Book of Mormon Feast
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
A Library Tour through Moroni 1-7
Moroni 1
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.
2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.
3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.
4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; 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.
Moroni 2
1 The words of Christ, which he spake unto his disciples, the twelve whom he had
chosen, as he laid his hands upon them -
2 And he called them by name, saying: Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles.
3 Now Christ spake these words unto them at the time of his first appearing; and the multitude heard it not, but the disciples heard it; and on as many as they laid their hands, fell the Holy Ghost.
Moroni 3
1 The manner which the disciples, who were called the elders of the church, ordained
priests and teachers -
2 After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said:
3 In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest, (or, if he be a teacher) I ordain you to be a teacher, to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen.
4 And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them.
Moroni 4
1 The manner of their elders and priests administering the flesh and blood of Christ
unto the church; and they administered it according to the commandments of Christ;
wherefore we know the manner to be true; and the elder or priest did minister it
-
2 And they did kneel down with the church, and pray to the Father in the name of Christ, saying:
3 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Moroni 5
1 The manner of administering the wine -
2 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Moroni 6
1 And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.
2 Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins.
3 And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.
4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.
6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.
7 And they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them; and whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the elders, and if they repented not, and confessed not, their names were blotted out, and they were not numbered among the people of Christ.
8 But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven.
9 And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.
Moroni 7
1 And now I, Moroni, write a few of the words of my father Mormon, which he spake concerning faith, hope, and charity; for after this manner did he speak unto the people, as he taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship.
2 And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time.
3 Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven.
4 And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men.
5 For I remember the word of God, which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.
The Holy Qur’an – Another Testament of Restored Truth
by Jonathan K. Crockett
Quoted from the book:
XLVII:01 Those who reject Allah and hinder men from the Path of Allah, -
XLVII:16 And among them are men who listen to thee, till when they go out from thee, they say to those who have received Knowledge, “What is it he said just then?” Such are men whose hearts Allah has sealed, and who follow their own lusts.
XLVII:17 But to those who receive guidance, He increases their Guidance, and bestows on them their Piety and Restraint from evil.
To only listen or read the words of the prophet and not understand them is an exercise in futility. The verses of the Qur’an are given to mankind to increase knowledge, understanding and wisdom, and to give Guidance. It therefore becomes necessary to understand the meanings, and not just read or listen to the verses. Only in this way can we truly receive guidance, understanding, knowledge and wisdom pertaining to the things that the Lord would have us do and his Signs.
Verse 16 makes it perfectly clear that those who listen to the words, but who are not prepared, will not understand them. The words will not stay with them. This is not unlike the reason that Christ taught in parables. The words can be understood at different meanings on different levels according to the understanding and wisdom of the person listening to the teachings. It is the same for all scripture and all Signs.
XLVII:20 Those who believe say, “Why is not a Sura sent down for us?” But when
a Sura of decisive meaning is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou wilt
see those in whose hearts is a desease looking at thee with a look of one in swoon
at the approach of death. But more fitting for them -
XLVII:21 Were it to obey and say what is just, and when a matter is resolved on, it were best for them if they were true to Allah.
As with many verses which mention the Lord sending down another Sura other than that which the people receive in the Qur’an, verse 21 must be read in context. Although many could argue in the various instances that the verses of other Suras are referring to Muhammad receiving yet another Sura to add to the Qur’an, in context most of the verses are challenges for others to bring forth other Books equal to that of the Qur’an or the verses direct questions as to when the other scriptures, of which the Qur’an prophesies, are to come forth.
However, verse 21 is different. It is a question put forth by the believers for whom Muhammad is receiving the revelations and having them written down. “Those hwo believe say, “why is not a sura sent down for us?” They are referring to a Book distinct from those htings being given to Muhammad, in that those thing Muhammad wrote was for them.
Muhammad is told: “But when a Sura of decisive meaning is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou wilt see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with a look of one in swoon at the approach of death.” When the Book does come down to them it will be a Book of decisive meaning, clarifying the meanings of things they did not understand.
It will have “fighting. . . mentioned therein.” One could say that the many Suras of the Qur’an have fighting mentioned in them. This is true and therefore confirms that the Qur’an is not the Book referred to here, because the previous revelations given in the Qur’an, concerning fighting, would not be a surprise to the believers who had already heard or read them. The Book of Mormon, on the other hand, relates all of the wars and contentions of its peoples. The Book of Mormon would, indeed, be a surprise to the Believers and followers of Muhammad.
The revelations given in the Book of Mormon and the fact that another Book/Sura comes to them would cause the followers of Islam to have the “look of one in swoon at the approach of death.” The unbelievers in whose hearts there is a disease could not accept it without accepting that a restoration was necessary. They would have to accept the new Book, another prophet, the other people and the restoration as prophesied in the Qur’an, and they will not believe in it.
“But more fitting for them – Were it to obey and say what is just, and when a matter is resolved on, it were best for them if they were true to Allah.” It is truly more fitting to obey and accept the revelations Allah/God has sent and say what is just about them once the matter is resolved, once the Book comes to them. The believers will accept it.
XLVII:22 Then, it is to be expected of you, if ye were put in authority, that ye will do mischief in the land, and break your ties of kith and kin?
XLVII:23 Such are the men whom Allah has cursed, for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.
XLVII:24 Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur’an or is that there are locks upon their hearts.
XLVII:25 Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them – Satan has instigated them and buoyed them up with false hopes.
XLVII:26 This, because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed, “We will obey you in part of this matter;” but Allah knows their inner secrets.
Those who do not accept the other Book/Sura and who do not accept all of the Revelations in the Qur’an will, “if. . . put in authority,” “do mischief in the land. . . Such are the Men whom Allah has cursed, for He has made them Deaf and blinded in their sight. “They” do not “earnestly seek to understand the Qur’an” or there are locks upon their hearts. If they turn back from the teachings of the Qur’an and the guidance it brings, then they are apostate. “This, because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed, “We will obey you in part of this matter. . . “ They only accept parts of what is revealed. They do not believe nor accept all that is revealed.
XLVII:29 Or do those in whose hearts is a disease, think that Allah will not bring to light all their rancor?
XLVII:30 Had We so willed, We could have shown them up to thee, and thou shouldst have known them by their marks; but surely thou wilt know them by the tone of their speech! And Allah knows all that ye do.
XLVII:31 And We shall try you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in patience; and We shall try your reported mettle.
XLVII:32 Those who disbelieve, hinder men from the Path of Allah, and resist the Messenger, after Guidance has been clearly shown to them, will not harm Allah in the least, but He will make their deeds of no effect.
XLVII:33 O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and make not vain your deeds!
Verse 31 says that God will try and test those among the believers “who strive in their utmost to persevere in patience. . . “”Do those in whose hearts is a disease think that Allah will not bring to light all their rancor?”
“Those in whole hearts is a disease” refers to verses 20-
If God had so willed He could have made these leaders known by marks, but those believers whill “know them by the tone of their speech,” the things they say. They will hinder men from the Path. They will not believe in all that has been revealed but only part of it. They will be rancorous. These are the Signs to the people that those of authority among them are of the unbelievers. This can be seen in all of the messengers’ teachings and is best summed up by both the words of Moroni and the Words of the Lord. “For I remember the word of God, which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.” Moroni 7:5
“And by their desires and their works you shall know them.” D&C 18:38
If a person of authority teaches war, hatred and vengeance and not persistence in faith, forgiveness, tolerance, then that person does not teach nor believe in all that was revealed to Muhammad. If a person of authority does not believe in Jesus Christ, other prophets, other scriptures, another people, and a restoration, then he does not believe the whole of the Qur’an.
It is important for those who believe to obey Allah/God and obey the Messenger and what he has revealed, otherwise their deeds are in vain.
XLVII:38 Behold, ye are those invited to spend of your substance in the Way of Allah; but among you are some that are niggardly. But any who are niggardly are so at the expense of their own souls. But Allah is free of all wants, and it is ye that are needy. If ye turn back from the Path, He will substitute in your stead another people, then they would not be like you!
After relating the previous apostasies and destruction of people who had gone before in verses 10 and 13 as one Sign, and noting the importance of having a prophet to reveal and restore truth, the prophecies and teachings of another Book are set forth to the believers as another Sign. In the same verses, the people are warned of those to whom is granted authority over them who would not be True Believers, and would not accept all that Muhammad revealed, showing forth the beginning of apostasy among the believers of Islam. Several keys are given, being: that those people would not accept all of the teachings, they would be rancorous and reject the Book which was to come. Lastly, in verse 38, the warning is given again that once they turned back from the path, the Lord would substitute in their stead another people. This in and of itself, alludes to the calling of another prophet to lead, guide, and restore lost Truths.
6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.
8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.
10 Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift.
11 For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil.
12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.
19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.
20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?
21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.
22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.
The Book of Mormon Miracle: 25 Reasons to Believe, by Randal A. Wright. Chapter 8 – The Power of the Word
Dr. Wright presents a handful of the many moving speeches in the Book of Mormon,
comparing them with great speeches of our day, which have moved people to action
and belief. From Nephi’s “Believe in Christ” to Mormon’s “The Way to Judge,” the
Book of Mormon discourses changed the lives of people then, and affect all who read
and believe and follow those words today.
23 And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come.
24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them.
25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.
26 And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as sure as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.
27 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?
28 For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.
29 And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.
30 For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.
31 And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfill and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him.
32 And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men.
33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.
34 And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.
35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?
36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.
38 For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.
39 But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in him then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church.
40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?
41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.
43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart.
44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity
never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for
all things must fail -
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.