PROLOGUE
to the
Second Edition (1991)

<Prologue in PDF>

Writing this book has been an incredible experience for which I am grateful to the Lord. I did not write it for a doctoral dissertation I did not write it because I have always wanted to write a book and this happened to be what came out. I wrote it because the Spirit burned in my soul, urging me to proclaim this message.

The concept of parallels developed in my mind for several years before I actually began writing the book. The notion was probably first planted in my mind over ten years ago when I overheard a friend tell someone that she was convinced that the wars were recorded in the Book of Mormon because we will see repeat patterns of them in the latter days. This mostly dormant seed began to grow while I was on my mission, as I began noticing the many parallels between the coming of Christ to the Nephites and His Second Coming.

A significant turning point came when one morning as I was studying, I realized that ancient Israelite history serves as a pattern for latter-day prophecy. That morning, I recorded several pages of similarities between elements of history recorded in Deuteronomy and the prophecy recorded in 3 Nephi 21. I became convinced of the general principle that the Lord intended certain historical events to serve as prophecy and that discovering such parallels would enhance one's understanding of prophecy.

After that, from time to time, I began to find more parallels between Book of Mormon history and modern times. I found these types and shadows to be very interesting, but the notion of writing a book about them had not yet entered my mind.

The next milestone came when I was exposed for the first time to information regarding the United States' susceptibility to a massive Soviet preemptive strike. When a Jewish friend first explained this situation to me, I was intrigued, but not immediately convinced that such a calamity would occur. "I can't think of any prophecies about this," I told her. (This is a bit humorous to me now, because I have since found innumerable prophecies that point to this very thing, as illustrated in Appendix I.) But almost as soon as I said that, I retracted, "But you know something? There is a parallel for that in the Book of Mormon: when the Lamanites launched a surprise attack on the Nephites in the prosperous and powerful city of Zarahemla."

A couple of months later, I ran across the very information to which this friend had referred. As I watched Eugene Callen's video presentation on "The Soviet Military Threat," my intuition firmly told me that this was indeed going to happen. Along with that impulse was the realization that the foreshadowing parallels in Book of Mormon history could very well be intended as an important warning for our generation.

After sharing this concept with a few (skeptical) friends, I finally wrote a skeletal overview of the parallels that I had discovered to that time, for I had not yet committed any of these concepts to paper. As I did so, I realized that there was enough information to write an essay on the subject. Within a month, I completed such an essay. Actually, though, it was not an essay at all, it was a 28-page outline. I then realized that there were enough parallels to write an entire book on this subject and that such a book would be a timely and important supplement to our current understanding.

I quickly researched to find out what might have already been written on this subject. Finding that nothing had been done along the lines of what I envisioned, I realized that I needed to make a decision. I felt a drive to write this book, but this would mean a temporary postponement of my career plans. Being convinced of the urgency of this message, after much prayer and fasting, I decided to take on this project.

Since that time, choices that have meant deep sacrifice have been presented to me many times in relation to this book. I am grateful for the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me because of my decisions to do his will, even though those choices have been extremely difficult at times. I have always felt inadequate for this task, but the Spirit has urged me on, so I have pressed forward. Somebody had to do it, and it didn't see anyone else doing it. The Lord has been merciful in making up for many of my weaknesses.

The initial phase of writing the book was probably the most intense as I received profound outpourings of the Spirit on virtually a daily basis. This was when the original framework was laid down -- when I discovered the specific parallels and their various parts. I would ask the Lord in prayer what such and such might parallel, and then an answer would come -- sometimes immediately, and sometimes hours, days, weeks, or even months later. When the thoughts came, I had to type as fast as I could in order to get all the thoughts down. These impulses would often take me late into the evening, and on occasion would last nearly all night. Sometimes they would stir me from my sleep at odd hours of the night, and I would arise to record them.

I imagine that this process has been experienced by many a writer, poet, musician, inventor, architect -- indeed by men and women of all virtuous vocations. What sort of void would be here on earth without these heaven-sent treasures?

The next phase I undertook was to re-write, re-write, and re-write, each pass through bringing more clarity; streamlining, rewording, creating charts and tables, cross-referencing, and documenting. Through all the reorganization, the originally established outline was never really altered. Going into this project, I was not much of a writer; but with the assistance of able friends and a loving Lord, I was able to improve.

Once I completed the writing, which took a dedicated one and a half years, the next challenge came: getting the manuscript published. Reputable publishers liked the manuscript but did not dare publish it. It was too controversial, inasmuch as it took a firm stand on issues that people usually hedge in order to avoid criticism and derision.

While waiting for a publisher to accept the manuscript, I have been making photocopies of the manuscript available, and hundreds have been able to peruse it. Many have gladly received it, for it confirmed and expanded conclusions they had drawn independently. In turn, this phenomenon has been a rewarding validation of the points made in my manuscript. There are many prophets in the land, just as there were anciently. Their number is increasing as the days of tribulation draw near. (Enos 1.22,23; WofM 1:16-18; Num. 11:29; Rev. 19:10.)

The people who have shown sincere interest in this manuscript, have been the humble folk of the Church: those who strive diligently to understand and obey the words of the prophet, Ezra Taft Benson; who have their food storage; who are involved in the struggle to preserve the remaining fragments of the Constitution; who cherish the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, and devote much time pondering them; who shun the worldly ways of our Babylonian society; who seek to raise their children in righteousness and recognize what an important duty this is in an environment that constantly bombards us with satanic influences. Such individuals receive many revelations and have seen many parallels between ancient and modern events themselves. Therefore, the general concept presented in this manuscript has not been new to them. Any new insights that my manuscript brings out for them usually rings true to them and fit well into the understanding they have already so diligently obtained through their humble approach.

Very few of the institutional scholarly types have expressed any interest in my manuscript. They usually have more critique than praise, being unconvinced that the parallels are intentional. They would like to see me cite "non-examples" (elements that do not fit a pattern) along with "examples" and weigh each parallel against the others as to its merits. Their purely scientific analysis indicates to them that in many instances I grasp desperately to make comparisons where comparisons do not seem to be warranted by scholarly standards. They contended that one could make any ancient event fit any modern event if he twisted and cajoled it enough. These are often the same people who have explained away the messages spoken by our beloved Prophet concerning the Constitution and the threats that it faces, wanting to believe that all is well in Zion. They have yielded and even contributed to the mockery that is flung at those who stand up for truth and speak out against enemies of freedom and righteousness.

People who fall in-between these two ends of the spectrum have not expressed much interest in this work either. If they have not given themselves to a humble searching of the scriptures; if they have not sought to watch the events of the day and try to understand the warnings and admonitions of ancient and modern prophets; if they are caught up in establishing a niche in our Babylonian society; then they usually haven't had an interest in this manuscript. It is not easy reading to those unfamiliar with the scriptures. New concepts they encounter are easier ignored when they tend to be alarming. The relaxation that attends ignorance is much more comfortable than the urgent promptings of the Spirit that attend enlightenment.

In the early stages of writing this manuscript, renowned LDS scholars for whom I held great respect, told me forcefully that I had no right assuming the task of writing such a book as this. If such were to come, it would have to come from the Brethren, they reasoned. This was troubling to me, for I did not want to proceed contrary to what was right, yet I felt very definite urgings by the Spirit to continue my work. What was I to do? This question came to a head for me at the time of the October 1988 General Conference; and that was when I received the answer I needed to be able to proceed with confidence that I was working in accordance with the Father's will.

Previous to the Conference, I prayed earnestly that I might be able to glean something from what the Prophet would say that would help me resolve this dilemma. I hoped that due to the manuscript's potential influence for good, the Lord would see fit to answer this prayer. He did. In President Benson's opening address, he said, "We commend many of you who in an edifying manner have taught classes, given talks, authored articles, and written books on the Book of Mormon. Later in that same address, he beckoned, "I challenge our Church writers...to...let us know how [the Book of Mormon] leads us to Christ and answers our personal problems and those of the world." That is precisely what my manuscript is designed to do. It shows how Book of Mormon history sets forth instructional parallels on both the individual spiritual and the national/temporal levels, which point to salvation in and through Jesus Christ, and detail the process that leads there.

During this same Conference, the Lord provided me with yet another manifestation that was the most reassuring for me and has been an anchor ever since, enabling me to withstand the tempests of opposition that have come my way. I will not go into the details here of this personal witness, other than to recount the essence. From the day I commenced writing the manuscript, I began memorizing Alma 5, one verse per day. At this critical time when I needed an answer from the Lord regarding whether or not I should write this book for all to consider and not just for my own study, it turned out that four successive verses paralleled in virtually every detail the events that transpired and lessons that were learned on the day that I memorized them. Each verse could have suited as a journal entry. The first of these occurred on the Sunday of General Conference. The most important revelation I received that day, while listening to the Prophet speak, was that what I was doing in my book was in complete harmony with the purposes of the Lord. I was not superseding the prophets, proclaiming new doctrine, but I was compiling and confirming the commandments and revelations that had already been given. In the language of the verse I memorized that day. "I have spoken according to the commandments of God." (Alma 5:43.) What I have written is done with the intent to "testify unto this people the things which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come." (5:44.)

Though this process has meant great sacrifice and persecution, the satisfaction and appreciation that has also accompanied it has made it all worth while. The greatest reward is the inner harmony that attends doing the will of the Lord.

Alma 5:43-46 & Hel. 7:29 and 8:3 cross-reference <WP.zip> ("I have not spoken of myself")

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