In Part 1, we laid out our dependance on hierarchies which are often lead by those aspiring to power, and who are the last who ought to wield it. How then do we attempt to walk with Christ, and also recognize, resist, and ultimately, defeat evil, and most importantly, remain harmless as the Lord advises?

Why does it seem like society is always divided and quarrelling? Important to remember is the notion that most "sides" are calculated to divide. Our Lord, on the other hand, has suggested a better course of action—to be one. For that to effectively happen, we ought to be able to find solutions, together. For the rational and intelligent, a Ben Franklin Pro/Con chart is a profitable exercise. The results will demonstrate where agreement lies.

If we can find agreement, we can find solutions. If the intention is to pit society against itself, creating and taking sides will do the trick. This latter method, uses Hegelian dialectic propaganda to fabricate emotional attachment to one side or the other, making agreement and solutions nearly impossible. Certainly, our leaders, whether they are corporate, pharmaceutical/medical, governmental, or religious, wouldn't lead us astray with such tactics! Would they? Or have we already picked a side and its associated hierarchy? There are no "sides" in Zion. Our Lord has the one and only societal solution worth considering.

Since we're discussing evil, let's dive into politics just a bit. I am not any politician's fan boy. They tend not to be champions of liberty, as is Ron Paul, or a very few others. And those who currently are, depending on lobbying efforts and payoffs, may not be, tomorrow. Generally, our  political leader's adherence to godly moral principles, or even Constitutional principles, is thin as is their understanding of sound monetary theory and economics, and effective foreign policy. The last president to have a handle on that last issue, was our third:

“Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none.” (Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, 1801)

I wholeheartedly concur! Compare that with our current economic and foreign policy. Pardon me, do these people even read, let alone constructively think? Oh, I get it, erase history, and you erase thinking. Interesting thought, eh?

Here are two different but connected thoughts about liberty and a personally satisfying life. These are thoughts not taught in modern schools, but should be. History is being erased along with the notion that a truly fulfilling life is within the reach of each of us. Here are the thoughts:

► "Freedom is not usually lost all at once through force. It is more often weakened first through forgetting...freedom survives only where judgment is actively exercised. By judgment, I mean the human capacity to pause, discern meaning, and take responsibility for a decision in context...When contemplation and judgment are displaced, something essential is lost long before it is noticed." (Mark Keenan, When Judgment Is Forgotten, 12/30/2025, https://www.lewrockwell.com/2025/12/mark-keenan/when-judgment-is-forgotten/)

► "Sometime around 340 BC, Aristotle gave a series of lectures at the Lyceum in Athens in which he presented a theory of how humans can cultivate a good life and take deep satisfaction in it. He described true flourishing as a state of the soul that he referred to with the Greek word eudaimonia (from eu for “good” + daimon for "spirit").

"Eudaimonia is a deep satisfaction that one takes in the well earned belief that one consistently behaves and orders his life in accordance with the moral virtues of courage, temperance, justice, and liberality, and the intellectual virtues of wisdom, understanding, and prudence. Eudaimonia is not a means to an end but an end in itself.

"Obtaining eudaimonia is what enables one to live without shame, guilt, or regret—to go to bed at night with a clear conscience that one has done the work, fulfilled his duties, and always acted like a reasonable man.

"As Aristotle pointed out, becoming virtuous and obtaining eudaimonia does not come naturally, but must be acquired through repetitive action. Actions repeated become habits, and through virtuous habits, one becomes a virtuous and therefore flourishing person.

"As Carl Jung echoed this idea over two thousand years later, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” (John Leake, On New Year's Resolutions, 01/02/2026, 
https://www.thefocalpoints.com/p/on-new-years-resolutions) (Emphasis mine.)

With such wisdom available to all, why does society wallow in immaturity, depression, and ignorance? Let's dive deeper...

Our current president is a pompous media personality, New York real estate tycoon, and bullying negotiator. He is a Faustian buffoon. And yet, he is our president, like it or not, and his general lack of homage to traditional Washington politics, is refreshing to many. It is not new to have such bizarre characters in the White House. Unfortunately, like the overwhelming majority of politicians, he made lots of promises but kept only a few. And the bombs continue to drop, enriching the warmongers.

We suffered through the CIA Bush, intern-for-lunch Clinton, cow-hand Bush, and Slimy-Barry Obama presidential abominations by the skin of our teeth. We continued to suffer through a short theatrical presentation of Keystone government with the first Trump enrich-the-lawyers snipe hunt. Then came the corpse and the doctor. Mary Shelley would be proud.

Amazingly enough, we suffered through it all without the political and childish temper tantrums exhibited, (and funded), by our Marxist opponents today. This is a sophisticated kettle of slimy, two-headed, political barracudas. I support liberty, no matter who proffers it. These days, very, very few do, so we have an abundance of evil from which to choose. And evil, mixed with immaturity, depression, and ignorance, rules with severe unrighteous dominion, which breeds our current world.

Scripture well describes our current situation:

"My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword." (Psalms 57:4)

"There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men." (Prov 30:14)

"A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow." (Prov 25:18)

For "...them that are set on fire..." the Adversary is the fire's source. Those who burn with that fire are deceived into thinking they are lions. Fire consumes and destroys its fuel. Conversely, our Lord quickens and provides the power of life. He is creative and productive. Our salvation, is His success. He is a Maker. (See Orson Scott Card's "Alvin Maker" series. Card is a favorite.)

Our life among the lions is not entirely unique, of course. During his first rodeo, the unison gang-beating of Orange Man was extraordinarily well coordinated. All this reminds us of another leader who was treated with tantrums, slander, and violence. Read the following description of Trump's treatment, and see if you have a similar recollection:

This is from Sally Zelikovsky from her essay, "Who Targeted the President," American Thinker Magazine, Oct 6, 2020:

"They've tried to impeach and remove him, force him to resign, discredit him, undermine his accomplishments, embarrass and ridicule him; they've wished him dead umpteen times; they've relentlessly threatened his life; and they've been clear they don't care about his family or his health."

If our dear prophet, Joseph Smith, comes to mind, we're on the same page. The above description is dead-on for both men. Today, it's Soros, Shumer, Pelosi, AOC's posse, et al. For Joseph it was Samson Avard, George Hinkle, and Brigham's Secret Chamber with his long-time friend, Heber C. Kimball, first-cousin Willard Richards, and William Clayton, among others.

The difference between our two examples is simple. Trump plays political footsy for his entertainment and lust for power while obeying those pulling strings from higher up the globalist food chain. When you've made and lost billions, what else is there to do but go be president for awhile and play like I'm somebody.

Brigham faced a huge monkey-wrench in things when he, and the boys, returned from their mission to England all set to add "spiritual wifery" to the church's sacraments. Joseph denounced polygamy as adultery thereby blocking Brigham's lustful desire for church-sanctioned harems. The boys couldn't have that, so when nothing else worked, they just murdered Joseph. Look up "adoption" if you have doubts about what Joseph was doing. He sealed both men and women to him and, therefore, the Fathers in Heaven, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Sealing backward benefits no one without the forward sealing ordinance, and they killed the last guy who had the authority to do that.

This mortal world is stuck in a vicious, evil swirling mire it can't seem to shake. It has become tiresome. Life is exhausting, living in a world of lies, psychological propaganda, and calculated interactions. We are born into it. We are taught by it and ruled by its "laws." We work in it and can recognize much of it, if we try, but we do not have to choose it. We can be harmless as our Lord advises: (All emphasis mine.)

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings, that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation — among whom you shine as lights in the world..." (RE Philippians 1:8; LDS Philippians 2:15)

Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee. (LDS Alma 18:22; RE & CE Alma 12:14)

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men..." (LDS Matthew 10:16; RE Matthew 5:3)

In the midst of turmoil and chaos, we can choose a different path. Agency is always a component of our journey. When I was a child and a parent would say, "You have to do..." fill in the blank. I would respond, "I don't have to do anything." And I was almost right.

What I didn't understand was that, "I have to do SOMETHING!" Either this or that, or sometimes, the other thing. Even doing nothing is doing something. It's still a choice. There's no getting around that. We always have a choice, even if the choice is uncomfortable, or even painful. Agency can be the toughest nut you ever had to crack because the consequences of the choice are yours along with the responsibility. What makes the difference is honor.

Profitable examples of extraordinary honor, emotional stability, and true leadership exist in both secular and scriptural accounts and are worthy of study. Those we study used their agency for honorable purposes.

So, what's the big deal about honor, anyway? Glad you asked! Many years ago, W. Cleon Skousen used to ask his BYU students: What is the source of God's power? Then he'd unload this on them:

"...for, behold, the devil...rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power..." (D&C 29:36)

All of a sudden "My honor is my power" takes on a whole new meaning. W. Cleon covered that years ago in his talk, "The Meaning of the Atonement." Honor is a very big deal. It is a component of the oil in your lamp. Honor breeds courage. Honor is the foundation of courage.

Honor Among Men; Forgotten Examples

Without George Washington's patient, clear-headed, and peacemaking leadership, the odds would have been slim-to-none of our Constitution being created out of the vastly divergent opinions being debated at the convention of 1789. The mechanics of governing were disputed, even among those who cherished and desired an environment of liberty. But his honor was the catalyst for their trust. George Washington was a noble hero, and indispensable component, in the history of liberty. Men of great honor are worthy of our study.

All, everywhere, ought to be familiar with Washington's command at the Battle of Monongahela, and the importance of honor and the power it provides. I expect Ol' General George and Captain Moroni are getting along quite famously.

In fact, another favorite moment in the history of honor finds Moroni facing significant challenges, on multiple fronts from Lamanite aggression. He sent a scathing letter to Pahoran, the chief judge, accusing him of all manner of malfeasance in not supplying needed supplies and replacements.

Unbeknownst to Moroni, Pahoran had been run out of town and the king-men had taken over. Pahoran could not help Moroni. After Moroni had scolded Pahoran, not knowing his grave situation, Pahoran responded with kindness, understanding, true leadership, and honor. He didn't have to. Nevertheless, Pahoran chose to use his agency with honor.

Here's a snippet from Pahoran's response to Moroni's anger:

"And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart...let us resist evil...that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God." (Alma 61:14)

Fortunately today, according to D&C 63, "...the wicked shall slay the wicked..." Our task is not to “lock and load,” but to become a Zion people. Pahoran's entire response to Moroni is a study in Christlike thinking and honor.

Patrick Henry, with noble boldness, uttered some uniquely remarkable, and historically unequivocal principles of liberty and honor. His rational and intelligent words inspired many:

"The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

"Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." Henry would complete his speech declaring death as preferable to a life without liberty." (Second Virginia Convention, 1775, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other signers of the Declaration of Independence were in attendance.)