The Importance of Tribes

[Guest]

The Book of Mormon talks about society splitting up into tribes.

Quote

2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land.

3 And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus they became tribes and leaders of tribes.

4 Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly great.

While overlooking some details, I was pondering this event as a parallel to expect of the United States.  I don't know if it has been said by any apostles.  But I've heard it enough from different sources to believe there may be something to it.  The demise of the United States will result in breaking up into large groups with some form of geographic connectivity.

While I was thus pondering, my wife had me help her with a presentation she has in her speech class. She based her premise on the book Tribe by Sebastian Junger.  He had quite a bit of research on the topic.  And I must say that it certainly sounds convincing.  And the conclusions are sound, based on the studies he's made.

One thing he notes about developed nations is that we get more and more connected to things rather than people.  But human beings need to belong to people.  When there is no "Tribe" or as a developed nation may call it "feeling of community," there is something wrong with people. We have people doing mass shootings, we have depression, alcoholism/drug abuse/addiction of all kinds, increased incidence of PTSD, etc.

While some forms of racism may occur for other reasons, self-segregation of races tends to come from lack of tribe.  We want to cling to something that says we're a part of something.  Race is something people cling to.  Politics is another. That is one reason why socialism is on the rise.  It is a self-perpetuating poison.  No matter how badly socialism fails, the more disconnected we are from each other, the more we want government to force some form of connectivity that isn't there.

And while religion tends to be a more healthy common ground upon which tribes can form, it is also incomplete. In the past, religion was the center.  But it was there not to make people believe that they're ok just the way they are.  And it wasn't there to make people feel bad either.  But it was used as a focal point for communities to get together to solve problems together.  It was used to have people share common trials, share common hardships, etc.  Religion was the focal point to help others form their own tribes and de Tocqueville's "little platoons."

One reason soldiers come back from war all shaken up is not because they had such trauma, but because they didn't have anyone with shared experience to bond with.  People who come back together and enter civilian life together have a MUCH higher rate of success in civilian life than those who simply go back to a bunch of civilians who can't understand the shared experience. 

I see the truth of his words and his conclusions in society today.  Eventually, tribes WILL form.  Humans need to be a part of them.  With a free government, they were able to keep peace with each other as a natural state of things. But with an oppressive government that wants to essentially snuff out tribes and establish one HUGE tribe, will not be stable.  At some point we'll reach critical mass and it will all snap.

NOW, THE HOPEFULLY GOOD NEWS

Whenever a major change in a society takes place, the most organized group is the one that tends to take power and re-establish a social order.  There are many parties that could lay claim to the most organized.  But I see only two -- two churches only.  And this is when other God-fearing people will come to us -- not for our religion, but for our dedication to justice and Constitutional government.  Such statements have been made by the Brethren.  I don't know how many are considered "official".  But when we do break up into tribes, I pray the re-organization will be quick.

Edited May 2, 2018 by Guest

[Overwatch]

Is that when Jacob caused the Government to collapse? The secret societies that murdered the Prophets and overthrew the Government. Three years Right before the destruction and three days of Darkness?

Right before the visitation of Christ.

The City of Jacobugath was burned to ash for their disgusting murders.

  We will not split into tribes. I believe we'll have two fiery nations rise up against us and we will have a sore fight. We have become soaked with sin and our youth hate their own blood so much that they are killing each other. They will turn in fear, the wicked, as the fiery nations advance and The sons of God will dig in and meet them head on. We must all continue to pray and serve God.