Moroni

This is the devotional I gave in my Book of Mormon class based on the reading assignment of Moroni 7-10 (NOTE: "moonwalking bear" is referencing this video).


I think that the obvious can be moonwalking bears within itself sometimes.

People always looks for the lessons and morals in the actual words of the scriptures. And I’m not saying that’s bad. No, that’s great! That’s spectacular! I’m not discouraging it in any way. By all means, study the doctrine taught there. But a lot of people tend to overlook the actual stories and the people or characters in them. We can learn a lot from them.

So I wanted to focus on Moroni himself.

Personally, as I read the scriptures, I think about who is writing it and what situations they are in. As I was reading these last few chapters, I began thinking about Moroni. What an amazing man he was!

He had everything taken from him. His family, his possessions, his country, and his freedom. He had to flee and hide for his life from the Lamanites. He writes in Mormon 8:1, “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.” This makes it seem that he thoughts that he would only live for a few days or weeks and would only finish the history with a few comments. Of course, he lives for several more years, constantly being hunted.

I’ve got this fantastic book called DEFENDERS OF FAITH by Douglas J. Bell. It talks about the heros of the Book of Mormon from a modern day soldier’s perspective. It’s a really good book, I highly recommend it. Anyways, there’s a chapter dedicated to Moroni and it talks about how soldiers today are given specific training for if they are separated from their troops, or if they’re captured. Like if an Air Force pilot is shot down over enemy territory, this special training is put into play to evade the enemy until they could be rescued or until they could find their way back to their own forces. (The book goes into more detail).

But think about Moroni’s evasion of the enemy for a moment. He didn’t have anywhere to go. South was the Lamanites, the Gadianton robbers controlled the northern wilderness, and (modern knowledge tells us) the Aztecs controlled the rest of the north. The Aztecs were a rather bloodthirsty people who probably wouldn’t have accepted him.

Mormon 8:3-4, 8-9 gives us some insight into his thoughts, “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 fulfill the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not. Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not... 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. 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.”

Super sad commentary there. See, by reading between the lines, you can see how lost and without purpose he feels. He thinks it is the end.

Have you ever felt lonely? Without friends or someone to care about you? Try multiplying that by like a thousand and then put your life on the line on top of that. That is how Moroni felt.

When he comes back with his own book, he has more energy and confidence than before. (He’s ONE of the few writers in the Book of Mormon who seems to feel a bit inadequate about his writing). Because previously in Mormon 8:12-13 he says, “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. Behold, I make an end of speaking concerning this people. I am the son of Mormon, and my father was a descendant of Nephi.”

At the very beginning of his own book he says (Moroni 1:1-3): “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. 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. And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.”

Even in the middle of his horrible situation, he still held onto his firm faith and testimony. Of course, we all know about his final testimony in chapter 10. He thought himself lacking eloquence before, but chapter 10 is just so straight forward, and beautifully written.

Moroni 10:2-5 says, “And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you. 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. 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. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”

We think our trials are bad? We think finals are hard? Pfft! This guy had it hard. We can learn a lot from his example.