Moroni 10:3-7

Moroni challenges the readers of his record, “if it be wisdom in God that [we] them” (Moroni 10:3). He wants us to understand the Lord has been merciful to us from Adam to the time we receive the Book of Mormon records. We are to ponder the Lord’s words as we read them.

“Many church members may not realize that Moroni’s challenge actually begins in the preceding verse: ‘Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would 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 read these things, and ponder it in your hearts’ (Moroni 10:3). The more complete citation suggests that remembering is an essential component of spiritual conversion.”[1]

We come to the two verses that are most likely the most quoted scriptures from the Book of Mormon, Moroni’s challenge.

“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would 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.

“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” (Moroni 10:4-5).

“I am grateful for the gift of the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true! It contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am unaware of anyone who is diligently reading the Book of Mormon each day with pure intent and with faith in Christ who has lost their testimony and fallen away. Moroni’s prophetic promise carries with it the key to know the truth of all things—including having the ability to discern and avoid the deceptions of the adversary.”[2]

“In the last chapters of the Book of Mormon, the volume’s final contributor, Moroni, copies into the text a sermon delivered by his father, Mormon. In the final chapter of the volume, Moroni adds to his father’s sermonic reflections a few of his own, building on the same themes. On my reading, what is sometimes called ‘Moroni’s challenge,’ to come to know God’s mercy through the witness of scripture (found in Moroni 10:3–5), is like the tip of the iceberg of a greater challenge exposited in Mormon’s sermon and Moroni’s further reflections. That challenge is best captured in Mormon’s question addressed to the disciples of Christ in his own day: ‘How is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?’ (Moroni 7:20). It is by this process of laying hold on every good thing, Mormon taught, that Christ’s followers are to enter his rest, both in life and beyond the grave. And this is the challenge that concludes the Book of Mormon for every reader.”[3]

Moroni tells us whatever is good is just and true. Nothing that is good denieth Christ. Rather, they confess He is the son of God.

You will receive a testimony of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost. This is how you will know truth. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalms 19:7).

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona (IE son of Jonah): for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:16-17).

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

Do not deny the power of God. He works according through our faith.

 “And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

“For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

“For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round” (1 Nephi 10:17-19).

“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved” (Moroni 7:36).

God is the same today, tomorrow, and forever.

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[1] Memory and Identity in the Book of Mormon, Steven L. Olsen, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 22/2 (2013): 41.

[2] No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know, Elder K. Brett Nattress, October 2016 General Conference.

[3] Mormon’s Question, Candice Wendt, Maxwell Institute website.