Day 80: Moroni 9-10

You made it to Day 80!!

Beautiful job sticking with it till the end!! (Anyone reading this at least tried!) If you haven't finished yet, the silver lining is that you now have as many "Make Up Days" as you want! :) I have heard from many of you and am so happy knowing this program helped you read the Book of Mormon all the way through in 2017.

Today's reading begins with Mormon's 2nd epistle to Moroni. Parts of this letter are very hard to read as Mormon details the HORRIFIC state of the Nephites and the suffering of the innocent. "The suffering of our women and our children upon all the face of this land doth exceed everything; yea, tongue cannot tell, neither can it be written." (Mormon 9:19) 

Mormon's graphic descriptions of the depravity of the people are not for children to read. Or me for that matter! No wonder he felt so compelled to combat Satan constantly! "Let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God." (Moroni 9:6) Such a real battle we are in!

Considering the wickedness of EVERYONE around them, don't you wonder how Mormon and Moroni remained so unscathed? How could they be so righteous when everyone else was soooo lame? I think it's because they FEASTED ON SCRIPTURES so much in those caves. :)

Mormon's words to Moroni are sweet: "I recommend thee unto God...my son be faithful in Christ and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weight thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." (Mormon 9:22, 25)

                       
Moroni gave us some powerful parting words before burying the plates: "I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God...come unto Christ and lay hold upon every good gift....awake and arise from the dust...deny yourselves of all ungodliness...love God with all your heart, might, mind and strength...then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God...that ye become holy, without spot." (Moroni 10: 27, 31, 32, 33)

Of course, he paid a few visits to young Joseph before the Book of Mormon was delivered safely into Joseph's hands as planned! And from his hands to ours! What a blessing to have this incredible book of scripture!! Bring on the latter-days and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ!! We are ready and armed with the word! :)
                       
I am so thankful to the prophets and righteous brothers and sisters who sacrificed so much for us to be able to have the Book of Mormon and usher in the last dispensation of the fullness of times!! We are beyond blessed! 

It was a pleasure reading with you and I hope you will join me next year in another group effort to read the Book of Mormon in 80 Days (even if it takes a little longer.) Bless you all and have a Spirit filled holiday season!

 This opening song captures my joy of the gospel, as I hope it does yours!

• 
  Opening Song: "The Spirit of God"
• Begin study session with prayer.
• Scripture Study: Moroni 9-10 (listen)
• Study Guide: (here)

• Video: Discussions on the Book of Mormon Moroni 8-10

• Video: "Moroni Buries the Gold Plates"  

~Moroni's Promise~

Moroni 10:4-5

"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.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

• Video: Elder Richard G. Scott talks about testing Moroni’s promise

• Video: Receiving a Testimony of the Book of Mormon, Part 1 (Moroni 10:4–5). President Boyd K. Packer shares his experiences in gaining a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon

• Video: Receiving a Testimony of the Book of Mormon Part 2

“God expects us to use the Book of Mormon in several ways. We are to read it ourselves—carefully, prayerfully, and ponder as we read, as to whether this book is the work of God or of an unlearned youth. And then when we are finished reading the things in the book, Moroni exhorts us to put them to the test, in these words: “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.” (Moro. 10:4.) I have done as Moroni exhorts, and I can testify to you that this book is from God and so is verily true.” ~President Ezra T. Benson

• Video:"The Promise of the Book of Mormon" 

“It is a covenant we make with God to keep all His commandments and give service as He would give it if He were personally present. Living up to that standard as best we can builds the strength we will need to endure to the end.
Great priesthood trainers have shown me how to build that strength: it is to form a habit of pushing on through the fatigue and fear that might make you think of quitting. The Lord’s great mentors have shown me that spiritual staying power comes from working past the point when others would have taken a rest. I promise you if you do all that you can, God will magnify your strength and your wisdom.” Henry B. Eyring

                                   
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." Moroni 10:32




“At the beginning of most dispensations, a book is given to the newly called prophet. Moses received tablets (see Exodus 31:18). Lehi was given a book to read concerning the destruction of Jerusalem (see 1 Nephi 1:11-14). Ezekiel was given 'a roll of book' (Ezekiel 2:9-10) containing the Lord's message for the house of Judah in his day. John the Revelator on the Isle of Patmos was shown a book with seven seals (see Revelation 5; D&C 77:6) Is it any wonder, then, that the Lord would provide a book containing the fullness as part of the 'restitution of all things'? The Book of Mormon has the power to draw all men and women to Christ. Its references to the Savior's atonement are the clearest on record with regard to its purpose & powers.” --Merrill Bateman

“I know from personal experience, the spiritual power that can flow into your life if you follow this practice [daily scripture study]. You will feel the love of God and a cleansing, purifying regeneration of your spirit. You will experience moments of revelation, when the Spirit whispers to your spirit to be a better father, a better mother, a better son or daughter, a better disciple of Jesus Christ.” ~President Thomas S. Monson

                       

                                                 

Answer these questions again from the beginning of the program and compare your initial answers:
-Do I feel spiritually nourished?
-Do I feel peace and joy on a regular basis?
-Is the Lord first in my life?
-Do I turn to Him for strength before other sources?
-Do I know and love Jesus Christ?
-How do I show my love for Him?
-How does the Lord speak to me?
-Do I meditate daily and "listen" for answers?
-What are my feelings about the Book of Mormon?
-What are my feelings about Jesus Christ and his atonement?

Continue the daily pattern you've established of feasting on the word of God every day. Just as you need physical nourishment each day, you need spiritual nourishment. It is THE SAME. Daily flood your minds with the LIGHT of God's word, "that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you." (D&C 50:25) 

Again, EXCELLENT JOB and have a wonderful year full of POWER, LOVE and the SPIRIT of GOD!! Join me next September for another 80 day challenge! "And now I bid unto all farewell..."

Love and blessings! :)
Heidi

• Write your testimony of Jesus Christ in your journal. 
• Close study session with prayer. 

 

Day 79: Moroni 7-8

Welcome to Day 79...

                             
Moroni came across a powerful sermon his father Mormon had delivered many years earlier and included it in his book - beautiful doctrine about righteousness, real intent, discerning between good and evil and a reminder that miracles are NOT done away!

Mormon helps us understand HOW to "judge." Sometimes we misunderstand the phrase "judge not." The footnote on "judge not" in the Bible says "condemn not." So that means we should not CONDEMN others, however Mormon shows us the way we should JUDGE when it's time to make righteous decisions.

Mormon encourages us to “lay hold upon every good thing." His explanation of the relationship between faith, hope, and charity is empowering. He concludes with a plea for us to pray to the Father with all the energy of heart for the gift of charity, “the pure love of Christ."

He ends his epistle expressing concern about the Nephites’ wickedness and their impending destruction. Poor Mormon and Moroni. They had to live to see it all fall apart. What incredible examples of enduring well despite trial, adversity, loneliness and trauma.

Mormon finds a way to focus on sweet blessings and remind us of our destiny: "And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God." Moroni 8:26

Our reading today will invite The Comforter and fill our hearts with the "pure love of Christ!" 

• Opening Song "Greater Miracles"

• Begin Study Session with Prayer
• Scripture Study: Moroni 7-8 (listen)
• Study Guide: (here)
• Video: Discussions on the Book of Mormon Moroni 7

                                

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." Moroni 7:47-48

• Video: "Pure Love of Christ" by Jeffrey R. Holland

Moroni 7:45–48. “The greater definition of ‘the pure love of Christ’ by Jeffrey R. Holland:
“It is instructive to note that the charity, or ‘the pure love of Christ,’ we are to cherish can be interpreted two ways. One of its meanings is the kind of merciful, forgiving love Christ’s disciples should have for one another. That is, all Christians should try to love as the Savior loved, showing pure, redeeming compassion for all. Unfortunately, few, if any, mortals have been entirely successful in this endeavor, but it is an invitation that all should try to meet.

“The greater definition of ‘the pure love of Christ,’ however, is not what we as Christians try but largely fail to demonstrate toward others but rather what Christ totally succeeded in demonstrating toward us. True charity has been known only once. It is shown perfectly and purely in Christ’s unfailing, ultimate, and atoning love for us. It is Christ’s love for us that ‘suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not.’ It is his love for us that is not ‘puffed up … , not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.’ It is Christ’s love for us that ‘beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’ It is as demonstrated in Christ that ‘charity never faileth.’ It is that charity—his pure love for us—without which we would be nothing, hopeless, of all men and women most miserable. Truly, those found possessed of the blessings of his love at the last day—the Atonement, the Resurrection, eternal life, eternal promise—surely it shall be well with them.

“This does not in any way minimize the commandment that we are to try to acquire this kind of love for one another. We should ‘pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love.’ [1 Corinthians 13:4–5, 7–8; Moroni 7:48.] We should try to be more constant and unfailing, more longsuffering and kind, less envious and puffed up in our relationships with others. As Christ lived so should we live, and as Christ loved so should we love. But the ‘pure love of Christ’ Mormon spoke of is precisely that—Christ’s love. With that divine gift, that redeeming bestowal, we have everything; without it we have nothing and ultimately are nothing, except in the end ‘devils [and] angels to a devil.’ [2 Nephi 9:9.]

“Life has its share of fears and failures. Sometimes things fall short. Sometimes people fail us, or economies or businesses or governments fail us. But one thing in time or eternity does not fail us—the pure love of Christ. …

“… The miracle of Christ’s charity both saves and changes us. His atoning love saves us from death and hell as well as from carnal, sensual, and devilish behavior. That redeeming love also transforms the soul, lifting it above fallen standards to something far more noble, far more holy. Wherefore, we must ‘cleave unto charity’—Christ’s pure love of us and our determined effort toward pure love of him and all others—for without it we are nothing, and our plan for eternal happiness is utterly wasted. Without the redeeming love of Christ in our lives, all other qualities—even virtuous qualities and exemplary good works—fall short of salvation and joy” (Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon[1997], 336–37).

“Hope is a gift of the Spirit. Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.”--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“It matters not whether you or I feel like praying, when the time comes to pray, pray. If we do not feel like it, we should pray till we do.”--Brigham Young

                                                 
"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God." Moroni 7:16

"We must not only do what is right. We must act for the right reasons. The modern term is good motive.The scriptures often signify this appropriate mental attitude with the words full purpose of heart or real intent. The scriptures make clear that God understands our motives and will judge our actions accordingly.”

“In simple terms, the gift of the Holy Ghost is an enhanced spiritual power permitting those entitled there to receive it, to receive a greater knowledge and enjoyment of the influence of Deity. “ -- James E. Faust

• Record impressions and favorite verses in your journal. 
• Close study session with prayer and have a lovely spirit-infused day!