Why expose darkness?

For nearly a quarter of a century, I have been intrigued by the lies and corruption that are passed off as truth. I have felt drawn to researching the deeper significance of historical and doctrinal events and have come to realize that historians (or those who write history) have some of the greatest impacts on future civilizations. They write the narrative that they want you and me to see. And that narrative is almost always skewed for good or for bad.

Most people read an account or a pronouncement from a government or church leader and assume that person is telling the truth. I like to think that most of us are honest at heart and don’t want to hurt anyone else. I also know that there are people in this world (and the world of spirits) who wish to take advantage of others, to cause them harm, to manipulate and distort the truth for their own personal gain.

So why expose? For one, we cannot love God and live a lie at the same time. Any false belief or tradition we hold, even in ignorance, will prevent us from becoming like our Heavenly Parents. We cannot build true faith upon a sandy foundation. Our path to ascension will be damned—literally halted—by such notions. Will we be perfect in discerning right from wrong? Not always. But I believe that is part of the process of developing faith and eventually true knowledge. Sometimes the fastest way to learn a lesson is by experiencing what not to do.

Another reason for exposing darkness comes from the Savior Himself. We read from one of the most famous of sermons the invitation to be a light unto the world. Jesus Christ is that light, He is the way, the truth, and the life.

3 Nephi 12: 14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;

16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

3 Nephi 15:9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.

12 Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph.

For most of my life, I interpreted those scriptures as only focusing on the path of enlightenment from the perspective of gaining more light and knowledge. Over time I’ve come to understand that in addition to revealing greater truths, it also has the great effect of exposing wickedness, sin, and evil intentions.

As a second witness of the need to expose darkness, we look to the Doctrine and Covenants. Section 123 was written while Joseph Smith was a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri.

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—

14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.

A great lesson we learn from the Book of Mormon is that in the last days, there will be secret combinations. Even from the beginning, as with Satan’s promise to Cain, secret oaths have been made due to the pride of the hearts of men and almost always come at the expense of others. On the heels of pride follow greed, the accumulation of wealth, and the desire for power. The challenge we face is that these men and women are cloaked in secrecy. They will do anything they can to cover up their true intentions, and that includes telling 99% of the truth in order to slip in that 1% of deception. They even go so far as to label their intentions as “conspiracies” and those who strive to shed light on their actions as “conspiracy theorists.”

One additional thing to consider. As you have the curtains pulled back and the wizard (of Oz) is exposed you will find that others around you tend to have a difficult time understanding your perspective. For revealing evil is often uncomfortable and makes people nervous because it takes them out of their comfort zone. We often refer to this as Cognitive Dissonance. This is described as “the state of discomfort felt when two or more modes of thought contradict each other. The clashing cognitions may include ideas, beliefs, or the knowledge that one has behaved in a certain way.”

Let me give you an example of why it is important to understand secret combinations and where they reside. Several years ago I was chatting with an extended family member about 9/11 and the twin towers attack. This person had believed the general narrative that was promoted by the media. When presented with new information they seemed to brush it off, considering it a possibility, but eventually said, “Why does it even matter now, there’s nothing I can do?” I pondered on that statement over the years and came to realize that it matters a helluva lot. Realizing that governments, businesses, and churches often lie, deceive, and exercise unrighteous dominion over others for their own personal gain means everything. It means the next time they tell you to do anything because they care about you, you should really take the time to understand their true intentions.

We would do well to heed these words in the 6th chapter of the epistle of Paul to the Ephesians:

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

So, that is where we find ourselves today, wrestling against powers and principalities, rules of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Each of us needs to ask for and put on that armor that only God provides, for the days ahead are gonna be a little bit crazy.

Shalom

Disclaimer: Only a small portion of my thoughts and feelings are contained within this essay. It is nearly impossible to condense a lifetime of study, thoughts, and impressions, into a few paragraphs. I value and encourage the need for altering perspective as new light and knowledge is acquired. One of the best ways to know a person’s heart is to sit down and talk face-to-face, perhaps while consuming a mild barley drink.

“Keep thou not silent when evil is spoken, for Truth, like the sunlight, shines above all” —The Emerald Tablets of Thoth