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!