Moroni again emphasizes any faults in the record are the faults
of man. “Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates save it be that I
think it be sacred. And now, if I do err, even did they err of old; not that I
would excuse myself because of other men, but because of the weakness which is
in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself” (1 Nephi 19:6).
“And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these
things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us 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” (Ether 12:23).
He warns those that condemn the Lord’s work will suffer hell
fire. “Wo unto him that spurneth at the doings of the Lord; yea, wo unto him
that shall deny the Christ and his works” (3 Nephi 29:5).
“And he that will contend against the word of the Lord, let
him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, let him be accursed; for
unto them will I show no greater things, saith Jesus Christ; for I am he who
speaketh” (Ether 4:8).
“Some Latter-day Saint critics who deny the historicity of
the Book of Mormon seek to make their proposed approach persuasive to
Latter-day Saints by praising or affirming the value of some of the contents of
the book. Those who take this approach assume the significant burden of
explaining how they can praise the contents of a book they have dismissed as a
fable. I have never been able to understand the similar approach in reference
to the divinity of the Savior. As we know, some scholars and some ministers
proclaim him to be a great teacher and then have to explain how the one who
gave such sublime teachings could proclaim himself (falsely they say) to be the
Son of God who would be resurrected from the dead.”[1]
To those who demand to be shown these things, they will do
that which the Lord has forbidden.
Those who judge rashly will receive wages according to his
works. “Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that
which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil”
(Moroni 7:14). He who was smitten by the Lord will be smitten once more.
“And [Moroni’s] word to us is, ‘Therefore, he that smiteth
shall be smitten again, of the Lord. Behold what the scripture says—man shall
not smite, neither shall he judge’ (Mormon 8:19—20). That is the lesson of
Cumorah: The calamities of the Nephites are due to their own wickedness. ‘It
was their quarrelings, and . . . contentions, . . . murderings, . . .
plunderings, . . . idolatry, whoredoms, . . . abominations . . . which brought
upon them their wars and their destructions’ (Alma 50:21).”[2]
“By precept as well as example the book keeps hammering away
at the great lesson summed up by Mormon and Moroni as they look back over the
course of Nephite history before closing and sealing the record and sorrowfully
asking: ‘Where did we go wrong?’ Hear the magnificent words of Mormon ‘For
behold, the same that judgeth rashly shall be judged rashly again; for
according to his works shall his wages be; therefore, he that smiteth shall be
smitten again, of the Lord. Behold what the scripture says—man shall not smite,
neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is
mine also, and I will repay’ (Mormon 8:19—20). ‘See that ye do not judge
wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged’
(Moroni 7:18).”[3]
Whomever is angry with the Lord’s work will face His wrath. “A
man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou
must do it again” (Proverbs 19:19).
Those who think they will stop the Lord’s work “is in danger
to be hewn down and cast into the fire” (Mormon 8:21).
“And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out
upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the
earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father
shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which
he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel” (1 Nephi 14:17).
“Moroni also refers to the Lord’s covenant people (see
Mormon 8:15, 21) and his covenant promises with them (see Mormon 8:21, 23; and
9:37). He even addresses Israel concerning her covenants as he writes his
abridgment of the Jaredite history (see Ether 4:15; 13:11). He also reminds his
readers that the Father’s covenants are an essential element in the gospel
principles of faith and repentance (see Moroni 7:31—32).”[4]
The Lord’s purposes will roll on, despite the best efforts
of man to stop it. “Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is
frustrated, but the work of men” (D&C 3:3).
[1] The
Historicity of the Book of Mormon, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Maxwell Institute
website.
[2] Prophetic
Book of Mormon, Chapter 22: Last Call: An Apocalyptic Warning from the Book of
Mormon, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute website.
[3] Since
Cumorah, Chapter 12: Good People and Bad People, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell
Institute website.
[4] Covenant
Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Victor L. Ludlow, Maxwell Institute
website.
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