Mormon 8:1 I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father
The next two chapters of
Mormon’s record are written by Moroni. We should remember the following
rule: Moroni is the author of Mormon
8-9; and Mormon is the author of Moroni 8-9. As Moroni finishes his father’s
record, we get a close look at a man who lived a life we can only
imagine—completely alone, left to wander for fear of his own life, exclaiming whither I go it mattereth not (v. 4). Significantly,
Mormon had no one to talk to—but us.
Jeffrey R. Holland
“Following
this dismaying decline of Nephite civilization documented by his father, Moroni
picked up the recorder's task, but he did not write to any living audience.
Rather, he directed his final testimony—in fact, three final testimonies—to
those who would receive the record in the last days…Moroni's experience was
painful, for he observed in life, in history, and in vision the pollution and
destruction of three glorious civilizations—his own Nephite world, the Jaredite
nation, and our latter-day dispensation.” (Christ And The New Covenant,
p. 323)
Mormon 8:2 the Nephites who had escaped…southward were…all destroyed
Not all the Nephites were
killed at Cumorah. There were four groups which survived, at least temporarily:
1) the twenty-four survivors of the battle, 2) the group who had tried a
southward escape (Mormon 6:15), 3) those who had deserted to the Lamanites
(Mormon 6:15), and 4) the robbers which may have been of mixed Nephite, Lamanite
lineage. Of these four groups, Moroni is apparently the only survivor of the
first group. He tells us that the members of the second group were eventually
hunted until they were killed. But the third and fourth groups were never
completely exterminated. The Nephite deserters and Gadianton members are the
only ones who survived. Still, the Nephites, as a nation and as a people, had
been destroyed.
The fact that there was
considerable mixing of Nephite blood and Lamanite blood is significant because
of prophecies which describe the descendants of Nephi in the latter-days. Nephi
was told, God will not suffer that the Gentiles will
utterly destroy the mixture of thy seed, which are among thy brethren
(1 Ne 13:30, italics added). Through modern revelation, we know that some of
the blood of Nephi, Joseph, Jacob, and Zoram was preserved among the Lamanites.
Nevertheless, my work shall go forth…even so shall
the knowledge of a Savior come unto my people—And to the Nephites, and the
Jacobites, and the Josephites, and the Zoramites, through the testimony of
their fathers (DC 3:16-17).
Mormon 8:4 I will write and hide up the records in the earth
L. Tom Perry
“Let
us take Brigham Young's advice and imagine we are standing in the place where
Moroni, the last of the great Nephite prophets, stood. The assignment his
father gave him to complete the record entrusted to his care was very
difficult.
“He
must have mourned as he described how his people had been hunted by the
Lamanites until they were all destroyed. Imagine the loneliness he experienced
as he reported that his father was among those who were killed. We sense that
after that great destruction, the only thing Moroni was living for was to
complete the record. He wrote, ‘Therefore I will
write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not’
(Mormon 8:4).
“All
that sustained Moroni is the faith that the Lord would preserve him long enough
to complete the record and the knowledge that someday that record would be
found by one chosen of the Lord. He realized that the record would be a voice
of warning to nations of the consequences of turning away from the teachings of
the Lord.
“It
is from the depths of his heart that Moroni cries out to those who will
eventually receive this record. He wants to spare those who read his account
the heartache and misery that come from disobedience to God's laws.” (Living
With Enthusiasm, p. 63 – 64)
Mormon 8:5 My father hath been slain in battle
We may fairly ask, “in what
battle was Mormon slain”? We know that he was wounded in the final battle, but
survived to record what happened (Mormon 6:10). Furthermore, Moroni tells us
that he was killed by the Lamanites (v. 3) and that he was slain in battle, but
we know that he did not die at the time of the last great battle. How then did
he die? Moroni doesn’t tell us, but the following possibilities are given: he may have died from a late complication of
the wound he received at Cumorah, or he may have been slain in a later personal
battle with his Lamanite murderers, for they put to
death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ (Moroni 1:2). Either
way, he had time to record Mormon 6-7 prior to his death.
Mormon 8:5 I would write…if I had room upon the plates, but I have
not; and ore I have none
Initially, Moroni’s record
was limited by the amount of room left on the plates of Mormon. We are reminded
of the words of Amaleki, who ran out of room while working on the small plates
of Nephi. He said, these plates are full. And I make
an end of my speaking (Omni 1:30).
In contrast, to Amaleki, Moroni would return to record more. By the time
Moroni begins abridging the record of the Jaredites and adds his own record, he
is no longer limited by the amount of room left on the plates. He must have
made more plates, like Nephi before him, I did make
plates of ore that I might engraven upon them the record of my people (1
Ne 19:1).
Gordon B. Hinckley
“While
wandering as a lonely fugitive, Moroni added to his father’s record. His words
ring with pathos: ‘I would write … 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 behold, the Lamanites have hunted my
people, the Nephites, down from city to city and from place to place, even
until they are no more; and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous
is the destruction of my people, the Nephites.’ (Mormon 8:5, 7.)
“Who
can sense the depth of his pain, the poignant loneliness that constantly
overshadowed him as he moved about, a fugitive relentlessly hunted by his
enemies? For how long he actually was alone we do not know, but the record
would indicate that it was for a considerable period. His conversation was prayer
to the Lord. His companion was the Holy Spirit. There were occasions when the
Three Nephites ministered to him. But with all of this, there is an element of
terrible tragedy in the life of this man who became a lonely wanderer.” (Heroes
From the Book of Mormon, p. 197)
Mormon 8:6 Behold, four hundred years have passed away
“Of
striking interest is Moroni's statement that four hundred years had passed away
since the coming of the Savior, making the date 400 of our era. It seems incredible that the holder of the
keys of the stick of Ephraim (see D&C 27:5) never wrote a line on the
plates of the Book of Mormon entrusted to him until sixteen years after the
last great battle at Cumorah, but such seems to be the fact. Questions crowd us. What did Moroni do in the meantime? Where did he go? How did he live? How did
he avoid his enemies? What did he do
with the records his father left him?
The answers to these and many other questions must be left to the
imagination; the record is silent.” (Sidney B. Sperry, Book of Mormon
Compendium, chap. 2)
Mormon 8:8 the Lamanites are at war one with another…and no one
knoweth the end of the war
The Lamanites had amassed
huge armies. No doubt they enjoyed great celebrations after wiping the Nephites
off the face of the earth. But what good is an experienced army if there are no
more battles to fight? The Lamanites had a solution, for their bloodthirsty
nature would turn them upon their fellow Lamanites in
one continual round of murder and bloodshed. Hugh Nibley said,
“As for the wicked Lamanites, their total victory turned out to be a cruel
deception—nobody won the war, for it still went on.” (Since Cumorah, p.
333)
Mormon 8:11 my father and I have seen them, and they have ministered
unto us
We assume that it is because
of the righteousness of Mormon and Moroni that they were privileged to see the
three Nephites. However, the three Nephites were given the discretion regarding
those to whom they would show themselves, if they
shall pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus they can show themselves unto
whatsoever man it seemeth them good (3 Ne 28:30). This passage implies
that the three Nephites specifically requested to show themselves to Mormon and
Moroni. We are left to wonder if the three Nephites weren’t as thrilled to meet
Mormon and Moroni as these prophets were to meet the three Nephites.
Mormon 8:12 whoso…shall not condemn it because of the imperfections
which are in it
Again, let’s take Brigham
Young’s advice and imagine ourselves in Moroni’s position. He has been shown
the latter-day Gentiles, with their intellectuals, their pride, and their
strifes (v. 36). He also knows that he is writing to a huge audience. As most
public speakers know, the larger the audience the more intimidating the
speaking engagement—and Moroni was speaking to millions. His concern for his
own writing style and potential imperfections are evident in this verse and in
his abridgment of the Jaredites, 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…I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words. The reply is
comforting, Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my
grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your
weakness (Ether 12:23-29). Moroni’s concern about imperfections in “the
most correct book on earth” did not seem to be shared by his father.
“Instead
of the concise, objective style of the sober and observant Mormon, Moroni gives
us glimpses into his own fears, sorrows, and misgivings. As he begins to relate
the events following the great battle at Cumorah, he describes his sorrow and
loneliness and resignation (quotes Mormon 8:2-5).
“In
his writing, Moroni also lacks the confident, concise, and detached style of
Mormon. In addressing the future readers of this record, Moroni expresses his
concern that others will condemn the record because of its imperfections and
faults (Mormon 8:12, 17), a theme that he also states [in Mormon 9:31]. (Gary Hatch, Book
of Mormon Symposium Series, 4 Nephi - Moroni, edited by PR Cheesman, MS
Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 73)
Matthias F. Cowley
“Those
persons who would esteem literary imperfections an evidence against the divine
authenticity of the Book of Mormon must belong to one of two classes-they are
either not honest at heart and are seeking opportunity to evade the
responsibility of knowing the truth, or they are shallow-minded, and to the
world of sound reason, good judgment, and practical ability prefer the shadow
compared with the substance. He ‘that will do
the will of the Father shall know of the doctrine (cf. Jn 7:17)’ is the promise
of our Savior; and the promises in the Book of Mormon that those who will not
condemn the things of God because of human imperfections, but shall receive
greater knowledge, are plain enough to condemn the world if they reject them,
as much as the teachings of the Jewish record shall condemn mankind if they
will not hearken.” (Cowley’s Talks on Doctrine, p. 185)
Mormon
8:12 the same shall know of greater things than
these
Some
of those greater things are things we already
take for granted: an understanding of pre-mortal life, the council in heaven,
the importance of temple work and genealogy, the three degrees of glory, and
the full meaning of the term “exaltation.” But the Lord will give us more, just
as soon as we’re ready. This includes things not yet revealed. As the Lord
promised, in that day that they shall exercise faith
in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did…then will I manifest
unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto
them all my revelations (Ether 4:7).
Joseph Fielding Smith
“I would like to call your attention to one thing in
the Book of Mormon. The Lord has promised us greater knowledge, greater
understanding than we find in the Book of Mormon, when we are prepared to
receive it. When the brother of Jared went upon the mount to have the Lord
touch stones to give them light to light their way across the great ocean, the
Lord revealed to him the history of this world from the beginning of it to the
end. We do not have it.
“…Now the Lord has placed us on probation as members
of the Church. He has given us the Book of Mormon, which is the lesser part, to
build up our faith through our obedience to the counsels which it contains, and
when we ourselves, members of the Church, are willing to keep the commandments
as they have been given to us and show our faith as the Nephites did for a
short period of time, then the Lord is ready to bring forth the other record
and give it to us, but we are not ready now to receive it. Why? Because we have
not lived up to the requirements in this probationary state in the reading of
the record which had been given to us and in following its counsels.” (Conference
Report, Oct. 1961, pp. 19-20)
Orson Pratt
“He that
receives this record, and shall not condemn it because of imperfections that
are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. That is, they
shall know of greater things than what are contained in the Book of Mormon. The
Book of Mormon contains some wonderful things…Great things, historically, are
revealed in this book…concerning prophecies that are yet to take place, and
that have already taken place…
“It does not
mean those who should read this record and not perform the things that are
contained therein; the promise is not extended to them. ‘Whoso receiveth this record’…No man or woman that fails to
comply with these things that I have named (faith, repentance, baptism, laying
on of hands)--believes and receives the record; they may pretend to believe the
record, they may say it appears to be a very good record, and it speaks as if
it might be true; but unless they do receive it, by obeying its ordinances, and
its institutions, and complying with the principles of the Gospel, they would
not be entitled to the promise recorded in the words of my text, ‘They shall know of greater things than these.’ (Journal
of Discourses, 20:69)
Mormon 8:14 no one shall have them to get gain
Imagine if Joseph Smith had
removed the middle ring on the gold plates. He could have sold that to help his
parents with financial matters. Perhaps the last leaf of the gold plates was
blank, without any text. If so, Joseph could have removed it without harming
the sacred record. These are the sorts of thoughts that Satan might have used
to tempt the young prophet. Moroni had to warn Joseph, telling
me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent
circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for the purpose of
getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in
view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by
any other motive (JS-Hist 1:46).
“…when
Joseph Smith went to the hill to obtain the plates, he was beset by conflicting
emotions. The adversary sorely tempted him to desire the plates to relieve his
family’s poor financial situation. When the Prophet attempted to get the
plates, he was forbidden to do so because, as Moroni stated, ‘You have not kept
the commandments of the Lord.’ (As cited in Joseph Fielding Smith, Essentials
in Church History, p. 49) This lesson had a lasting impression on Joseph
Smith as he more clearly saw how Satan was determined to stop the coming forth
of this sacred record.” (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1981, p. 471)
Mormon 8:17 if there be faults they be the faults of a man
“The
Book of Mormon, which is a much more perfect translation than the Bible, not
only makes no pretense of infallibility but specifically addresses the
inevitability of errors existing in it. ‘Whoso
receiveth this record,’ Moroni said, ‘and
shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same
shall know of greater things than these.’ He also said, ‘if there be faults they be the faults of a man.’ (Mormon
8:12, 17.) This principle and spirit apply to the reading of all scripture.”
(Joseph Fielding McConkie, Gospel Symbolism, p. 232)
Boyd K. Packer
“Some
have alleged that these books of revelation are false, and they place in
evidence changes that have occurred in the texts of these scriptures since
their original publication. They cite these changes, of which there are many
examples, as though they themselves were announcing revelation. As though they
were the only ones that knew of them.
“Of
course there have been changes and corrections. Anyone who has done even
limited research knows that. When properly reviewed, such corrections become a
testimony for, not against, the truth of the books…
“Now,
I add with emphasis that such changes have been basically minor refinements in
grammar, expression, punctuation, clarification. Nothing fundamental has been
altered.
“Why
are they not spoken of over the pulpit? Simply because by comparison they are
so insignificant, and unimportant as literally to be not worth talking about.
After all, they have absolutely nothing to do with whether the books are true.
“After
compiling some of the revelations, the ancient prophet Moroni said, ‘… 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.’
(Morm. 8:17.)
‘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. …’ (Morm.
8:12.)
“…There
has, over the years, been an endless procession of those who would examine
these revelations by every formula save the right one. Each becomes evidence,
as Paul said, ‘the natural man receiveth not the
things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he
know them, because they are spiritually discerned.’ (1 Cor. 2:14.)
“These
scriptural diamonds, as we have described them, will stand the test.” (Conference
Report, May 1974 Ensign, “We Believe All That God Has Revealed”)
Mormon 8:22 the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all
his promises shall be fulfilled
Joseph Smith
“No
unhallowed hand can stop this work from progressing. Persecutions may rage;
mobs may combine; armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God
will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every
continent, visited every clime, swept every country and sounded in every ear;
till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say,
‘The work is done.’” (History of the Church, 4:536.)
Mormon 8:23 Search the prophecies of Isaiah
Nephi loved Isaiah, Jacob
quoted him, Abinadi interpreted him, and the Savior commanded us on two
separate occasions to search his words (3 Ne 20:11; 23:1). From Moroni, we
receive a third direct injunction to search Isaiah. The reason that Moroni mentions
Isaiah is because he saw our day just like Mormon and Nephi did. In so many
words, Isaiah has also declared, Jesus Christ hath
shown you unto me, and I know your doing (v. 35). Even more importantly,
Isaiah is the great Millenialist who explained how all the promises given to
the House of Israel would finally be brought to pass. If we heed the warnings
of Mormon and Moroni, we, or our children, will survive the wickedness of the
last days to see all those glorious promises in their divine fulfillment.
Mormon 8:31 a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face
of the earth
Joe J. Christensen
“We
all hear and read a great deal these days about our polluted physical
environment—acid rain, smog, toxic wastes. But these parents recognize that there
is another kind of pollution that is much more dangerous—the moral and
spiritual.
“In
a recent conference, Elder Boyd K. Packer said, ‘As
we test the moral environment, we find the pollution index is spiraling upward’
(Ensign, May 1992, p. 66). The Apostle Paul foresaw ‘that in the last days perilous times shall come’
(2 Tim 3:1). And speaking of the last days, the prophet Moroni declared, ‘Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great
pollutions upon the face of the earth’ (Morm.
8:31).
“Sadly,
the effects of this great pollution are perhaps most evident in the mass media,
films, television, and popular music. Of this, Senator Robert D. Byrd said, ‘If
we in this nation continue to sow the images of murder, violence, drug abuse, …
perversion, [and] pornography … before the eyes of millions of children, year
after year and day after day, we should not be surprised if the foundations of
our society rot away as if from leprosy’ (Michael Medved, Hollywood vs.
America, New York: Harper Perennial, 1992, p. 194).
“Although
there are some uplifting exceptions, in most areas of the mass media there
seems to be a declaration of war against almost everything the majority
treasures most.” (Conference Report, Nov. 1993 Ensign, “Rearing Children
in a Polluted Environment”)
Brigham Young
“The
soil, the air, the water are all pure and healthy. Do not suffer them to become
polluted with wickedness. Strive to preserve the elements from being contaminated
by…those who pervert the intelligence God has bestowed upon the human
family…Keep your valley pure, keep your towns as pure as you possibly can, keep
your hearts pure.” (Journal of Discourses, 8:79-80 as taken from Latter-day
Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 480)
Spencer W. Kimball
“When I…fly over the vast and beautiful
expanses of our globe…I have the feeling that the good earth can hardly bear
our presence upon it…The Brethren constantly cry out against that which is
intolerable in the sight of the Lord: against pollution of mind, body, and our
surroundings.” (Ensign, June 1976, p. 4 as taken from Latter-day
Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 482)
Mormon 8:32 churches…shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you
shall be forgiven of your sins
Although prevalent in the
centuries before the Restoration, the most obvious fulfillment of this prophecy
is the Roman Catholic practice of indulgences. During the 16th and
17th centuries, one could receive forgiveness from sins by paying
off the church official. A clever doctrinal foundation was devised to support
such a practice:
“…the
doctrine gradually grew up that Christ had atoned for the eternal punishment of
sin, but not for its temporary punishment. The temporal punishment they divided
into that of the present life, and that of the future life or of purgatory. It
was held, that every man who would attain salvation must suffer the temporary
punishment of his sins, either, in the present world or in the flames of
purgatory; and that the confessor to whom a man confessed his sins had the
power to adjudge and impose this temporary punishment. The punishment thus
imposed consisted of fasting, pilgrimages, flagellation, etc.” (Mosheim’s
Ecclesiastical History, 6th ed., London 1868, notes from p. 564)
In order to avoid such a
severe temporal punishment, one could pay the church in money or property. Of
course, this became a great source of income for the church and also a great
comfort to the wealthy who quickly learned that forgiveness could be purchased
at a price. Also, this became quite convenient, for eventually, accommodations
were made such that the individual could pay for their sins in advance of
committing them. This, of course, was necessary because, “Jesus, they said, has
not removed all the punishments of sin.” (Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History,
6th ed., London 1868, notes from p. 564)
James E. Talmage
“…we
find the Church imposing punishment of fine, imprisonment, bodily torture, and
even death, as penalties for infraction of church regulations, and, more
infamous still, providing for mitigation or annulment of such sentences on
payment of money. This led to the shocking practice of selling indulgences or
pardons, which custom was afterward carried to the awful extreme of issuing
such before the commission of the specific offense, thus literally offering for
sale licenses to sin, with assurance of temporal and promise of spiritual
immunity.
“…In
illustration of the indulgences as sold in Germany in the sixteenth century, we
have the record of the doings of John Tetzel, agent of the pope, who traveled
about selling forgiveness of sins. Says Milner: ‘…The people believed that the
moment any person had paid the money for the indulgence he became certain of
his salvation: and that the souls for whom the indulgences were bought, were
instantly released out of purgatory…John Tetzel boasted that he had saved more
souls from hell by his indulgences than St. Peter had converted to Christianity
by his preaching. He assured the purchasers of them [that] their crimes,
however enormous, would be forgiven…For, remission of sins being fully
obtained, what doubt could there be of salvation?’” (The Great Apostasy, pp.
134, 136)
Mormon 8:35 Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing
Ezra Taft Benson
“’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.’ (Mormon 8:34-35.)
“If
they saw our day, and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to
us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly
ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include
that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this
day and age?’
“And
there is example after example of how that question will be answered. For
example, in the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second
Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to
Christ's coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can
determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming
and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and
thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet.
“From
the Book of Mormon we learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war. From
the Book of Mormon we see the evils of secret combinations portrayed in graphic
and chilling reality. In the Book of Mormon we find lessons for dealing with
persecution and apostasy. We learn much about how to do missionary work. And
more than anywhere else, we see in the Book of Mormon the dangers of
materialism and setting our hearts on the things of the world. Can anyone doubt
that this book was meant for us and that in it we find great power, great
comfort, and great protection?” (A Witness and a Warning, p. 20-21)
Jeffrey R. Holland
“The
task of the children of God in these concluding days of the world's history is
to proceed with ‘unshaken faith in him, relying
wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save,’ to ‘press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a
perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men . . . feasting
upon the word of Christ, and endur[ing] to
the end. This is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under
heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.’ (2 Ne 31:17-18)
“No
other book helps us do this so well. No other book was ever divinely produced
and protected solely for that purpose. No other book has ever been written with
such a full view of the future dispensation to which that record would
eventually come. As with Moroni, so too with virtually all the Book of Mormon
prophets: ‘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.’ (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 9)
Hugh Nibley
“If
the ultimate test of the Book of Mormon's validity is whether or not it really
has something to say, then the closing chapters alone should be enough to
silence all criticism. Those chapters are addressed explicitly to our own age
(Mormon 8:33-41), and we can be the best judges of how well or ill they apply
to it.” (Since Cumorah, p. 399)
Mormon 8:36 ye do walk in the pride of your hearts…unto the wearing of
very fine apparel
L. Tom Perry
“I
guess one of the greatest mysteries of human history is why people fail to
learn from the past. In the case of the Church, why do those who profess to be
true followers of Christ repeatedly become victims of the enticements of the
world? The evidence is strong regarding the blessings that accrue to those who
trust in land follow the ways prescribed by the Lord, yet so many members of
the Church fail to heed the evidence.
“Many
of us are more concerned about our fine apparel, the size of our houses, and
our luxury cars than we are about assisting the poor and the needy. The forces
promoting legalized abortion, gambling, pornography, and banning of public
prayer also threaten the values that bind us together as a community of Saints.
“Clearly,
the members of the Church face tremendous challenges in the latter days. We
must not only resist but mount a counteroffensive against the temptations and
teachings of the world if we are to remain a distinctive people.
“Despite
the challenges we face, I plead with each of you to stand firm in your
convictions. There is no escape from the whirlwind of judgments God will
unleash on the heads of his children who choose to pursue a course that is
against his will. We need to heed Moroni's warning to avoid the fate that
destroyed his people.” (Living With Enthusiasm, p. 65)
Mormon 8:37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance
The phrase, ‘ye do love money,’ may be the most accurate
possible description of our society. The current rage is to become a
millionaire with the least amount of effort. This takes the shape of gambling,
lottery tickets, risky investments, and even game shows. These endeavors can
become an all-consuming obsession which inevitably leads one from the Almighty.
Spencer W. Kimball
“Many
people spend most of their time working in the service of a self-image that
includes sufficient money, stocks, bonds, investment portfolios, property,
credit cards, furnishings, automobiles, and the like to guarantee carnal
security throughout, it is hoped, a long and happy life. Forgotten is the fact
that our assignment is to use these many resources in our families and quorums
to build up the kingdom of God—to further the missionary effort and the
genealogical and temple work; to raise our children up as fruitful servants
unto the Lord; to bless others in every way, that they may also be fruitful.
Instead, we expend these blessings on our own desires, and as Moroni said, ‘Ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and
yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the
afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not.’ (Morm.
8:39.)” (quoted by Marion G. Romney, Conference
Report, May 1977 Ensign, “The Purpose of Church Welfare System”)
Mormon 8:38 Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an
endless happiness than that misery which never dies?
Marvin J. Ashton
“I
fear that, at times, we run the risk of acting like seasoned, conditioned
athletes who are more interested in what kind of jogging suits we’ll wear than
in buckling down to train for the race. C. S. Lewis had an intriguing way of
evaluating this dilemma: ‘We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with
drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant
child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine
what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. … We are far too easily
pleased.’ (A Mind Awake, New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1968, p.
168.)
“The
prophet Mormon put it another way: ‘Why are ye
ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater
is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because
of the praise of the world?’ (Morm.
8:38.)
Mormon 8:39 Why do ye…suffer…the sick and the afflicted to pass by
you, and notice them not?
Neal A. Maxwell
“In
urging members of the Church to be more sensitive to other people we seek to
avoid the trap the Book of Mormon predicted when it spoke of an age when men
and women would allow the needy ‘to pass by you and
notice them not.’ (Mormon 8:39.) The Book of Mormon speaks of the need
for us to ‘be familiar with all.’ (Jacob
2:17.) This is not simply a matter of economic familiarity and of imparting of
our economic and material substance to others, for in an affluent society, food
and clothing often are not people's primary needs. We need to be familiar with
others psychologically and spiritually—to know them well enough to know their
other kinds of needs: spiritual, intellectual, and emotional. We should
assist in the meeting of these needs.” (A More Excellent Way, p. 58)
Thomas S. Monson
“’Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and
yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the
afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not?’ (Mormon 8:37-39.)
“The
Master could be found mingling with the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed,
and the afflicted. He brought hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak, and
freedom to the captive. He taught of the better life to come— even eternal
life. This knowledge ever directs those who receive the divine injunction: ‘Follow thou me.’ It guided Peter. It motivated
Paul. It can determine our personal destiny.” (Pathways To Perfection,
p. 83)