Moroni 10
Moroni’s Final Exhortations and Farewell
Moroni 10:1–2
1 Now I, Moroni, write somewhat as seemeth me good; and I write unto my brethren, the Lamanites; and I would that they should know that more than four hundred and twenty years have passed away since the sign was given of the coming of Christ.
2 And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.
Comments
The last time Moroni gave us a date was in Mormon 8:6, when it was four hundred years since the coming of Christ. At that time, he had said, “I have not friends or whither to do; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not” (Mormon 8:5).
Now, twenty years later, Moroni is sure of the fact that it is time to “seal up these records.” Only at the very end of the record do we see that perhaps Moroni is nearing the end of his days (see verse 34 in this chapter).
After twenty years of being surprised that he was still alive and adding more text to his father’s book, the time has come to close it. While it is still his father’s book, he has cared for it for longer than it was in Mormon’s care (based on reconstruction of events). Mormon ended his work with a plea to future Lamanites (Mormon 7), and Moroni fittingly does the same.
Ask God
Moroni 10:3–7
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.
7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.
Comments
Verses 4 and 5 are clearly the ones that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have heard most often, but they are part of this longer thought. The connection, in the beginning, is the “I would exhort you,” which we see in both verses 3 and 4. While we are exhorted to ask “if these things are not true,” we are also asked to remember “how merciful the Lord hat been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things.”
Verse 3 sets the context for the asking in verse 4. The Lord has done prodigious works among his children, and Moroni exhorts us to see the Book of Mormon in that light, as yet another demonstration of the love of God for his children on earth.
Verse 5 invokes the Holy Ghost to know truth, and verse 6 reminds us that “nothing that is good denieth the Christ.” Moroni intentionally references his father’s sermon which Moroni included in Moroni 7 (verses 19–25). Finally, verse 7 declares that understanding the message of the Book of Mormon is equivalent to understanding that Jesus is the Christ.
Some have questioned the phrase “if these things are not true” as an awkward way to ask for truth. This is simply a different way of saying the same thing as “Ask if these things are true.” However, the “not” seems to act as an intensifier, suggesting of course they are true. It is like asking: “Is it not so?” That short interrogatory sentence is another example of this use of “not”; it really doesn’t mean a negation.
Deny Not the Gifts of God
Moroni 10:8
8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.
Comments
Moroni will enter a section that discusses the gifts of God, a discussion that clearly follows the lead of 1 Corinthians 12:4–10. In 1 Corinthians, they are gifts of the Spirit, while here they are the gifts of God. There is nothing theologically different between which personage of the Godhead is referenced.
These gifts have been discussed often in the Book of Mormon, though not always following 1 Corinthians as closely as Moroni 10:8–17 does. We see them recognizably in Omni 1:25; Alma 9:21; 3 Nephi 29:6; and Mormon 9:7.
Moroni 10:9–10
9 For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom;
10 And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
Comments
The verification that there is no significant difference between the gifts of God stated in Moroni 10:8–17 comes in verse 9, where it is declared that the gifts are given by the Spirit.
These may, or may not, have been intended to work in sets of two, but it seems profitable to examine them as if that was the intention.
In this case, the first two gifts deal with teaching. The first is to teach the “word of wisdom,” and the second to “teach the word of knowledge.” The repetition of “word of” verifies that we should not be sidetracked by the similarity in words to the Word of Wisdom. That is entirely different, and not intended here.
In this case, the two phrases are parallel expressions that there is a gift to teach. The gift, however, is not to teach mathematics or economics, but the things of God; hence, wisdom. In that parallel context, the knowledge is similarly knowledge of Godly things.
Moroni 10:11
11 And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Comments
The parallels are created by the repeated phrase “and to another.” The shortness of these two phrases had them placed in the same sentence, even though they are two separate gifts.
These gifts parallel “great faith,” and “gifts of healing.” Acts 14:8–9 speaks of a cripple: “The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith the be healed.” Faith and healing are linked, and certainly “great faith” could include the faith to heal, or to be healed. Faith operates for both the giver and the recipient.
Moroni 10:12–14
12 And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles;
13 And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things;
14 And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits;
Comments
These three verses go together, rather than just verses 12 and 13. Nevertheless, they all cover the same concepts. The three gifts mentioned deal with the connections between the heavens and the heart. Miracles come from God, and Moroni has used the connection between a constant God and miracles to demonstrate that miracles continue if God continues (Mormon 9:15).
Through the gift of prophecy, the understanding of the heavens is delivered to one on earth.
The beholding, and the ministration of angels, are similarly blessings from heaven to one on earth. There is no indication that there is a particular person to whom these blessings come. While there is a single prophet for the whole of the church, all have the opportunity to have the gift of prophecy for their own sphere of responsibility. Similarly, there is no indication that it takes some special person to receive angels, only that the gift can be given (upon worthiness, certainly).
Moroni 10:15–16
15 And again, to another, all kinds of tongues;
16 And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues.
Comments
“All kinds of tongues” and “divers kinds of tongues” are really the same statement with a different word that conveys the meaning of “several.” In the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there was a greater emphasis on the tradition of speaking in tongues, a practice which has faded. The modern meaning relies on the phrase “the interpretation of languages.” Rather than as a sign of God’s communication, the modern gift of tongues is a gift of understanding, or communicating with, each other.
Moroni 10:17–19
17 And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.
18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.
19 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men.
Comments
With the missionary emphasis on Moroni 10:4–5, it might be excused if we think that Moroni was writing so that people would believe in the Book of Mormon. There is certainly an element of that, but Moroni understood the Book of Mormon as a book. We are not to believe in the book, but rather in the theme of the book, which is to testify of Christ. Why did Moroni depart from the exhortation of seeing if “these things are not true” and then turn to discussion of the gifts of the Spirit? In fact, he didn’t change course at all.
When Moroni exhorts us to ask God if “these things are not true,” Moroni was speaking of the things of Christ. He did not intend that verse to be as exclusively applied as our missionary efforts make it. Therefore, right after he exhorts us to ask, he declares that “whatsoever thing is good is just and true, wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is” (see verse 6 of this chapter).
Right after speaking of the good that comes from Christ, Moroni speaks of some of the good things that come from Christ, the gifts of the Spirit. Thus, verse 18 confirms that “I would exhort you . . . that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.”
Moroni’s message to future generations is contained in the Book of Mormon, but the message reflects the purpose of the book, not simply the existence of the book.
The Need for Faith
Moroni 10:20–23
20 Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.
21 And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope.
22 And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.
23 And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.
Comments
Moroni’s love for, and understanding of, the principles of faith, hope, and charity, is demonstrated in the long explanation his father gave in the sermon that Moroni included as Moroni 7. These verses restate that understanding without any further explanation. The emphasis here is to point to the end of our earthly existence, to being saved in the kingdom of God. Since Moroni is clearly writing to the future, it is both the temporal and spiritual future that hold his interest.
Moroni exhorts his future readers to have faith, and to have hope in the correct goal. That is the type of faith which changes us, and can exalt us.
Moroni 10:24–26
24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief.
25 And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God.
26 And wo unto them who shall do these things away and die, for they die in their sins, and they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God; and I speak it according to the words of Christ; and I lie not.
Comments
As Moroni approaches the end of his task, he turns not only to his brethren, the Lamanites, but also to “all the ends of the earth.” Moroni has declared that God is constant, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. If we are therefore constant in our faith in God and Christ, then the blessings and the gifts can be ours.
However, if there should come a “day . . . that the power and gifts of God shall be done away,” it will be “because of unbelief.” It will not be God who leaves us, but we who leave God.
Moroni’s declaration in verse 25, that “if this be the case. . . there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one.” That seems like a harsh assessment. However, it follows logically according to both Book of Mormon precedent and the way Moroni has built his argument. In the Book of Mormon there are two opposing poles: God and Satan. There is nothing between. Therefore, if believing in Christ leads to laying hold upon all good things (see Moroni 7:19–25), not believing in Christ leads to the opposite. If all good comes from Christ, not believing in Christ leaves only the opposite possibility. Therefore, Moroni declares, “if [that] be the case, . . . there shall be none that doeth good among you.” It is almost a definition for Moroni’s use of the concept of laying hold upon all good things.
Moroni 10:27–29
27 And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust?
28 I declare these things unto the fulfilling of the prophecies. And behold, they shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the everlasting God; and his word shall hiss forth from generation to generation.
29 And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true.
Comments
Even though we have powerful words from Moroni, he nevertheless wrote often in insecurity. He worried that men would mock his words. He makes certain that any mistakes be accounted to men and not to God. It is under that concern that Moroni writes in verses 27–29.
Perhaps there will be some who will not believe what he has written. Therefore, he provides the final proof of the truth of what he has written. There will be a time when both Moroni and future readers will stand before God. At that time, it will be impossible to deny, for God himself “shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true.”
Come unto Christ
Moroni 10:30–31
30 And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.
31 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.
Comments
In verses 27–29 of this chapter, Moroni had indicated that there will come a time when God himself would testify that Moroni wrote the truth. In the meantime, Moroni returns the voice of God through prophets to establish his words.
He refers to his father’s sermon in Moroni 7 with the repetition of the command to “lay hold upon every good gift.”
The language of “touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing” borrows, and expands on, language from 2 Corinthians 6:17, where it was only “Touch not the unclean thing.”
Verse 31 echoes the language of Isaiah 52:1–2, although this particular version is more closely aligned with the translation as it appears in 2 Nephi 8:24–25.
Moroni 10:32–34
32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Yahweh, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.
Comments
We do not know when in Moroni’s life he wrote the Title Page of the Book of Mormon. It was certainly after he had edited Ether. Although there is no indication that it was written after Moroni 10, it would seem a fitting ending. Moroni, chapter 10, is Moroni’s personal testimony to future generations, and the Title Page gives the Book of Mormon’s orientation to them.
Regardless of the timing of the Title Page, this is Moroni’s final testimony. It is not a testimony of the book, but a testimony of Christ. His exhortation is not focused on believing the book, per se, but on believing the purpose of the book: to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.”
Verse 34 indicates that Moroni is finally arriving at a time when he can see the end of his days. Therefore, he can write no more. Therefore, it is time to seal up his work and commit it to the future.
As he noted in verses 27–29 of this chapter, there will come a time when Moroni will stand with God to meet us and discharge his final task as witness to the Book of Mormon, and to Christ.
