Do you believe the Book of Mormon? In that book we see how the Gadianton robbers began to infiltrate the Nephite nation.

There was an election for the president of the United Nephites — called the Chief Justice. One of these candidates was not elected and didn’t like that. His name was Paanchi and he attempted an insurrection — an overthrow of the Nephite government, against the vote of the people. Here is what is said in the Book of Mormon, Heleman 1:7-8

“7. Paanchi, and that part of the people that were desirous that he should be their governor, was exceedingly wroth; therefore, he was about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their brethren.”

So, let’s get this straight, Latter-day Saints; this is how the evil started: A man wanted to be elected, was not elected and sought an insurrection. Can you think of anytime in American history that a man, running for president, was not elected but said he should still be the chief anyway? A man that then rose up a rebellion? I can. Verse 8:

“8. And it came to pass as he was about to do this, behold, he was taken, and was tried according to the voice of the people, and condemned unto death; for he had raised up in rebellion and sought to destroy the liberty of the people.”

Well, the Nephites had a better attorney general than we do, and they got right on the prosecution of Paanchi. I am sure that all of his political party said that the Nephites were weaponizing their justice department. But this didn’t matter. More Nephites cared about their liberty, and the voice of the people, than the cult of personality that Trump — oops, I meant Paanchi — represented.

But this wasn’t enough. Even though Paanchi was defeated, his political party became infested with the lies and practices of the Gadianton robbers. They continued to fight against liberty and truth itself. They killed the elected chief justice and continued to infiltrate the political discourse of the Nephites.

What is the relevance of this?

It is a prophecy! A warning for the latter days — our days. Have a look at Ether 8. This whole chapter is about another political takeover, but there is a warning starting at verse 20. “And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people.”

Among all people? Among the USA? What does that mean? Verse 22:

“And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed.” A nation destroyed? Why is Moroni being such an alarmist? Here’s why, Verse 24:

“Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation.”

This is a commandment! Are you keeping this commandment? Do you see these things “come among you” and “awake”?

Do you see that there was recently a candidate for the highest office in this country who was not happy that he lost an election and tried to start a rebellion? Do you see that a man got in legal trouble about trying to start a rebellion and then his political party was angry that the justice department of his nation prosecuted him?

If you can read these chapters and not see the direct, prophetic warning of Donald Trump and, more importantly, about how the GOP has been overtaken by the Gadianton robbers, something is wrong. And I am not saying that something is wrong with you or your personal character. We are all trying to be more like our savior. There is something wrong with your echo chamber. Don’t be surprised by that. Verse 25 describes this kind of political takeover with lies. It says:

“… it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents.”

You are in good company. Satan is good at this. That is why GOP now stands for GADIANTON OVERTAKEN PARTY.

Matthew Mellen is the founder of the Mellen Law Firm and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.