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?

Moroni 1-6

We've made it to Moroni -- the last book in the Book of Mormon!

Moroni didn’t expect to live as long as he did, which is why he gives his “final words” in the book of Ether. But in Moroni 1 he tells us he is still around, so he is going to write a few more things. I can’t imagine what his days were like all alone and hiding, so this probably gave him something meaningful to do to pass the time!

In Chapter 2, Moroni records how Jesus Christ gave the apostles directions for giving someone the Holy Ghost. We believe in my church that the gift of the Holy Ghost is received after baptism (which can be done at age 8 or older when the person is “accountable”), and it must be given by the “laying on of hands” (on the receiver’s head) by men who have authority from Jesus Christ, which is called the priesthood authority. This is what Jesus is teaching/demonstrating in chapter 2.

Chapter 3 contains instructions for how men should designate, or ordain, priests and teachers (which are offices, or levels, in the priesthood order).

Chapters 4 and 5 are important and well-known in the church. These are the prayers, or blessings, said on the sacrament each Sunday before it is passed around to the members of the congregation. Chapter 4 has the blessing on the bread, which represents the body of Jesus Christ, and Chapter 5 is the blessing on the wine (or we actually use water now), which represents the blood of Jesus Christ. Both of these prayers are important reminders each week to those who have been baptized in the church and made a covenant to follow Jesus Christ, because these prayers contain the terms of the covenant. Look closely to see what a person promises to God when they are baptized, and what God promises them in return.

Chapter 6 describes what is required of a person who wants to be baptized. I like these verses that describe the purpose for people going to church back in Moroni’s time, which is the same for us today:

5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. 6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.

I love going to church. That probably makes me a nerd, but I really do love it. It replenishes and energizes me. I didn’t get to go to church today because I’m home with a 9-day-old baby, and I miss it (but I love snuggling the baby, too, so it's all good!). :)