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.
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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.
