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Show February 12, 1970 THE UTAH INDEPENDENT Page 4 manifest itself, and if the Communist Party has its way the hundred-folintensity of the attack will be increased a Answers To . . . (Continued from page 3) d. times of crisis such as this, individual members of the Church can do at least four things: In your homework so you can appreciate what is happening. not become confused by the avalanche of hostile propaganda. Unique doctrines or policies of the Church These will be seized upon for concentrated publicity. will be distorted or made to appear as ridiculous as pos- sible. In past crises, a few members of the Church have gotten on the enemy bandwagon and wagged their fingers of accusation with as much vigor as the opposition. They have demanded that the Church "change" and accommodate itself to the propaganda pressure. 1. Do Do ' By reason of his office and calling. Elder Benson is entitled to inspiration when addressing Church groups, and, since Communism is a definite threat to the eternal principle of free agency, it cannot be considered that he is out of line when discussing it in talks. (Letter from President McKays Office, Dec. 8, 1965) 15. What Church leaders have for speaking out? acts and schemes arc When 2. Stand steadfastlv behind the Prophet and the leaders of the Church. Do everything within your own sphere of influence to spread the truth on each of the issues as they arise. The Communist objective will be to thoroughly intimidate the members of the Church so they will feel "guilty" or become afraid to "get involved." W. Cleon Skousen Communist Press Calls For Attack On LDS Church ct by W. Cleon Skousen Attached hereto is a reprint of an article from an official Communist Party paper called the World Magazine which is the Sunday Supplement to the Daily World and the People's World. This article appeared in the issue of October 18, 1969. last paragraph of this article calls The everything possible to avoid any statement or action which might inadvertently feed ammunition to the enemy. Part of the Communist strategy will be to provoke Church members to the point where some of them will over-reaor over-sta- te their position so these can be quoted over the transmission belt as "typical of the Mormon mentality." Should you happen to be contacted by a reporter, insist that all questions be submitted in writing. If you decide to reply, write your answers and keep a copy. Recently, members of the Church have been deliberately misquoted by the wire services. If the reporter claims there isn't time for a written exchange, then tell him you have "No Com- 3. Do for an attack on the LDS Church. You will note that the Communist strategy Saints as a ''church.' but is NOT to attack the Latter-Da- y as an institution of "economic and political power" which ''coincides with the interests of monopoly capital." ment." It is aston4. Avoid giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Church actually making ishing to find a few members of the deliberate concessions to the opposition in an attempt to appear "objective," "honest," and "impartial." Joseph Smith would have considerable to say about this caliber As Thomas Marsh and other member. of "fair-weathe- This article is a typical Communist propaganda with crumbs of truth intermixed with a whole It even claims allegations and implications. leaders are in control of the Los Angeles sheet filled loaf of false the Mormon Times! Anyone familiar with Communist tactics will recognize that this is no ordinary article. It is a signal to the Communist "transmission belt" to go to work. There are people stratefacilities gically placed in the bulk of the opinion-moldin- g of the United States who watch for signals like this in the Communist press. The Communists are looked upon as the "vanguard" or tactical leaders in the fight against the open society of the United. States. Communist signals are g collectherefore accepted by the entire cadre of tivists as the logical targets for a united attack. The Comas munists refer to this large group of fellow-traveleidenan By unitedly attacking their "transmission belt." tical target, they create a syndrome of incidents which have an overwhelming impact on the thinking of the American This technique has been used successfully for people. fifty years. left-win- rs type of massive propaganda assault is designed to distort public thinking to the point where it paralyzes the effectiveness of the organization under attack. In fact, the object is not merely to discredit the victim but create an notable defectors of the past century discovered, such concessions by them did not turn out to be honest or objective, but a betrayal of the truth and a betrayal of the Church at a time when both needed uncompromising One should keep in mind that during past crises the Lord has always used these occasions to shake loose the tares from the wheat. Additional copies of the reprint of the World Magazine article (pages with the analysis of it by W. Cleon Skousen (above) are available at cost postpaid from NATIONAL RESEARCH GROUP, Rt. 1. Box 102, American Fork, Utah 84003. 2 sets .25 50 sets 3.00 5-- 1 or even hatred toward it. several months the volume and intensity of criticism against the LDS Church has been mounting. The Communist Party has apparently decided to take over the leadership of this agitation and give it financial and institutional support. If the pattern follows past incidents of this kind, we may expect to see the legitimate press, radio and TV begin a whole series of "reports" on all types of subjects related to the LDS Church. It will be explained that the LDS Church has suddenly become "news." All of these "reports" will be handled in a way which makes the Church For so-call- ed look ricn, and racist, servative to the point of being archaically reactionary. priest-ridde- n, super-authoritari- an con- the past, organizations selected for this kind of assault have usually attempted to ignore the attack until the damage has become practically irreparable. A more responsive such as that followed by J. Edgar Hoover when the approach FB! is attacked has proven more effective in blunting the impact of such campaigns. Some damage will be done in any event, but by furnishing the public with facts and furnishing a prompt response to the various charges, it is possible for those who really want to know the truth to g it. To remain silent and hope the whole thing will "blow over" or "fade away" is exactly what the Communists want. This gives vacuum in which to work. them a public-opinio- n In If this signal from the Communist Party is successful in triggering the transmission belt into action, it is likely that within a very short time the Church will find itself struggling for living space on almost every 6) 0 sets 1 .00 1 00 sets 5.00 (The above prices are for mailing to one address) David 0. 16. Does the Church take stands on political issues? The Church, out of respect for the rights of all of its bers mem- have their political views to and loyalties, must maintain the strictest possible neutrality. have no intention of trying to interfere with the fullest and freest exercise of the political franchise of our members under and within our Constitution. (President McKay, April 1966 Conference State me n t) 1 17. What about moral issues? We strictly political matters While should properly be left in the field of politics where they belong. on moral issues the Church and its members should take a Latter-da- y s tand Saints mu s t al way's be alert and united in contending against any influence which tends to break down the moral and spiritual strength of the people. (First Oresidoney Letter, Jan. 27. 1969) 18. Will such activity cause d isunity? we concern ourselves unity in the Church, we must not be insensible to the As McKay . . . (Continued from page members and 1) of the LDS Church. He frequently spoke out in defense of man's free agency and often referred to the U.S. Constitution as a dinon-membe- rs vinely inspired document. David 0. McKay was born Sept. 8, 1873, four years before Brigham Young died. At the age of 32 he was ordained an apostle on April 9, 1906, by Pres. Joseph F. Smith, who was a nephew of the Prophet Joseph Smith, was the sixth president of the church, and was the father of Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith, successor to Pres. McKay and tenth president of the Church. For The Finest In Pets And Pet Supplies Dogs-Cats-Birds-Tropi- Fish cal -- Aquarium evil forces around us both here in America and in the unrid at large. (President McKay. (Jet. 1967 Conference Statement) 19. What should be the basin for our unity? Sext to being one Supplies-Complet- e Line Of Pet Supplies in wu rs h - present eiil marked very tendency of the people of our country to pass on to the state the responsibility for their moral and economic welfare. This trend to a welfare state... is certain to sap the individual amb ition s and moral fiber of our youth unless they are warned and reuamed of the consequences. (President McKay Letter, 25, 1967) May 21. Is ro p b le m? socialsiin really During the...twe ntie th we tury the socialism have traveled soul-destroyi- ng alliances and far into land of made strange through which we involved most continuous hot and cold have become wars over the whole of the earth. in al- (President McKay, 1967, Secrets of A Happy Live, p. 48) 22. In summary, then, what is our responsibility? the prevalence in the s around us, of ideas and subversive which pervert the teachings minds of the unstable and uninformed .... may parents, Stake Presidencies, Bishoprics, Quorums of. the Priesthood, and Auxiliary leaders realize that they have a greater responsibility than ever before to do all they can to these counteract poisonous With wo rid , and perni-niciou- (President McKay, April 1967 Conference Statement) ucn nffooenrai 131 E. 3rd So., S.L.C. Ph. 364-193- 1 a cen- influences. COUKAt ip-pi- God, there is nothing in this world upon which this Church should be more united than in and defending the upholding Constitution of the I nited. States. 20What is responsible for evil trends? present I cannot help but think that there is a direct relationship between the trends. ..and the front- -1 egally, in proselyting, in academic tolerartce, in athletic competition and in its attempt to get equal time through the media to defend its position. The syndrome on all of these fronts has already manifestly contrary to the revealed word of the Lord. I feel, as do my as sociates, justified in warning our people against the. (President McKay, Oct. 1968 Conference Statemc nt) with support. This atmosphere of deep resentment r" do justification GU or |