LESSON 42: Moroni and His Writings

PURPOSE To help the children want to choose good over evil so they may be blessed with charity, the pure love of Christ.

I m Trying to Be like Jesus 1. I m trying to be like Jesus; I m following in his ways. I m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say. At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice, But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers, 2. I m trying to love my neighbor; I m learning to serve my friends. I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again. I try to remember the lessons he taught. Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying: Chorus Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, For these are the things Jesus taught. Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938 1980 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.

OUR OPENING PRAYER WILL BE GIVEN BY (Enter Name Here)

Who are the men in this picture? Mormon gave part of the sacred records to his son, Moroni, to protect them from the Lamanites and to have Moroni complete the account.

Let s read Moroni s words in Mormon 8:1 5. 1 NOW I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed a 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 And now it came to pass that after the a great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the b Lamanites, until they were all destroyed. 3 And my father also was killed by them, and I even a remain b 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.

Let s read Moroni s words in Mormon 8:1 5. 4 Therefore I will write and a hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not. 5 Behold, my father hath made a this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the b 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 c how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.

How long was Moroni alone. Hint: Find the year of the final Nephite battle on the bottom of the page in Mormon 6. Subtract that date from the year listed on the botom of the last page of Moroni 10. (421-385 = 36 years.) How long have you ever been alone? Can you imagine what it would be like to be alone for thirty-six years.

Moroni lived through many difficulties to complete the gold plates so they could come to future generations as the Book of Mormon and help us become like Jesus Christ.

In Moroni 1:1 we read: 1 NOW I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed a 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.

LESSON 42: Moroni and His Writings

GO TO THE VIDEO GO TO THE SLIDES DISCUSSION TIME

After Mormon died, Moroni was alone. He finished the records his father had given him.

Moroni knew the gold plates would one day be taken out of the ground.

The words on the gold plates tell about Jesus Christ. They bear testimony and teach people how to live righteously.

The wicked Lamanites killed every Nephite who would not deny Jesus Christ.

Moroni would never deny Jesus Christ. He moved around, hiding from the Lamanites.

Moroni wrote more on the gold plates, especially to the Lamanites of the latter days.

He wrote many important things, including the words of the sacrament prayers.

Moroni wrote that the only people who can be baptized are those willing to repent of their sins and serve Jesus Christ.

Moroni wanted everyone to believe in Jesus Christ and come to know him. He said everything good comes from Christ.

Moroni wrote that if people love God and follow him, they can become perfect.

Moroni knew that after he died he would be resurrected and would live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

DISCUSSION TIME

In addition to finishing the record of the Nephites, Moroni also wrote a brief history of another civilization. Who were those people? (Moroni 1:1.)

How did Moroni feel about Jesus Christ? (Moroni 1:2 3.) How can having a testimony of Jesus Christ help us choose the right?

What did Moroni write about doing good? (Moroni 7:6 8.) Why is it important to do acts of kindness with the right attitude? What are some of the gifts we are commanded to give as members of the Church of Jesus Christ? Service, love, obedience, tithing, fast offerings

What can we do to gain the pure love of Christ? (Moroni 7:48.) charity What blessings are we promised if we have the pure love of Christ?

What did Moroni write about baptizing little children? (Moroni 8:8 10.) What does it mean to be accountable? To be able to recognize good and evil and to be responsible for our choices. At what age are we accountable for our actions? Eight years old; see D&C 68:25, 27.

How do you think the histories of the Nephites and the Jaredites might have been different if they had applied the principles of charity in their lives?

What do you think it would take to write your name on the lid of this metal container. Do you think it would be hard to do or easy? How long do you think it would take you if you had to write all your homework on metal like this?

Imagine how hard it was for the Book of Mormon record keepers, who engraved the words of God on metal plates. We all should be thankful that they took the time they did so we could all benefit from their writings.

In Moroni 7: 16 we read: 16 For behold, the a Spirit of Christ is given to every b man, that he may c 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.

You are playing ball with your friends when a child who does not play well wants to join your team. Your friends tell you if this person plays on your team you will lose the game. You consider telling the child not to play with you. Ask yourself, Does this choice invite me to do good and to believe in Jesus Christ?

You are watching a movie that has an immoral scene that lasts only a few seconds. You feel embarrassed to leave the movie. Ask yourself, Does watching this movie invite me to do good and to believe in Jesus Christ?

You are in a store when the clerk makes a mistake and doesn t charge you the right amount for the item you are buying. You know that the item costs more than what you were charged, but the clerk made the error. Ask yourself, Does paying the wrong price invite me to do good and to believe in Jesus Christ?

Your bishop has asked you to read the Book of Mormon every day. Sometimes scripture words are hard for you to understand. Ask yourself, Does reading the scriptures every day help me to do good and persuade me to believe in Christ?

In Moroni 7:45 we read: 5 And a charity suffereth long, and is b kind, and c envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily d 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. T

The following are descriptions of chairity that we find in Moroni 7:45: Suffereth long: Is patient Kind: Not cruel or mean, loving Envieth not: Is not jealous Not puffed up: Humble, not proud Seeketh not her own: Is unselfish Not easily provoked: Slow to anger, quick to forgive Thinketh no evil: Is trusting, looks for the good Rejoiceth in truth: Is honest Beareth all things: Is obedient Believeth all things: Is faithful Hopeth all things: Is optimistic, trusting Endureth all things: Is patient, persistent

Moroni had the pure love of Christ. The following are some examples of Moroni s charity: Suffereth long: Moroni lived alone for over thirty-six years patiently keeping the records. (Mormon 8:5.) Kind: Moroni prayed for us, and he loved his brethren. (Ether 12:36, 38.) Envieth not: Moroni saw our day and counseled us to not be envious or proud. (Mormon 8:35 37.) Not puffed up: Moroni was humble because of his weakness in writing. (Ether 12:23 25.) Seeketh not her own: Moroni unselfishly worked and prayed for us that we would have a knowledge of Jesus Christ. (Mormon 9:36; Ether 12:41.)

Not easily provoked: Moroni forgave his enemies and worked hard to write things that he hoped would be of worth to them. (Moroni 1:4.) Thinketh no evil: Moroni exhorted us to hold to good and touch not evil. (Moroni 10:30.) Rejoiceth in truth: Moroni was honest. (Moroni 10:27.) Beareth all things: Because Moroni would not deny Jesus Christ, he had to wander alone for his safety. (Moroni 1:2 3.) Believeth all things: Moroni encouraged us to believe in Jesus Christ. (Mormon 9:21.) So great was Moroni s faith that he was able to see Christ face to face. (Ether 12:39.) Hopeth all things: Moroni understood the importance of hope. (Ether 12:32.) Endureth all things: Moroni was faithful to the end. (Moroni 10:34.)

Review the thirteenth article of faith 13 a We believe in being b honest, true, c chaste, d benevolent, virtuous, and in doing e good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul We believe all things, we f hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to g endure all things. If there is anything h virtuous, i lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Testimony I am grateful for Moroni and bear you my testimony of the truth of his writings. I testify that little by little we can each become more like Christ. If we follow the his teachings, we can all stay on that straight and narrow path. Return

OUR CLOSING PRAYER WILL BE GIVEN BY (Enter Name Here)

THE END

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Moroni 1:1 1 NOW I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed a 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. Return

Moroni 1:2 3 2 For behold, their a wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their b hatred they c put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ. 3 And I, Moroni, will not a deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life. Return

Moroni 7:6 8 6 For behold, God hath said a man being a evil cannot do that which is good; for if he b offereth a gift, or c prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real d intent it profiteth him nothing. 7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. Return

Moroni 7:48 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, a 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 b followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall c be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be d purified even as he is pure. Amen. Return

Moroni 8:8 10 8 a Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the b whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little c children are d whole, for they are not capable of committing e sin; wherefore the curse of f Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of g circumcision is done away in me. 9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn a mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children. Return

D&C 68:25, 27 25 And again, inasmuch as a parents have children in Zion, or in any of her b stakes which are organized, that c teach them not to understand the d doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when e eight years old, the f sin be upon the heads of the parents. 27 And their children shall be a baptized for the b remission of their sins when c eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands. Return

Mormon 8:5 5 Behold, my father hath made a this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the b 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 c how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not. Return

Ether 12:36, 38 36 And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles a grace, that they might have charity. 38 And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the a judgment seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my b garments are not spotted with your blood. Return

Mormon 8:35 37 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. 36 And I know that ye do a walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not b lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of c 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 a 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. Return

Ether 12:23 25 23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will a mock at these things, because of our b weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us c mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them; 24 And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the a awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in b writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he c wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them.

Ether 12:23 25 25 Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we a cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our b weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall c mock at our words. Return

Mormon 9:36; Ether 12:41 36 And behold, these things which we have a desired concerning our brethren, yea, even their restoration to the knowledge of Christ, are according to the prayers of all the saints who have dwelt in the land. 41 And now, I would commend you to a seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth b record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen. Return

Moroni 1:4 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 a worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord. Return

Moroni 10:30 30 And again I would exhort you that ye would a come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good b gift, and c touch not the evil gift, nor the d unclean thing. Return

Moroni 10:27 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 a words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one b crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the c dust? Return

Mormon 9:21 21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, a whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this b promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth. Return

Ether 12:39 39 And then shall ye know that I have a seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me b face to face, and that he told me in c plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things; Return

Ether 12:32 32 And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the a mansions of thy Father, in which man might have a more excellent b hope; wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared. Return

Moroni 10:34 34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to a rest in the b paradise of God, until my c spirit and body shall again d reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the e air, to meet you before the f pleasing bar of the great g Jehovah, the Eternal h Judge of both quick and dead. Amen. Return

FACES