Current Lessons: Principles on Good Governance
Lesson No. Fourteen

The Iran-Russia Military Axis is an Example of a Current Secret Combination

Thoughts by a veteran for Veterans Day 2023                                                       

Also a Follow On to Lesson 12 in Current Lessons, Principals of Good Government

The Lord said, “that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion” (D&C 1:35) – I believe that peace has been taken from the earth and that the Iran-Russia military axis, like the Germany-Japan military axis during World War II, is in part the fulfillment of the Lord’s warning that “the devil shall have power over his own dominion.”  (See also The Iran Russia Military Axis, Wall Street Journal, Nov 3, 2023)  

My experience – I was born in 1943 in the middle of World War II. I have no personal memory of World War II, but I have read and studied much about it. I have a memory of the Korean War and I was an active participant in every war involving the United States beginning in 1967 and continuing for 37 years until my mandatory retirement at age 60 in 2003. In the Vietnam War, I was a young pilot in the United States Air Force. During the Cold War with the Soviet Union and its allies I flew missions worldwide as part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC). I was also the Commander of the Utah Air National Guard at the time the War on Terror began with the terrorist attacks in New York City on 9/11/2001. 

The worldwide war on terror began in the aftermath of the terrorist bombings on 9/11/2001, and it will likely continue until the Second Coming of the Lord – The terrorist regime of Saddam Hussain in Iraq was eliminated, but the leaders of the state sponsored terror in Russia and Iran, and there will be others, who are increasingly aggressive, who would, if they could, destroy anyone who dares to oppose them.


Iran’s national policy for many years has been terror and supporting other terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, in their desire to destroy Israel and kill Jews – The current terror began on October 7, 2023 with a surprise massacre of men, women, and children.  This is the latest example of the persecution of the Jews that has lasted for centuries. Not surprisingly, Israel’s effort to defend itself and eliminate the terrorists is being strongly opposed.      

Putin of Russia has made it clear that he intends to re-establish the Soviet Union by force. It is easy to forget that Putin began to take over Ukraine in 2014 when he annexed parts of Ukraine. Emboldened by that, on February 24, 2022 he launched a full-scale invasion which is intended to terrorize the people of Ukraine. Now after Ukraine has fought heroically for almost two years some Americans are questioning the wisdom of giving more support to Ukraine.     

The alliance of Russia and Iran calls to mind the Book of Mormon teachings on secret combinations – From Ether 8 we can learn the following about secret combinations:

-        Secret combinations are "most abominable and wicked above all in the sight of God" (Vs 18)

-        Secret combinations are found among all people, both modern and ancient.  (Vs 18, 20)

-        Secret combinations caused of the destruction of both the Nephites and the Jaredites.  (Vs 21)

-        Secret combinations seek power or gain or both.  (Vs 22, see also Helaman 6:38)

-        “Whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations...shall be destroyed” (Vs 22)   

-        We are warned so that "ye may repent" and "awake to your awful situation" (Vs 23-24)

-        They "seek to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries” (Vs 25)

-        Satan is the source of all secret combinations.  (Vs 25, see also Helaman 6:26-30)

-        Moroni was commanded to warn us so we could repent "and be saved" (Vs 26)   

Other modern secret conspiracies that seek for power and/or gain and try to overthrow temporal and spiritual freedom of the people include:  

-        Organized crime/gangs are strong enough to threaten the existence of some nations.

-        Corruption/wickedness in government and society at large is common in many large and small nations worldwide.

-        White collar and financial crime effects people at all levels of society worldwide

-       Purveyors of pornography - This scourge hides in the dark and harms many people. It gives "the devil power to captivate" his victims "to bring them down to hell" (2 Nephi 2:29.)

-        Promoters of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco - the Lord warns us against these "conspiring men in the last days" (D&C 89:4.)  These problems caused by these products are epidemic world-wide.

I conclude with my testimony given in the words of Moroni, especially that we must actively resist this evil, and "suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you…”   Please study closely all verses of Ether 8:23-26