Moroni 7 - By Their Works Ye Shall Know Them

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 were destroyed. 

Mormon actually warned the people about the dangers of unbelief and explained that if miracles "have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain" (Moroni 7:37). Generally God only manifests his power miraculously to those who believe in Him. These miracles can occur any any time and anywhere that faith is present. Mormon emphasized this fact when he rhetorically asked the Nephites, "have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven" (Moroni 7:27). Sadly, the spirit did cease to strive with the Nephites a mere generation later, and miracles stopped. 

By Their Works Ye Shall Know Them
Mormon taught that the best indication of a person's righteousness is his or her actions, and explained that "by their works ye shall know them (Moroni 7:5). There is a direct link between who we are and what we do, for "a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water" (Moroni 7:11). I'm not sure how to reconcile this with the fact that we are all a mixture of good and evil, spiritual and carnal, strong and weak.  Even the most flawed people have redeeming qualities, and the best of us make mistakes. Perhaps the most important aspect of our actions is the purity of our intentions. Mormon emphasized the importance of our motivations saying "if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing" (Moroni 7:5). 

All Things Which Are Good Cometh of God 
People spend a lot of time arguing about who is right and who is wrong in religion, politics, and life. The truth is that no single group has a corner on the market of goodness. The influence of God is everywhere and "every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God" (Moroni 7:13). Our goal is not to lay hold upon some good things, but every good thing. Mormon promised that "if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ" (Moroni 7:19). If we limit ourselves to the subset of truth and goodness found in our own religion, our own ideology, or our own culture, we are missing out on the rest that God would offer to us. 

Ministering of Angels
Before delving into the doctrines of faith, hope, and charity, Mormon taught an interesting side note about angels, who he explained "show themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness" (Moroni 7:30). The purpose of these angels is to (1) call men unto repentance, and to (2) fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, ... to (3) prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord" (Moroni 7:31). Ministering of angels can figuratively refer to the service we render to one another on earth, or literally to heavenly messengers, possibly family members, who inspire and strengthen those on earth. "It is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men" (Moroni 7:37). and "by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ" (Moroni 7:25). 

Faith
We are able to lay hold upon every good thing by exercising faith, or taking action on our beliefs. Mormon taught if we exercise faith we will:

• "lay hold upon every good thing" (Moroni 7:25)
• "be saved" (Moroni 7:26)
• "become the sons of God" (Moroni 7:26)
• "cleave unto every good thing" (Moroni 7:28)
• "have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me" (Moroni 7:33)

Other than the obvious spiritual applications, the principal of faith is behind all kinds of worldly growth, learning, and achievement. It is believing that you will get what you want, become who you want to be, or get where you're going so strongly that you take the necessary steps to get there. 

Hope
As a missionary in Taiwan my mission president explained to me that hope was an "earnest expectation" of good things to come (Philippians 1:20). If faith is a principle of action, hope is a principle of confidence. Faith is believing that God has cleared a path; hope is knowing that we are on that path. Faith moves our feet, and hope calms our heart.  The Guide to the Scriptures summarizes that hope is "the confident expectation of and longing for the promised blessings of righteousness. The scriptures often speak of hope as anticipation of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ." 

It is easy to confuse and conflate the definitions of faith and hope. I still don't fully understand the distinction, and I'm not sure it is terribly important. From the teachings of Mormon it is clear, though, that faith and hope are closely interrelated: "How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?" (Moroni 7:40). "If a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope" (Moroni 7:42). Faith strengthens hope, and hope strengthens faith, and both are gifts from God granted through the power of Christ: "Ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise" (Moroni 7:41). 

Charity
Mormon taught the definition and importance of Christ-like love, and showed us how to obtain it. He stressed that "if [we] have not charity [we are] nothing" and advised all to  "cleave unto charity" (Moroni 7:44, 46). While not specific in his promise, Mormon assured that "whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him" (Moroni 7:47). 

The definition of charity encompasses almost every virtue:  

• charity suffereth long
• [charity] is kind
• [charity] envieth not
• [charity] is not puffed up
• [charity] seeketh not her own
• [charity] is not easily provoked
• [charity] thinketh no evil
• [charity] rejoiceth not in iniquity
• [charity] rejoiceth in the truth
• [charity] beareth all things
• [charity] believeth all things
• [charity] hopeth all things
• [charity] endureth all things (Moroni 7:45)
• charity never faileth
• charity is the pure love of Christ (Moroni 7:46)
• [charity] is the greatest of all (Moroni 7:46)
• [charity] endureth forever (Moroni 7:47)

Charity is the noblest and most important attribute to aspire to, but it can only be received as a gift from God. When we sincerely seek charity through prayer and then act in faith we actually feel more love for ourselves, God, and others. And so it is essential to "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; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure" (Moroni 7:48). 


Application Questions

When you are feeling anxious, worried, or discouraged, how can hope bolster your confidence?

What would you do in faith if you were absolutely certain you would succeed?


Image Credit: Lola Breidbart "Three Circles"