In a great sermon near the end of his life, the prophet Nephi outlined Satan’s plan of action for the last days. It has three parts:
1. The devil will stir up the members of false churches to anger against that which is good
18 But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof.
2 Nephi 28:18-20
19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;
20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.
I don’t wish here to debate the definition of “great and abominable church.” It is a large inclusive term that has many potential examples. I just want to point out that Donald Trump has “stirred up to anger” many in the evangelical churches “against that which is good” (e.g. immigrants, minorities, the poor, rule of law, truth, reality).
Perhaps the perplexing question of “How can Christians support Trump?” is answered by the Book of Mormon verses above. The devil is raging in their hearts to stir them up to anger; and the Lord is allowing it to see who will wake up and repent.
2. The devil will pacify the members of the true church and lull them away into carnal security
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
2 Nephi 28:21
This verse, with its reference to “Zion,” is clearly directed at the members of the Church of Jesus Christ. The danger we need to be aware of is the temptation to be passive. Righteousness brings prosperity, but prosperity (carnal security) breeds a contentment that can easily become laziness.
I believe the Saints (especially in Utah/Idaho/Arizona) have long been politically complacent and have not been doing their duty as alert, responsible citizens in a democracy. This has allowed corrupt, big-moneyed, Republican politicians to get away with their big public lies and their secret big money deals to steal from the public for private gain.
3. The devil will flatter the unbelievers and tell them there is no devil and no hell
22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.
2 Nephi 28:22
To those who have no religion, Satan whispers that there are no consequences to decisions. One can do whatever makes one feel good. This lack of a moral center is plainly obvious in those people who make the pursuit of power and gain their goal in life. For example, Donald Trump obviously doesn’t worry about Hell.
All three of the devilish strategies above are clearly at work in the world today. We must recognize and resist them. Those who are “stirred up to anger” need to be calmed and reasoned with. Those who are “lulled” need to be awakened with a reminder that all is NOT well. Those who are “flattered away” need to be taught the Gospel. Everyone needs to humble themselves and repent. (Note: This is not taught on Facebook).
Nephi gave additional warnings to the members of the true church. We must continually press forward obeying God’s instructions, listening to God’s counsel, and learning His wisdom. If we do so, we are promised that we will receive more. If we do not, we will lose the truth that we already have.
29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!
2 Nephi 28:29-30
30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
Source: Paul Anderson, “Nephi’s Sermon on the Words of Isaiah — 2 Nephi 11-33,” Book of Mormon Study Notes, November 1, 2018.