Moroni 10

Moroni 10

Here we are, at the end of the Book of Mormon. I did it! ;) YOU did it! It has taken me a long time to write about this last chapter, probably because I’m hesitant to say goodbye, and also because I’m worried I can’t do it justice.

These are the very last words of Moroni, son of Mormon, before he buries the gold plates for hundreds and hundreds of years until they would finally be available for us to read. Rather than try to cover all the good stuff in this chapter I’m just going to point out the most important part.

4 And when ye shall receive these things [these things = the Book of Mormon], I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Look carefully at what Moroni just promised you. He says there is a way to know for yourself if the Book of Mormon is true. And it’s not from Megan telling you. And it’s not from Google telling you. It’s not even from a church pastor or priest telling you. It’s by the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of God, that anyone can know the truth about anything, including this Book of Mormon.

People have said that I’m lucky to be so confident in what I believe. But that doesn’t just happen – it's not luck. It takes desire, time and work. And Moroni lays out the instructions in the verses we just read. You need to:

1. Ask God – some have to ask many times over a period of time, some get their answer more quickly.
2. Ask with a sincere heart – you really want to know
3. Ask with real intent – what do you intend to do if God tells you the Book of Mormon IS true? Are you going to do anything about it? If not, God doesn't want to condemn you by confirming precious truths you will ignore.
4. Have faith in Christ – are you approaching with faith and desire to believe, or have you already made up your mind that you don’t or won’t believe?

If your heart is right in all of these ways, I know God will show you that the Book of Mormon is true, and when the Holy Ghost tells you something it is more powerful and convincing than learning anything with your eyes or ears. It will change your life. It has changed my life, and blessed my life, in more ways than I can possibly relay or even remember.

If you have come all the way through the Book of Mormon with me, can I give you a big virtual hug?? Really, though, that is huge and means a lot to me. I’d love to know about it – please share any thoughts with me you want to!

If you are not a member of my faith, but you have come this far in the Book of Mormon and have felt touched or intrigued in any way or felt there is something special here, then I invite you to meet with missionaries from my church to learn a little more. Either I can get you in contact, or you can get in contact yourself through this website: https://www.mormon.org/missionaries

I love the Book of Mormon. Thank you for reading it with me. This book has been God’s voice to me throughout my life, and has given me answers and direction when I’ve needed it, and has literally helped to heal my heart when it has been broken. When I read the Book of Mormon, sometimes I find answers from God directly on its pages, and sometimes it just opens up my heart to receive answers from the Holy Ghost. And the reason it can do that is because it is true. The words are from God, and I believe God still leads this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. It is the greatest blessing in my life.

So for now I say goodbye. And so does Moroni (see verses below). Much love to you, friends and family, and thanks again for reading my favorite book with me!

27 And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? 29 And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true. 34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.

Moroni 8-9

*apologies for the wonky formatting in this post - I can't seem to change it! It all is uniform on the back end, but when I publish it, the font sizes and styles and spacing changes in random places. 

Moroni 8

This chapter is an epistle (or letter) from Mormon to his son Moroni. Mormon had heard of disputes among church members about whether it was necessary to baptize infants. In his letter, Mormon clarifies that baptizing infants is not necessary because young children are blameless before God through the atonement and mercy of Christ.

Mormon uses pretty strong and forceful language on this topic and admits as much by saying: “Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do...” (vs. 16). Infant baptism is sacred and important in some faiths and I respect the significance of that and hope not to offend with this chapter or my commentary, but to share the love and mercy of the Savior toward us all and especially toward infants and young children whom the Bible tells us He loves so much.

Here are some excerpts from Mormon’s letter:

I inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. And the word of the Lord came to me by the power of the Holy Ghost, saying: Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them. (vs. 7-8)

Mormon says it is “solemn mockery before God” (vs. 9) to say that little children need baptism. The reason is because little children are not yet accountable for their actions (they don’t even know enough to choose to be baptized or not), and so Jesus Christ does not hold them responsible. To say they need baptism is to deny the mercies of God and Jesus, and it is putting “trust in dead works” (vs. 23), which basically means you believe God will save or not save someone based completely on whether or not they finished a check-list of actions.

My church will give special priesthood blessings
to babies, but children cannot be baptized until
they are at least 8 years old. This photo is our
new baby on her blessing day.

For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism... And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption. (vs. 15, 20)

Mormon says that repentance and baptism are essential for parents, but not for their babies.

Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children. (vs 10)

I think this doctrine is incredibly sweet and comforting, and it rings true to me. I know of many people who have lost babies and children (a mother’s worst nightmare!) who have been greatly comforted to know their children are innocent and pure before God, and Jesus Christ has already saved them through His great mercy and love. Jesus Christ loves children – there is no question about that.

Matthew 18 (New Testament) 

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (vs. 1-5)

Moroni 9

This chapter is another epistle from Mormon to his son, Moroni, and this one is reporting on the state of the Nephite armies. Warning: to say the report is bad is a gross understatement. I find this chapter to be one of the most disturbing in the whole Book of Mormon. You can read the details yourself, if you want. The Nephites have become hateful and gruesome and blood-thirsty, and the Lamanites are just as horrific.

The most tragic part of all is how far these people have fallen, and so fast. They haven’t always been savages. As Mormon says in his letter, “…only a few years have passed away [since] they were a civil and a delightsome people (vs. 12).”

And yet Mormon still loves them and helps them and weeps for them. If there ever was an example of not giving up, it’s Mormon! I am amazed by Mormon in so many ways. Perhaps the greatest lesson he teaches in this depressing situation is that Christ is a source of peace and comfort no matter how awful your circumstances.

25 My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.

Moroni 7

Moroni 7

Moroni records more teachings of his father, Mormon. This chapter is loaded with good stuff, but I want to highlight some verses about judging good from evil, and about faith, hope, and charity.

How to judge good from evil:

14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. 16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

It makes it sound easy and clear-cut, but then in verse 19 it says that ‘ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil’ – this implies that effort is required. It takes careful thought and work to apply this framework to specific influences/opportunities/ideologies/organizations/etc. I don't think these verses are telling us to judge people - that is God's job (thankfully!). 

Then once you put forth the effort to know good from evil, Mormon says to do something about it and to “lay hold upon every good thing,” or basically to make the good things part of your life. And the way you can lay hold on every good thing is through faith in Christ (see vs. 22-25).

This leads to Mormon teaching about the great trifecta of Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Faith, Hope, and Charity: (see verses 25-48)

These 3 traits are inter-connected and build on each other. There are pages and pages that could be said about faith, hope, and charity, but for this post I’ll just give a simple definition for each as a starting point.

FAITH:

“Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” – Alma 32:21

To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The only kind of faith that can be completely relied on is faith in Jesus Christ. We can have complete faith in Him because of his perfect character, power, and love. True faith always leads a person to action.

HOPE:

We usually use the word “hope” as a synonym to “wish.” I hope I don’t miss the train, or I hope I get a new phone for Christmas, or I hope I get a raise at work. But in the scriptures, hope is bigger and more powerful than that.

“Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement.” (I love this definition from the training manual I used as a missionary, called Preach My Gospel, on pg 117.)

CHARITY:

“Charity is the pure love of Christ” - in other words, when the scriptures talk about charity, it means more than giving money to the poor. It means loving people in the way that Christ loves people. It’s the ultimate goal of how and who I want to be, and something to constantly work on.

I love these verses about charity. I have memorized them and try to review them frequently because I seem to always need reminders. If you’re familiar with the New Testament, this will sound a lot like 1 Corinthians 13.

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Charity is so powerful and important… so how do we acquire it? Basically Mormon says to pray your heart out (regularly!) and be a true follower of Jesus.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.

What new things do you learn about faith, hope, or charity in this chapter?