11 Faulconer asked, “As we read scripture, do we see those mercies? As we read of those mercies, do we recognize them as a prototype for what happens in our own lives?” 12 Why is this a helpful precondition? By realizing that God is merciful, a person who asks with real intent has increased confidence that God will answer generously, as he has acted mercifully before. Not only did Moroni provide a sampling of such spiritual gifts and divine manifestations, but he also prefaced his special personal promise by exhorting his readers to “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” ( Moroni 10:3). The abundance of these gifts helps us to “deny not the power of God” and to “deny not the gifts of God” ( Moroni 10:7-8). 10 Those who carefully read the context of Moroni’s promise will more fully understand the wide variety of true spiritual manifestations that are given for our benefit. Others might be seeking a specific type of spiritual manifestation and yet overlook how the Spirit works through “diversities of operations” ( 1 Corinthians 12:6 cf. Some may have already received a witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, but perhaps have not recognized it for what it was. His last sermon provides a key to unlock the spiritual truth of the entire record-a truth that might otherwise be withheld or “sealed up” to individuals because of misunderstanding or unbelief ( Moroni 10:2). What would I say if I had twelve gold pages to say it on? What would I utter as the cumulative wisdom of so many lifetimes?” 8 With these questions in mind, readers should recognize the weighty importance of Moroni’s final exhortations. Steven Walker remarked, “The quality of Moroni’s final section speaks directly to us, and I find myself wondering what I would do in Moroni’s sandals. In all cases, it is faith in Jesus Christ that activates the spiritual witness of truth. Whatever the timing or method, Moroni declared that God only “worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men” ( Moroni 10:7). At one time, a person might receive an answer while on bended knees in solitary prayer, and at another time, may obtain a witness while acting on faith to keep the commandments. Whereas some may experience a powerful burst of spiritual feeling, others might perceive a subtle but consistent stream of subtle impressions. This teaching helps establish that not every person will receive a spiritual confirmation in exactly the same way. Some revelations are received immediately and intensely some are recognized gradually and subtly.” 7 Bednar has taught, “Revelations are conveyed in a variety of ways, including, for example, dreams, visions, conversations with heavenly messengers, and inspiration. If this principle is applied to Moroni’s promise, readers can conclude that they should not confine the expected confirmation of truth to a specific type of spiritual manifestation, but rather should be open to the various ways or gifts through which God communicates inspiration and revelation. 6 He explained “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” ( Moroni 10:8). Perhaps anticipating this crucial question, Moroni’s next two exhortations (in verses 7 and 8) discuss the source of spiritual gifts-the Spirit of Christ-as well as their various manifestations. 5 Some may wonder, though, exactly what type of spiritual manifestation they should expect, after they “read these things” and “remember how merciful the Lord” is ( Moroni 10:3), and then “pursue this course and ask in faith” ( Book of Mormon Introduction). This passage, often referred to as “Moroni’s promise,” prescribes a process for receiving revelation, places conditions and parameters on that process, and then assures that a revelation of truth will ultimately come by the power of the Holy Ghost. Faulconer explained that “Moroni is sealing up his book and sealing his testimony.” This final farewell places a “seal on the entire content of the Book of Mormon, and it gives us implicit directions for how we should approach the rest of the book.” 3Ĭrucial to the organization of this important final sealing are a series of eight exhortations (“I would exhort you”), 4 the most well-known of which is undoubtedly Moroni 10:4: “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.” In his final farewell, 1 Moroni declared, “And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you” ( Moroni 10:2).
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