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Chapter 1 — 9/11
Editor’s Note: Several civilizations lived
on the American continent over the centuries, and each of them was
eventually decimated or destroyed. Does a similar fate await us?
Author Douglas E. Brinley describes ten stages of decline through
which all of the previous societies passed through before they were
destroyed, and he compares our current circumstances to theirs.
His book, which begins serialization in Meridian today, provides
insights that give us hope in a time of upheaval, and offers timely
counsel on what we must do to avoid the fate that befell former
civilizations.
On
September 11, 2001, the lives of all Americans changed dramatically
when Islamic militants killed thousands of people in an unprecedented
and unprovoked attack on the World Trade Center towers in New York
City. Two of four hijacked airplanes, loaded with jet fuel, slammed
like missiles into the twin structures only minutes apart. Three
thousand unsuspecting and innocent people were killed as the giant
skyscrapers imploded from heat and fire. Melting steel girders
brought the giant structures to the ground in a matter of hours.
Some people, trapped above the stories where the planes crashed
into the buildings, were unable to get past stairways or elevators
and were seen jumping to their deaths.
A
third commandeered plane crashed into the Pentagon military complex
in Washington,
D. C., while a fourth craft plowed into a Pennsylvania field as
passengers apparently fought the hijackers before a target, presumably
located in the nation’s capital, could be destroyed.
This
horrific attack represented a new kind of warfare for the United States. In past military campaigns, the enemy had a specific
identity and geographical boundary, and armed conflicts had always
been military might and strategy against a known aggressor. On this
occasion, however, our homeland was attacked unexpectedly by unknown
assailants. It was unclear, initially, who was responsible for the
reprehensible acts. Americans recalled the sneak attack on Pearl
Harbor in the 1940s, but at least at that time we knew the Japanese
were the culprits.
Though
atrocities had been committed by enemies of the United States on a foreign embassy in Kenya, troop facilities in Lebanon, and a naval ship anchored in a foreign port, our homeland
had remained immune from foreign attack. However, this act of terrorism
was in “our house,” as the athletic-minded would say, a catastrophic
surprise attack that caused a shutdown of the nation’s airports,
airlines, and air space. It curtailed travel for days because of
the uncertainty of the enemy’s intent or the extent of their infiltration.
The Aftermath
If
any good news came out of the terrible carnage and suffering of
that day, it was the way the citizens of the nation came together
to mourn and grieve over the loss of innocent life. People recommitted
themselves with patriotic fervor. The nation’s flag flew everywhere,
as a love for country — somewhat lacking in recent decades —
was revived. Firefighters and police officers, formerly the targets
of protester rocks and barbs, now became national heroes as they
sacrificed their own lives to rescue trapped occupants. At first,
there was no way to know that the towers would fall and heroic efforts
were made to get the occupants out of the buildings. Citizens were
glued to their television sets in stunned disbelief as news and
pictures of the disaster paraded before their eyes. Sadly, when
the twin giants fell, the survivors were few. It would not be hard
for each person to recall where he was when he heard the news. It
truly was a day of infamy.
The
surprise bombings that took place decades earlier at Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, had been reported by radio transmission. But now, television
cameras brought graphic scenes of the injured citizenry, mangled
steel and smoke, right into the nation’s homes in living color.
National commentators gave hour by hour analysis of the unfolding
tragic events while theorizing about its perpetrators.
In
subsequent days Americans felt a knot in their stomachs as they
found work and normal activities difficult to negotiate. Athletic
events were canceled or postponed out of respect for the dead and
missing. Memorial services were hastily convened to pay homage to
the fallen heroes, survivors, and those injured in the conflagration.
Churches were filled with people jarred out of spiritual apathy
as they sought answers from above. Funds for decimated families
of innocent and fallen comrades were quickly raised as emotional
appeals tugged at the heartstrings of every American listening to
the tearful accounts of lost loved ones.
Heartfelt
compassion and humanitarian service were everywhere present as the
nation picked up the pieces and tried to move forward. There was
an evident spirit of love and compassion in the hearts of all countrymen.
How Could Such a Tragedy Happen in This Land?
Latter-day
Saints, familiar with the Book of Mormon scenarios on this continent,
asked a few rhetorical questions: How could such a thing happen
in this land? Is this not the Lord’s “base of operations” from which
the gospel is to go forth to the world? Is not His Church headquartered
here? How could an individual or group succeed in carrying out such
a devastating attack on this land, our homeland?
“Oh,
no,” we wondered. Had wickedness in the land grown to such an extent
that the heavens were offended? (Ether 2:12). Had prophets warned
us of this possibility? Was this the long-anticipated reason for
decades of counsel to store water and food supplies? Was the Second
Coming imminent? Had Armageddon begun, or was it at our doors? Could
this be the continuation of war to precede the Millennium? (D&C
87:6–7). Were the warnings of Mormon and Moroni really accurate,
after all? Answers were wanted.
Other
ominous events brought additional worries, including anthrax-tainted
mail in post offices and Congressional buildings that caused several
deaths and great frustration as efforts were made to locate those
responsible for such deeds. It was suddenly obvious that America
was vulnerable to attack by those who would do us harm. Our leniency
in allowing others to come to this land and sup with us at our table,
so to speak, was now being rewarded in the death of our citizens.
It
soon became apparent that a terrorist organization, al-Qaida, headed
by Arab terrorist Osama bin Laden, was likely responsible. The president
of the United States brought together an international coalition
to bring him and other al-Qaida operatives to justice. Afghanistan
proved to be the location of both headquarters and camps of the
terrorists. Retaliation strikes against Taliban and al-Qaida forces
in that country lasted three months as United States air power and
ground troops united with the other nations and Pastun tribal leaders
to kill or force Taliban and al-Qaida insurgents into hiding.
Much
like the Gadianton secret society of old, however, this enemy proved
elusive, even as we learned that the no-longer-secret combination
was a relatively small but growing international conspiracy. A temporary
government supported by the United States and sanctioned by the
United Nations was put in place in Afghanistan. The citizens of
that nation gained their first taste of democracy when elections
were held in October 2004. Reportedly, 90 percent of the country’s
citizens registered to vote in the first-ever national election,
in which Hamid Karzid, the interim governor, was elected the first
president by popular vote.
Back
home, a bipartisan commission was called to investigate how the
tragedy of 9/11 (a new word in our lexicon), could have occurred.
Intelligence agencies searched for answers in an effort to determine
liability for the failure. Governmental hearings scrutinized the
intelligence gathering agencies to understand how such a catastrophe
came about. Leaders from present and past administrations were brought
before the commission in an effort to determine culpability and
formulate a plan to reorganize the intelligence community into more
cohesive agencies.
The
actions (or inaction) of the FBI, CIA, and the president’s administration
were dissected as both political parties accused each other of negligence.
The presidential campaign in the fall of 2004 was especially bitter
as blame and invectives were hurled back and forth between candidates
and parties. Humility and kindness, so evident in the aftermath
of 9/11, disappeared as quickly as they had appeared. The Congress
passed legislation in December 2004 to establish an intelligence
head who would oversee and coordinate the nation’s intelligence
services.
Book of Mormon Foreshadowings
As
Latter-day Saints reread the Book of Mormon during the 2004 Gospel
Doctrine lessons, they found new meaning in the accounts of plunder
and murder carried out by the Gadianton band. It was suddenly clear
to them why President Ezra Taft Benson had pleaded for Church members
to read the book more frequently and carefully and urged them to
get this book into the hands of Americans and thoughtful people
everywhere. As members pored over the writings of Nephi, Jacob,
Mormon, and Moroni, it was evident that these authors had seen our
day in vision and were plainly warning us “from the dust” (Ether
8:24; see also vv. 22-26; 1 Nephi 14:6-7; Mormon 5:9; 3 Nephi 30).
The
parallels between our day and that of the Nephites and Lamanites
and the numerous Nephite Gadiantons were apparent. It seemed as
if the daily headlines were taken from the ancient text. Intrigue
and terrorism among the Nephites, Lamanites, and Jaredites sounded
all too familiar to modern ears. We were reminded again of a major
theme of the book: righteousness preserves the inhabitants of this
land. The text cautioned us that secret combinations, much like
termites, could overthrow any nation on this land whose inhabitants
lost their spiritual bearings — their military and commercial
prowess notwithstanding (Ether 8). It seemed as if the writers of
the Book of Mormon were reaching out to us in a way we had never
before realized. Their plainness and precision were chillingly prophetic
as Moroni told of seeing our day in vision (Mormon 8:34-35).
President
Benson had been right. There were secret combinations in the land,
and we suddenly recognized why we had not known about them — they
were secret. We gained a new respect for prophetic and seeric insight
and this scriptural record that spoke to us of our own day with
powerful testimonies and virtual case studies. The message took
on new significance.
President
Gordon B. Hinckley, in a general conference address, reminded Latter-day
Saints of the parallel between current events and the intrigue of
the ancient secret band:
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 ... We see the same thing in the present situation.
(Times in Which We Live, 72; italics added)
Shadows from the Past
The
former inhabitants of this land were slow to live the divine requirements
of habitation. Most of the time, the Jaredites and the Nephites
(and certainly present-day Gentiles) were convinced that large
armies, weapon caches, and massive defense measures would protect
them against any enemy — only to be proven wrong time and again.
Trusting in the “arm of flesh” on this land does not work when leaders
and people are wicked (2 Nephi 4:34). The Book of Mormon teaches
that the only permanent cure — though in the end it proved impossible
for the former civilizations — is to live the gospel of Jesus
Christ and be faithful to His commandments (Ether 2:12).
The
principle seems clear enough: When the inhabitants of the land are
righteous, the Lord blesses and protects them from their enemies.
He will even fight their battles. When they are wicked, however,
they have no promises, and unless they repent, they will be swept
off the land when they become fully ripened in iniquity.
We
learn of this promise from Lehi when he blessed his son, Nephi:
“Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper
in the land” (1 Nephi 4:14; italics added). Much later, when the
Nephites became wicked, this phrase was stated in the negative:
“Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall not prosper
in the land” (Omni 1:6; italics added).
Iraq Invaded
It
seemed to the intelligence community of the United States and its
allies that Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s ruthless and tyrannical leader,
was capable of major mischief not only in Iraq but in other areas
of the Middle East and possibly the rest of the world. It was known
that in the past he had used deadly chemical weapons to kill many
in neighboring Iran and also a large number of Kurds in the northern
part of his own country. The United Nations demanded that he destroy
such weapons and insisted that outside inspectors confirm the materiel
was destroyed. Though he initially allowed a team of inspectors
to conduct a search, he later banned them from the country. Under
American and UN threats and sanctions, he at last relented and inspectors
were again admitted.
Before
any such weapons were found, and after Saddam ignored seventeen
United Nations resolutions seeking his compliance, a determined
American president and a number of allies took the offensive and
invaded the Muslim nation. Coalition forces forced Saddam out of
power, and his two sons, considered by many to be more brutal than
their father, were killed in a house fight. The dictator himself
was later found holed up near a farmhouse north of Baghdad and was
turned over to the Iraqi legal system for judgment and punishment.
About
the time Iraq was under siege, in a further threat to international
peace, North Korea boasted publicly of a nuclear arsenal. It was
a time of unrest for the United States and uneasiness in the world
as nations once again marshaled for war. Citizens were cautioned
by federal authorities to gather food, water, duct tape and plastic
sheeting should terrorists use biological contaminants or nuclear
materials on a community. Many Latter-day Saints likely thought
immediately of the years of counsel to store food and water.
When
no weapons of mass destruction were found by American search teams
in Iraq, politicians at home renewed the debate concerning the merits
of the nation’s involvement in the conflict. That dialogue, often
quite vitriolic, continues to the present day. Elections in Iraq
in January 2005 stunned the international community, as many braved
threats from insurgents to cast their vote for a democratic form
of government in this Muslim nation. How the Iraq situation plays
out with a new form of government will be of keen interest in the
coming years.
Our Level of Righteousness Is Key
From
the Book of Mormon record it is clear that the United States’ vulnerability
to attack by an enemy is tied to the level of righteousness of its
inhabitants. President Spencer W. Kimball explained that “if we
are righteous the Lord will either not suffer our enemies to come
upon us — and this is the special promise to the inhabitants of
the land of the Americas (see 2 Ne. 1:7) — or he will fight our
battles for us (Exodus 14:14; D&C 98:97, to name only two references
of many)” (“False Gods We Worship,” 6). That a foreign enemy had
killed some three thousand noncombatants in the 9/11 attacks was
a reminder to Latter-day Saints to check their “righteousness meter.”
Mormon and Moroni made it clear that the inhabitants of this land
must be obedient to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ
if they expect heavenly warnings and protection.
The
Jaredite-Nephite record is clear concerning the consequences of
rejecting God and His prophets, of breaking covenants, and of disregarding
God-ordained laws established for the residents of this land.
Latter-day Saints know what happens when the inhabitants of this
land turn from righteousness to spiritually destructive behavior
after once knowing the gospel of Jesus Christ. When the wicked on
this land overpower the righteous, a return to God and obedience
to His laws are the only insurance to bring a reversal. Though these
ancient civilizations had days of renewal and recommitment to principles
of righteousness, in the end all three former groups threw off their
spiritual yoke and turned to practices that led to their downfall
and destruction.
Ripening in Iniquity
As
earlier inhabitants became “ripe in iniquity” they lost the right
to live on this chosen land (1 Nephi 17:35; 2 Nephi 28:16; Alma
10:19; 37:28; Helaman 5:2; 6:40; 11:37). The terms ripe, ripen,
or ripening in iniquity, so frequently used by Book of Mormon authors,
describes a civilization’s movement from righteousness to wickedness
over time. Unlike a cycle that moves in a circular direction until
it returns to its starting point (such as a clock), or a pendulum
that swings first to one side and then the other, “ripening” is
unidirectional.
Bananas
and tomatoes exhibit this characteristic. Bananas pass through various
color stages of green to yellow to dark and finally to dark black.
They do not then return to a green state. Tomatoes change from green
to a lighter shade of green to a dull red before brightening into
a deep color. Further darkening can lead to rottenness, when they
are good for nothing except to be tossed out. Is there anything
more unappetizing than spoiled bananas or rotten tomatoes?
In
a similar way, all of the former civilizations passed through initial
stages of innocence and righteousness on their way to becoming a
spiritually mature civilization under divine direction. The people
of each group understood gospel principles and the covenants associated
with living on this land (2 Nephi 1:10; Alma 9:20–23; Ether 2:7–11).
They knew of the decree to serve “the God of the land, who is Jesus
Christ” (Ether 2:12). Unfortunately, the ripening process continued
among these peoples until they were swept off the land by flood,
civil war, pestilence, famine, earthquake, lightning, or other violent
means.
Interestingly,
the Lord took credit for their destruction! (Mormon 8:8; 3 Nephi
9:3–12; notice the “I haves”). Though prophets repeatedly counseled
the people to repent, the inhabitants continued in their destructive
course until they were swept from the land by the divine broom.
Reading
the Book of Mormon in our day causes us to immediately compare the
spiritual condition of this nation with that of the former inhabitants.
We compare the situation of the Gentiles as well as of the Latter-day
Saints. President Gordon B. Hinckley expressed his concerns:
As
I look to the future, I see little to feel enthusiastic about
concerning the family in America and across the world. Drugs and
alcohol are taking a terrible toll, which is not likely to decrease.
Harsh language, one to another, indifference to the needs of one
another — all seem to be increasing. There is so much of child
abuse. There is so much of spouse abuse. There is growing abuse
of the elderly. All of this will happen and get worse unless there
is an underlying acknowledgment, yes, a strong and fervent conviction,
concerning the fact that the family is an instrument of the Almighty.
It is His creation. It is also the basic unit of society.
I
lift a warning voice to our people. We have moved too far toward
the mainstream of society in this matter. Now, of course there
are good families. There are good families everywhere. But there
are too many who are in trouble. This is a malady with a cure.
The prescription is simple and wonderfully effective. It is love.
It is plain, simple, everyday love and respect. It is a tender
plant that needs nurturing. But it is worth all of the effort
we can put into it.” (Look to the Future, 69; italics added)
A Message for Our Day
The
message of the ancient prophets rings clearly in our ears. First,
we must stop the ripening process. The Lord brought the Gentiles
to this land to prepare them for the Restoration. Soon after the
Constitution was ratified, a young man, Joseph Smith, was born and
raised up to bring the true religion back to the earth, thereby
blessing the remnants of the house of Israel (1 Nephi 15:13–14;
2 Nephi 10:7–9, 18–19). America has since become a strong, stable
nation. The Constitution has worked well so far because the writers
assumed that the citizens of this nation would be a God-fearing
and righteous people.
The
free enterprise system, governmental processes, productivity, and
advancements in science, research, literature, education, and technology
in this land are unique in the history of the world as the Constitution
protects the crucible in which resources are allocated by the invisible
hand of providence. We have become a prosperous nation through the
pioneers of industry and the efforts of those who founded the political
system of this country. God has blessed this land with an abundance
of goods and services unknown in the world’s history.
But
now, as we approach two and a half centuries as a nation, a careful
look at Gentile underpinnings reveals that the ripening process
is underway. The laws of the land are being undermined, and evil
and wickedness are being justified by legal edict. Amulek was speaking
not just of his day but of our own day, and we are witnesses to
it: “I say unto you, that the foundation of the destruction of this
people is beginning to be laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers
and your judges” (Alma 10:27). When lawyers and judges find justification
or loopholes to make or sustain immoral behavior that is contrary
to that expected of a God-fearing population, it is apparent that
the ripening process is in full swing.
What about the Present Inhabitants?
It
is natural to ask, Will the ripening process continue until we suffer
the same fate the former inhabitants suffered? Though the timing
may be open to interpretation, shadows from the past are eerily
creeping across the landscape. We can be certain of one thing: Mormon
and Moroni would not have spent time writing the details of the
rise and fall of the Jaredites and their own people had such a warning
to us not been necessary. We know that the Lord would not have gone
to such a great effort to preserve and restore this sacred record
of earlier civilizations for our benefit had the outcome of the
present civilization not paralleled closely theirs.
The
Book of Mormon not only helps us see what our civilization needs
to do to survive temporally but shows us what we must do to be saved
spiritually, as it restores doctrines lost in the apostasy following
the apostolic dispensation.
The
progress from righteousness to wickedness of each former civilization
is chronicled here in an attempt to view more clearly how a nation
like the United States could end up in utter destruction if divine
warnings go unheeded. The ripening process, we learn from the Book
of Mormon, moves inexorably forward if repentance and a return to
God and His commandments are not forthcoming. Hopefully, Americans,
Latter-day Saints, and members of the world community who receive
the Book of Mormon will learn from the fate of these earlier civilizations
and realize that they cannot remain in a state of wickedness without
offending God. Righteousness of the inhabitants as they follow their
prophets has always been, and will yet be, the key to survival.
Next week — America, the Promised Land.
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©
2005 Meridian Magazine.
All Rights Reserved.
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