According to Moroni, he is the only one who accepts Christ.
The rest of the people have turned away. He does mention the three Nephites. He
tells us the Lord would not allow them to remain with the wicked Nephites. He
has no idea where they could be found.
He does testify both he and his father, Mormon, have seen
the three and they ministered to them.
Joseph Smith called the Book of Mormon the most correct
book. Critics of the Church twist these words and claim he said the Book of
Mormon was perfect. These claims are made either by people who know nothing
about the Book of Mormon or those who intentionally ignore the words of the
Book of Mormon. In verse 12, Moroni counsels us to “not condemn it because of
the imperfections which are in it…” There are other references to the
imperfections in the Book of Mormon.
During the Savior’s ministry, He taught His disciples much,
but He told them, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear
them now” (John 16:12).
And, Mormon also informed the reader his abridgement was not
a complete record.
“And now there cannot be written in this book even a
hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people;
“But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of
the things which he taught the people.
“And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of
the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent
that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according
to the words which Jesus hath spoken.
“And when they shall have received this, which is expedient
that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that
they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest
unto them.
“And if it so be that they will not believe these things,
then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.
“Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven
upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith
of my people” (3 Nephi 26:6-11).
“Although the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the
gospel in the scriptural sense of that phrase, it does not contain nor purport
to contain all revealed knowledge. In addition to teaching the gospel message
and the associated “great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8) in plainness and
clarity, Book of Mormon prophets invite us to look forward to additional
precepts, teaching, truths, and even scriptures to be revealed in the Lord’s
due time, “line upon line,” through God’s prophets by means of the Holy Ghost
(see 2 Nephi 27:10—11; 28:29—30; 29:8—14; 30:17—18; 3 Nephi 26:6—11; Mormon
8:12; Ether 4:13—16).”[1]
Moroni ceases to speak about his people. Mormon told us he
was a pure descendant of Lehi…” (3 Nephi 5:20). Moroni adds to his father’s
words, telling us they were a descendant of Nephi.
Moroni tells us he is the one who will hide the plates. In
Ether, he tells us, “And now, after that, they have all dwindled in unbelief;
and there is none save it be the Lamanites, and they have rejected the gospel
of Christ; therefore I am commanded that I should hide them up again in the
earth” (Ether 4:3).
The plates, we are told, will not be used by anyone for
monetary gain. Joseph Smith tells us he did not get the plates from Moroni
during his first visit. “I made an attempt to take them out, but was forbidden
by the messenger, and was again informed that the time for bringing them forth
had not yet arrived, neither would it, until four years from that time; but he
told me that I should come to that place precisely in one year from that time,
and that he would there meet with me, and that I should continue to do so until
the time should come for obtaining the plates” (Joseph Smith – History 1:53).
The worth of the plates is how they will bring us to the
Lord and receive his blessings.
The only power one will have over the plates will be given
to him from God. The work must “be done with an eye single to his glory”
(Mormon 8:15).
He (Joseph Smith) that translates this work will be blessed.
It will lead us out of darkness and into the light. “We are able to feel the
power of this light imagery, and we can join with Moroni in expressing through
language about light our gratitude for the Book of Mormon and the Lord’s
prophet who gave it to us.
‘Blessed be he that shall bring
this thing to light;
for it shall be brought out of
darkness unto light,
according to the
word of God;
yea, it shall be brought out of the
earth,
and it shall shine forth out of
darkness,
and come unto the
knowledge of the people
and it shall be done by the power
of God’
(Mormon 8:16).”[2]
[1] The Book of Mormon
Contains the “Fulness of the Gospel,” Maxwell Institute website.
[2] Book
of Mormon Imagery, Richard Dilworth Rust, Maxwell Institute website.
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