Moroni 1-6
Additional reading:
Why the Church - By Elder D. Todd Christofferson
In the Strength of the Lord - Henry B. Eyring
Overview:
a. Moroni 1. Having survived the destruction of the Nephites, Moroni continues his writings. He must remain in hiding because he "will not deny the Christ."
b. Moroni 2–5. Moroni teaches about essential gospel ordinances.
c. Moroni 6. Moroni explains the requirements for Church membership and the need for record keeping and fellowshipping.
Questions to Ponder:
1. Having survived the destruction of the Nephites, Moroni continues his writings.
- What were Moroni's circumstances when he wrote this chapter? (See Moroni 1:1.
- Why would the Lamanites have killed him? (See Moroni 1:2–3.)
- What does this show us about Moroni's faith?
- How can we develop such a firm testimony of Jesus Christ?
- Why did Moroni continue to write? (See Moroni 1:4.)
The Book of Mormon teaches us about the importance of the ordinances of the gospel. However, until the book of Moroni, relatively little is recorded about how ordinances were performed. Moroni increases our understanding of how ordinances were performed in the ancient Church.
- How did the Savior instruct the disciples to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost? (See Moroni 2:2.)
- What were priests and teachers ordained to do? (See Moroni 3:3.)
- How are these responsibilities similar to the duties of priesthood holders today? (See D&C 20:46–59.)
- How can we help Aaronic Priesthood bearers understand and fulfill their assigned duties?
- What covenants do we make through the sacrament? (See Moroni 4:3; 5:2.)
- What are we promised in return?
- How do you feel when you have partaken of the sacrament reverently and worthily?
- Why are chapters 2–5 important for our day?
- How does it strengthen you to see the same ordinances present in different dispensations of the Lord's Church?
- What did Moroni teach about the requirements for baptism? (See Moroni 6:1–3.)
- Moroni taught that after people were baptized and had received the gift of the Holy Ghost, "they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken" (Moroni 6:4).
- Why were their names recorded? (See Moroni 6:4.)
- Who has the responsibility to see that both long-time and new members are "remembered and nourished by the good word of God"?
- President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: "Any convert whose faith grows cold is a tragedy. Any member who falls into inactivity is a matter for serious concern. The Lord left the ninety and nine to find the lost sheep. His concern for the dropout was so serious that He made it the theme of one of His great lessons. We must constantly keep Church officers and the membership aware of the tremendous obligation to fellowship in a very real and warm and wonderful way those who come into the Church as converts, and to reach out with love to those who for one reason or another step into the shadows of inactivity" (in Church News, 8 Apr. 1989, 6).
- President Hinckley also said: "With the ever increasing number of converts, we must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with 'the good word of God' (Moroni 6:4)" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 66; or Ensign, May 1997, 47).
- What can we do to follow President Hinckley's counsel? How have you been blessed by others who have remembered and nourished you?
- Moroni recorded that the Church "did meet together oft" (Moroni 6:5).
- Why? (See Moroni 6:5–6.)
- How are we strengthened when we fast and pray together?
- How do Church meetings give us an opportunity to speak to each other "concerning the welfare of [our] souls"?
- Why is it important that we meet together to partake of the sacrament?
- What did Moroni teach about how Church meetings were conducted? (See Moroni 6:9.)
- What can each of us do to invite the Spirit into our meetings?
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