Helaman 2

Mormon's abridgement was written for our day and time. One message that he knew was important to us is the nature and danger of secret societies. He makes a summary statement in Helaman 2 that is then illustrated in the history from that time on. And his son Moroni was inspired to add the book of Ether to the record which contains further evidence of the destructive nature and power of secret combinations. Mormon's summary statement foreshadowing what is to come is:

13 And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi.
14 Behold I do not mean the end of the book of Helaman, but I mean the end of the book of Nephi, from which I have taken all the account which I have written.

Secret societies in our day have radically altered life for billions of people. Terror cells and other kinds of secret combinations work under the ancient premise that their adherents will ultimately succeed in destroying the liberty of people and imposing their authority. The defense of liberty has never been more important than now.