PROPHETIC UTTERANCES PROPHETIC UTTERANCES FROM II NEPHI 28FROM II NEPHI 28

Prophecy 1: II Nephi 28:7-9Prophecy 1: II Nephi 28:7-9

1.1. Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and and Teach Others to Join ThemTeach Others to Join Them

““The basic cause of The basic cause of apostasy is sin. Men leave the apostasy is sin. Men leave the Church because they are Church because they are sensual and carnal. It is not a sensual and carnal. It is not a matter of rejecting gospel matter of rejecting gospel doctrine, or preferring a more doctrine, or preferring a more liberal interpretation or liberal interpretation or application of revealed truth. application of revealed truth. These are excuses. The basic These are excuses. The basic reason for rebellion against reason for rebellion against the truth is a desire to enjoy the truth is a desire to enjoy the lusts of the flesh. The the lusts of the flesh. The choice is not between choice is not between doctrinal concepts, but doctrinal concepts, but between differing ways of between differing ways of life.”life.”

DNTC 3:426-427DNTC 3:426-427

Bruce R. McConkie

““All human beings—male and femaleAll human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each —are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”and purpose.”

The Family: A Proclamation to the The Family: A Proclamation to the WorldWorld

Paragraph TwoParagraph Two

““We warn that individuals who We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.” ancient and modern prophets.”

The Family: A Proclamation to the The Family: A Proclamation to the WorldWorld

Paragraph EightParagraph Eight

Prophecy 2: II Nephi 28:14, Prophecy 2: II Nephi 28:14, 2626

1.1. Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and and Teach Others to Join ThemTeach Others to Join Them

2.2. Saints Are Deceived By Precepts of Saints Are Deceived By Precepts of MenMen

““There are at least There are at least three dangers that three dangers that threaten the Church within, threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the awaken to the fact that the people should be warned people should be warned unceasingly against them. unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men flattery of prominent men in the world, false in the world, false educational ideas, and educational ideas, and sexual impurity.”sexual impurity.”

Gospel Doctrine, Gospel Doctrine, 312-313312-313

Joseph F. Smith

““The first commandment that God The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.”wedded as husband and wife.”

The Family: A Proclamation to the The Family: A Proclamation to the WorldWorld

Paragraph FourParagraph Four

Prophecy 3: II Nephi 28: 15-Prophecy 3: II Nephi 28: 15-1616

1.1. Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and Teach Others to Join ThemTeach Others to Join Them

2. Saints Are Deceived By Precepts of Men2. Saints Are Deceived By Precepts of Men

3.3. Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Revile Good Making Them WorthlessRevile Good Making Them Worthless

Elder William Grant Bangerter of the Elder William Grant Bangerter of the Seventy, now an emeritus General Seventy, now an emeritus General Authority, observed: “In doing these Authority, observed: “In doing these wicked things [adultery, indulgence in wicked things [adultery, indulgence in pornography] they [who participate] pornography] they [who participate] suggest that it is not so bad anymore. suggest that it is not so bad anymore. Since so much of the world accepts these Since so much of the world accepts these actions, if we resist them or speak out actions, if we resist them or speak out against them, we will be scoffed at. We against them, we will be scoffed at. We will be called prudish, Victorian, puritan, will be called prudish, Victorian, puritan, and self-righteous, as if and self-righteous, as if we we had become had become the sinners.”the sinners.” 2 2 Ensign, May 1984, 27

The family is ordained of God. The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. essential to His eternal plan. Children are Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelitycomplete fidelity.. Happiness in family life is Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. wholesome recreational activities.

““By divine design, fathers are to By divine design, fathers are to presidepreside over their families in love and over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. protection for their families. Mothers are Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of primarily responsible for the nurture of their childrentheir children.. In these sacred In these sacred responsibilities, responsibilities, fathers and mothers are fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal obligated to help one another as equal partnerspartners. Disability, death, or other . Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.” support when needed.”

The Family: A Proclamation to the World Paragraph Four

““We declare the means by which We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.” plan.”

The Family: A Proclamation to the World Paragraph Five

Prophecy 4: II Nephi 28: 18-Prophecy 4: II Nephi 28: 18-20,2820,28

1.1. Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and Teach Others to Join ThemTeach Others to Join Them

2.2. Saints Are Deceived By Precepts of MenSaints Are Deceived By Precepts of Men

3.3. Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Revile Good Making Them WorthlessRevile Good Making Them Worthless

4.4. Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry and Against That Which is Good and and Against That Which is Good and TrueTrue

““Furthermore, not only must we Furthermore, not only must we forgo erosive popularity, but we are to forgo erosive popularity, but we are to be unsurprised when “at that day shall be unsurprised when “at that day shall he [Satan] rage in the hearts of the he [Satan] rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good” (anger against that which is good” (2 2 NeNe. 28:20. 28:20).).

““Church standards remain Church standards remain constant in a time when some actually constant in a time when some actually call good evil and evil good! (See call good evil and evil good! (See IsaIsa. 5:20. 5:20.) No wonder the Latter-day Saints .) No wonder the Latter-day Saints “must be kept where the finger of scorn “must be kept where the finger of scorn can be pointed at them” (Brigham can be pointed at them” (Brigham Young, in Young, in Journal of Discourses,Journal of Discourses, 12:272). 12:272). Since there is not much chance that the Since there is not much chance that the fingers of scorn will be diverted, we fingers of scorn will be diverted, we should “[heed] them not” (should “[heed] them not” (1 1 NeNe. 8:33. 8:33). ). Ironically, among those pointing fingers Ironically, among those pointing fingers of scorn are a few that once grasped of scorn are a few that once grasped the iron rod.”the iron rod.”

Ensign, March 1995, 12Ensign, March 1995, 12

Neal A. Maxwell

““Good families face very Good families face very significant challenges in significant challenges in controlling the use of television controlling the use of television and videotapes in their homes. I and videotapes in their homes. I agree with Dr. Victor B. Cline agree with Dr. Victor B. Cline when he said, “I am convinced by when he said, “I am convinced by a vast amount of research that a vast amount of research that the images, fantasies, and models the images, fantasies, and models which we are repeatedly exposed which we are repeatedly exposed to in advertisements, to in advertisements, entertainment, novels, motion entertainment, novels, motion pictures, and other works of art pictures, and other works of art can and do … affect the self-can and do … affect the self-image and, later, the behavior of image and, later, the behavior of nearly all young people and adults nearly all young people and adults too.”too.”

Ensign May 1989, 78Ensign May 1989, 78

M. Russell Ballard

““On another occasion, Dr. Cline said that the On another occasion, Dr. Cline said that the mental diet is as important as the nutritional diet. mental diet is as important as the nutritional diet. “The amount of violence a child sees at 7 predicts “The amount of violence a child sees at 7 predicts how violent he will be at 17, 27, and 37. … how violent he will be at 17, 27, and 37. … Children’s minds are like banks—whatever you Children’s minds are like banks—whatever you put in, you get back 10 years later with interest.” put in, you get back 10 years later with interest.” He said that violent television teaches children, He said that violent television teaches children, step-by-step, “how to commit violent acts, and it step-by-step, “how to commit violent acts, and it desensitizes them to the horror of such behavior desensitizes them to the horror of such behavior and to the feelings of victims.” Dr. Cline said that and to the feelings of victims.” Dr. Cline said that America is suffering from “an explosion of America is suffering from “an explosion of interpersonal violence like we have never seen interpersonal violence like we have never seen before. … The violence is because of violence in before. … The violence is because of violence in our entertainment.” (See “Therapist says children our entertainment.” (See “Therapist says children who view TV violence tend to become violent,” who view TV violence tend to become violent,” Deseret News,Deseret News, 24 Mar. 1989, p. 2B.) 24 Mar. 1989, p. 2B.)

M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, Mar 1995,78M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, Mar 1995,78

Prophecy 5: II Nephi 28: 21Prophecy 5: II Nephi 28: 211.1. Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and

Teach Others to Join ThemTeach Others to Join Them

2.2. Saints Are Deceived By Precepts of MenSaints Are Deceived By Precepts of Men

3.3. Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Revile Good Making Them WorthlessRevile Good Making Them Worthless

4.4. Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry and Against That Which is Good and and Against That Which is Good and TrueTrue

5.5. Money, Wealth, Prosperity – Signals of Money, Wealth, Prosperity – Signals of Possible ApostasyPossible Apostasy

“… “… I am suggesting that the I am suggesting that the time has come to get our time has come to get our houses in order…”houses in order…”

““So many of our people are So many of our people are living on the very edge of living on the very edge of their incomes. In fact, some their incomes. In fact, some are living on borrowings.”are living on borrowings.”

“…“…We are beguiled by We are beguiled by seductive advertising. seductive advertising. Television carries the Television carries the enticing invitation to borrow enticing invitation to borrow up to 125 percent of the up to 125 percent of the value of one’s home. But no value of one’s home. But no mention is made of interest.”mention is made of interest.”

Gordon B. Hinckley

““I urge you, brethren, to I urge you, brethren, to look ot the condition of look ot the condition of your finances. I urge you your finances. I urge you to be modest in your to be modest in your expenditures; discipline expenditures; discipline yourselves in your yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves can, and free yourselves from bondage.”from bondage.”

CR, October 1998, 70CR, October 1998, 70Gordon B. Hinckley

““Today we're basking in the lap of Today we're basking in the lap of luxury, the like of which we've never seen luxury, the like of which we've never seen before in the history of the world. It would before in the history of the world. It would seem that probably this is the most seem that probably this is the most severe test of any we've ever had in the severe test of any we've ever had in the history of this Church." history of this Church."

Harold B. LeeHarold B. Lee

Address to church employeesAddress to church employees

Salt Lake Tabernacle Salt Lake Tabernacle

December 13, 1973,December 13, 1973,

““Vice is a monster of so frightful Vice is a monster of so frightful mienmien

As to be hated needs but to be seen;As to be hated needs but to be seen;

Yet seen too oft, familiar with her Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,face,

We first endure, then pity, then We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”embrace.”

Alexander PopeAlexander Pope

An Essay on Man, epistle 2An Essay on Man, epistle 2

Prophecy 6: II Nephi 28: 22Prophecy 6: II Nephi 28: 221.1. Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and

Teach Others to Join ThemTeach Others to Join Them

2.2. Saints Are Deceived By Precepts of MenSaints Are Deceived By Precepts of Men

3.3. Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Revile Good Making Them WorthlessRevile Good Making Them Worthless

4.4. Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry and Against That Which is Good and Trueand Against That Which is Good and True

5.5. Money, Wealth, Prosperity – Signals of Money, Wealth, Prosperity – Signals of Possible ApostasyPossible Apostasy

6.6. World No Longer Believes There is a DevilWorld No Longer Believes There is a Devil

STATISTICSSTATISTICS

Latter-day Saints who believe there is a devil?Latter-day Saints who believe there is a devil?

59%59%

General Population who believe there is a General Population who believe there is a devil?devil?

27%27%

Deseret News, July 14, Deseret News, July 14, 20012001

““Much of what comes from the devil is Much of what comes from the devil is alluring and enticing. It glitters and is appealing to alluring and enticing. It glitters and is appealing to the sensual parts of our nature. His message the sensual parts of our nature. His message sounds so reasonable and easy to justify. His voice sounds so reasonable and easy to justify. His voice is usually smooth and intriguing. If it were harsh or is usually smooth and intriguing. If it were harsh or discordant, nobody would listen, nobody would be discordant, nobody would listen, nobody would be enticed. Some of Satan’s most appealing enticed. Some of Satan’s most appealing messages are: Everyone does it; if it doesn’t hurt messages are: Everyone does it; if it doesn’t hurt anybody else, it’s all right; if you feel there is no anybody else, it’s all right; if you feel there is no harm in it, it’s okay; it’s the “cool” thing to do. harm in it, it’s okay; it’s the “cool” thing to do. Satan is the greatest imitator, the master Satan is the greatest imitator, the master deceiver, the arch counterfeiter, and the greatest deceiver, the arch counterfeiter, and the greatest forger ever in the history of the world. He comes forger ever in the history of the world. He comes into our lives as a thief in the night. His disguise is into our lives as a thief in the night. His disguise is so perfect that it is hard to recognize him or his so perfect that it is hard to recognize him or his methods. methods. James E. Faust, Ensign May James E. Faust, Ensign May 2003, 512003, 51

““If you cross to the If you cross to the devil’s side of the line devil’s side of the line one inch, you are in one inch, you are in the tempter’s power, the tempter’s power, and if he is successful, and if he is successful, you will not be able to you will not be able to think or even reason think or even reason properly, because you properly, because you will have lost the spirit will have lost the spirit of the Lord.”of the Lord.”

(In (In Sharing the Gospel Sharing the Gospel With Others, sel. Preston With Others, sel. Preston Nibley, 43)Nibley, 43)

George Albert Smith

Prophecy 7: II Nephi 28: 24-Prophecy 7: II Nephi 28: 24-2929

1.1. Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and Teach Others to Join ThemTeach Others to Join Them

2.2. Saints Are Deceived By Precepts of MenSaints Are Deceived By Precepts of Men3.3. Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and

Revile Good Making Them WorthlessRevile Good Making Them Worthless4.4. Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry

and Against That Which is Good and Trueand Against That Which is Good and True5.5. Money, Wealth, Prosperity – Signals of Money, Wealth, Prosperity – Signals of

Possible ApostasyPossible Apostasy6.6. World No Longer Believes There is a World No Longer Believes There is a

DevilDevil7.7. Apathy of Church Members – Too Much Apathy of Church Members – Too Much

Peace and ProsperityPeace and Prosperity

““A milk-and-water allegiance kills; A milk-and-water allegiance kills; while a passionate devotion gives life and while a passionate devotion gives life and soul to any cause and its adherents. The soul to any cause and its adherents. The troubles of the world may largely be laid troubles of the world may largely be laid at the doors of those who are neither hot at the doors of those who are neither hot nor cold; who always follow the line of nor cold; who always follow the line of least resistance; whose timid hearts least resistance; whose timid hearts flutter at taking sides for truth. As in the flutter at taking sides for truth. As in the great Council in the heavens, so in the great Council in the heavens, so in the Church of Christ on earth, there can be no Church of Christ on earth, there can be no neutrality. We are, or we are not, on the neutrality. We are, or we are not, on the side of the Lord. An unrelenting faith, side of the Lord. An unrelenting faith, contemptuous of all compromise, will contemptuous of all compromise, will lead the Church and every member of it, lead the Church and every member of it, to triumph and the achievement of our to triumph and the achievement of our high destiny. high destiny.

““The final conquerors of the world The final conquerors of the world will be the men and women, few or many will be the men and women, few or many matters not, who fearlessly and matters not, who fearlessly and unflinchingly cling to truth, and who are unflinchingly cling to truth, and who are able to say no, as well as yes, on whose able to say no, as well as yes, on whose lofty banner is inscribed: No compromise lofty banner is inscribed: No compromise with error. …” with error. …”

““Tolerance is not conformity to the Tolerance is not conformity to the world’s view and practices. world’s view and practices. We must not We must not surrender our beliefs to get along with surrender our beliefs to get along with people, people, however beloved or influential however beloved or influential they may be. Too high a price may be they may be. Too high a price may be paid for social standing or even for paid for social standing or even for harmony. …  harmony. …  

““The Gospel rests upon eternal The Gospel rests upon eternal truth; and truth can never be deserted truth; and truth can never be deserted safely.” safely.”

John A. Widtsoe, John A. Widtsoe, Conference Report, Conference Report, April April

1941, 116-117 1941, 116-117

Prophecies Being FulfilledProphecies Being Fulfilled1.1. Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and Mankind Seek the Lusts of the Flesh and

Teach Others to Join ThemTeach Others to Join Them2.2. Saints Are Deceived By Precepts of MenSaints Are Deceived By Precepts of Men3.3. Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and Mankind Pervert God’s Teachings and

Revile Good Making Them WorthlessRevile Good Making Them Worthless4.4. Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry Satan Stirring Mankind Up to be Angry

and Against That Which is Good and Trueand Against That Which is Good and True5.5. Money, Wealth, Prosperity – Signals of Money, Wealth, Prosperity – Signals of

Possible ApostasyPossible Apostasy6.6. World No Longer Believes There is a World No Longer Believes There is a

DevilDevil7.7. Apathy of Church Members – Too Much Apathy of Church Members – Too Much

Peace and ProsperityPeace and Prosperity