For My Profit and Learning

Moroni’s famous invitation to those who read the Book of Mormon states: “Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things ... that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts” (Moroni 10:3). As a missionary I would frequently share this verse with those who were exploring the church and preparing for baptism. I would invite them to read the Book of Mormon, think about its contents, and pray to know if it was true. But really this verse is not inviting those who read it to ponder on the message and content of the Book of Mormon. It is encouraging all who read it to ponder on the mercy of Christ. The only way to understand the Book of Mormon and to come to know it is true is to comprehend it in its context. It is simply one more example of God’s tireless efforts to reach out to all of His children around the globe and across

In a second letter to his son, Mormon, Moroni detailed the gross atrocities committed by the Nephites on the eve of their destruction. They brutally raped and murdered the women of the Lamanites (Moroni 9:9-10), and revelled in killing women, children, and the elderly in the course of battle (Moroni 9:19). They ceased to heed the commands of Moroni as their military leader, and were enraged by any mention of the gospel (Moroni is 9:4).  The Nephites were so depraved that Mormon could no longer advocate for them, and actually prayed for their destruction:  " Behold, my heart cries: Wo unto this people. Come out in judgment, O God, and hide their sins, and wickedness, and abominations from before thy face!" (Moroni 9:15). I appreciate the example of Moroni who is so aligned with the will of God that he would not ask for something that would violate of God.  Even in the darkest moments of this tragic chapter in Nephite history, Mormon encouraged his son Moroni, " not

Moroni recorded a letter he received from his father Mormon shortly after he was called to the ministry. I love the apparent tenderness Mormon felt for his son, and his desire to support him. He said, " I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying ...  that he ...  will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end" (Moroni 8:3). How many parents could echo this prayer of love and concern? I know my greatest desire for my children is that they grow up to be bright, kind, and righteous individuals. This letter was sent at a time of turbulence and unrighteousness. Mormon commented "Behold, the pride  of this nation ... hath proven their destruction except they should repent ... I fear lest the Spirit hath   ceased   striving  with them" (Moroni is 8: I 27-28). Even in their corrupt and deprave state, Mormon thought it was essential to clear up a misunderstood doctrine of the time regarding infant baptism. The fact that Mormon wou

In chapter 7, Moroni summarized a sermon given by his father, Mormon. Mormon addressed this sermon to faithful members of the church, saying: " I would speak unto you that are of the  church , that are the  peaceable  followers of Christ" (Moroni 7:3). Mormon then discussed the way to discern good from evil, and taught about the principles of faith, hope and charity. What puzzles me about Mormon's sermon is the timing. When did Mormon teach members of the church these doctrines related to faith, hope, and charity?Moroni was witnessing the total destruction of the Nephites when he abridged his father's talk. Shortly after his father, Mormon, preached this beautiful sermon to the faithful members of the church, the entire civilization imploded and was destroyed, which leaves me wondering what  happened and how it happened so fast. It is sobering to think that all of the righteous members of the church who hear Mormon's sermon and their children became wicked and

Moroni outlined the qualifications for baptism and emphasized that they were not baptized save they: "brought forth  fruit  meet that they were  worthy  of it" ( Moroni 6:1) "came forth with a  broken   heart  and a contrite spirit  (Moroni 6:2) "witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins (Moroni 6:2) " took upon  them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end" (Moroni 6:3) I also love his description of the cleansing power of the Holy Ghost: They were  " wrought upon and  cleansed  by the power of the Holy Ghost" Moroni also talked about the responsibility of other members to watch over and care for new members of the church. These administrative functions were significant in helping new members make the transition into the church and to continue to grow in their faith and testimony. "They were numbered among the people of the  church  of Christ; and their  names  were taken,

When we partake of the sacrament bread, we witness to God that we are willing to do three things: take upon us the name of Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. The promise that we make when we partake of the sacrament water is slightly different:  "O God, the Eternal Father, we  ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this  wine  to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in  remembrance  of the  blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his  Spirit  to be with them. Amen" (Moroni 5:2).  When partaking of the sacrament water, we witness that we always remember Jesus Christ The promise we make is more limited, but the blessing is the same. We are promised that if we keep in mind the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we will enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost. In practical terms, I

Moroni chapter 4 documents the sacrament prayer used to bless the bread before it is broken and passed to the congregation. " O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and  sanctify   this   bread   to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in   remembrance   of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the   name   of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his   Spirit   to be with them. Amen" (Moroni 4:3).  Partaking of the sacrament each week offers members a chance to renew the covenants they made when they were baptized. When we take the sacrament, we can enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost if we keep three promises: take on Christ's name always remember him keep his commandments This time reading the sacrament prayer I noticed that these thre

Moroni chapter 3 is another very brief chapter. In these four verses, Moroni simply explains the manner in which Elder's ordained teachers and priests. One phrase that stands out to me is that they laid their hands upon them " a fter they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ" (Moroni 3:2). This verse specially mentions that elder's would pray before ordaining new teachers and priests. While there is not a specific requirement to pray before performing ordaining someone to the priesthood , I love the idea that priesthood holders should prepare spiritually to perform priesthood ordinances. This preparation could include reading the scriptures, fasting, praying, or even changing clothes to symbolize reverence for the ordinance. I don't think the priesthood ordinance becomes more or less effective for the recipient based on the spiritual preparation of the person performing the ordinance. While a person must meet basic qualifications to perform pri