Please note: This article is intended to follow ‘The Substance of a Prophetic Warning’
During the fall 1967 General Conference of the LDS church, Ezra Taft Benson issued a warning against, “the greatest Satanical threat to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God’s work among men that exists on the earth today.” He identified this threat as a Communist conspiracy which was seeking, among other things, to use the civil rights movement to accomplish revolutionary purposes. Today, we are watching prominent Communist organizations use the civil rights movement to implement the very agenda Elder Benson accurately described nearly 50 years ago.
But was Elder Benson’s high level of concern justified? Even now, this radical minority appears too small to actually accomplish their revolutionary goals.
Elder Benson gave important additional insight:
He clarified, speaking over the pulpit in General Conference, that the revolutionary formula he outlined, which has been repeatedly used in other countries, would probably unfold a little differently here. In countries like America, where the revolutionary forces were a minority, Communists have used “violence, anarchy, and sabotage, not as a means of seizing power, but merely as a support operation or a catalyst to an entirely different plan.”
This plan included, “Using unidentified Communist agents and non-Communist sympathizers in key positions in government, in communications media, and in mass organizations (such as labor unions and civil rights groups) (to) demand more and more government power as the solution to all civil rights problems. . . . Without calling it by name, (they would) build Communism piece by piece through mass pressures for presidential decrees, court orders, and legislation . . . And what if riots come? Then add more government housing, government welfare, government job training, and finally federal control over police. Thus the essential economic and political structure of Communism can be built entirely ‘legally’ and in apparent response to the wishes of the people . . .”
Was Elder Benson correct? We certainly see a trend of growing federal regulation and control, including prominent public discussion of the federal oversight of local police.
If he is right (and he is), there must surely be, “unidentified Communist agents and non-Communist sympathizers in key positions in government, in communications media, and in (other) mass organizations,” who support and aid revolutionary Communists and push big-government programs for the purpose of shackling a once-free American nation with Communism. If THIS is the case, Elder Benson’s concerns take on a whole new significance: We are no longer talking about an isolated, relatively powerless minority rioting in the streets of a few big cities far away.
The following troubling facts concern me:
Our law enforcement system appears to be complicit with, or at least indifferent to, these revolutionary forces. These Communist organizations publicly announce their intention to violently attack and overthrow organized society. Their websites are thick with statements such as: “We will remember the advice of Malcolm X who said, ‘We’ll be non-violent with those who are non-violent with us.’ Until such time as racists fear for their lives and well-being, they will feel entitled to act out their perceived white-skin privilege with deadly force,” “Abolishing racism means abolishing capitalism,” and “Amerikkka must be brought to a halt.” Why do these organizations openly publish their intentions and activities without apparent fear of criminal investigation?
This is sedition and rebellion. When these intentions are acted on, this is a form of terrorism. These organizations and those bankrolling them should be held liable for sedition, etc., AND for the loss of property and lives which are the direct result of the violence they instigate and fund. Yet they are not held accountable.
The ‘mainstream’ media appears to be complicit with these revolutionary forces. Where is our accurate, unbiased media? Why do I have to go to Communist websites to see picture after picture of protesters openly marching under banners prominently featuring the communist clenched fist and identifying their particular communist organization? Where are the reporters who should be investigating and describing the significant organizing, training, and recruitment activities these organizations publicly boast of? Why are these activities regularly reported on as nothing more than localize, face-value, grass roots angst over issues?
I have no good explanation for this unconscionable media blackout and the bold public actions of these should-be-criminals. It is evident that as Elder Benson warned, they have agents and/or sympathizers in positions of power who protect them from any significant criminal proceedings and discreetly see that the general public is not fully informed about their true intentions and activities.
If Elder Benson is correct, those who love America have their work cut out for them. It is high time we take note of and act on his prophetic counsel: (1) remember that minorities are the victims and not the cause— “The planning direction, and leadership comes from the Communists . . . who fully intend to destroy America by spilling African-American blood rather than their own.”; (2) refuse to participate in any backlash activity which might intensify inter-racial friction; (3) insist on the legal discovery and disclosure of facts through a duly-authorized legislative investigating committee; (4) support local police in their difficult task of keeping law and order and in maintaining their independence by refusing to accept federal grants; (5) support efforts to down-size big-government; (6) share concerns and information with friends and neighbors, understanding that the mainstream media and the federal government will not support efforts to inform others.
Clearly the danger Elder Benson warned against continues today. His counsel has never been discounted or revoked. How many of us will choose to follow his advised solution? Most of us are not participating in the rioting or any backlash activities. However, are we insisting that these events and the organizations and individuals associated with organizing them are investigated and held accountable? Are we supporting our local police by encouraging them to refuse federal grants? Are we working to down-size big government? Will we take time to talk to our friends and neighbors about the conspiracy Elder Benson has warned against? . . . Or are we chatting about the weather and football, steering clear of any ‘conspiracy talk’, and relying on the mainstream media and the political establishment to evaluate and solve all of our problems?
If we are not following his counsel, it is high time we re-evaluated our choices in light of their inevitable consequence, which President Benson articulated in closing:
“The success or failure of Americans of all races to meet this challenge may well determine the fate of our country. If we fail, we lose our civil rights, black man and white man together, for we will live under perfect Communist equality—the equality of slaves.”
