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by Val Brinkerhoff (Author)
In 1831 the LORD prophesied that a secret combination would rise up among the Saints. He called it "the secret chamber" (D&C 38:13 & 28). Its focus was spiritual wifery. It has led to the awful situation among the Latter-day Saints today, one described two times in the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 2:36-41; Ether 8:24). Besides addressing this darkness in D&C 38, God also provided a way to uncover it there. He called it an "endowment of power from on high," one poured out upon the humble, prepared Saints at the dedication of the House of the LORD at Kirtland in 1836. It was the Holy Ghost, or having access to the unified mind of the Father and the Son (Lecture on Faith 5 ). Many of those with this important gift chose to not follow Brigham Young west. They included the remaining members of the Smith family. The reason was polygamy and the control and fear tied to "the new order of things" Brigham Young was putting in place.This book addresses how polygamy rose up among the Brighamite Saints of Utah, and how it led to suppression of the fuller portion of "the doctrine of Christ" in Mormonism. Because of the early focus on polygamy, too few Latter-day Saints make Christ the LORD their focus, instead inserting the church and its leaders as substitutes for Him. It has resulted in idolatry, ignorance of how to be saved, and widespread deception. One of the most significant lies is that the Prophet Joseph Smith practiced polygamy, instituting it among the Saints. It is a lie, put forth by Brigham Young and those following him, all to justify their practice of it early on. Many are leaving the church today because of this lie and other deceptions, all a part of a false history and narrative, which the Saints have been fed. Some of this is simply ignorance. Some of it reflects greater darkness. The result, however, is many problems among us as a people. It need not be so. Seeing our awful situation today, Moroni saw that we would be surrounded by secret combinations that control us, keeping us in ignorance and deception for the sake of "gain" (Ether 8:24). They control our government, corporations, schools, and churches. This control has led to a second "awful situation," the one described by King Benjamin. He wisely brought his people out from under the lies, deception, and control of "false Christs," "false prophets," and "false preachers and teachers" (Words of Mormon 1:15). They used the people for gain (1 Ne. 22:23). The "awful situation" among King Benjamin's people was remaining in sin and ignorance without redemption (Mosiah 2:36-41). This is exactly where too many Latter-day Saints find themselves today. Many believe they are "saved" because of their works and our temples, when they are not. Few know what redemption is, or how to obtain it. Thus, many are unprepared for the great last-days harvest of souls that is nearly upon us (D&C 45:2, 56:16; Jer. 17:11). The Prophet Joseph taught that we cannot be saved in ignorance (D&C 131:6). We must "awake" from our slumber, our "awful situation" and "arise," that we might go forth to meet the Bridegroom." He Christ the LORD. He is coming soon.
