Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Moroni 6

As Moroni, supposing that he would not write more, and finding that he has yet perished, tells us -

"Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord."  (Book of Mormon  Moroni 1:4)

He chooses first to instruct us of the manner of the "organized" church of Christ in regards to receiving the Holy Ghost, ordaining priesthood authority, administering the sacrament, performing baptisms, etc.  Of candidates desiring to be baptized, he taught the conditions that should be satisfied to be baptized for -

"...they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.
2 Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins.
3 And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end."  (Book of Mormon  Moroni 6:1 - 3)

Just because one wants to be baptized, does not qualify for baptism.  But must show (by fruits) and witness (be interviewed and testify) to authorized priesthood leaders to be worthy to be baptized with a sincere committment to serve the Lord to the end.  It was not to end there, there was an obligation on theirs and the members of the Church the responsibility that -

"...after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith."  (Book of Mormon   Moroni 6:4)

In my mind, being "numbered" would suggest administration where their records are tracked and statistics are kept.  "Names" taken would suggest ministering where individual wants and needs are ministered to including being remembered, visited, and nourished by the word of God.  And with that obligation to serve him to the end would include helping others that are baptized and to -

"...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.
7 And they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them..."  (Book of Mormon  Moroni 6:5 - 7)

This is what it means to serve him or endure to the end.  This is the doctrine of Christ