A SYNOPSIS OF WORLD HISTORY
BEING AN OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT
AND INFLUENTIAL EVENTS OF THE PAST SIX THOUSAND YEARS
by Darren Andrews
A.D. 2003
Acknowledgements to Margaret and Paul
for their advice and encouragement
Dedicated to all those who seek truth first, and please man last
"If men could learn from history, what lessons it might teach us! But passion and party blind our eyes, and the light which experience gives is a lantern on the stern, which shines only on the waves behind us!"
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834).
Author's Note
The author of this work wishes to make it known that the dates, events, and explanations contained herein are subject to the fallibility of the sources (and the author) but that to the best of his ability he has produced what evidence and context would suggest to be true and has, especially in the more recent history of the past two centuries, tried to take an objective and reasoned approach rather than following the views of popularity or 'political correctness' of any kind. As to this work, however, it must be stated that it is the view of the author and not necessarily the view of any other person or organization. Copyright, Darren Andrews, 2003.
FOREWORD
A chronology and commentary on world history, even a selective 'overview' of significant key events, is a considerable enterprise in itself, and yet to discover such aspirations and intellectually brave assertions set forth within the modest proportions of a 120 page dissertation-sized booklet (albeit a 'thesis' that promises to be as useful as it is unforgettable) begs some kind of explanation. To this end it should be said that the following observations have been made as a result of a familiarity with source materials as much as with the work itself, and from a close personal acquaintance with the concerns, convictions, and extraordinary insights which both informed and motivated Darren to put pen to paper as it were.
To offer an immediate explanation for such a curious, comprehensive piece of historical research, I venture to suggest that it is the somewhat natural and, perhaps, inevitable product of a reasonable and unprejudiced mind determined to preserve that very quality of reason which is ever ready to discriminate in favour of being true to the truth. In this particular sense it is a conscious celebration of the Hamiltonian aphorism, that: "In disquisitions of every kind there are certain primary truths, or first principles, upon which all subsequent reasonings must depend. These contain an internal evidence which, antecedent to all reflection or combination, commands the assent of the mind. Where it produces not this effect, it must proceed either from some disorder in the organs of perception, or from the influence of some strong interest, or passion, or prejudice." (Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers, No. 31).
Tempted to call upon such renowned Founding Fathers to venture further in this vein, one might make reference to a characteristically Jeffersonian fundamentalism - so emphatic is our author in his unfailing resolve to engage in this genuine process of enlightenment; seeking always to create for us a more reliable document, as an index to historical truth, whose testimonial betokens an urgent need for a pre-millenial reassessment of the credibility of the historical record - even as it challenges and imposes a more inclusive agenda for future historians to seriously contemplate.
Should this powerful disclosure of so many unexpected truths prove too sobering to 'celebrate' it is, nevertheless, greatly expected that such a document be revered for its power to elevate both the study and status of historical research to that conspicuously higher level of moral sensibility where all truths may be circumscribed into one great whole.
Paul G. Allen, November 1998.
CONTENTS
i
TITLE PAGE
ii
FOREWORD
1
CONTENTS
2-3
INTRODUCTION
4-37
THE FALL OF ADAM TO THE TIME OF CHRIST
38-83
THE MERIDIAN OF TIME, THE UNIVERSAL APOSTASY, AND THE ENLIGHTENMENT
84-110
THE RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AND THE LATTER DAYS
111
MAPS
119
BIBLIOGRAPHY
120
CONCISE THEME INDEX
INTRODUCTION
History is a subject which has grown in my estimation since my youth when I was interested only in the excitement and mysteries of ancient times. I am now certain that history must rank as one of the most important studies in life. I might mention in support of this claim the fact that God decreed that His people should keep records historical and that as early as the time of Adam a Book of Remembrance was kept.[1] One New World prophet informs us that the scriptures (which we might define to be an inspired and authorized history or record of God's dealings with His people) had "enlarged the memory of [his] people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways.”[2]
The potential of history, especially when seen in the context of the Plan of Salvation, to give so much that is beneficial to the present (and thus to futurity) is great indeed. No doubt there are many reasons for this; among them the fact that we may learn from mistakes that have already been made, learn from exemplary lives that have already been lived, come to discern the hand of Providence working in the lives of our ancestors and, likewise, detect the Adversary and his devices. Add to these, however, the 'sense of roots', heritage, and culture that history brings to the individual and to nations; surely such a knowledge serves to increase our identity and understanding of who we really are and perhaps is very much more associated with our divine origin and premortality than we suppose, after all it is but an extension of it.
The value of history, as with religion and morality, does not escape the notice of the devil who has, throughout time and by means of human agents, clouded history with mists of darkness so dense that those 'false traditions' of which the scriptures speak have become both accepted and popular. It is my opinion that in the hereafter of our lives we shall discover many of the people and events of history to be quite different to how we imagined them to be. We live in a time known among the prophets as a period when there would be great lyings and deceivings[3] upon the face of the whole earth, when good would be called evil and evil good; surely this applies to history and its characters as much as it does to the present, for it is in the present that history is not only made but also interpreted and taught. We must be cautious in what we accept to be true. It has been my experience that in today's world if something is commonly accepted or promoted as true and/or important then that alone is good enough reason to scrutinize it all the more before arriving at any conclusions.[*] With this in mind I feel rather as Pericles[**] when he said: "It is hard to speak [or, in this case, write] properly upon a subject where it is even difficult to convince your hearers that you are speaking the truth. On the one hand, the friend who is familiar with every fact of the story may think that some point has not been set forth with that fullness which he wishes and knows it to deserve; on the other, he who is a stranger to the matter may be led by envy to suspect exaggeration if he hears anything above his own nature."[4]
Alas, even when history is quite clear to us it is often the nature of man to ignore its lessons. As we look around today we see the same things happening and being planned, the same age-old philosophies being promoted, that have destroyed civilizations from earliest times. One thing we do learn from history is that mankind in general does not learn from history. It was Friedrich Von Schiller who said "Die Weltgeschichte ist das Weltgericht"[5] ('The world's history is the world's judgement'). With so much history behind us how will God judge us if we do not learn from it?
Explanation
The chronologies below cover the earth's history from the Fall of Adam to the present day. The dates of the Second Millenia BC and earlier are not reliable and only give a rough sketch of the sequence of events. Dates based on the Old Testament are as accurate as I have been able to get them and have been adjusted in accordance with modern revelation where such account of years differs from those of the Bible. All dates are based on Calmet's Chronology which sets the year of the Fall of Adam at 4000 BC and the birth of Christ at 1 BC. Dates around New Testament times have an accepted margin of error of 1 to 7 years, thereafter dates are believed to steadily become more reliable. Legendary and unconfirmed events are listed in square brackets, although this is for the reader's benefit and does not necessarily mean that those events are any less valid than those without brackets. For excellent information on calendars and biblical chronology visit the web site of John Pratt at www.johnpratt.com.
Much of course has not been included in this work due to restriction of space. Inventions, music, art, architecture, science, etc., are just some of the things in addition to the more 'strictly historical' matters I have excluded; though I have mentioned some 'lighter' matters in the chronologies for the purpose of giving the reader a sense of where certain things 'fit in' as a point of reference. The theme of this work, however, is centred around (1) the Kingdom of God, (2) the continuation of the War in Heaven (i.e. the contention between the two opposing political philosophies of freedom and slavery), (3) the blood of Israel throughout the centuries and nations, and (4) major wars and events influencing Israel, Europe, Britain, America and other parts of the world inasmuch as they touch upon these and the first three points. I have attempted a little more by way of detail as far as the last 200 years are concerned, they having such a bearing upon the present state of things.
Works particularly drawn upon in the text have been abbreviated in brackets for easier citation in the endnotes (see bibliography for key). LDS works have also been clearly marked as such in the bibliography.
Perspective and Intent
There are two contending schools of thought or perspectives regarding the historical record. One teaches that what has happened in the past is the consequence of unplanned and unrelated events. This belief is called the Accidental View of history. It is this view which prevails in the teaching of history today. The second view claims that the past is, in the main at least, a consequence of planned and often related events. This is called the Conspiratorial View of history. This philosophy ascribes events to unseen superintending powers that work upon mankind. It could also be called the Providential or Prophetical View. It is the contention of this author that the latter view is supported by the evidence of the historical record.
Before this earth was populated there was a conflict that existed between Jehovah and Lucifer and their forces. It was called the War in Heaven and it was fought over the issue of freedom. That war, now transferred to this earth, continues mainly through earthly governments and powers.[6] In this connection I have included an appendix on government, focusing on those principles inspired of heaven both anciently and in more recent times and of which every person in the world should be familiar.[*]
Although this work has been written from a Latter-day Saint perspective (and includes many LDS historical and doctrinal points) I have tried to so present it that non-LDS readers will also benefit. It is the hope of the author that the reader, be they LDS or not, will gain a sense of the 'big picture' of history, of the contending forces thereof, remove themselves from the deceptions now so inveterate in the world, and come to teach their children "things as they really are."[7]
PART ONE
THE FALL OF ADAM TO THE TIME OF CHRIST
4000 BC Fall of Adam: FIRST DISPENSATION BEGINS (Adamic Dispensation)
A Dispensation is a period of dispensing (distributing) the gospel. Each dispensation is presided over by a prophet, Adam (also called The Ancient of Days) being president of all the heads (prophets) of all dispensations. It would seem that each of these heads of the dispensations were and are associated with the seven Archangels. We know, for instance, that Adam and Noah are the Archangels Michael and Gabriel respectively.
The Jaredites and the Nephites had their own dispensations (as may have others of whom we know not) but these are not included among the traditional lineal dispensations headed by Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Peter/the Apostles, and the Prophet Joseph Smith who was called in AD 1820.
Although the First Dispensation is considered to have begun at this time it should be noted that the scriptures indicate that divine revelation and the dispensing of the fullness of the gospel did not occur until some years after the Fall.[8]
39?? BC Cain slays Abel; he becomes Master Mahan[**] and secret combinations begin
3600 BC Around this time the righteous posterity of Adam leave the land of Shulon and settle a 'promised land' they call Cainan[9]
3378 BC Enoch, the seventh from Adam, born
The Book of Enoch is no longer to be found in the canon of the scriptures, being one of the many 'Lost Books'. Although there are traditional translations in existence today (the Ethiopic being the most common), prophecy speaks of a time when the writings of Enoch shall come forth;[10] a portion of these writings can be found in The Pearl of Great Price.[11]
3353 BC Enoch ordained to the Priesthood by Adam
Summary of Adamic Dispensation: Very little is known concerning the antediluvian (Latin, ante, 'before', and diluvium, 'deluge') period. After Adam and his wife left Eden they travelled just a few miles east to the plains of Olaha Shinehah[12] where they settled. Evidently this whole area later became known as Shulon and included or was very near to the mountains and valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman (see 3073 BC). In the fourth generation from Adam the residue of the righteous, apparently under the leadership of Enos (Seth's son), migrated eastward to a new 'promised land' they named Cainan (after Enos's son); Adam and Seth apparently remained in Shulon perhaps to preach repentance to those who had not departed with Enos.