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMfCQfj3 ... ideo_title" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[freedomforall]

The first post here: http://www.ldsfreedomforum.com/viewtopi ... 19&t=16504" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
is a great place to start. Very basic referencing tons of quotes from church leaders and scriptures. This was one of the very first things that helped me "wake up"!!!

Ken Bower's book "Hiding in Plain Sight" (2nd ed.) was also instrumental in helping me to see the world as it is, although it's a little more "heavy", and he didn't do a great job of siting his sources as he wrote the book.

I'd love to hear more on your book when you get it written! Good luck!

Hey Jules!, you're a sweetheart, again. You hit it right on the button for Elias. Thanks.
Another great book is "None Dare Call It Conspiracy" a book of which President Benson stated is a must read. In the back of the book are some layed-out things to know and do in the cause of "Warning Our Neighbor." A part of the book is in this works as well:
http://www.awakeandarise.org/article/Th ... Saints.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not to mention the Book Of Mormon. One can read and understand what secret combinations do and how. One can gather info in order to instruct the readers of Elias's book on how to "act upon" and not be "acted upon."

[SAM]

If I had the talent and inclination to write a book trying to wake people up I would start with a discussion of agency, accountability and the Atonement, weaving what we know about the war in heaven and how basically all the fundamental principles of the gospel stem from these concepts. I think most mainstream LDS will at least stick with you that far. Then, I would go into explanation about how tyranny, addiction, oppression, etc. limit our ability to fully utilize the gifts of agency and accountability and that is why so many gospel principles are tied to those concepts and it's important for us to preserve them. Then, I would point to specific examples in the BOM and all the scriptures, for that matter, showing when righteous and freedom prevailed what the consequences were, and vice versa - consequences of wickedess, tyranny, oppression, therefore giving them a new context in which to read the scriptures. Then, I would apply these same consequences to known history and finally, give some possible scenarios for how our future could play out based on our willingness to give into tyranny, wickedness, oppression, addiction, etc. and why it is so vital that we wake up to the road we are going down. Maybe something like this has already been written, but I've never read it. Then again, I admit to having not read a great number of things.

Good luck on your endeavor. I am always anxious for more ways to point my loved ones in the right direction and learn more insights myself.

[Rand]

I have been in discussion with a dear friend that has authored several books over the last couple of years.....you may have heard of them. "Awaking to Our Aweful Situation".........anyways I too am beginning the stages to write a book. I am in the research stages right and find some forum members here very knowledgable and insightful. I pose this question to you.

If you were a member of the Church, but very green when it comes to the secret combinations, and the signs of the times events, what would you want to read that would draw you closer to the Spirit of truth regarding these subjects? I already plan on utilizing the Scriptures and Prophetic warnings from our leaders. I want to help those that believe "all is well in Zion", and help them to change their mindset to be open to see truly what is going on here. I want it to be very fact based, but yet keeping the reader intrigued to keep turning pages. What topics would be the trigger points?

Elias R: A couple thoughts from a recovering author of short addictive duration: Write the book for them, not yourself. Often we try to fix what we see wrong with the world. That is our problem, not theirs. Second, follow everyone else's advice. Good luck. It is a great experience.

[Vision]

Eliasreturns the one thing that has helped me the most in my scripture studies is this thought/question.

"Why did Mormon, and Moroni through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost choose each and every verse in the Book of Mormon?"

When I started to read each verse with that thought in mind and the next complimentary question that goes with it

"what am I to learn from this verse?"

I had to start asking myself why are there so many warnings about Secret Combinations in the Book of Mormon? Why would the spirit move Mormon to devote so much of the precious space on the plates to Secret Combinations. If there were greater things for us to know then they would have been in the BOM. It was real simple for me to make the connection that the Lord obviously wanted us to know about Secret Combinations because that would become a challenge in our time.

[Elias Returns]

Thank you all so much for your advices and inputs...I will put them to good use. I am also looking for good resources for "the Wheat and Tares" Parables. I am planning on using the scriptures for them as well.

[creator]

So you want to write a book on Secret Combinations... and it seems you've already read Jack Monnett's books "Awakening to Our Awful Sitution"... I would also recommend that you read Christopher Bentley's "Hidden Things of Darkness: Exposing the Enemies of Christ", as well as Ken Bower's books.

My recommendations would be to make sure you've read the existing books on Secret Combinations, and figure out what could be done differently in your book to educate people that maybe you felt was missing in the other books. No need to duplicate what others have already done. No doubt these other authors have been successful in waking people up, but perhaps a different approach will wake others up who maybe wouldn't have been affected by the other books.

I hope you'll keep us updated on your thoughts, ideas, and progress as you research and write this book.

[Mahonri]

Honestly,
my suggestion is to NOT reinvent the wheel.

There is TONS of effort in putting a book together, and if all the would be authors out there would just use the same energy with the tools already out there, we could be so much further ahead.

So figure out how much time you would have spent on the book, getting it published and distributed, etc and just spend that much time effort and money getting the tools that already exist out there.

[Elias Returns]

@ Brian.....I have read Ken Bowers books, and about a dozen others on this subject matter. I think I have a pretty stong grasps on that particular topic. What I have been instructed to do is construct and write a book that will help our fellow Brothers and Sisters who do not understand these certain topics, in a manner that will help bring them along and up to speed with the "truth" of what is going on in the world and what is going in during these last days. The content I have been directed that this book must have in it is this: secret combinations, the "Wheat and the Tares parables", the signs of the times, specifically Ezekial, Daniel, Revelation and the D&C., more importantly the counsel that has been given to us about preparedness and what will happen to the members that have not or will not adhere to this counsel. I am also to include testimonies of like minded Brothers and Sisters on these topics. This is rather broad I will admit, but I believe if done properly, it can be done.

[Original_Intent]

I think that something new could be done that would not be reinventing the wheel. I'm not sure what the answer is - there has been the suggestion to take the time and effort in getting the word out there - my experience has been you can lead a horse to water, but you can;t make them drink. People will always find a reason - the book was too large, too dry, too difficult, too oversimplified, too idealistic, too negative, etc.

I wish there was a good book that was short, clear, and would make these things self-evident to anyone that read them. But it appears that the Lord only wants these things given to those that anxiously endeavor to seek after them.

If you think that you can make the truths more accessible to people than what has already been done - please don't let anyone discourage you. I would love to write such a book that would take someone from skeptic to "awake" - but again, my experience is that significant effort has to be put in, and most people just cannot be bothered.

Kudos to Brian for his websites and this forum - it provides well for the seeker, and I think he has done a great, GREAT thing here.

[Original_Intent]

Has a "Secret Combinations for Dummies" book been written yet> =))

[Mahonri]

I think that something new could be done that would not be reinventing the wheel. I'm not sure what the answer is - there has been the suggestion to take the time and effort in getting the word out there - my experience has been you can lead a horse to water, but you can;t make them drink. People will always find a reason - the book was too large, too dry, too difficult, too oversimplified, too idealistic, too negative, etc.

I wish there was a good book that was short, clear, and would make these things self-evident to anyone that read them. But it appears that the Lord only wants these things given to those that anxiously endeavor to seek after them.

If you think that you can make the truths more accessible to people than what has already been done - please don't let anyone discourage you. I would love to write such a book that would take someone from skeptic to "awake" - but again, my experience is that significant effort has to be put in, and most people just cannot be bothered.

Kudos to Brian for his websites and this forum - it provides well for the seeker, and I think he has done a great, GREAT thing here.

ditto

[sbsion]

life is all about priorities...........our greatest priority is to become "one" with Christ, and recieve ALL that the Father hath to give, I would suggest recieving the "mighty change" and partaking of the "fruit of the tree", would yeild and enhancement of insight to the "powers that be", both postive and negative, and also give efficacy to what we have already reicieved...........can we "raise the dead"?...........well, we should be able to when called upon

[1984Orwellherenow]

That is a very good question. I don't know. My wife doesn't like me to talk about conspiracy at all, but since it is sort of a World View that explains much of what happens, its hard not to talk about it with regard to any subject. The wives, of several friends who are partially active in the church don't like me to talk about it with their husbands either. So far these discussions haven't of themselves miraculously inspired them to repent.

So no, I don't think this subject matter is going to scare weak Saints into repentance. So far, it hasn't made a difference to 2 people I know. If they are improving in the gospel it is due to our positive relationship and the workings of the spirit.

What specifically are you calling others to repentance for? Under what authority? No offense, but I didn't know there is a Samuel the Lamanite on this board.

[Mahonri]

That is a very good question. I don't know. My wife doesn't like me to talk about conspiracy at all, but since it is sort of a World View that explains much of what happens, its hard not to talk about it with regard to any subject. The wives, of several friends who are partially active in the church don't like me to talk about it with their husbands either. So far these discussions haven't of themselves miraculously inspired them to repent.

So no, I don't think this subject matter is going to scare weak Saints into repentance. So far, it hasn't made a difference to 2 people I know. If they are improving in the gospel it is due to our positive relationship and the workings of the spirit.

What specifically are you calling others to repentance for? Under what authority? No offense, but I didn't know there is a Samuel the Lamanite on this board.

Dave can speak for himself, but that was a pretty rude response Orwell, but we all have the "authority"

D&C 93:49 What I say unto one I say unto all;

D&C38:41And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.

D&C 88:801Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

D&C 18:14Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

D&C 6:9Say nothing but repentance unto this generation;

[1984Orwellherenow]

Dave can speak for himself, but that was a pretty rude response Orwell, but we all have the "authority"

D&C 93:49 What I say unto one I say unto all;

D&C38:41And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.

D&C 88:801Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

D&C 18:14Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

D&C 6:9Say nothing but repentance unto this generation;

Please excuse my gruff wording. I am only asking questions trying to learn and don't mean to offend, which apparently I need to qualify better in future posts. Obviously I'm not "in the comfort zone" with this crowd and don't know what approach is best. I guess I'm used to straight forward language found in more professional circles, which can come off as being offensive in more casual conversation. I promise to try harder in the future.

Also, thank you for your insightful response. I will have to look into this more. If anyone has anything to add to Mahonri's personal interpretations then please offer them up.

[Mahonri]

If anyone has anything to add to Mahonri's personal interpretations then please offer them up.

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2 Peter 1:20

[Rincon]

Removed

[1984Orwellherenow]

If anyone has anything to add to Mahonri's personal interpretations then please offer them up.

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2 Peter 1:20

You were giving a private interpretation? It seemed that way...

[creator]

...we all have the "authority"

D&C 93:49 What I say unto one I say unto all;

D&C38:41And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.

D&C 88:801Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

D&C 18:14Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

D&C 6:9Say nothing but repentance unto this generation;

I agree, based on D&C 88 (it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor), D&C 18:14 (you are called to cry repentance unto this people), and so MANY other scriptures, and counsel from the prophets, we do all have the authority, and responsibility, to warn our neighbor and the cry repentance.

[freedomforall]

So you want to write a book on Secret Combinations... and it seems you've already read Jack Monnett's books "Awakening to Our Awful Sitution"... I would also recommend that you read Christopher Bentley's "Hidden Things of Darkness: Exposing the Enemies of Christ", as well as Ken Bower's books.

My recommendations would be to make sure you've read the existing books on Secret Combinations, and figure out what could be done differently in your book to educate people that maybe you felt was missing in the other books. No need to duplicate what others have already done. No doubt these other authors have been successful in waking people up, but perhaps a different approach will wake others up who maybe wouldn't have been affected by the other books.

I hope you'll keep us updated on your thoughts, ideas, and progress as you research and write this book.

Yep. And maybe recognizing known consequences that have already happened because of a sleeping and apathetic people. First was the prophecy or warning (before), then came a consequence. (after) I hope this makes sense.