Benjamin Wilcox

5 days ago27 min read

Mormon 7-9

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LESSON #1 COURAGE OVER COMPANIONSHIP

OBJECT

A volleyball

ICEBREAKER

For an icebreaker, I like to talk about the movie Cast Away. Have you seen that movie? It’s about a man who finds himself stranded on a desert island after a plane crash. The movie then shows us how he learns to survive in this very harsh environment. And what I love about it, is that I believe it’s a good illustration of basic human needs. If you’ve seen the movie, what basic human needs does the main character need to learn how to fulfill in order to survive? One, he needs water, so what does he do? He finds cocoanuts and drinks the water from them, and then stores water in those cocoanuts when it rains, and then eventually he finds a spring. He needs food. Again, cocoanuts, then he catches fish and crabs. But then he needs to cook those items. So another need. Fire, which is one of the funnier parts of the movie when he finally accomplishes creating fire. “I have made fire”. Now he has a way to cook his food and provide himself warmth. Another need: shelter. What does he do for that? He finds a cave to live in. And then, I think there is one more basic human need illustrated in the movie. And that is companionship. Somebody to talk to. We are, as humans, after all, social creatures. So who does he end up talking to? Yep, Wilson, the volleyball. And that’s when I would take out my volleyball to display. Wilson becomes his friend and conversation partner throughout the movie. The point there, I think, is that it's hard for most people to be alone for any extended period of time.

Well, there is a character in the Book of Mormon that I think had a lonelier existence than anybody else I can think of. The last of the Nephites. Who was this lonely prophet? That lonely prophet would be Moroni, the son of Mormon.

To get a sense of what Moroni’s life was like, read Mormon 8:1-5 and be prepared with an adjective that you feel best describes Moroni’s state of mind. How do you imagine he was feeling as he wrote this? (And quick note here. Keep in mind that you’re going to find Moroni’s words in Mormon, the last two chapters are Moroni’s words, and conversely, in the Book of Moroni, we find Mormon’s words in a few of those chapters, so, hopefully that doesn’t confuse us too much. Just check the chapter heading if you’re not sure who’s speaking). Here’s what he says:

1 Behold I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.

2 And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed.

3 And my father also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not.

4 Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not.

5 Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.

So how do you think he was feeling? And as a teacher, write your student's adjectives on the board. Here are some possible answers:

Discouraged

Sad

Lost

Dismayed

Aimless (he says he doesn’t know where to go, and that it doesn’t really matter where he goes)

And probably, to me, the biggest one:

Lonely

He says two times he is alone and “they are gone” referring to his people. It’s heartbreaking to hear him describe his situation: "My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go.” Do you sense the loneliness in his tone?

I would also add this phrase from verse 10 where he says that there are none that do know the true God. Not only is he alone physically, and socially, but spiritually in his beliefs as well. He’s the only believer left.

What do you think that must have been like for him? Imagine that. Put yourself into his shoes. Can you picture him out there wandering in the wilderness year after year. Everybody hates him and wants to kill him. His family and all his kinsfolk have been killed. No friends. I picture him sitting by a small campfire somewhere in the middle of the forest or the desert; not knowing how long he would live. Nobody to preach to. No church. No wife and kids to come home to. Nobody to talk to in the fields at work. No friendly conversations with the neighbors. Just living. Day in and day out. And I don’t mean to be morbid here but, I can’t help but think I can imagine what he might most hope for in that situation? What would be the only thing that could release him from this situation? Death. And I get the sense that at first, he figured that he wouldn’t be around for that long. He says at the end of verse 5, "and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.” He probably thought that the Lamanites would eventually find him and kill him. Plus, why would he need to stay alive. What did he really have to do? There was one final purpose for him: finish the record, protect it, and bury it up for the benefit of those in the latter-days. That’s it. Then he could rest and rejoin his father and his loved ones in the next life.

SCRIPTURE MATH

However, question, how long does Moroni live after the final battle. How long is he alone? Now we may not know the exact timeframe, but I think we can make a pretty fair, educated guess. Let’s do some scripture math.

What year was the final battle? Mormon 6:5

Answer: 384 AD

What year does Moroni write his final chapter? Moroni 10:1

Answer: 420 AD

Now do the math. How many years was he possibly alone? 420-384. 36 years.

Now we don’t know exactly when his father Mormon died, but we know he was injured in that final battle. He does give us the time stamp of 400 AD when he first starts writing in Mormon 8, so perhaps his father survived longer than that final battle. But who knows? We also don’t know how much longer he lived after he buries the plates. My guess is that he died shortly thereafter, but that we don’t know either. So we can safely assume that he was alone for at least 20 years, and more than likely, closer to 40. Either way, that’s a long time to be by yourself.

And then read the last verse of Mormon 9 with me here.

37 And may the Lord Jesus Christ grant that their prayers may be answered according to their faith; and may God the Father remember the covenant which he hath made with the house of Israel; and may he bless them forever, through faith on the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

And I don’t know about you, but that kind of sounds like a conclusion to me. Like he figured that would be it. He invites us to believe in Christ, to believe in the Book of Mormon and then ends with a, “name of Jesus Christ. Amen.” Sounds like a conclusion, right. Maybe he thought he would die soon thereafter. But then, the years drag on. So what does he do? He abridges the Jaredite record for us. Blesses us with two more great Book of Mormon heroes, The Brother of Jared and Ether, and some fantastic stories. Then after that, he figures he’s done. I think it’s interesting that he includes Ether’s last words as the concluding statement of that book. Perhaps seeing the huge similarities between his condition and Ether’s. So he quotes:

34 Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen.

Maybe a hopeful hint there? Is he saying to God, “Ok, maybe I can be translated now? Or suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh and die?” Maybe? But, he keeps his perspective, “It doesn’t matter, as long as I’m saved in God’s kingdom.”

Well we know for sure that Moroni thought that he was done after that. That WAS a definite conclusion, because look at what he says at the beginning of Moroni:

1 Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.

So, he’s like: I’m not dead yet. I guess I’ll write a little more. Then in verse 4

4 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.

And then he proceeds to give us 10 amazing additional chapters, including some additional teachings of his father, a description of how the ancient church was run, including the sacrament prayers, his concluding invitation, and then, the title page of the Book of Mormon. We can all certainly be grateful that God did have him live longer to write those valuable things for us.

But throughout all that, Moroni didn’t seem to know how long he would have to be alone. I mean, I think it’s definitely easier to endure something difficult if you only know how long it’s going to last. But not knowing that end is mentally excruciating. I ran a marathon once (never making that mistake again), but the only thing that kept me going after a certain point, was knowing that there was a finish line, and I know how close I was getting to it. That it would release me from the pain and suffering. But if I hadn’t known when or where the end would be, I think I would have given up. Moroni had no idea, and yet he continued to endure and push forward.

BY CHOICE?

Well I have another question for you. Did Moroni have to be alone? Did he have any other options? Was it just wait for death or was there a way out. Actually yes! He did. He didn’t have to be alone. There was a way out. A very simple way out. What was it? Look at Moroni 1:2-3

2 For behold, their wars (the Lamanites) are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite (but notice it’s not a period there. It’s not that they just kill all Nephites. They kill Nephites that won’t do something. They put to death every Nephite) that will not deny the Christ.

So that’s it! That’s all he has to do. That was his way out. He could wander into any Lamanite village, deny his former beliefs, say he was deluded and start his life over again. Maybe marry a nice Lamanite girl, start a family, begin again and forget all about his previous life as a disciple of Christ. No more loneliness, no more wondering, no more wandering, no more waiting. BUT, there is one thing that he simply cannot, will not do.

3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; WHEREFORE, (so because of that reason) I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.

Oh, do you feel the strength and conviction in that statement? That’s why he’s alone. And therein lies, to me, the great principle and lesson of Moroni’s life, and perhaps THE reason why the Lord does have him live so long alone. To teach US, those of the latter-days reading this story a principle. What principle or truth do you feel Moroni’s life is teaching us here?

TRUTH

My thought. He teaches us that it is better to stand alone, than to deny your faith.

Now that, is a very important principle for all of us to learn. Especially for young people. As a teacher and father, I have learned that friends are very important to teenagers. Peer pressure becomes a major challenge for many. And unfortunately, I’ve seen youth make some pretty foolish and life changing decisions based on their friends. What Moroni demonstrates here is the truth that we sometimes have to stand alone in our faith or in our standards.

I admit that it’s not easy to be the only one on the field or the court that’s not swearing. It’s not easy to be the only one who won’t go to that movie. It’s not easy to be the only one in your peer group that isn’t drinking. It’s not easy to be the only one dressed modestly. That can be lonely. It’s not easy to be the only member of the church in your school or the only member of the church in your household. It’s not easy to be the only person of faith in a classroom full of unbelievers. But in each of these cases, having the courage to stand up and stand out is more important than having the companionship of those around you. Principle over peers, courage over companionship. Faith over friends. If the people around you force you to decide between their friendship and your faith, Moroni says: choose faith. It’s a higher priority.

Joseph Smith is a good example of somebody else who understood that feeling of standing alone in your convictions. For quite some time, he was the only one who was instructed to view the plates. He wasn’t allowed to show them to anyone else. Imagine how hard that must have been for him. Not able to show his family, his friends, his critics even that he was truly in possession of an ancient record. It wasn’t until years later that the Lord finally allowed him to show them to the three witnesses that he no longer had to stand alone. Here’s how his Mother described Joseph’s reaction after he was able to show them.

"When Joseph came in, he threw himself down beside me and exclaimed, "Father! Mother! You do not know how happy I am. The Lord has caused the plates to be shown to three more besides me. They have also seen an angel and will have to testify to the truth of what I have said, for they know for themselves that I do not go about to deceive the people. I do feel as though I was relieved of a dreadful burden which was almost too much for me to endure. But they will now have to bear a part, and it does rejoice my soul that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world."

(From History of Joseph Smith by his Mother-Lucy Mack Smith)

TAKING IT TO HEART

With that in mind. Have you ever had a Moroni moment? A time when you had to choose between faith and friendship? What happened? Or do you have an example of someone you know who had a Moroni moment?

I remember a time near the beginning of my mission when my language skills were not very developed and I was the only American Elder in my district, in the whole city in fact. The food, the culture, the language was all still very new to me, and I felt very out of place and alone. I also had a companion at the time that I didn’t really get along with well. We weren’t having much success in teaching either and consequently; I was very discouraged. I thought about my friends and family back home, where I felt welcome, where I fit in, and I longed to be with them again. I’m very grateful that I didn’t give up and return home; that I chose to face that loneliness and fulfill my desire to teach the gospel and bring souls to Christ.

I WILL GO AND DO

For an I will go and do, I want you to come up with what I would call a “Moroni Motto” of your own. One that is particularly applicable to you. Just take the framework of his statement of faith and add your own situation and name to it. You could do this activity as a handout with your students. There’s room enough for them to create two “Moroni Mottoes” of their own. They just fill-in-the-blanks.

So for example:

They laugh and make fun of every person that won’t join in their jokes and foul language. And I ___________, will not tell dirty jokes and use foul language.

They ostracize those who won’t drink and join them at their parties. And I____________, will not join in their drinking and parties.

They scoff at and dismiss anybody that won’t abandon their belief in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. And I ____________, will not abandon my belief in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.

You see how that works there. Now come up with one of your own. It’s a very powerful exercise that can increase your resolve and spiritual strength against temptation.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Before we conclude, a final question to consider here. Was Moroni REALLY, completely alone though? Physically. Yes. But who did he have with him? Who accompanied him all those lonely days and nights in the wilderness? I can think of a few.

Moroni had God, the Savior, and the Holy Ghost to accompany him. Surely they gave him support and strength during all those years. You certainly sense his connection with heaven in his writings. We too always have the companionship of the Godhead to turn to in our lonely “Moroni” moments.

Who else did he have? He had the record with him. He had Nephi, and Abinadi, and Alma, and Samuel, and Captain Moroni to keep him company. I’m sure he must have spent many hours studying and connecting with those great heroes. Well we have them too! THEY can be OUR companions as well. We can make friends in the scriptures. You just can’t go to the movies with them. But as long as you have the scriptures with you, you will always be in the presence of those who share your values. You are not alone. I think that’s one of the reasons we’re commanded to study the scriptures. To keep us grounded in the eternal values and truths of the past. To give us heroes and examples that we can truly rely on rather than just the stars and celebrities of our own day that may not always be the best guides to follow.

And then, I believe that Moroni had a “Wilson” so to speak. Somebody he could talk to. Who was Moroni’s “Wilson"? Take a look in Mormon 8:35. Who was it?

35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.

It’s us! We were Moroni’s Wilson. He saw us and spoke directly to us. Perhaps that’s one of the things that kept him going all those years. We all need a purpose; something to do—to feel useful. Well, we were his purpose. He had a message for us, a warning, an invitation. And I guess, the least we could do, as his Wilson, is to listen to him and value his words.

THE TAKEAWAY

Well, I sometimes wonder why God had Moroni live for so long. Perhaps he stands as an object lesson to all of us. To teach us that standing alone in our standards is a long-term commitment, maybe even a lifelong one. The scriptures often deal in extreme stories because anything less than those circumstances are then covered by the example. If Moroni could last that long alone in his faith, then maybe we can too. But you know, I think God made it up to him, as he will with each of us. God allowed Moroni to play THE pivotal role in bringing about the Restoration of the gospel. Since he had to wait so long all by himself, and protect that record for so many years, how fitting it was that it would be Moroni who would have the privilege of delivering that record to Joseph Smith. Perhaps the Lord thought it necessary for a man who knew a little something about what standing alone was all about, to teach and prepare the boy that would also need to stand alone in translating and bringing forth that record in the latter-days. I love that it is Moroni that stands atop our temples around the world. And whenever I see him up there, all alone, as he was in life, it gives me the strength and inspiration to do the same. Be like Moroni. Courage over companionship. It is better to stand alone than to deny your beliefs.

LESSON #2 THE FAULTS OF MAN

OBJECT

For an object, I like to just hold up a red marker. This, I believe must be one of the most feared and discouraging objects known to students. Because what does the red marker or pen mean? It means mistakes. Do teachers still do this these days? You’d turn in your assignments, math problems, essays, test and quizzes. And then you’d get them back, graded by the teacher, and what you didn’t want to see was lots of red. Lots of markings and corrections and missed answers. The red marker came to symbolize to me “error”, “fault”, and “imperfection”.

ICEBREAKER

With that in mind, there is a principle here at the end of Mormon that I think is often overlooked. Something revealed here about the Book of Mormon itself that we don’t usually consider. And in conjunction with the red marker object lesson, I also like to do the following icebreaker. Speaking of mistakes, consider the following poorly worded ads.

Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children.

Used Cars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated? Come here first!

For anyone who has children and doesn't know it, there is a day care on the first floor

Semiannual After Christmas Sale.

Do not use our product on any unexplained pain, swollen muscles, or following muscular injury before consuming your physician.

Well, the moral of the story then is this: It’s easy to make mistakes. We all make them. And it’s really easy to point them out and laugh at them when we see them in others. And though these examples are funny and of little consequence, there are times when our amusement with and judgment of the mistakes of others can become problematic.

It’s apparent to me that Moroni had a major concern about the record that he had so carefully guarded all those years. See if you can find a common message in these verses. What is Moroni’s concern?

Mormon 8:12

12 And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you.

Mormon 8:17-19

17 And if there be faults they be the faults of a man. But behold, we know no fault; nevertheless God knoweth all things; therefore, he that condemneth, let him be aware lest he shall be in danger of hell fire.

18 And he that saith: Show unto me, or ye shall be smitten—let him beware lest he commandeth that which is forbidden of the Lord.

19 For behold, the same that judgeth rashly shall be judged rashly again; for according to his works shall his wages be; therefore, he that smiteth shall be smitten again, of the Lord.

Mormon 9:31-33

31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.

32 And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.

33 And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record.

Ether 12:23-25

23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them;

24 And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them.

25 Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.

And then, we really know he’s concerned about this because, look at the very last thing he wrote on the plates. We know from Joseph Smith that the title page of the Book of Mormon was the final thing Moroni wrote. And what’s the last sentence?

And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

What’s Moroni worried about? That people in the last days will read the Book of Mormon and will find imperfections, faults, weaknesses, or mistakes in the text whether perceived or real.

What are we learning about the Book of Mormon here? That it very possibly has some imperfections or faults or weaknesses in it. Or at least, that people who are looking to criticize it or find fault with it, are more than likely to find some. Please, don’t get me wrong here though. I don’t wish to cast any doubt in people’s minds over what we find in the Book of Mormon. I don’t believe you’re going to find fundamental or doctrinal errors in the Book of Mormon. Nothing of great consequence. I believe we can trust the Book of Mormon, that God guided and directed those who wrote and translated it, and that it is (as Joseph Smith said) the most correct of any book on earth. Still, it has man’s fingerprints on it. And even though guided and inspired by God, it is possible to find fault or weakness in it, especially if you’re looking for it. Anybody who has spent any time in Anti-church material will know this. I do believe this is a very important concept for us to grasp. God has allowed mankind, fallen, mortal, terrestrial people to take part in the building up and running of his kingdom. Therefore, there are bound to be imperfections in it. Prophets are not infallible. Church organization and policy is not infallible. Even scripture is not infallible. There are weaknesses, faults, and imperfections in each.

And now, the next logical question that I’m sure some of you may be thinking: Well, what faults and imperfections could he be referring to? And that’s a very tricky question to answer and I want to be careful with it because now I’m looking for things that could be wrong with the Book of Mormon, which is exactly what he is telling us not to do. But to try and briefly illustrate the kinds of things that Moroni may be concerned with could be stylistic choices or tone choices. For example, I’ll admit that these last two chapters of Mormon are a little harsh sounding to the modern ear. He really kind of hammers at those who won't believe in Christ in the last days. It kind of has that early American Protestant “hellfire and damnation” type feel to it. He calls them pollutions, and hypocrites, and warns them about dwelling with the damned souls of hell, and that the sword of vengeance hangs over them. Somebody who was looking for fault could point to that. But it’s a stylistic choice by Moroni. In some time periods, that would have been the most effective way to communicate that message. That’s how people would expect their preaching to be like, and anything softer would have come off as sounding weak and ineffective, and they may have criticized it for those reasons. But in the church nowadays, we don’t hear the apostles preach that way much anymore. It probably wouldn’t be as effective FOR US, in our day. We prefer the softer, more encouraging tone of an Elder Uchtdorf or Elder Holland. Another example, as much as I love the war chapters in the Book of Alma, somebody could criticize Mormon for including so much information about military maneuvers and strategy in those chapters. Perhaps Mormon himself would admit and say, yeah, I maybe included too much there, but you know, I’m a military man myself and really found those aspects fascinating. Maybe Nephi would worry about including so much Isaiah. Or, like Moroni says, he just doesn’t feel like he was a skilled enough writer to really portray the power of the message he was trying to communicate. He compares his writing skills to those of the Brother of Jared who he says could really write powerfully. But Moroni didn’t feel like he measured up to the same power. Mark Twain is a good example of someone who was looking for faults in the Book of Mormon. His assessment after reading it, and keep in mind, he was a humorist, so of course he’s going to look for ways to mock the text, at one point said, "Whenever [Joseph Smith] found his speech growing too modern--which was about every sentence or two—he ladled in a few such Scriptural phrases as "exceeding sore," "and it came to pass," etc., and made things satisfactory again. "And it came to pass" was his pet. If he had left that out, his Bible would have been only a pamphlet.” So he dismisses the Book of Mormon because of all the “And it came to passes” in it. Another thought, earlier in 3 Nephi we discovered that Mormon was only able to include one hundredth of what Jesus spoke to the people. Maybe he would have worried that he hadn’t included the right 1% of what was taught. Well, there you go, a few possible examples. Nothing glaring or hugely incorrect. But small issues that can be taken out of context or judged.

LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES

Can you relate to Moroni’s concern in your own life? Do you ever worry about your own weaknesses, flaws, and imperfections?

Personally, I can relate to Moroni’s concern here as I put these lessons and videos together. I hope to do my best, but certainly, there are faults and imperfections in them. Someone could easily point out errors, or argue that my approach was flawed or that my style isn’t to their liking. Which sometimes there are comments of that nature in the comments section. Which is fine, my style may not be everyone’s preferred approach. But sometimes, like Moroni, I feel inadequate to portray the power of the principles that I want to teach. They make sense in my head, and I feel their power myself, but it’s hard to express it, and put it into writing, and portray that power to others. I imagine the writers of the Book of Mormon approached their record keeping in much the same way as I do in putting together these lessons. Moroni speaks of the awkwardness of their hands, and worries over the placing of their words. I feel that too. I believe my intent is pure and my goal is to be as accurate as possible, but, I do my best, and at some point, you just have to write what you write, put it out there, and hope that you’ve got it right, that God has guided you, and that people will be understanding and forgiving of your imperfections. Mormon and Moroni did their best with the help and charity of the Lord. Joseph Smith did his best with the help and charity of the Lord. Russell M. Nelson is doing his best with the help and charity of the Lord. The church itself is doing its best with the help and charity of the Lord. But none is perfect or beyond criticism.

THE WARNING

So what’s the warning for us when we see those things, or we perceive faults. What should we not do? Look specifically in 8:12, 8:17, 8:19, Ether 12:25, and 9:31. Don’t do what?

Don’t condemn, don’t judge rashly, don’t mock. Too many are quick to judge others, prophets, the church, the Book of Mormon rashly because of imperfections. Some will even mock and throw out all the good in these things because of a few flaws. They throw out the entire apple, because of one dark spot on its peel. Moroni warns us not to do this.

THE SOLUTION

Rather, he gives us a bit of a solution to our problem .Something else to do with those flaws. What is Moroni’s solution in Mormon 9:31.

So what do we do instead of condemn? We give thanks unto God, be grateful that he’s shown us these things so that we can be more wise than them. So that we can learn from them. We can learn from our mistakes, and the mistakes of others and be grateful for them. I think it really is a blessing for us to realize that. Like with my children, I don’t want them to be afraid of making mistakes, and try to hide them or think they are bad people because they make them. I just want them to learn from them. If we set mortal things up as needing to be perfect, like church leaders, and church policies, and even scripture, then we are probably going to be disappointed when they turn out not to be completely flawless and perhaps even lose our faith. Unfortunately, I believe many have over these kinds of things. We would do well to apply this same truth when it comes to how we view other people, spouses, family members, neighbors, cultures, nations, and other religions. To be more forgiving, understanding, and accepting of each other’s faults, imperfections, weaknesses and mistakes.

THE ASSURANCE

But, I think that God wanted Moroni, and all of us to understand something about imperfections and faults and mistakes and weaknesses as far as the Church and the work of God is concerned. That message is in 8:22. What is it?

22 For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled.

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What do you think that says to somebody who feels inadequate in their calling or labor? How would that comfort them? What’s the reassuring message here?

You can’t mess up God’s work. Mere mortals like ourselves don’t have that kind of power. You just can’t. His eternal purposes shall roll on. Case in point. When Joseph Smith lost the 116 pages, I’m sure he felt like he had just ruined the Restoration. But what did God say to him in Doctrine & Covenants 3:1

The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught.

Did Joseph ruin the restoration? Nope. God had prepared for that mistake. His purposes will all be fulfilled, no matter what.

TRUTH

Two truths I’d like to highlight here:

One: Instead of condemning imperfection and weakness in others, yourself, or the Church, be charitable and learn from those things.

And two: The flaws and weaknesses of man cannot hinder God’s work.

TAKING IT TO HEART

Is there anyone or anything that you have judged rashly lately because of their faults and imperfections?

How could you apply what Moroni is teaching here to that situation?

THE TAKEAWAY

I believe that there are lots of areas where this message can be applied and be helpful to us. For example, even though the Book of Mormon has some faults, just look at the power that it has had over the decades. It has changed the world and millions of lives! It’s not perfect, but it is more than adequate. Even though Joseph Smith had imperfections and made mistakes, just look at what God was able to accomplish with him. He was not perfect, but he was more than adequate. Even though the Church itself has had some stumbles over the years, just look at how it has grown and how it has become an enormous source of good in the world. It isn’t perfect, but it is more than adequate to accomplish God’s works, and designs and purposes. And then look at your own life. As imperfect as you are, as we all are, when we put our faith in God, we are more than adequate to accomplish his works and designs and purposes. So to put a bit of a spin on a famous saying, remember, to err is human, but God’s purposes are divine. He won’t allow our weaknesses to hinder his work.

LESSON #3 “MORMON-ADS”

LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY IN A WICKED WORLD

All right, one final activity here for these chapters. I told you last week that there were two themes that run throughout all these final books. One, the qualities of a fulness of iniquity society, and two, how to live righteously in a wicked world. Mormon chapters 7-9 do have something to say on those two themes. I’m going to let you find the “fullness of iniquity” phrases on your own in these chapters. I feel confident that you will be able to find them. One particular place to look for them is in 8:26-32 where you will find the phrase “It shall come in a day when . . .” over and over again. Find all those phrases and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what a society heading towards the fullness of iniquity looks like. For the theme of living righteously in a wicked world, I’d like to introduce you to a little activity that I sometime do with my students on occasion that they really seem to enjoy. Maybe you are familiar with Mormonads. They are these clever little pictures that have been included for years in The New Era and now “For the Strength of Youth”, or the church’s magazine for young men and young women. They usually include a picture with a clever saying beneath it that teaches a spiritual principle. Here are a few examples. I’m not sure if we can call them Mormonads anymore, but I am afraid that Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint-ads just doesn’t have the same ring to it. But since this is the Book of Mormon, within the greater Book of Mormon, I think it would be OK for us to create some of our own “Mormon”ads. You can either allow them to choose or you can assign verses to your students to ensure that each of the verses are covered. I give them the following template (which I’ll make available for download if you’re interested) and instruct them to create a "Mormon"ad that teaches a truth from their verse. I provide them with colored pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, anything that might inspire their creativity as they put these together. This usually goes really well, and I’ve been impressed over the years with the quality and the cleverness of my students.

Here are the verses that I would select as being ideal for creating a "Mormon"ad from. But you of course could add some of your own.

7:7

7:8-9

7:10

8:14

8:16

9:6

9:27

9:28

9:29

I’m confident that your students will be able to create some pretty amazing messages with those verses.

An alternate idea, if you’re teaching adults, instead of having them create pictures. You could just assign them one of the verses and then ask them to share what principle of righteous living it taught them.

Each of these verses is great and I’ll let you peruse them, but if I could highlight just one, it would be 7:8-9. I think those verses really capture one of the great strategies for living righteously in a wicked world. What is one of the greatest things that will help us to get through the wickedness of the last days?

8 Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you.

9 For behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them.

What’s the strategy? Lay hold upon the scriptures: the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon in particular. Like I said earlier, Moroni is really going to hammer away at the unbelievers of the last days. He describes the wickedness of our current world pretty well. Therefore, the Book of Mormon is going to come in a day when it is really needed. So study it! Don’t dismiss it! Heed its warnings! Be believing, be wise, be worthy. Valuing and studying the Book of Mormon will help us to live righteously in a wicked world.

Mormon 7-9

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