Moroni sharing an epistle from Mormon, screenshot from the video “Mormon Teaches about the Salvation of Little Children” (4:38)
Moroni loved and respected his father, Mormon. When he had the opportunity to add some additional content to his father’s book, he named it the book of Moroni, but more than half of that content comes directly from his father: a sermon on faith, hope, and charity, a doctrinal letter about baptism, and a personal letter of encouragement.
The common denominator across all three of these documents is charity, which Mormon defines as “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). In his sermon, he teaches that faith, hope, and charity are interdependent and that our eventual reunion with God will be happy if we have acquired the attribute of charity. In his sermon on baptism, he says, “I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; … wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love” (Moroni 8:17). In his personal letter to Moroni, he laments that their people “have lost their love, one towards another” (Moroni 9:5), and he expresses his own heartfelt hopes for his son: “May Christ lift thee up, … and may the grace of God the Father, … and our Lord Jesus Christ, … be, and abide with you forever” (Moroni 9:22, 25-26)
As we study Mormon’s words this week in the book of Moroni, let’s remember this deep love between a father and his son and strive to emulate that love in our own relationships.
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these chapters:
Outline
Key Themes
- The gospel is not just about condemning evil. It is mostly about identifying and embracing good.
- Charity never faileth, so we can have confidence God’s enduring love and we can emulate that love by not giving up on others.
- It’s important for parents to be mindful of their children.
- Different people respond to different teaching approaches, so teachers need to keep adapting until they find approaches that work.
- Jesus Christ can lift us up, even when we are in terrible circumstances.
Connections
- In a letter to church members in Corinth, he speaks poetically about the Christlike attribute of charity. (See 1 Corinthians 13.) Mormon uses nearly identical language as he teaches about charity in Moroni 7:45-48.
- In John’s first epistle, he teaches, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). Mormon makes the same assertion in his epistle on baptism. (See Moroni 8:16.)
Applications
- Be grateful for your responsibilities.
- When you pray, ask questions. Don’t just make requests.
- Let go of activities that are no longer useful. Don’t put your trust in “dead works.”
- Don’t lose your ability to feel. Eliminate noise, find a quiet place, and focus on becoming more attuned to your emotions.
Recommended Posts
- What Is the Ministering of Angels?
- What Does It Mean to Believe, Hope, and Endure All Things?
- What Does It Mean to “See Him as He Is?”
- What Is the Significance of the Phrase “a Tabernacle of Clay?”
Blog Posts: December 10-15
Doing Good and Being Good
Mormon said we can’t do good without being good. Specifically, he said that we have to do good with real intent. Why? Because insincere good works do not change us. As we wholeheartedly offer gifts and prayers, God transforms us, helping us become good.
How Do Angels Minister to Us?
Angels provide correction. They help God fulfill His covenants with us. And they strengthen our faith by declaring the words of Christ. Angels always have and always will minister to us, and we emulate them as we minister to one another.
“I Judge Better Things of You”
After telling his listeners that a lack of miracles implies a lack of faith, Mormon adds, “I judge better things of you.” God can help us see the good in others. We will be judged as we judge, so why wouldn’t we look for the best in the people around us?
Meek and Lowly
Jesus urged us to be “meek and lowly in heart.” Alma and Mormon also echoed this admonition. When we focus on doing good instead of looking good, we free up time and energy, increasing our capacity to do God’s work and receive gifts from Him.
His Holy Child
There’s something powerful about remembering Jesus as a baby, particularly in light of Mormon’s statement that “little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin.” This Christmas season, we can remember the Savior’s childlike holiness.
Without Principle
Moroni described his people as being “without principle.” An unprincipled person is governed by passion instead of reason, and is therefore difficult to teach or lead. True joy comes only when we discipline ourselves to live according to true principles.
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