An Invitation to the Scholars of the Church
The Identity of the Great and Abominable Church
by Gregg Killpack
October 13, 2026
Note: This article was sent to The Interpreter Foundation for peer review on 9/26/2026. I invite all scholars in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to come to your own conclusions.
Abstract:
The identity of the great and abominable church has been a mystery since The
Book of Mormon was first published. Although church authorities have speculated on the
subject, we still don’t know who or what it is. However, we have sufficient information to
understand what constitutes the great and abominable church. This article reviews the
assumptions church scholars have made, offers evidence for its correct identity, and
provides an example of a modern organization that meets Nephi’s description.
Author’s Note
This article builds on the scholarship of Stephen E. Robinson’s article, Warring Against
the Saints of God (January 1988 Ensign magazine), hereafter referred to as “Warring”.
My highest praise goes to Brother Robinson. Without his superb analysis, I never would
have understood this subject. His article can be found here:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1988/01/warring-against-the-saints-of-
god?lang=eng
In 1 Nephi 13, [1 Ne. 13] the prophet Nephi recorded a vision of the future that included
the great and abominable church among the Gentiles (aka church of the devil). Although
Nephi described it in some detail, we still don’t have a clear understanding about its
membership or organization. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has never
officially declared any specific religion or organization as the entity in question.
Furthermore, when church authorities have publicly speculated about its identity, the
First Presidency has declared those ideas to be incorrect. Why has identifying the great
and abominable church been so difficult? The answer is, we have made incorrect
assumptions about what Nephi meant and failed to put all the pieces of the puzzle
together.
Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil. (D&C 18:20)
How can we contend against the church of the devil and not other churches if we don't
know which church it is? Surely the Lord gave us this guidance intending for us to follow
it (otherwise why would He give it?). Therefore, He must also expect us to understand
this direction so we can follow it. The fact that He didn’t reveal its identity to us when
the instruction was given suggests we would figure it out at a later time – when the Lord
wanted us to – and apply it then.
Nephi’s Description
Before proceeding further, let’s review Nephi’s description of the great and abominable
church. Nephi said:
It persecutes the Saints of God (1 Ne. 13:5)
It desires wealth and luxury (1 Ne. 13:7)
It is associated with “many harlots” (1 Ne. 13:7) and charactized by extreme sexual
immorality. Brother Robinson noted in his article that in the Old Testament the terms
translated into English as abominable or abomination are “usually associated with
idolatrous worship or gross sexual immorality.” 1)
It has dominion (control, influence, or power) over all the earth among all nations,
kindreds, tongues, and people. (1 Ne. 14:11)
It removed many parts of the New Testament scriptures that were “plain and
precious” and many “covenants of the Lord” before the books were widely
distributed. (1 Ne. 13:26-29)
While the text doesn’t explicitly say the historical period this church operated in, it is
mentioned beside modern events (ie. Christopher Columbus discovering the New World,
see 1 Ne. 13:12-13) and events in the first and second centuries AD (the unauthorized
editing of the New Testament scriptures – see 1 Ne. 13:25-29). We can reasonably
conclude that this evil organization exists in the world today and will continue to operate
until the Lord destroys it at His Second Coming. (D&C 29:21)
Clues
We need to understand the following to identity this evil organization.
1) It’s Not A Church – The reason that scholars have not been able to correctly identify
the church of the devil is because it’s not a church – at least not in the way we normally
think of a church. I argue in my book, Secret Combinations in the US Government (And
the Identity of the Great and Abominable Church), that a church does not need buildings,
an organizational chart, or legal documents to be a church. All that is needed are believers
with shared beliefs.
Stephen E. Robinson explained in Warring that the word “church” anciently had a
broader meaning than just a religious organization. It meant any “assembly,
congregation, or association of people who bonded together and shared the same
loyalties”. 2) Therefore, we can look beyond religious organizations to find any group or
organization that fits Nephi’s description.
Behold, this is my doctrine – whosoever repents and cometh unto me, the same is my church. (D&C 10: 67)
In this verse, the Lord is referring to people, not an organization. This helps us
understand that the church of the devil consists of people who follow his doctrines
regardless of their earthly organization.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said:
Since no religious denomination — Christian or non-Christian — has ever had
“dominion” over all nations of the earth or the potential to bring all the saints of
God down into “captivity,” this great and abominable church must be something
far more pervasive and widespread than a single “church” as we understand that
term today. 3)
Bruce R. McConkie’s wrote in the second edition of Mormon doctrine that different
organizations operate as part of this evil entity:
The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify
all churches or organizations of whatever name or nature – whether political,
philosophical, educational, economic, social, fraternal, civic, or religious – which
are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and
thus from salvation in the kingdom of God. 4)
2) Most Wicked People on Earth – We also need to remember that the great and
abominable church was founded by the devil (1 Ne. 13:6). It is the polar opposite to the
church of Christ. Therefore we will find associated with it the most evil people on earth
committing the greatest crimes and sins imaginable – not just a church that believes
differently than we do. They desire worldly appetities and actively fight against Christ,
his doctrines and his followers.
Jesus taught this foundational doctrine:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like
unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)
Therefore, Satan teaches the opposite doctrine:
Thou shalt not love God. Instead, thou shalt love money, power, sex, the praise of
the world, or any other worldly desire that will distract you from God, his gospel,
and the saving ordinances. And thou shalt not love thy neighbor as thyself: Do
whatever you want regardless of how it affects other people.
3) Typological and Historical – Brother Robinson showed in Warring that the great and
abominable church is typological (a spiritual type or category) and historical (a specific
organization or group of people at a specific time in history). Therefore, we will find
different groups of people at different places and times in history that fit the same
category or type as the great and abominable church that Nephi described. 5)
To better understand this concept, consider that the church of Christ is also typological
and historical. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contains the same
doctrines, ordinances, and priesthood as the church Jesus established two millenia ago. It
has the same doctrines, ordinances, and priesthood that existed among the Nephites, and
among Adam, Abraham, Moses and all the Old Testament prophets. Each are separate
historical entities in different places and times, but all comprise the same church of
Christ. We can think of the great and abominable church in the same way: a type or
category of people described by Nephi manifest in different organizations or groups of
people in history.
The Answer is -- Secret Combinations
I submit that secret combinations are the great and abominable church – people involved
in secret combinations are members of and follow the doctrines of the church of the devil.
Scriptural Evidence
The verse below uses the same two words that describe the church of the devil, great and
abominable, to also describe secret combinations.
Yea, wo be unto you because of that great abomination which has come among
you; and ye have united yourselves unto it, yea, to that secret band which was
established by Gadianton! (Helaman 7:25)
The great and abominable church was founded by the devil (1 Ne. 13:3) and consist of
the most evil people on earth. In the verse below, secret combinations are referred to in
the same way.
And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old;
which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of
God… they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites.
(Ether 8:18, 20)
Secret combinations operating “among all people” matches the scripture that says the
great and abominable church has “dominion over all the earth, among all nations,
kindreds, tongues, and people.” (1 Nephi 14:11)
The doctrines of Christ and the devil have both been on earth from the beginning. The
doctrine of Christ was given to Adam soon after leaving the Garden of Eden; the devil’s
doctrine of secret combinations came shortly thereafter – when Satan taught Cain to
conspire with his household to kill Abel and steal his sheep. (Moses 5:29-32) Since then,
the battle between the most loyal followers of Christ and the devil’s most loyal followers
has continued to the present day. The church of the devil didn’t start among the Gentiles
after the Savior’s death – it has always been here.
Temporal vs. Spiritual
The Lord said, “Wherefore, I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual.” (D&C
29:34) The term great and abominable church is a spiritual term given by an angel to
Nephi, whereas secret combinations is a term coined by the Nephites to describe an
earthly organization. The same people are being described in temporal and spiritual
terms. Therefore, people in this spiritual category are not well-defined by temporal
organization; they can operate as a subset of people within different organizations,
making them more difficult to identify.
Is it possible that a member of the church of Christ can secretly follow the doctrines of
the devil? Or can people in a wicked organization truly follow Christ and refrain from the
evil acts around them? Yes. Both are examples of spiritually being in one category while
temporally being in the other. Some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day Saints were members of the Nazi party (a political party) in Germany during World
War II before learning of Nazi attrocities. Some Germans, like Karl Plagge, saved Jews
during the WWII, acting against Nazi policy. 6)
Spiritually following Christ or the devil is not based solely on what organization you
belong to. As Brother Robinson said in Warring, “Membership is based more on who has
your heart than who has your records”.
The Formation of a Great Church
Nephi saw:
1) the New Testament scriptures were pure (not yet edited) when they were given to the
Gentiles
2) the formation of a great and abominable church among the Gentiles removed many
parts that were “plain and most precious” and “many covenants of the Lord”
3) then the New Testament scriptures were widely distributed among the Gentiles
We have been too linear in how we think of this. The way it’s written, it sounds like a
single organization obtained all the scriptures at one time and altered them. However, the
books of the New Testament were written by different people in different places years or
decades apart. No single organization ever had access to all the writings. But collectively,
different groups could have edited the scriptures they had access to. They probably did
not all know each other, but these separate groups conspired to eliminate scriptures they
didn’t like – different branches of the church of the devil among the Gentiles.
Changing the scriptures forced the common people to accept the church’s interpretation
of the scriptures – a situation that solidified the Orthodox church’s wealth and power over
the people for more than 1000 years. This structure remained until William Tyndale
translated the bible into English in the 1500’s. Marcion is an excellent example of
someone who rejected many scriptures for money and influence.
Nephi wrote that the formation of the great and abominable church among the Gentiles
removed the plain and precious truths from the scriptures. (1 Ne. 13:26-29) Why did
Joseph translate the word as “formation”? Why not use the word “formed” instead? We
assume that Nephi meant the great and abominable church was formed (started or first
established) among the Gentiles, but this is not correct.
Formation has Two Meanings
The word formation has two meanings: 1) Forming or creating something that previously
did not exist (something new), and 2) a structure or arrangement that already exists (not
creating something new). We have assumed that this scripture uses the first meaning
when the second meaning is correct. Nephi meant the great and abominable church
(secret combinations) that existed among the Gentiles and not the Jews edited the
scriptures. In other words, the Gentiles branch of the great and abominable church edited
the scriptures, not the Jewish branch. This emphasizes the point that Nephi is making: the
scriptures were pure when the apostles, who were Jews, sent them among the Gentiles. (1
Nephi 13:25-29)
The great and abominable church also existed among the Jews. The Jewish leaders
conspired with Judas to kill Jesus to maintain their positions and political power – a
secret combination.
But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks
against him, that he be crucified. (2 Ne. 10:5)
Priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world,
that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of
Zion. (2 Ne. 26:29)
To get gain (money) and praise of the world are two characteristics of both secret
combinations and the great and abominable church. (1 Ne. 13:7, 9) The angel told Nephi
that the Jews opposed the apostles: "Behold, the House of Israel hath gathered together to
fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (1 Ne. 11:35) Therefore, the Jews who
fought against Christ and the apostles for political power were both in a secret
combination and members of the great and abominable church; but they didn’t edit the
scriptures.
“Mystery” is another name for the great abominable church described by John in
Revelation. Paul refers to the coming apostasy by saying: “For the mystery of iniquity
doth already work.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) Paul may be saying that secret combinations
are active in his day, perhaps the same secret combination that edited the scriptures of the
New Testament.
Same Fate
More evidence that secret combinations are the great and abominable church – both will
be destroyed. The church of the devil–
And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable
church… for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto
their utter destruction... (1 Ne. 14:3)
And the great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall be
cast down by devouring fire, according as it is spoken by the mouth of Ezekial the
prophet, who spoke of these things, which have not come to pass but surely must,
as I live, for abominations shall not reign. (D&C 29:21)
And secret combinations will be destroyed–
And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and
gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed.
(Ether 8:22)
We have several examples that the Lord destroyed secret combinations in the past–
Cain – the secret combination that Cain established grew until everyone on
earth joined it except Noah and his family. (Moses 5:51, 6:28, 7:36) All were killed in
the flood except eight righteous people.
The City Ammonihah – the people in this city conspired to overthrow the
Nephite government (Alma 8:17), killed the followers of Christ and burned their
scriptures (Alma 14:8). Not long after, they were destroyed by a surprise attack from a
Lamanite army (Alma 16:9).
King Jacob – The Lord destroyed the secret combination that brought down
the Nephite government.
And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of
king Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire because of their sins and their
wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth, because of
their secret murders and combinations; for it was they that did destroy the
peace of my people and the government of the land. (3 Ne. 9:9)
A Modern Example of the Great and Abominable Church
Adolf Hitler and the Nazis demonstrate a historical example of the great and abominable
church that fits Nephi’s description:
A Secret Combination – Hitler conspired to obtain power through deceit and intrigue:
evidence suggests that the Nazis started the Reichstag fire to justify obtaining dictatorial
power. 7) After obtaining dictatorial power in Germany, Hitler conquered most of
Europe. After conquering Europe and Russia, Hitler planned to attack the United States
8) His plan was to conquer and rule the whole world. Like his master, the devil, he
wanted to dominate us all.
Desire Wealth and Luxury – During World War II, Germany stole money, gold, and
priceless art from the nations it conquered. German soldiers stole the wealth and
possessions of those they killed in concentration camps. Hitler required corporations to
give him "donations", and he ordered "Mein Kampf" to be required reading, which paid
large royalties. He also refused to pay income taxes. His net worth was estimated at $5
billion. 9)
Fine Clothing – The praise of the world was very important to Hitler, so appearance and
reputation were a priority. Hitler practiced his speeches for hours beforehand. He lied
about who he was to increase his reputation. The Nazis created well-designed uniforms
for soldiers and sinister-looking black uniforms for the SS. Some of the uniforms were
designed and manufactured by Hugo Boss, a leading fashion designer today. 10)
Extreme Sexual Immorality – Hitler portrayed himself as a normal heterosexual to
Germany, but in reality he practiced extreme perversion. After a disturbing and
incestuous 6-year relationship with his half-niece (his half-sister’s daughter), Geli
Raubal, she was found shot to death. It is not known if she was murdered by Hitler or
committed suicide. We know that she was miserable under the extreme and minute
control of Hitler. 11) She was one of eight women close to Hitler that committed suicide.
12)
Furthermore, Germany forced women of conquered nations to work as prostitutes for
German soldiers. By 1942, around 500 brothels had been opened and more than 34,000
European women were forced to work in them. 13)
Drugs (Sorcery) – In the New Testament, drugs were associated with sorcery because
sorcerers used drugs when they cast spells or incantations.
Hitler took cocaine and opiates during most of World War 2. The palsy Hitler had near
the end of the war was probably not Parkinson's disease, as some suppose, but
withdrawal from drugs that were no longer available after manufacturing facilities was
bombed. 14)
Also, when the German army invaded using the fast-attack strategy known as Blitzkrieg,
they were using amphetamines that didn’t require them to sleep for days. 15)
Hitler did not single out members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to
persecute. They were not specifically on his radar since so few of them were in Germany
at the time: only about 14,000 members in a nation of 80 million. 16) However, Hitler
ordered the execution of millions of people, including Jews, Catholics, gypsies, the
mentally retarded, and political rivals. 17)
Hitler matches Nephi’s description of the great and abominable church:
Power – He led a secret combination and attempted to take over the entire world
Wealth – He took enormous wealth from Germany and occupied nations
Praise of the World / Precious Clothing – He was very concerned with his
appearance, clothes, and reputation
Persecution – Millions were imprisoned and murdered
Many Harlots – Forced prostitution on thousands of women
Gross Immorality – He exhibited extreme and perverse sexual behavior
Hitler and Nazi Germany constitute just one historical example of the great and
abominable church. However, other groups in history that fit Nephi’s categorical
description also comprise branches of the great and abominable church.
Conclusion
Secret combinations match all of Nephi’s criteria for the great and abominable church.
Collectively, secret combinations have influence over every nation in the world. It is a
network of the most wicked that brings a level of destruction we would expect from an
organization founded by the devil – like the Gaddianton robbers in The Book of Mormon.
For more information, you can get my e-book, Secret Combinations in the US
Government (And the Identity of the Great and Abominable Church), by emailing me –
TraderGreggK@gmail.com
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1) Warring Against the Saints of God, Stephen E. Robinson, January 1988 Ensign, Paragraph 4.
2) Warring, Paragraphs 5-6
3) "Witnesses of God" BYU-Idaho Devotional Elder Dallin H. Oaks February 25, 2014 https://www.byui.edu/speeches/dallin-h-oaks/witnesses-of-god
4) Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 137–38.
5) Warring, Paragraph 20 starting with “How can this be?”
6) Karl Plagge saved Jews, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Plagge
7) Evidence Nazis started the Reichstag fire: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-reichstag-fire-and-nazis-rise-power-180962240/
8) Hitler wanted to invade the United States: “Hitler's 9/11: The Secret War on America” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Aw7Dj31XUU
9) “9 Things You Might Not Know About Adolf Hitler” https://www.britannica.com/list/9-things-you-might-not-know-about-adolf-hitler
10) “Did Hugo Boss Design the SS Uniform?” https://duitdesign.com/did-hugo-boss-design-the-ss-uniform.html
11) "The Depraved Sex Life Hitler Tried to Keep Hidden" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv2iY8phBis
12) “Eight Women Close To Hitler Committed Suicide” https://ww2gravestone.com/eight-women-close-to-hitler-attempted-suicide/
13) Nazi forced prostitution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_military_brothels_in_World_War_II
14) “Author says Hitler was ‘Blitzed’ on Cocaine And Opiates During The War”
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/03/07/518986612/author-says-hitler-was-blitzed-on-cocaine-and-opiates-during-the-war
15) German army took drugs during Blitzkrieg, see Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich, by Norman Ohler
16) How many members of the church in Germany during WWII? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_in_Germany
17) Hitler murdered Catholics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_persecution_of_the_Catholic_Church_in_Germany -- and gypsies https://www.holocaust.org.uk/Blog/roma-sinti?s=09
About the Author
Gregg Killpack was born in Yuba City, California and went to high school in Orem, Utah. He served a two-year mission in Alaska and obtained a bachelors degree at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He has been studying conspiracies with a focus on financial crime since 2020. His interests include the stock market, reading history, and metal detecting. He is currently serving as ward clerk. He lives in Clearwater, Florida with his wife and son.
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