"The Prophet Overcome by Strong Drink"

Commentary on Isaiah 28:7 parallel to 2 Nephi 28:21-23

  Introduction

How ironic it is that the Mormons, who are world famous for their abstinence from alcoholic beverages would be called "drunkards" by the Lord (e.g. Drunkards of Ephraim). This metaphor is expounded upon little further along in the Isaiah 28 = II Nephi 28,29 parallel. This excerpt (Isa. 28:7 = 2 Ne. 28:21-23) shows very clearly what is meant by this.

  Parallel Excerpt with Commentary Interspersed

The antecedent of "they also," i.e. the "others" being referred to, are "the residue of his people" (Isa. 28:5 in 41) for whom the Lord of hosts is "a crown of glory" and "a diadem of beauty." The Lord is a "strength" to them. (Isa. 28:6 in 44.) In other words, these are the elect of God. This is who the Lord is talking about here. In other words, below we are describing a deception so strong that even the elect can be taken in the trap (becoming sons of perdition in the process). (e.g. D&C 76:31.)

"Erring" is equated with Satan's ability to "pacify" and "lull away," which are the opposite of being "watchful" which is an ever-present requirement for the Lord's people. (Matt. 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:35; Rev. 3:3; D&C 133:11.) Remember, commencing on the path of God is not sufficient. One must "press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ" and "endure to the end" (2 Ne. 31:20). He must "become as a little child" (3 Ne. 11:37,38), who is "humble, willing to submit to all that his father seeth fit to inflict upon him" (Msh. 3:19). The pride of which we have been speaking, which blinds the eye and allows Satan to lull one away into error, is therefore antithesis to what is required for remaining affixed to the rock of Jesus Christ.

Also, never before have we been poised more precariously on the brink of utter disaster, where all of this could be yanked from beneath us in very short order. We are faced with a number of threats any one of which could decimate our prosperity; but combined could bring our utter extinction were it not for the intervening power of an Almighty God on behalf of a humbled remnant. Thousands of nuclear warhead in the hands of volatile nations and terrorists, biological and chemical weapons, natural disasters, racial unrest, third-world unrest, electromagnetic pulse (EMP), are some of the major threats facing us. Behind these is the father of all lies who is hoisting his kingdom upon this world with horrific success. The New World Order has gained an ascendency which is nearly complete. The remaining vestiges of freedom and righteousness in the United States are what yet stand in its way, and the Mormons are a voice of moral authority which has to be dealt with for Satan to accomplish his purposes. Hence Satan's focus on lulling this people asleep through carnal security. Otherwise they would pose his greatest threat.

For a third illustration of this sentiment, let us consider a quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley. He said, "The future will be essentially the same as the past, only much brighter and greatly enlarged." ("Scripture Theme: Follow Prophet;" LDS Church News; Nov. 29, 1997.) This fits his motto: "Carry on." Ironically, this statement is nearly verbatim with the statement in Isaiah: "To morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant." (Isa. 56:12.) The sobering paradox is that Isaiah prophesied that this sentiment would be spoken by "watchmen" who "are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. They are shepherds that cannot understand." (Isa. 56:10,11.)

Samuel the Lamanite captured human nature well when he spoke of the attributes of a prophet who is popular with an iniquitous people. "Because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him." (Helaman 13:28.)

Isaiah and Nephi concur that those thus overcome of wine are "out of the way;" that "the devil cheateth their souls," and -- the parallel corollary -- he "leadeth them away carefully down to hell." Ironically these same people accuse those who with a voice of warning say such things as being "out of the way" or apostate. Each thinks the other is treading in dangerous territory. Mormons are especially sensitive to statements that might throw doubt in people's minds regarding the prophet. They have been vigorously warned to shun such things, equating it to spiritual suicide. But when the Emperor is wearing no clothes, someone has to be bold enough to call it as they see it. I certainly am not the only one making such statement. But it sure is nice to have validation from the scriptures. That is why these chiasms and parallels are so valuable, as they provide a credible witness for what otherwise is an unimaginable possibility. This next set of matches are an ideal example of how pointed these parallels can get.

The "others" being flattered away into error by the devil include "the priest and the prophet." Above, you no doubt noticed that I was citing the two most recent Mormon Presidents as examples of those who are out of the way.

The scripture cited in the right-hand column, 2 Nephi 26:22, ties in to this context in several significant ways. It addresses the idea of Satan=s step-by-step deceptions, and it mentions secret combinations specifically and the captivity they bring.

I can vouch from intimate personal experience as well as voluminous examples of public utterances by LDS Church leaders, that they have swallowed the lies of Satan that "communism is dead" and that "there is no conspiracy," when the truth is that communism has nearly achieved its ultimate objective and is so close that those conspirators pushing for it are willing to risk a few losses of significant chess pieces for the sake of deception in securing their pending checkmate.

"Swallowed up" and "grasped," are tightly synonymous ideas, the one being a metaphor, the other a personification.

There are four key prophecies from each of the four scripture volumes which prophesy in tandem about Satan's temporary triumph over the saints of God. In the Old Testament, there is Daniel 7, which says a world-dominating beast will "make war with the saints and prevail against them" (7:21). In the New Testament, Revelation 13 likewise speaks of this same world-dominating beast that will "make war with the saints and overcome them" (13:7). In the Book of Mormon, the sister prophecies in 3 Nephi 16, 20, and 21 all use language similar to Daniel 7 and Revelation 13, describing the treading down of the Gentiles. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 103 uses language nearly identical to these prophecies, also speaking of the Gentiles, specifying them as restoration saints, being trodden down.

Doctrine & Covenants 76:31 expounds what it means when the elect saints, who have known God's power and have been made partakers thereof, "suffer themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power." They become sons of perdition. (D&C 76:32.) Part of the reason they become such is that by the time all is said and done, they will have been more than amply warned, but instead of repenting they will have denied the truth and defied God's power. "They are out of the way;" "yea, they are grasped."

"And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you. Behold, I, the Lord, have looked upon you, and have seen abominations in the church that profess my name. But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life. But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment. Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed [if they will hearken to the voice of the Lord]; but the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world." (D&C 50:3-8.)

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Therefore, "awake, awake, put on strength, O Zion." (Isa. 52:1; 2 Ne. 1:13; 8:24; 9:47; Msh. 2:40; 3 Ne. 20:6; Ether 8:24-26; Moro. 10:31.) Say ye not, "A confederacy" or alliance "to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy." (Isa. 8:11-14.) Repent of this blindness and turn to the Lord and let him be your fear and let him be your dread.

by Sterling D. Allan; Mapleton, Utah; October 2, 1998

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