Chapter 22
Gross Apathy — Chosen Ignorance
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
because thou hast rejected knowledge,
I will also reject thee,
that thou shalt be no priest to me:
seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God,
I will also forget thy children."
— Hosea 4:6

The Doctrine and Covenants tells us: "It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance." (D&C 131:6.) Many look at this scripture as pertaining to eternal salvation only. But it has a much wider application when taking into consideration the eternal principle of agency, and the freedom to exercise that agency. Without knowledge of the principle and those powers which are designed to destroy it, we remain uninformed, and therefore, display apathy, which is a spin-off of ignorance.

Thomas Jefferson put it very plainly when he said, "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free . . . it expects what never was and never will be" (Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, 6 January 1816, quoted by President Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, October 3, 1987; The Ensign, November 1987, p. 7.)

See It Coming
While this author was having a gospel discussion with some of his friends one evening, someone asked the question: "How can we save ourselves the anguish of a sinful life?" And someone else answered, "You have to see it coming!"

How true that answer is. Not only the temptations and the circumstances that accompany a sinful life must be recognized so that we can prepare for the test and trials that will come, but we must also recognize the signs of the erosion of our liberties so that we can prepare ourselves and get appropriately involved. Thomas Carlyle, an English essayist and philosopher, aptly put it when he said, "The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none." (Quoted in The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 31.)

It's not the conspirators which are at fault for most of the problems we have been discussing as much as it is an ignorant and apathetic people. Some individuals are like beasts, and prey on the unknowing and weak, and we apathetically station ourselves in feeble and gullible positions — as in the spider and the fly scenario — and become the meal for the lustful and power hungry creatures. Because of this obliviousness, we are, therefore, our own worst enemies; and we blithely dance down the road of ruin to the tune of "All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth," and the "devil cheateth [our] souls. . . ."

This scripture has been quoted often, thus far, in this book with definite reason. That reason is to make a point that all is not well in Zion, or in our government, or in the world, or in our individual lives when we, as President Benson puts it, "bask in our comfortable complacency." We become lulled "away into carnal security" because of our gross apathy, chosen ignorance, covetous cravings, and pride. Of course, this author takes full responsibility for these seeming judgments, but he is reminded of what Nephi said when he warned us: "Therefore, woe be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" (2 Ne. 28:24; see verses 15-25.)

Chosen Ignorance
Much of our ignorance is chosen by ourselves, not by someone preaching a false doctrine. An unknown philosopher said, "Men prefer to believe what they prefer to be true." We sometimes choose not to obtain knowledge, because if we were to do so, we would be obligated to act upon that knowledge, and many of us may not want to upset our way of life, or have to accept something that is foreign to our belief system. This is particularly true where our government is concerned. We should understand that though the Lord promised us that He would not let the Prophet lead the Church astray, He did not promise us that He would not let a President of the United States, or any of our elected or appointed representatives, lead us astray.

Some would say, "Oh, our senator or congressman wouldn't support a bill or program that would encourage a conspiracy. He's a good Church member." Well, we better look a little more closely at our representative’s history in Congress, LDS or not.

Any bureaucrat who supports socialistic programs is supporting programs contrary to the concepts of the Constitution of the United States, true freedom, the will of the Lord, and is supporting Lucifer's programs.

When politicians support social programs on purpose, or in ignorance, and if they do not learn and change their concepts, they are dangerous to the Constitution and the free agency of man. President J. Reuben Clark read a statement from the First Presidency during general conference of 1942. From it we learn:

"Satan is making war against all the wisdom that has come to men through their ages of experience. He is seeking to overturn and destroy the very foundations upon which society, government, and religion rest. He aims to have men adopt theories and practices which he induced their forefathers, over the ages, to adopt and try, only to be discarded by them when found unsound, impractical, and ruinous. He plans to destroy liberty and freedom — economic, political, and religious — and to set up in place thereof the greatest, most widespread, and most complete tyranny that has ever oppressed men. He is working under such perfect disguise that many do not recognize either him or his methods. There is no crime he would not commit, no debauchery he would not set up, no plague he would not send, no heart he would not break, no life he would not take, no soul he would not destroy. He comes as a thief in the night; he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Without their knowing it, the people are being urged down paths that lead only to destruction. Satan never before had so firm a grip on this generation as he has now." (The Message of the First Presidency — Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and David O. McKay — read by President Clark at the first session of General Conference, Saturday, October 3, 1942, held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle/Statement, pp. 8-9.)

Much of this false information and ignorance is directed at our youth, the leaders and influencers of tomorrow. About this concern, President David O. McKay said,

"During the first half of the twentieth century, we have traveled far into the soul-destroying land of socialism and made strange alliances through which we have become involved. . . . In this retreat from freedom . . . millions of gullible youth . . . are marching merrily to their doom, carrying banners on which are emblazoned such intriguing and misapplied labels as social justice, equality, reform, patriotism, social welfare." (Quoted by Ezra Taft Benson, CR, April 1963, p. 112.)

President Benson, also had concerns about our youth in this matter, as he says, "Today, students are subjected in their textbooks and classroom lectures to a subtle propaganda that there is a "natural" or rational explanation to all causes and events. Such a position removes the need for faith in God, or belief in His interposition in the affairs of men. Historians and educational writers who are responsible for this movement are classified as ‘revisionists.’ Their purpose has been and is to create a ‘new history.’ By their own admission they are more influenced by their own training and other humanistic and scientific disciplines than any religious conviction. Many of the older historians, I should point out, were defenders of the patriots and their noble efforts. Feeling no obligation to perpetuate the ideals of the Founding Fathers, some of the ‘new historians’ have recast a new body of beliefs for their secular faith. Their efforts, in some cases, have resulted in a new interpretation of our nation's history. (TETB, p. 320.)

One reason that many of us continue on in our uninformed and unconcerned ways is because we possess the iniquities that blind us to truth, and we fail to discern righteousness. Orson Pratt pointed this out in general conference when he said, "A succession of wonderful manifestations of the power of God was made through Moses, and in all, save two or three instances, the magicians did likewise. What would naturally be the conclusion at which wicked men would arrive under such circumstances? In the estimation of wicked men like the King of Egypt and his subjects, it was nothing more than the extending of this [God's] power had in possession by the magicians. They did not look upon it as a distinct and separate power, because they had not the spirit to discern, the Spirit of the Lord was not with them, and they could not discern the difference. But there were manifested on that occasion two distinct and separate powers, so similar in their effects, that none but those who lived near unto God and understood the workings of the Holy Spirit, could detect the difference between them. That may be a sample to all people in future generations in the manifestations of these powers. The wicked cannot discern and comprehend the difference between these two powers." (JD, 13:64-65.)

When we fail to see the powers of the evil one, it may be because we are blinded by our wickedness. And it might be well for all of us to realize that wickedness can be applied to the one who neglects the word of the Lord as it comes from His Prophets and Apostles. Speaking with these same thoughts in mind, Marion G. Romney said in conference: "Satan has sought in all ages to deceive the sons of God who have received the Priesthood. He has not been entirely unsuccessful either, for in all past dispensations he has finally succeeded in deceiving them to the extent that he has driven the Priesthood from the earth. Now we know he is not going to drive the Priesthood from the earth in this dispensation because the Lord has said it is here to stay until the Savior comes. But there is no guarantee that he will not deceive a lot of men who hold the Priesthood. So far as Satan's war against the Priesthood is concerned, he is making no exception in this last dispensation. His objective is still to deceive every one of us he can and to drive the Priesthood from the earth." (CR, October 1960, p. 74.)

Before we go on into the discussion of apathy, we find that President Joseph F. Smith said that there are two types of people that will preach false doctrines, and subsequently lead people astray into ignorance. In his book, Gospel Doctrine, we find: "Among the Latter-day Saints, the preaching of false doctrines disguised as truths of the gospel, may be expected from people of two classes, and practically from these only; they are: First— The hopelessly ignorant, whose lack of intelligence is due to their indolence and sloth, who make but feeble effort, if indeed any at all, to better themselves by reading and study; those who are afflicted with a dread disease that may develop into an incurable malady — laziness. Second— The proud and self-vaunting ones, who read by the lamp of their own conceit; who interpret by rules of their own contriving; who have become a law unto themselves, and so pose as the sole judges of their own doings. More dangerously ignorant than the first. Beware of the lazy and the proud; their infection in each case is contagious. . . . (Gospel Doctrine, p. 373.)

Ezra Taft Benson once said, "There is no excuse that can compensate for the loss of liberty" (An Enemy Hath Done This, p. 314). Those of us who do not try to become informed about issues, political candidates, and the electoral process have to accept the will and dictates of others. We have no justification for complaint when things seem to go wrong.

By the mere fact of not choosing to become informed and involved, we deny and forfeit our right of agency and choice. By default, we choose a form of slavery, becoming subject to the will of others instead of being responsible for ourselves.

The Prophet Hosea tells us, as our chapter quote says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: Because thou hast rejected knowledge." (Hosea 4:6.) When we do not choose, someone else will choose for us. And, when we do not obtain knowledge, we will be at the intellectual and ethical mercy of others.

Gross Apathy
Ezra Taft Benson has taken the time to spell out for us many of the excuses that we might use to stay oblivious and apathetic in the battle for our agency. In general conference he spoke these words:

"In spite of the scriptural evidence and the counsel of modern-day prophets during the past more than 100 years, there are still some who seem to feel we have no responsibility to safeguard and strengthen our precious God-given freedom. There are some who apparently feel that the fight for freedom is separate from the gospel. They express it several ways, but it generally boils down to this: Just live the gospel; there's no need to get involved in trying to save freedom and the Constitution or to stop Communism [socialism].
"Of course, this is dangerous reasoning, because in reality you cannot fully live the gospel without working to save freedom and the Constitution, and to stop Communism [socialism].
"In the war in heaven, what would have been your reaction if someone had told you just to do what is right — there's no need to get involved in this fight for freedom? (CR, October 1966, p. 122.)
"His [the devil’s] arguments are clever. Here are a few samples:
"First: ‘We really haven't received much instruction about freedom,’ the devil says. This is a lie, for we have been warned time and time again.
"Second: ‘You're too involved in other Church work,’ says the devil . . . Freedom is a weighty matter of the law; the lesser principles of the gospel you should keep but not leave this one undone. Your other Church work will be limited once you lose your freedom, as our saints have found out in Czechoslovakia, Poland, and many other nations.
"Third: ‘You want to be loved by everyone,’ says the devil, ‘and this freedom battle is so controversial you might be accused of engaging in politics.’ . . . The government has penetrated so much of our lives that one can hardly speak for freedom without being accused of being political. Some might even call the war in heaven a political struggle — certainly it was controversial. Yet the valiant entered it with Michael. Those who support only the popular principles of the gospel have their reward.
"Fourth: ‘Wait until it becomes popular to do,’ says the devil, ‘or, at least until everybody in the Church agrees on what should be done.’ But this fight for freedom might never become popular in our day. And if you wait until everybody agrees in this Church, you will be waiting through the second coming of the Lord. . . . Some Church members still champion these freedom-destroying programs.
"Fifth: ‘It might hurt your business or your family,’ says the devil, ‘and besides why not let the gentiles save the country? They aren't as busy as you are.’ There has never been a greater time than now to stand up against entrenched evil. And while the gentiles established the Constitution, we have a divine mandate to preserve it. But unfortunately, today in this freedom struggle many gentiles are showing greater wisdom in their generation than the Children of light.
"Sixth: ‘Don't worry,’ says the devil, ‘the Lord will protect you, and besides, the world is so corrupt and heading toward destruction at such a pace that you can't stop it, so why try.’ Well, to begin with, the Lord will not protect us unless we do our part. . . . Now let us suppose that it is too late to save freedom. It is still accounted unto us for righteousness' sake to stand up and fight. Some Book of Mormon prophets knew of the final desolate end of their nations, but they still fought on, and they saved some souls including their own by so doing. For, after all, the purpose of life is to prove ourselves and the final victory will be for freedom." (Ibid., April 1965, pp. 123-125.)

In Conclusion
From the foregoing, there seems to be no excuse for ignorance and apathy in the matter of agency, the Constitution, and our battle against the powers of these secret combinations.

However there will still be those who will champion those agency-destroying programs, who will choose to remain uninformed and who will feel comfortable in their unresponsive complacency. With the following thoughts from President Benson we can determine for ourselves what kind of Americans we are:

"There is no place here in America for part-time patriots. This nation is face to face with the greatest danger ever to confront it, a sinister and deadly conspiracy which can be conquered only by an alert, informed citizenry. It is indeed appalling that some members of our society continue to deplore and criticize those who stress the communist [socialist] danger. Public indifference to this threat is tantamount to national suicide. Lethargy leads only to disaster." (Let Us Live to Keep Men Free, p. 11.)