Four Techniques of Disinformation

Disinformation is more than simply misinformation, or false information. Disinformation is false information that is deliberately spread in order to deceive.

In our day to day lives we tend to trust the people we live with, work with, and worship with. We usually don’t live our daily lives in a suspicious, guarded, fashion. In our economic lives, we are a bit more suspicious and careful. “Is this product of good, lasting, quality?” “Is this really a good price when I add the shipping cost?”

In the political sphere, people sense that there is a lot of disinformation but they often lack the tools to distinguish the truth from the lies. Rather than struggle to analyze every political position or candidate, they become tribal. They uncritically vote for the party they have always voted for – even if that party no longer stands for what it used to.

The fact is, there is more disinformation in the world than people generally realize. There are many bad actors in the world, deliberately working to create and spread convincing lies. This is because, of course, telling lies can bring one power and gain.

However, this being true, the solution is not to close our eyes and ears and claim everything is “Fake News.” Instead, our challenge is to develop skills of discernment so we can tell truth from lies.

Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

Moroni 7:19

Accordingly, then, here are four indicators one can use to determine if a source of information is really a source of disinformation. I have provided examples from the scriptures, and from modern politics, of each technique in action.

The Four D’s of Disinformation

There are four things that disinformation actors do, if they want to attack their enemies or defend themselves against criticism. And you can think of them as the Four “D’s”.

Ben Nimmo, Director of Investigations, Graphika

1. Dismiss. Attack critics to erode their credibility and invalidate the facts.

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Matthew 4:3 (Satan demanding that Jesus prove his credentials)

Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so.

Alma 30:16 (Korihor, the Anti-Christ, dismissing the truth of the Church)

Little Marco, Lyin’ Ted, Low-energy Jeb, Evan McMuffin, Wacky Omarosa, …

Donald J. Trump (using demeaning nicknames to belittle his opponents)

2. Distort. If the facts are against you, make up your own facts.

And the serpent said unto the woman: Ye shall not surely die;

Moses 4:10 (Satan lying to Eve)

Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people—as though he had authority to command God.

Alma 11:35 (Zeezrom lying about what Amulek had just said)

In many places, like California, the same person votes many times!

Donald J. Trump (lying about election integrity)

3. Distract. If you’re accused of something, accuse someone else of the same thing.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Revelation 12:10 (Satan “the accuser” is cast out of Heaven)

And he did rise up in great swelling words before Alma, and did revile against the priests and teachers, accusing them of leading away the people after the silly traditions of their fathers, for the sake of glutting on the labors of the people.

Alma 30:31 (Korihor falsely accusing Alma of profiting financially from his work in the church)

The phone call was perfect. The call that wasn’t perfect, and the words that weren’t perfect, were Joe Biden with respect to his son.

Donald J. Trump (trying to change the subject away from his own abuse of power)

4. Dismay. Threaten and intimidate your opponent.

And now, when Moses had said these words, Satan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only Begotten, worship me.

Moses 1:19 (Satan trying to intimidate Moses)

And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the (Lamanite) kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi;

Alma 48:1 (Amalikiah, a failed Nephite politician, threatening his former nation)

We are going to take a strong look at our country’s libel laws.

Donald J. Trump (threatening the mainstream media and anyone else who speaks out against him)

In summary, here is my point: Donald J. Trump uses the same disinformation techniques used by Anti-Christs and Kingmen in the Book of Mormon, which also happen to be the same techniques used by Satan, the Father of Lies.

Source: “Searching for truth in an era of ‘alternative facts’: Disinformation in the age of Trump,” NBC News, December 29, 2019.
“Our Story,” Graphika.
McKay Coppins, “The Billion-Dollar Disinformation Campaign to Reelect the President,” The Atlantic, February 10, 2020.