Background discussion of Secret Combinations
One interesting thing about the Book of Mormon is its extensive discussion of evil secret combinations among the gentiles in the last days. Specifically, it harshly warns us modern day gentiles to eliminate such conspiracies from our societies before our societies are destroyed by them. It even states that the sword of justice hangs over us for this great evil which we have allowed to fester within ourselves. To some, this may sound like crazy conspiracy theories, but for me it is scripture, and I have discussed doctrine on secret combinations in these essays:
In summary, any group that harbors such conspiracies and secret societies is an enemy to civilization. Which is why this dream saddens me, because I believe in Mormon doctrine and it is sad to see the evil within the Mormon church and its leadership. But all hidden things must come to light, even if it is too late to save the world from such darkness.
Ether 8:18–26
22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.
Secret Combinations in Mormon Church
I dreamt that I went to a secret temple ceremony in the Mormon Church, which included many church leaders including President Oaks. Thence, I started to learn some creepy things:
- They said that the 12 tribes are like secret combinations, where people in each tribe help each other out.
- This ceremony was apparently only for people in the tribe of Benjamin (in real life, I doubt I am part of that tribe, though who knows).
- We were taught a secret hand sign, which I didn’t understand in the dream, but on waking immediately understand it: basically, in the sign you created two sixes with the four fingers on one hand. Your second and fourth fingers acted as stems for the sixes, while the third and fifth fingers formed the curls for the sixes (in real life this would be very difficult to do).
- We were also expected to memorize these phrases in Latin. If my memory serves me correctly, we believed that we would say these phrases and show the hand signs when at heaven’s gate, and this would allow you passage through. Thus, in the ceremony we were sort of practicing for entering heaven. I remember my brother was there and had memorized the phrases (I had not), and when he said the phrase, they said something in an unknown phrase basically telling him that he was saved. This reminded me of how Catholic priests say “Ego te absolve” (I absolve you) in response to confessions.
- There was also a part of the meeting where the people in it all supposedly had an out of body experience together with each other. I didn’t have the same experience as they, and couldn’t tell if they were actually having one or just pretending.
At the end, I complained to the church leadership why they don’t include apologetics in any parts of the church curriculum or manuals or discussions or speeches or anything. To this, I was met with a very extended period of hearing them laugh at me.
Discussion
Helaman 6:21–22 provides further needed commentary on these secret works:
21 But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts of the more part of the Nephites, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their murders, and their plunderings, and their stealings.
22 And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness his brother should do he should not be injured by his brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant.
23 And thus they might 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.
24 And whosoever of those who belonged to their band should reveal unto the world of their wickedness and their abominations, should be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness, which had been given by Gadianton and Kishkumen.
25 Now behold, it is these secret oaths and covenants which Alma commanded his son should not go forth unto the world, lest they should be a means of bringing down the people unto destruction.
…30 And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.
Thus we see that secret signs, secret phrases, and “brotherhoods” where members all secretly support each other are all associated with the works of darkness and not light. And this is especially true where brotherhoods form covenants within members of secrecy and to not expose each other’s works.
This reminds me of the Talmud, which tells Jews to cover up the crimes of each other from gentile authorities (I substantiate this claim in Does Every Antisemitic Stereotype Come from The Talmud?).
If you, my reader, are Mormon, you probably can see that this is all a scathing attack of certain weird practices in our church, which are said to be sacred but are not contained anywhere within our scriptures.
Misfortune and Adversity
I also dreamt about a legend which I recently have read (before the dream). It is a Jewish legend which adds extra information to the story of Noah’s ark. Here it is:
In addition to Noah, his wife Naamah, and their sons and sons’ wives, Falsehood and Misfortune also took refuge on the ark. Falsehood was initially turned away when he presented himself without a mate, so he induced Misfortune to join him and returned.
(source)
In the dream, I read a scripture discussing how misfortune followed us in this world since anciently. I saw this then happen on Noah’s ark, and part of the dream was about how it was important to recognize misfortune and call it by its name – misfortune – when misfortune comes. For disasters, such as your house burning down, this was especially necessary.
In another dream, someone taught me that during the civil war there would be a need to allow the enemies to choose for themselves their paths. I was also taught here that there is a need for adversity, but I don’t remember details.
Absurd Things
I dream to meeting these people who kidnapped people and sold their brains, and they claimed brains from smarter people sold for more.
Traveling to a Beautiful Land
I dreamt of being at an airport with my family. We were about to fly to a beautiful land, which may have been the country of Georgia (though I am not sure) and we were late.
Despite being late, my mom and younger brother demanded that I stay and practice playing the violin with them for an audition, however I instead opted to leave them behind to therefore not miss the flight. I then am somehow able to see pictures on my phone of the future in which I would get to this land. From it, I remember a beautiful tower in the mountains with a crystalline statue inside. In the dream, I also had to leave behind a suitcase full of trash to be able to make the flight.
Interpretation
This dream is about leaving behind the things of the world to be able to get to zion. Thus, the trash suitcase represented sin, and the music represented things we are told by our peers matter even though they don’t.
This dream reminds me of these other dreams:
- In this video from Rosie Lost sheep, she had to leave behind a suitcase to get take a flight to Zion.
- In Driving out of America, I had to leave behind a box of trash to leave America and symbolically get to Zion.
- In Apostasy in the church; a call to leave, I was supposed to leave behind a backpack full of trash to escape a pharmaceutical building which represented the corrupt world.
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