This is a review of the slides we used while This is a review of the slides we used while discussing . . .discussing . . .

What Destroys Society? What Destroys Society? Mosiah 9-22Mosiah 9-22

““In 1787 Edward Gibbon completed his noble work In 1787 Edward Gibbon completed his noble work The The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Here is the way he Here is the way he accounted for the fall:accounted for the fall:

1.1. The The underminingundermining of the dignity and sanctity of the of the dignity and sanctity of the homehome, , which is the basis of human society.which is the basis of human society.2.2. Higher and higher taxesHigher and higher taxes and the spending of public monies and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace.for free bread and circuses for the populace.3.3. The The mad craze for pleasuremad craze for pleasure, sports becoming every year more , sports becoming every year more and more exciting and brutal.and more exciting and brutal.4.4. The building of The building of gigantic armamentsgigantic armaments when the real enemy was when the real enemy was within the decadence of the people.within the decadence of the people.5.5. The The decay of religiondecay of religion—faith fading into mere form, losing —faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life, and becoming impotent to warn and guide the touch with life, and becoming impotent to warn and guide the people.people.

(Ezra Taft Benson, “(Ezra Taft Benson, “Watchman, Warn the WickedWatchman, Warn the Wicked,” ,” Ensign, July 1973, 38).Ensign, July 1973, 38).

Ten Warning Signs of Nations in CrisisTen Warning Signs of Nations in Crisis

1. The Crisis of Lawlessness1. The Crisis of Lawlessness2. The Loss of Economic Discipline2. The Loss of Economic Discipline3. Rising Bureaucracy3. Rising Bureaucracy4. The Decline of Education4. The Decline of Education5. Weakening of Cultural Foundations5. Weakening of Cultural Foundations6. Loss of Respect for Tradition6. Loss of Respect for Tradition7. Increase in Materialism7. Increase in Materialism8. The Rise of Immorality8. The Rise of Immorality9. The Decay of Religious Belief9. The Decay of Religious Belief10. Devaluing of Human Life10. Devaluing of Human Life

(Source: Jim Nelson Black, (Source: Jim Nelson Black, When Nations DieWhen Nations Die, 1994, , 1994, Tyndale House Publishers).Tyndale House Publishers).

We looked for We looked for Characteristics that Characteristics that destroy society as destroy society as found in the text.found in the text.

Mosiah 9-22Mosiah 9-22

The End. . .The End. . .