"We are all a part of America's future. Our job is to learn and benefit from the past and to go forward in righteousness, keeping the commandments of God. In this connection the prophet Lehi said, 'Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever' (2 Nephi 1:7)."
Ref. "If They Will But Serve the God of the Land," Ensign, May 1976, 48
It is obvious that they are talking about the United States. It is
very clear that the US is going to stay free from bondage as long
as they keep the commandments of God. So, this is a very important sign
to watch. If that country ever becomes "slave" of another nation,
it is because of unrighteousness. And I guess this can be applied to most nations.
I do not think that this is referring to the nation becoming subject to another nation, but rather that the people will lose their liberty to their own government.
I see more and more laws being proposed, and passed, that restrict the choices of the people, take money away from us to pay for favored projects, or simply apply restrictive regulations to business that cause loss of jobs.
So, what is the wickedness spoken of in the quote? Is it immorality, cruelty, abortion? Or is it simply that more and more of the population want a "free lunch"? Is it possible that the widespread acceptance of governmental interference in peoples' lives, interference that takes liberty away from people, is acceptable to more and more of the population that is the great wickedness?