Mormon 8
Moroni Completes Mormon’s Record
Mormon 8:1
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.
Comments
At some point after Mormon finished writing the last chapter, he gave the plates containing the Book of Mormon to Moroni. Mormon had finished what he had intended to write, which covered from the time of Lehi1 to his final words to future descendants of the New World house of Israel after the destruction of the Nephite nation at Cumorah. At this point, the Book of Mormon did not include the book of Ether, and certainly not the book of Moroni. It would have included the small plates, probably as an appended record.
Moroni indicates that his father did command that he write a few things, and so we have Moroni’s voice at the end of Mormon’s personal book. In the 1830 edition, our two chapters containing Moroni’s words were a single chapter.
Mormon 8:2–3
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.
Comments
Moroni gives us information about the aftermath of the battle at Cumorah. There were twenty-four survivors. Those survivors went “into the country southward.” That is an interesting direction since it sent them into Lamanite territory. It put them in the middle of the Lamanites who were hunting them. Nevertheless, they headed south. In a Mesoamerican setting, that would be logical only for the language. It would be easier to survive if they could at least speak the language. In an era long before photographs or painted portraits, there would be few who could recognize them upon sight, and those should have been kin and therefore, somewhat protective for them.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t sufficient, and Mormon was discovered and killed. Moroni doesn’t tell us how long after Cumorah this took place, but it was at least months and probably years. It would take some time for Moroni to receive the news of his father’s death, regardless of when it occurred. In verse 6, Moroni declares that four hundred years have passed since Christ’s birth, and that tells us that he is writing some sixteen years after the destruction at Cumorah.
What we see at the beginning of this chapter is a very lonely and psychologically wounded Moroni. He expects that he too might be killed soon, and so he writes the specific commands that his father gave him so that he would be able to finish his father’s great work.
Mormon 8:4–6
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.
6 Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior.
Comments
When the Nephite archive was threatened by changing political conditions, Ammaron had hidden the archive in a hill, called Shim. Mormon had retrieved that entire archive from the hill Shim, but then found himself at Cumorah and the whole archive was threatened again, so he buried them in a hill at Cumorah, save a few plates which he gave to Moroni. Now Moroni, carrying with him the records that would be given to Joseph Smith, declared that he too would preserve them by burying them “in the earth.” (Joseph obtained them from Hill Cumorah.)
At this point, Moroni has spent sixteen years avoiding those who were hunting him. He doesn’t tell us the direction he traveled, but if the others had gone south, we may expect that Moroni did not stay at Cumorah either. Given the location where his record was taken from the earth (at Cumorah), it appears that he may have gone north. Depending upon when he heard that his father had been killed, which seems to suggest that he had not left the lands where he could receive that information, he still had perhaps years to travel north before deciding that the end was coming.
Moroni says “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.” The “intent thereof” was to declare that Jesus was the Christ through the medium of the Nephite story. Moroni certainly could more succinctly state that fact, but he did not have the room to write yet another work of the size of what his father had done.
Mormon 8:7–9
7 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.
8 And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war.
9 And now, behold, I say no more concerning them, for there are none save it be the Lamanites and robbers that do exist upon the face of the land.
Comments
Verse 7 sounds as if there were more than twenty-four survivors. Even though that was the count Mormon gave, it would not be surprising that there were some who claimed to be Nephites who had not participated in the battle but remained in smaller villages that had been passed by. Those were also hunted down, presumably so that they would not hold a grudge and some future day be strong enough to act on it.
Verse 9 tells us that Moroni followed his father’s descriptions of the nature of the people who had destroyed the Nephites. It was not just Lamanites, but Lamanites and Gadianton robbers. At the end, there were only the Lamanites (the traditional southern enemies) and the Gadiantons (the more recent northern enemies).
Mormon 8:10–11
10 And there are none that do know the true God save it be the disciples of Jesus, who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth.
11 But behold, my father and I have seen them, and they have ministered unto us.
Comments
The Nephites were gone. The only ones who remained (besides Moroni) who believed in the Nephite God were the Three Nephites. Moroni declares that he knows this from personal experience with them. Although Moroni says nothing of his interaction with them, we can surmise that they would have had some role in helping to preserve Moroni and the important record he bore.
Mormon 8:12–14
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.
13 Behold, I make an end of speaking concerning this people. I am the son of Mormon, and my father was a descendant of Nephi.
14 And I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord; the plates thereof are of no worth, because of the commandment of the Lord. For he truly saith that no one shall have them to get gain; but the record thereof is of great worth; and whoso shall bring it to light, him will the Lord bless.
Comments
As did his father, Moroni addresses the future readers of this record. Interestingly, Moroni’s first thought is to tell those future readers not to condemn it “because of the imperfections which are in it.” That would be an easy phrase to use to suggest that any grammatical or other types of errors are to be excused, but that isn’t what Moroni meant. The imperfections were in being able to convey the message. If the one who receives the book doesn’t condemn it, “the same shall know of greater things than these.” That isn’t a statement that the reader would better understand grammar or spelling, but that they would understand the things of the Lord. In case we missed that point, Moroni declares that he would, “were it possible, . . . make all things known unto you.”
As he concludes his father’s record, he declares who he is. It was important to know the writer, and so he tells us his name and his relation to Mormon. He then declares that “I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord.” This is a final blessing, a sealing of meaning, upon the record with which he has been entrusted.
Mormon 8:15–16
15 For none can have power to bring it to light save it be given him of God; for God wills that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord.
16 And blessed be he that shall bring this thing to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God.
Comments
Moroni has certainly asked to know the future of this record, and, just as surely, it was revealed to him. Much of the liturgical nature of the book of Moroni could be explained as Moroni’s instructions to Joseph on how to establish the Church that would be founded on this book. At this point, he notes that the one to bring it forth will be blessed.
As the last one having responsibility for the record, and begin the one who was to bury it, it is understandable that Moroni would be very curious about who would take it “out of the earth” and bring it to light.
Mormon 8:17–22
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.
20 Behold what the scripture says—man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay.
21 And he that shall breathe out wrath and strifes against the work of the Lord, and against the covenant people of the Lord who are the house of Israel, and shall say: We will destroy the work of the Lord, and the Lord will not remember his covenant which he hath made unto the house of Israel—the same is in danger to be hewn down and cast into the fire;
22 For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled.
Comments
As with the earlier comment about errors in the text, this statement in verse 17 requires that it be read in the context of the explanation about the errors. The errors are “the faults of a man.” However, Moroni states “we know no fault.” Because it is recorded by human hands, it is subject to the best efforts a human could make, and Moroni declares that is exactly what has happened.
Nevertheless, “God knoweth all things,” which means that God knows both the places where there might be faults, but also that the doctrine it teaches is correct. Since that doctrine comes from God, those who condemn the book are inadvertently condemning God.
Verse 18 is a variation on the problem of asking for signs. Moroni expects that the future readers might decide that they need more of a sign than the fact of its existence (and translation). They should be wary of tempting the Lord.
The intent of this set of verses (verses 17–22) is to declare to future readers that this is the work of God and fulfills God’s promises (that the record of the Nephites would come forth).
Mormon 8:23–25
23 Search the prophecies of Isaiah. Behold, I cannot write them. Yea, behold I say unto you, that those saints who have gone before me, who have possessed this land, shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto the Lord; and as the Lord liveth he will remember the covenant which he hath made with them.
24 And he knoweth their prayers, that they were in behalf of their brethren. And he knoweth their faith, for in his name could they remove mountains; and in his name could they cause the earth to shake; and by the power of his word did they cause prisons to tumble to the earth; yea, even the fiery furnace could not harm them, neither wild beasts nor poisonous serpents, because of the power of his word.
25 And behold, their prayers were also in behalf of him that the Lord should suffer to bring these things forth.
Comments
The command to “search the prophecies of Isaiah” is one that is repeated often in the Book of Mormon. Moroni merely commends them, noting that “I cannot write them.” The inability to write them had to be related to the room available on the plates, not Moroni’s abilities. Moroni also knew that much of Isaiah was on the small plates that he knew would be appended to his father’s record. Therefore, there was no need to write them.
Why does Moroni commend Isaiah? Isaiah prophesied of a gathering, and the Book of Mormon had been foretold as one of the precursors to that final gathering. God made a covenant, and God keeps his covenant.
Mormon 8:26–27
26 And no one need say they shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lord hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead.
27 And it shall come in a day when the blood of saints shall cry unto the Lord, because of secret combinations and the works of darkness.
Comments
Moroni has shifted from the coming forth of the Book of Mormon to the final gathering to which it is to be a precursor. Therefore, Moroni turns to events of the last days. These should not be read as happening in the time that the Book of Mormon was published, but rather as events that signal the great ending game that will include the gathering of all Israel.
Moroni declares that those times will come, and before they do there will be problems in the world.
Mormon 8:28–32
28 Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be denied, and churches become defiled and be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of them who belong to their churches.
29 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be heard of fires, and tempests, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands;
30 And there shall also be heard of wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places.
31 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity.
32 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.
Comments
Moroni continues with the events that will precede the final battle between Good and Evil, God and Satan. That final time will come after dark times when God will have been denied, and even churches will turn from their divine purpose and act for themselves and for their own gain.
Condemnation of the Wickedness of the Last Days
Mormon 8:33–35
33 O ye wicked and perverse and stiffnecked people, why have ye built up churches unto yourselves to get gain? Why have ye transfigured the holy word of God, that ye might bring damnation upon your souls? Behold, look ye unto the revelations of God; for behold, the time cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled.
34 Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.
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.
Comments
Moroni has certainly seen a vision of the future. Part of that vision was to see the coming forth of the record he was finishing and committing to the earth. However, he saw more. He saw the picture that perhaps Nephi1 had seen, that spoke of the ending of the reign of man and the coming of the reign of God.
Mormon 8:36–41
36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.
37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.
38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? 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?
39 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?
40 Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads?
41 Behold, the sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer.
Comments
Moroni continues his description of the end times, and his lament for the mistakes of humankind at those last days. Moroni personifies them and asks why they violate the basic gospel principles. Throughout the Nephite record, the wearing of costly apparel has led to social stratification and the neglect of the poor. Moroni sees that it will continue to be a problem in the future (verse 37–39).
This was not the end of a chapter in the 1830 edition.
