Ether 8

(Below is a list of questions that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

Supporting secret combinations leads to the destruction of individuals and societies.

2-26. Imagine a country in which the political leaders, judges, law enforcement agencies and many others were evil and entered into a secret oath to destroy all the families that believe in Jesus Christ. What might conditions be like in such a place? Why would it be difficult to trust anyone? How would you know if a person loved God more than Satan?

"The book of Mormon teaches that secret combinations engaged in crime present a serious challenge, not just to individuals and families but to entire civilizations. Among today's secret combinations are games, drug cartels, and organized crime families… They have secret signs and codewords. They participate in secret rites and initiation ceremonies. 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, GC, October 1997

2-3. What is happening here to indicate there is contention for the chance to become king? What did Jared due to his father? What do you imagine family life would be like in the home where a son would go to war against his father and put him into captivity? How do you feel about your father? How do you feel about your Heavenly Father? Who do you know of that has rebelled against Him? What level of obedience to God do you maintain in your life? Is it reflected in the obedience and respect that you give your earthly father?

9-13. What plan did Jared's daughter create to make her father the king? What are the dangers of secret combinations? What is the danger of engaging in unrighteous secret activities? Consider the following: the music you listen to, thought you entertain, how you act in public, movies you watch, you're dating behavior, activities you do with your friends, what you do when no one else is around. Why might someone who is engaged in wicked behavior want to hide how they participate in one or more of the things in this list from their parents, friends, and leaders?

14-16. What is a secret combination? Why do some people participate in secret combinations?

16. Why do you think it is spiritually destructive to believe you can do all manner of wickedness or what so everything you desire without facing any consequences? Who is the author of all secret combinations?

18. How does God feel about secret combinations? Why do you think such combinations are considered wicked above all?

19. How does the Lord work among the children of men?

20. Why doesn't Moróni record the details of the secret combinations? Since there is no record of these details of secret combinations and oaths where do people get them from? How can you recognize secret combinations? Why do you need to be able to recognize them for what they are? How can your ability to discern secret combinations bless and protect to you?

21-22. What is the promised result of all secret combinations?

"This scripture should alert us to what is ahead unless we repent, because there is no question but that as people of the free world, we are increasingly upholding many of the evils of the adversary today." – Ezra Taft Benson, GC, April 1972

23. Why does Moroni teach so explicitly about the dangers of secret combinations? Why does repentance immunize us against such wickedness?

24. What can you do to fight against the secret combinations that exist in our society today? Why do you think a nation, a society, or a group is in an awful situation when it has secret combinations in its midst? How does secrecy give power to these combinations? How can knowing the truth about secret combinations help people do away with this evil?

"Now undoubtedly Moroni could have pointed out many factors that led to the destruction of the people, but notice how he singled out the secret combinations, just as the church today could point out many threats to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God's work, but it has singled out the greatest threat as the godless conspiracy. There is no conspiracy theory in the book of Mormon – it is the conspiracy fact." – Ezra Taft Benson, GC, April 1972

25. What is always at the root of secret combinations when they are built up? Why does Satan want secret combinations to exist among our society? What lie does the devil convince those who are hungry for power of? How do members of secret combinations feel about the prophets of God?

"Satan… increasingly uses various devices, ancient and modern, to confuse us. He would convince us that joy is not where it is. And contrarily he would have us believe that joy is where it is not. One of Satan's most spiritually damaging lies which undermines our sense of self-worth and hope is that we cannot be forgiven of our sins." – Richard B Wirthlin, GC, October 1997

26. Why is it so important that Moroni teach us about the dangers of secret combinations and give us a fair warning of their results? Why is it essential to not give Satan any power upon your heart? What can you do to ensure that he never gets a foothold in the door of your heart?

"I testify to you that God's hand has been in our destiny. I testify that freedom as we know it today is being threatened as never before in our history. I further witness that this land – the Americas – must be protected, its constitution upheld, for this is a land foreordained to be the Zion of our God. He expects us as members of the Church and bearers of his priesthood to do all we can to preserve our liberty. " --Ezra Raft Benson, GC, October 1979