Prophetic counsel - Book of Mormon example

In Alma 37 Helaman, the next prophet, receives counsel from the current prophet, Alma (also his dad), to speak about "secret combinations" which are basically secret and dark plots and plans to lie, murder, rob, steal, and take advantage of others. It is something that became prevalent in the Book of Mormon society starting during war time that begins just after this counsel is given and continuing for the next 100 years or so until Jesus Christ comes to visit the people.

It appears remarkable that the prophet had such a great pulse on the society and the future events that were coming that he would counsel his son about how to speak to the people on this issue. Now certainly Mormon was choosing what to put into the book when he compiled it, but the writings of Alma to his sons comes from Alma's record, and the timing (as I mentioned) is impressive.

We are lucky to have a living prophet who can guide us in the most pertinent and timely matters. Alma was a great prophet who did that. It's another reminder of the blessing it is to have a living prophet today.

Here's some verses in Alma 37 on the topic:

 22 For behold, the Lord saw that his people began to work in darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations; therefore the Lord said, if they did not repent they should be destroyed from off the face of the earth.

 23 And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a^astone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may^bdiscover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.

 24 And now, my son, these ^ainterpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:

 25 I will ^abring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will^bdestroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land.

 26 And now, my son, we see that they did not repent; therefore they have been destroyed, and thus far the word of God has been fulfilled; yea, their ^asecret abominations have been brought out of darkness and made known unto us.

 27 And now, my son, I command you that ye retain all their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret abominations; yea, and all their ^asigns and their wonders ye shall^bkeep from this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.

 28 For behold, there is a ^acurse upon all this land, that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness, according to the power of God, when they are fully ripe; therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed.

 29 Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their ^aoaths and their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them; and ye shall teach them to ^babhor such wickedness and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and abominations and their murders.

 30 For behold, they ^amurdered all the prophets of the Lord who came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lord their God for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness and secret ^bcombinations.

 31 Yea, and ^acursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ^bripe.

 32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting ^ahatred against sin and iniquity.

 33 ^aPreach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be ^bmeek and lowly in heart; teach them to ^cwithstand every ^dtemptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.