1. Ezra Taft Benson “Success in righteousness, the power to avoid deception and resist temptation, guidance in our daily lives, healing of the soul - these are but a few of the promises the Lord has given to those who will come to His word. Does the Lord promise and not fulfill? Surely if He tells us that things will come to us if we lay hold upon His word, then the blessings can be ours. And if we do not, then the blessings may be lost, However diligent we may be in other areas, certain blessings are to be found only in the scriptures, only in coming to the word of the Lord and holding fast to it as we make our way through the mists of darkness to the tree of life.” (Ensign, May 1986, p. 82)

2. Joseph B. Wirthlin “ The place to cure most of the ills of society is in the homes of the people. Building our homes as fortresses of righteousness for protection from the world takes constant labor and diligence... The righteous molding of an immortal soul is the highest work we can do, and the home is the place to do it. To accomplish this eternal work, we should make our homes gospel centered. When peace and harmony abound, the Holy Spirit will ever be present. The storms of the evil one can be stopped at the very entrance of our homes. Let us be sure the spiritual foundation of each home is the rock of our Redeemer, as Helaman taught his sons … We would do well to build our homes according to this plan or they are destined to fail. ” (Ensign, May 1993, p. 69)

3. Richard G. Scott “ Anchor your life in Jesus Christ, your Redeemer. Make your Eternal Father and his Beloved Son the most important priority in your life — more important than life itself, more important than a beloved companion or children or anyone on earth. Make their will your central desire. Then all that you need for happiness will come to you. ” (Ensign, May 1993, pp. 32-34)

4. M. Russell Ballard “Among today’s secret combinations are gangs, drug cartels, and organized crime families. The secret combinations of our day function much like the Gadianton robbers of the Book of Mormon times. They have secret signs and code words. They participate in secret rites and initiation ceremonies… If we are not careful, today’s secret combinations can obtain power and influence just as quickly and just as completely as they did in Book of Mormon times… Today’s young people, just as those ‘of the rising generation’ in Book of Mormon times, are the most susceptible to [secret combinations].” ( ( Ensign, Nov. 1997, p. 38)

5. Secret Combinations (I) Mormon warned that secret combinations destroyed the Nephite nation (Hel. 2:13-14, Mormon 2:28-29) Moroni saw that the Jaredites were also destroyed because of their acceptance of secret combinations (Ether 8:15-21) Moroni warned the latter-day readers of secret combinations that would be among us (Mormon 8:40, Ether 8:22-23)

6. Secret Combinations (II) Moroni warns the latter-day readers to be aware of a specific secret combination of great magnitude that would be among us. (Ether 8:24-25) –Seeks to overthrow the freedoms of all lands, nations and countries –Seeks to bring to pass the destruction of all people –Built up by the devil who hardens men’s hearts to murder the prophets and stone them and cast them out as from the beginning

7. Ezra Taft Benson “I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. (See D&C 1:14-16; 84:49-53) It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world. (See Ether 8:18-25)” (Ensign, Nov. 1988, p. 87)