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NOTE
A quick heads up before we dive into Moroni. The lesson is going to be a little shorter this week for a number of reasons. One, we covered what I feel to be the main idea of Moroni chapter 1 back in Mormon 7-9. We studied the principle of standing alone rather than denying our faith. And back in 3rd Nephi we did a whole lesson on making the ordinance of the sacrament more meaningful and we examined the sacramental prayers in depth. So that covers Moroni chapters 4 and 5. Then, the remaining chapters, 2, 3, and 6 are all pretty short. It’s one of those rare weeks where there is not as much to cover.
ICEBREAKER
Bring in a bowl of vanilla ice cream and ask: Who likes ice cream? I imagine that most people in your classes are going to raise their hands. Then, I would ask if they think they would enjoy eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Again, I imagine most will raise their hands. But then I'd ask this. Is there anything you would add to the ice cream to make it better? And then let them share.
They'll probably say things like chocolate syrup. Sprinkles. Banana slices. Nuts. Oreo cookie crumbs., or a myriad of other options that you could add on to the already delicious vanilla ice cream. There are a lot of things you can add that make it better.
As a teacher, perhaps you could even bring in a few of those items to demonstrate.
TRANSITION
That's the Spirit of the Book of Moroni. Moroni is the bonus book of the Book of Mormon. The add on. The topping. The scriptural sprinkles. Because Moroni never intended to write it. He basically says that in Moroni 1:1 and 4
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.
4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written anymore; 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.
So, Moroni signals that he is going to give us a few additional things. And as a church, we're definitely grateful that he did. The book of Moroni is full of delicious and uplifting truths to feast on. Maybe that’s part of the reason the Lord extended his life longer, so that we could have these additional chapters of great worth. So, in the spirit of adding, let's take a look at what Moroni has to offer us.
SEARCH
Since the chapters here are short, this is a great opportunity to allow your students some quiet study and pondering time on their own to seek what these chapters can add to their understanding. I like to provide them with the following handout. I invite them to choose two or three of the topics that they feel most interested in or that they feel they could use some help with. Moroni is going to add to their understanding of those principles and practices. Then I give them about 5- 10 minutes to study. The rest of the class time can be dedicated to them sharing what Moroni has added and they should prepare themselves to do just that.
So here are the areas that they can choose from and the verses they should read to search for their additional insight.
Priesthood Blessings
Enduring to the End
Baptismal/Sacramental Covenants
The Holy Ghost
Staying Active in the Church
Church Meetings
Repentance
Now this sets you up for a very open-ended discussion with your class. There are endless directions your students can take these verses, and that's wonderful. Still, I'd like to provide you with a few insights I see in these areas and perhaps they will help you to be prepared to have a discussion with your students about them.
PRIESTHOOD BLESSINGS
Moroni chapters 2 and 3 give instructions on how a number of church ordinances were performed in his day. Chapter 2 describes how the gift of the Holy Ghost was conferred, and chapter 3 how they ordained priests and teachers. There is a nice additional thought for fathers or priesthood holders here who find themselves presented with the opportunity of performing an ordinance. In both chapters, what did they do before they gave the Holy Ghost or performed the ordination? Take a look at Moroni 2:2, and Moroni 3:2.
In both instances, they prayed first. In chapter 2, they called upon the Father in mighty prayer, and THEN conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost. In chapter 3 it says that “AFTER they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them”.
That’s a nice suggestion from Moroni. It’s appropriate to pray for guidance and inspiration before you give a blessing, before you perform the ordinance. I know that it’s a rather intimidating thought for some men to speak on behalf of the Lord through a blessing. But we needn’t feel like the only time we are going to receive inspiration is during the actual blessing. Instruction and guidance can come before—as you ponder the situation, as you consider the person you are blessing, as you meditate on the needs and desires of the individual. That isn’t to say that you won’t get inspiration in the moment, and you should certainly be attuned to and open to receiving that guidance at the time of the blessing. The Lord said in D&C 100:6 “For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.” But guidance can come prior to the blessing as well—when we are praying unto the Father beforehand.
One other thought. I know that the performing of ordinances and the giving of priesthood blessings is a duty carried out by the men of the church. But a prayer can be offered by any member. It would certainly be appropriate for the mother or wife of the person receiving the ordinance to offer a mighty prayer beforehand seeking for guidance and power in that blessing.
ENDURING TO THE END
There is a phrase in Moroni 3:3 that stands out to me. It's additional or bonus insight on the meaning of enduring to the end. There’s a unique phrasing of that idea here. Already this year we’ve examined a number of different ways of interpreting the Lord’s command to “endure to the end”.
Does it mean to endure to the end of our trials? 2 Nephi 9:18 suggests that.
Does it mean to endure to the end of our mortal lives? 2 Nephi 33:9 suggests that.
Does it mean to endure to the end of our obedience, in choosing the right? Alma 38:2 suggests that.
Does it mean to endure to the end of our commitment to our covenants? 2 Nephi 9:24 suggests that.
Or, as we talked about a few weeks ago in 3 Nephi 27, does it mean enduring to the end of his character, to the end of our personal spiritual development to be like Christ?
Which one of those is the correct interpretation of the phrase? All of them. It can have multiple interpretations. We need to endure in a lot of different ways in the gospel.
Well, here is yet another way of looking at the command to endure to the end.
He says "to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. " What do you think this means? To preach repentance by the endurance of faith on his name. I don't claim to know exactly what he means there, but here's a thought. There seems to be a connection between repentance and enduring to the end. One of the ways I endure to the end is by continually repenting and relying on the atonement of the Savior. All throughout mortality, I'm going to need the mercy, the grace, and the forgiveness made possible by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged with ourselves. For those disciples of Christ that really care about being their best, who deeply want to be good, to do the right things, who are striving to be perfect, even as their Father in Heaven is perfect, frustration and dismay at our weaknesses, shortcomings, and flaws can be easy to slip into. We may sometimes feel like Nephi who said "O wretched man that I man! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me." (2 Nephi 4:17-18) And that was Nephi! What does that say about us?! We may find ourselves getting frustrated at our constant need to repent. I can relate to these words of Michelangelo's who said:
Despite thy promises, O Lord, t'would seem Too much to hope that even love like thine Can overlook my countless wanderings". (Selected Poems from Michelangelo Buonarroti, Sonnet LXXVII)
And to that Christ says, "You need to endure to the end of your belief in a forgiving God". Sometimes it's easy to forget that we are in constant need of that forgiveness. My father is a good example of a person like this. Just a man who is good to the core who sincerely desires to be like Christ and to always do the right thing. I've heard him express his desires like this: I don't want to "forgiveness" my way into heaven. I want to "worthiness" my way into heaven. I think that's a good way of describing how many righteous disciples of Christ feel. And to my father, and all those like him, I think God whispers, "You can't worthiness your way into my kingdom. You can only forgiveness your way. Nobody earns it. So endure in the hope of the forgiveness of your sins, and the perfecting of your imperfections, and the strengthening of your weaknesses, my grace is sufficient for you." I believe that's true. And that does require endurance. You've got to endure in your faith of the power of repentance and forgiveness. Don't get discouraged, don't despair. We must, as Moroni says in chapter 6:4 "rely alone upon the merits of Christ, was the author and the finisher of [our] faith".
May we all "endure to the end" in that meaning of the phrase, as well as all the others.
SACRAMENTAL AND BAPTISMAL COVENANTS
Now I hate to completely ignore the sacrament prayers in chapters 4 and 5, so hopefully we can ADD something to our understanding of the covenants we make when we partake of the sacrament. I like to tie those into Moroni 6:1-3. These verses speak of baptism, and we know that when we partake of the sacrament, we are renewing our baptismal covenants. We all know the specific three covenants of baptism that we are renewing when we partake of the sacrament because they are part of the prayers. We promise to take upon ourselves his name, to always remember Him, and to keep his commandments. But there are other commitments we are making when we get baptized, and therefore, also when we partake of the sacrament. Mosiah 18 comes to mind. There we learn that when we are baptized, we are making a commitment to bear one another's burdens, to mourn with those that mourn, to comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things, and in all places. And then, we can ADD to those commitments from Moroni 6 verses 1-3. What do they add?
To come forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. to truly repent of our sins. And to have a determination to serve him to the end. Now there's yet another way of looking at the meaning of "enduring to the end". Perhaps understanding this can ADD to your sacrament experience. Maybe each week that we partake of the sacrament, we could focus on one of those particular commitments. Perhaps we need more of one that week than another. This week Lord, I need to focus more on standing as a witness. OR, this week I really need to increase my determination to serve him to the end. OR I feel my heart has been hardening a little, I need more of a broken heart. Whichever we choose, there will be plenty more to work on week after week.
THE HOLY GHOST
From Moroni 6 verse 4, What do we learn about the Holy Ghost? We learn that those that were baptized were wrought upon and cleansed by the Holy Ghost. What's the additional thought there? I always thought it was the Atonement that cleansed me. But here the Holy Ghost is doing it. How does that work? Well, I feel it's a different kind of cleansing. The atonement and baptism, and sacrament cleanses me of my sin. It brings me back on to neutral ground with God. But the Holy Ghost lifts me higher. Perhaps we could call it the difference between justification and sanctification. The atonement of Christ justifies me, but the Holy Ghost sanctifies me and purifies me and lifts me to a holier state. This quote from Parley P. Pratt about the Holy Ghost really captures this idea well.
“The gift of the Holy Ghost...quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form, and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.”
― Parley P. Pratt
Boy, Parley P. Pratt could really write beautifully couldn't he. Do you see how that's a little bit of a different kind of cleansing? It's the kind of cleansing that lifts us above and beyond the average soul. It's ADDing to our purification, refining our tastes, and transforming us into beings a little more like God every day.
STAYING "ACTIVE"
What does this verse ADD to our understanding of remaining "ACTIVE" in the church? Which is an interesting term. We don't want our commitment to stagnate, or plateau, or go inactive. We talk about active volcanos. Meaning they're doing something. Something's going on inside them. There is heat and energy and power being generated from them. We want to be active members. Not dormant. It's not enough to just be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is just the beginning of the strait and narrow path. It's the gate. Once we're baptized, we have to walk. And what's going to help us remain active? OR, another way of looking at it, what can we do to help our fellow members to remain active? We need to number them and have their names taken. It's really hard to get lost in this church. Many have tried, few have succeeded. Even if you decide to stop coming to church, your name is on somebody's list somewhere and they will at some point come to find you. That's because we value the individual in this church. The members of the Church of Jesus Christ are not a nameless mass. We number them one by one, and we know their names.
They need to be nourished. Nourished with what? With activities, and parties, and treats and games? No. Nourished by the good word of God to KEEP THEM in the right way. The scriptures will nourish them and hold on to them. The words of the prophets will nourish them. Lessons and talks will nourish them. That's why we need sacrament talks, and Sunday School, and seminary, and institute, and General Conference. We need constant nourishment. My father gave me some interesting advice the other day. He said, "You know Ben, all the lessons we teach, the talks we give, the insights we explain. Nobody really remembers them much. Most of what we say will be forgotten within a week. Some things will stick. But most will fade. We're not necessarily changing their lives every time we teach; we're just moving them down the path a little further. Just getting them through today, or this week. Nourishing their spirits and hearts for the time being. And next week, they'll need more nourishing. So we just keep sharing and teaching, and eventually, the weeks turn into months, the months into years and the years into a lifetime until they arrive at the promised land of their exaltation". To me that was a very humbling yet comforting thought. It's humbling to think that that great lesson or talk or insight you gave and worked so hard on is probably just going to be forgotten. But it's comforting to know that you've helped somebody a little further along the straight and narrow path. You gave them what they needed for that day. Trees need constant nourishing. Bodies need constant nourishing. Our spirits and testimonies need constant nourishing day by day. That's why we have so much teaching, and studying, and learning opportunities in the church.
They need to stay continually watchful unto prayer. What does that phrase mean? I'm not sure. Maybe some of you could give me some insight on that phrase. Put it in the comments below. But it is an interesting wording. To be watchful unto prayer.
And then, something I mentioned earlier, "relying alone on the merits of Christ, who was the author and finisher of their faith". A reminder that we will need to be patient with ourselves, our progress, our weaknesses and our sins. We will absolutely have to rely on the merits that HE authored if we ever expect to finish our course.
CHURCH MEETINGS
5-6, 9
What can we add to our understanding of church meetings here? We need to meet together oft. He says that in both five and six. And this is a good reminder for us during these COVID restrictions. I hope that none of us come to the conclusion during this time that we don't really need church meetings. That we can just worship and be taught within our homes as families or individuals. Hopefully we don't forget that there is power that comes from fasting together, praying together, and speaking one with another concerning the welfare of our souls. There are certain things that we will miss if we only study as families or individuals. We shouldn't go to church just asking what's in it for us but asking what we can give to others. It's not always about our benefit, but how we can be a benefit to those that need us.
Dallin H. Oaks said:
“Years ago, I changed my attitude about going to church. No longer do I go to church for my sake, but to think of others. I make a point of saying hello to people who sit alone, to welcome visitors, … to volunteer for an assignment. …
“In short, I go to church each week with the intent of being active, not passive, and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Consequently, my attendance at Church meetings is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling” (quoted in “Unselfish Service,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 96).
From verse 9. How should our meetings be run? After the manner of the workings of the Spirit. Maybe this verse could add to the effectiveness of our meetings. I'm sure all of you have been in a church meeting that wasn't very edifying or worthwhile. I like something that I heard my cousin Jared once say. He said that he always wants to be blessed BY a meeting, and not just FOR GOING to a meeting. We'll always be blessed for going to our church meetings. But how often can we say that we were blessed by the meeting itself. As a bishop, I hope that the meetings that I conduct, or lead aren't done just because "we're supposed to have a meeting". But so that they can bless all those involved. Sometimes I think I'm successful and other times I fail. But I think it's a worthwhile goal. And what will successful meetings consist of? Preaching, exhorting, praying, supplicating, and singing. Hopefully our meetings have each of those elements in them, and not just planning, talking, administering, and shooting the breeze.
REPENTANCE
One final area. Repentance. I believe verse 8 adds three very important insights to our understanding of repentance. The most basic principle of repentance would read like this. If we repent, we will be forgiven. But this verse gives us more. I love the phrase "AS OFT" as they repent, they will be forgiven. Repentance and forgiveness are not a one-time deal . We are going to need a lot of forgiveness. And what if there is a sin or weakness or temptation that I really struggle with. I may not be able to change that aspect of my life cold turkey, and never struggle or fail in that thing again. If I think that "forsaking" a sin means I never struggle with it again, and if I do, it's as if I never repented in the first place, I'm likely to get very discouraged with myself, and maybe even give up trying. Now, perhaps there are some serious sins that would fall into that category, but often the things we struggle with may take us a long time and great effort to change. Christ is willing to forgive you as often as you come to him in the spirit of repentance. Jesus taught us that we need to be willing to forgive other people until seventy times seven. And I don't believe that God would ever ask us to live a standard that He wasn't willing to live himself. I believe he offers us the same grace and frequent pardon. As often as we need his forgiveness, it will be there for us.
But balance that idea with the other two phrases I love in that verse. "Sought forgiveness" and "With real intent". The word "sought" suggests effort. This is not just a casual or flippant approach to forgiveness. It's something that I need to seek for diligently. And "with real intent" suggests sincerity. I truly wish to change. Lest any of us get too relaxed or passive in our repentance because of the "as oft" promise, we can offset that by remembering that forgiveness can only come when it is done "with real intent". Real intent to change. Real intent to forsake. Real intent to follow.
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
Well, to liken the scriptures in this lesson, I would simply ask my students to select one of the things they learned today that they feel they need to ADD to their lives and to write a few short sentences on how they intend to do that. If they are willing to take that invitation seriously, with real intent, I'm sure they will find that the vanilla ice cream of their lives will become more delicious and appetizing.
CONCLUSION
Well I know that was a shorter lesson this week. But I really hope that Moroni succeeded in ADDING to your understanding of some of these fundamental and basic aspects of worshipping within the Church of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to always study the scriptures, and attend your church meetings, and listen to the words of the prophets with the spirit of addition in mind. The Lord said that the way he likes to teach us is "Line upon line, and precept upon precept. He likes to add to our understanding little by little. I hope that something has been added to your understanding during our time together today. AND I hope that you will add something to your testimony and your devotion from this day forward.
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