Throughout the Book of Mormon, the phrase
“secret combinations” is used
to describe the evil activities of secret, oath-bound
societies.
Some have suggested that during Joseph Smith’s day,
“secret combinations” exclusively referred to a well-known fraternity called the Freemasons (or just Masons),
and that this supports the theory that the Book of
Mormon was fabricated using 19th century ideas.
Yet modern search engines have now demonstrated
that before, during, and after 1829,
“secret combinations” was a general term for any
secret group or plot.
Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines the word
“combination” in general terms
as “an association of two or more persons or things.”
It also notes that it can be used in both
a positive and a negative sense.
Furthermore, many ancient societies, including
those in the Near East and Mesoamerica,
had secret groups that were involved in oath-related
conspiracies
to get rich or influence the government.
And Scholars who have studied such groups
have been struck by their similarities,
even when they're from different locations and
time periods in the world’s history.
In light of this information, it's really not surprising
that the Book of Mormon’s English translation used the phrase “secret combinations.”
It was a general term used to describe a host
of secretive 19th century groups,
and a term which would apply equally well to secret societies all over the ancient world,
including ancient America.
And now you know why.
