Moroni 10

I am presently preparing a talk on the "powers of heaven" for our next stake conference.  This morning as I read the closing words of Moroni, I thought I would mention a few -

"...wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men..."  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:7)

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot."  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:32 - 33)

Obviously, Christ has sufficient power to save, for -

"...Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power..."  (New Testament | Revelation 5:12)

Moroni 8

Mormon wrote Moroni -

"For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law.  For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—"  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 8:22)

In modern day we learn -

"...that little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten;
47 Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:46 - 47)

What great blessing of comfort for parents that lost young ones.

Moroni 7

Mormon taught -

"Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:12 - 13)

Then Mormon provides this warning -

"...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."  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:14)

How do you judge?

"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."   (Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:16 - 17)

Very simple and direct.

Moroni 3

I would suspect that there may be those of more authority that may question my opinion where Moroni taught -

"THE manner which the disciples, who were called the elders of the church, ordained priests and teachers—
2 After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said:
3 In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest, (or, if he be a teacher) I ordain you to be a teacher, to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end.  Amen.
4 And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them."  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 3:1 - 4)

I note that in the early days of the restored Church, the word "ordained" was used both in ordaining men to the priesthood as well as what we now differentiate as "setting apart" individuals to callings.

I believe that when Moroni mentioned "priests" (note plural), he is speaking of priesthood ordinations.  I believe that when he mentioned "teachers", he is speaking about Church callings.  I don't believe he is speaking literally of the offices of priest and teaching in the Aaronic priesthood.

Ether 14

I just noted this morning that as the people in this land began to ripen in iniquity -

"...there began to be a great curse upon all the land because of the iniquity of the people, in which, if a man should lay his tool or his sword upon his shelf, or upon the place whither he would keep it, behold, upon the morrow, he could not find it, so great was the curse upon the land.
2 Wherefore every man did cleave unto that which was his own, with his hands, and would not borrow neither would he lend; and every man kept the hilt of his sword in his right hand, in the defence of his property and his own life and of his wives and children."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 14:1 - 2)

I wonder as this nation continues to ripen in iniquity, if the same curse will fall on the nation.

Ether 12

The scriptures speak of the powers of heaven and in this case, the power of faith in that -

 "...it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 12:15)

Faith being -

"...things which are hoped for and not seen..."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 12:6)

Where hope is looking for truth with faith, not looking to prove faith false.

Another enabling power of heaven is grace.  Moroni describes the source of faith saying -

"...I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 12:41)

Ether 10

Just a couple of brief thoughts this morning.  Riplakish did not do what was right in the sight of God and Moroni comments -

"...he did afflict the people with his whoredoms and abominations."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 10:7)

Which again suggests that wickedness was never happiness.  I also noted that Riplakish -

"...did lay that upon men's shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he did build many spacious buildings."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 10:5)

Under such conditions, the people rebelled and Morianton -

"...established himself king he did ease the burden of the people, by which he did gain favor in the eyes of the people, and they did anoint him to be their king.
11 And he did do justice unto the people, but not unto himself because of his many whoredoms; wherefore he was cut off from the presence of the Lord.
12 And it came to pass that Morianton built up many cities, and the people became exceedingly rich under his reign, both in buildings, and in gold and silver, and in raising grain, and in flocks, and herds, and such things which had been restored unto them."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 10:10 - 12)

I note that even though Morianton did not do that which was right in the sight of God, he did ease the burden of the people and thus they experience prosperity.

But when the king (Lib) and people were righteous -

"...never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord..."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 10:28)

Ether 8

As Moroni warns of secret combinations and wickedness, he makes a point that caught my attention this morning where he says -

"...whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed..."   (Book of Mormon | Ether 8:22)

Adding

"...O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 8:23)

In my mind, there is much warning to those that cheat, lie, and form secret combinations for power and wickedness.  But in this case, the warning of destruction is to those that allow or uphold those that do so.  We are in a present political cycle...this is great warning to those that would vote for those that do so.

Ether 5

As Moroni instructs Joseph Smith on modern day witnesses, I love Moroni's closing words on the matter -

"And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day.  Amen."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 5:6)

I personally believe that to be true.

Ether 4

Moroni tells us that after the Savior showed himself unto the brother of Jared -

"...he showed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and also all that would be; and he withheld them not from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth.
26 For he had said unto him in times before, that if he would believe in him that he could show unto him all things—it should be shown unto him; therefore the Lord could not withhold anything from him, for he knew that the Lord could show him all things.
27 And the Lord said unto him: Write these things and seal them up; and I will show them in mine own due time unto the children of men."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 3:25 - 27)

Later Moroni writes -

"...I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.
5 Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them.  And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.
6 For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 4:4 - 6)

Adding -

"...in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 4:7)

I look forward to the day that all of that which the brother of Jared saw, is revealed.

Ether 3

As the brother of Jared sees the finger of the Lord, the Savior answers -

"...never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast..."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 3:15)

Many have struggled with this statement knowing the Adam, Enoch, and Noah had seen the Lord.  David J. Ridges provides this comment -

"First of all, we don't know for sure what the Savior meant by this. We will have to wait for clarification. We know from the scriptures that He appeared to Adam, Seth, Enoch, and Noah, who were righteous, holy prophets. Therefore, we are left to wonder if He meant that He had never yet appeared so completely to anyone, or to anybody with so much faith as the brother of Jared had, or had never been so personal, or introduced Himself as Jesus Christ, or if He simply meant that common, ordinary, worldly “man” had never seen Him, because of inability or unworthiness to be in the presence of God, as was the brother of Jared. Whatever the case, this was a marvelous manifestation of the premortal Christ to a humble prophet."  (Ridges, David J.. The Book of Mormon Made Easier, Part 3)

My personal thoughts have always been that never had the Savior been put in this position of great faith where the laws of heaven required the Savior to show himself.  I also like the idea the use of "man" suggested worldliness.

Ether 2

Having compassion for the brother of Jared, the Lord said -

"Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the seed of the earth of every kind; and thy families; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and also thy friends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families.
42 And when thou hast done this thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward.  And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 1:41 - 42)

Conditioned on his obedience, the Lord said "will I meet thee".  From there the promises were great.  Even to a land which is choice above all lands.  After meeting them in the valley of Nimrod
 -
"...the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into that quarter where there never had man been.  And it came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel.
6 And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 2:5 - 6)

And then, what I consider significant -

"...the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 2:7)

There is great symbolism here.  First they had to be obedient.  The Lord then led them continually.  And even when they came to the greatest obstacle of the ocean, the Lord would not suffer that they stop.  As we endure to the end, we are promised a land or heaven above all.

Mormon 9

After Moroni addresses -

"...those who do not believe in Christ."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 9:1)

He turns to those  -

"...that whoso believeth in Christ..."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 9:21)

to which he counsels -

"...hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need.  Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.
28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.
29 See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 9:27 - 29)

Mormon 7

Interesting enough, what I find very loving, compassionate, and of charity that he preached so much of, is that Mormon chooses to conclude his final words is to the enemies of which he had fought against most of his life saying -

"AND now, behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared, if it so be that God may give unto them my words, that they may know of the things of their fathers; yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these are the words which I speak..."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 7:1)

He proceeds to testify of Christ, His gospel, and they can be saved.  What great charity!

Mormon 5

After Mormon describes what will happen to the descendants of Lehi, he prophesizes -

"...the Lord hath reserved their blessings, which they might have received in the land, for the Gentiles who shall possess the land.
20 But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 5:19 - 20)

I can help but ponder, was that clear in the days of Joseph Smith?

Mormon 3

It is always interesting to me that the Lord doesn't immediately destroy the wicked but gives them every opportunity to repent for after so many defeats, the Nephites -

"did meet them again, and did beat them; nevertheless the strength of the Lord was not with us; yea, we were left to ourselves, that the Spirit of the Lord did not abide in us; therefore we had become weak like unto our brethren.
27 And my heart did sorrow because of this the great calamity of my people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.  But behold, we did go forth against the Lamanites and the robbers of Gadianton, until we had again taken possession of the lands of our inheritance."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 2:26 - 27)

Thus allowing a ten year reprieve of war for repentance.  But it didn't happen, and after the Nephites -

"...began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren who had been slain by their enemies.
10 And they did swear by the heavens, and also by the throne of God, that they would go up to battle against their enemies, and would cut them off from the face of the land."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 3:9 - 10)

At that point -

"...I, Mormon, did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abomination."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 3:11)

And the Lord told Mormon -

"Vengeance is mine, and I will repay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 3:15)

Mormon 1

Mormon a very interesting thought –

“…I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them; for behold they had wilfully rebelled against their God…”  (Mormon 1:16)

What is interesting is that there are times where we are forbidden to preach rebellious individuals when guided by the Holy Ghost.

3 Nephi 29

Last night in an interview with a young sister, she mentioned in-laws that continually mocked her regarding her religion and faith in Christ.  What caught my attention this morning was Mormon's warning -

"Wo unto him that spurneth at the doings of the Lord; yea, wo unto him that shall deny the Christ and his works!
6 Yea, wo unto him that shall deny the revelations of the Lord, and that shall say the Lord no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost!
7 Yea, and wo unto him that shall say at that day, to get gain, that there can be no miracle wrought by Jesus Christ; for he that doeth this shall become like unto the son of perdition, for whom there was no mercy, according to the word of Christ!"  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 29:5 - 7)

Become like unto the son of perdition suggests to me that they mock just as Satan does.

3 Nephi 26

Some have wondered why some of the modern revelations and doctrine we have received were not included in the Book of Mormon record.  Mormon answers that question saying -

"...there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people..."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 26:6)

Adding -

"...these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.
9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 26:8 - 9)

For -

"...I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.
12 Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord..."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 26:11 - 12)

Obviously, the Savior taught much more than was allowed to be written in the Book of Mormon.

3 Nephi 27

The Savior teaches again His gospel  and suggesting in my mind the purpose of being pure, clean, and unspotted saying -

"...this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:13 - 16)

For -

"...no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:19 - 20)

I specifically note - clean and spotless are the requirements of entering into the kingdom of God.  Thus -

"...that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 59:9)

3 Nephi 24

As the Savior quotes the words of Malachi given by the Father, He asks -

"...who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth?  For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap.
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 24:2 - 4)

One explanation of the "sons of Levi" is given in modern revelation -

"...For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.  Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:24)

I believe the reference to the "sons of Levi" is not only those that hold the priesthood but all "Latter-day Saints".