Blogger of Jared

In Ether 8, we read a story about a small group of people who employ secret combinations to achieve power. This short story is illustrative of the primary differences between the sacred covenants and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the secret oaths and combinations used by Satan. Contrasting both reminds us that Satan, the Great Imitator, does not love those who serve him but only intends to drag them down to hell with him.

The story begins with Omer the king and his son Jared who rebelled against his father, raised an army, and took away the kingdom. Later, other sons of Omer recaptured the kingdom and spared Jared’s life after he promised to give up the kingdom. Seeing his sorry for the loss of the kingdom, Jared’s daughter devised a plan to regain the kingdom. This plan relied on secret combinations. She would dance for Akish, a friend of her father, and when Akish asked Jared for his daughter’s hand in marriage, Jared would grant the request only if Akish would kill Omer, the king. Akish agreed and gathered in all his kinsfolk to the house of Jared to administer secret oaths in support of this plan.

As we finish this story, we will identify the characteristics of secret combinations and later compare them to and contrast them with sacred covenants.

Secret Oaths and Combinations

1. The worst consequence of violating secret combinations is physical death

Those who violate their secret oaths are threatened with death. Akish required all his kinsfolk to enter into an oath to support him in this wicked endeavor. “Will ye swear unto me that ye will be faithful unto me in the thing which I shall desire of you?” (Ether 8:13) Now consider the consequence of violating this oath: “whoso should vary from the assistance which Akish desired should lose his head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akish made known unto them, the same should lose his life” (Ether 8:14).

2. Secret combinations keep people in darkness

Remember that Satan uses secret oaths and combinations to help him accomplish his own designs, not to bless the lives of those who participate. Satan uses secret combinations to keep his followers in darkness. “And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness…” (Ether 8:16).

3. Secret combinations lead to sin

The purpose of secret combinations is to support the wicked in committing sin. According to the designs of Satan, secret combinations “help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms” (Ether 8:16).

Speaking of secret combinations, Elder M. Russell Ballard wrote, “Among their purposes are to ‘murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God.’” (M. Russell Ballard, “Standing for Truth and Right,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 37). See Helaman 6:21-23.

4. Wicked oaths and combinations are secret

“And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God; For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.” (Ether 8:18-19) The purpose for keeping such combinations secret is to hide them from the law of the state and of God.

Describing Gadianton robbers of the Book of Mormon and of our day, Elder Ballard wrote, “They have secret signs and code words. They participate in secret rites and initiation ceremonies.” (M. Russell Ballard, “Standing for Truth and Right,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 37)

5. Secret combinations lead to eternal destruction

Secret combinations lead to the death and destruction of entire peoples. Moroni taught that secret combinations “caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking [the Jaredites], and also the destruction of the people of Nephi” (Ether 8:21). We learn from Mormon that the true consequence of secret combinations isn’t just destruction in this life but eternally.

“And also it is that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was that same being who led on the people who came from that tower into this land; who spread the works of darkness and abominations over all the face of the land, until he dragged the people down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell.” (Helaman 6:28)

“The Book of Mormon teaches that the devil is the “author of all sin” and the founder of these secret combinations. He uses secret combinations, including gangs, “from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.” His purpose is to destroy individuals, families, communities, and nations.” (M. Russell Ballard, “Standing for Truth and Right,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 37)

Sacred Covenants and Ordinances

Satan is “the great imitator, the master deceiver, the arch counterfeiter, and the great forger” (James E. Faust, “The Great Imitator,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 33). His secret oaths and combinations are evil imitations of the Lord’s sacred covenants and ordinances. Reviewing the five characteristics listed above will show how Satan’s counterfeits provide the “opposition in all things” spoken of by Lehi (2 Nephi 2:11).

1. The worst consequence of violating sacred covenants is spiritual death

Though breaking some commandments (such as the Word of Wisdom) may lead to physical death, those who choose to violate the covenants of the Lord are not threatened with physical death. Elder Boyd K. Packer explained, “The tempter entices others … to violate covenants which they have made with God. He promises emancipation and exhilaration without saying that such a course may be spiritually fatal” (Boyd K. Packer, “Covenants,” Ensign, Nov. 1990, 84). Elder M. Russell Ballard emphasized that the sin which leads to a violation of covenants also threatens eternal life. “Sin weakens you spiritually, and it always places the sinner at eternal risk. Choosing to sin, even with the intent to repent, is simply turning away from God and violating covenants” (M. Russell Ballard, “Keeping Covenants,” Ensign, May 1993, 6).

2. Sacred covenants keep us in the light

The Lord is the light of the world. Continuing to live the covenants we make with God will keep us in that light. “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (D&C 50:24). We are counseled to stand in holy places (D&C 87:8). Sister Virginia Jensen of the Relief Society Presidency gave us similar counsel. “Let us bask in the warm and illuminating light provided by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let the Savior’s kindly light lead us one step at a time. Let covenants and commandments keep us safe as we follow the gospel pathway to our heavenly home” (Virginia U. Jensen, “Lead, Kindly Light,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 62).

3. Sacred covenants lead us to choose the right

Keeping our covenants will help us to choose the right because the Spirit will be with us. Elder David A. Bednar reminds us that the presence of the Holy Ghost is promised those who keep the covenant of baptism:

“The saving ordinance of baptism must be administered by one who has proper authority from God. The fundamental conditions of the covenant into which we entered in the waters of baptism are these: we witnessed that we were willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, that we would always remember Him, and that we would keep His commandments. The promised blessing for honoring this covenant is that we may always have His Spirit to be with us (see D&C 20:77). In other words, baptism by water leads to the authorized opportunity for the constant companionship of the third member of the Godhead.” (David A. Bednar, “That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us,” Ensign, May 2006, 28)

Elder Dallin H. Oaks explains that the Holy Ghost will guide us through life to make the right choices, “That Spirit—the Holy Ghost—is our comforter, our direction finder, our communicator, our interpreter, our witness, and our purifier—our infallible guide and sanctifier for our mortal journey toward eternal life” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Always Have His Spirit,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 59).

4. Our covenants and ordinances are sacred

“There are some things just too sacred to discuss. We know that as it relates to the temples. In our temples, sacred ordinances are performed; sacred experiences are enjoyed. And yet we do not, because of the nature of them, discuss them outside those sacred walls. It is not that they are secret, but they are sacred; not to be discussed, but to be harbored and to be protected and regarded with the deepest of reverence.” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Spirit Beareth Record,” Ensign, June 1971, 87)

5. Sacred covenants lead us to eternal life

Secret combinations and sacred covenants point us in opposite directions. Where combinations point us on a path to damnation, our sacred covenants lead us to life eternal. Elder Oaks stated, “Our Savior is also the life of the world. We should give thanks for his absolute gift of immortality. We should receive the ordinances and keep the covenants necessary to receive his conditional gift of life eternal, the greatest of all the gifts of God (see D&C 14:7)” (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Light and Life of the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 63). Elder Adhemar Damiani also taught this principle. “Obeying the sacred covenants and all the commandments qualifies us to receive the remission of our sins, allowing us to live clean and pure lives in the presence of God as resurrected and exalted beings…” (Adhemar Damiani, “The Merciful Plan of the Great Creator,” Ensign, Mar. 2004, 8).

Conclusion

Omer and Akish are polar opposites, living types of the Jesus Christ and Satan. Where Omer was a righteous king who led his people in peace, Akish sought what he lusted after through wickedness. This war between good and evil began long before that in our premortal existence, and it continues today. Satan entices his followers today to seek for happiness in sin through secret combinations. Conversely, the Lord persuades us to follow the path to true happiness through sacred covenants. May we always pray for discernment that we will recognize Satan’s efforts to deceive us, and may we stand fast in the light of the Lord by keeping his covenants which lead to eternal life.