Final lesson from the Book of Mormon - Ether/Moroni
Background:
We have had less lessons this year than we have expected with regional broadcasts and temple dedications etc. So we have to combine all of the book of Ether and Moroni together into one lesson.
I passed around a survey last week to determine what topics we should cover from these two books and am excited to cover this material with you today.
Attention activity: Prayer is the provider of spiritual strength/peace - Video
Have you ever gone a long time without praying? Why?
Are we commanded to pray? Why?
Jarod's group leaves tower of babel - language is not confounded
Ether 2:14-16 The Brother of Jared is Chastised for 3 hours for not praying unto the Lord - The Spirit will not always strive with man
Notice the events order
The brother of Jared is chastised and told to "Go to Work! and build the barges"
Ether 2:22 He builds the barges but there is no light
Ether 2:23 What will you that I should do?
Ether 2:22 He builds the barges but there is no light
Ether 2:23 What will you that I should do?
He does not answer him and tell him what to do.. he asks him what he wants done.
Why do you think he did that?
Have you ever been given a question instead of an answer from the Lord in your prayers?
Ether 3:1-5 He asks the Lord to touch the stones with his finger
Ether 3:6-12 The Lord reveals himself to the brother of Jared!
Ether 3:13-20 The Lord reveals all things to the Brother of Jared
Ether 3:6-12 The Lord reveals himself to the brother of Jared!
Ether 3:13-20 The Lord reveals all things to the Brother of Jared
What do you think of this experience... what if this had happened to you?
Why hasn't it... is an interesting question we should all consider.
What do you think it means vs 20 "Having this perfect knowledge of God"... he could not be kept within the veil
Moroni's Commentary on this experience
Ether 4:4-6 Moroni wrote the words of the Brother of Jared the things which he saw - never anything greater
When shall we get these things?
Ether 4:7-12 When they shall exercise faith in me even as the Brother of Jared - that they become sanctified in me
D&C 88:108-110 - All Mysteries of God and secret works of men revealed from all until 7th
Moroni writes a talk his father gave in church Moroni 7:1 :) Moroni 7-8
Do we keep a record of our talks and lessons we have given/taught to others and to our children?
We should - These revelatory experiences can be great strengths to us in the future as we have the opportunity to re-read and ponder again what we were taught.
This is one of the reasons I made this site as well!
What does it mean to enter into the rest of the Lord?
Moroni 7:2-4 He speaks unto the members of the Church - those who have obtained sufficient hope to enter into his rest
4 I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men
Moroni 7:5-10 By your works ye shall know them - a man being evil cannot do that which is good - it profit him nothing
6 A man being evil cannot do that which is good - it profit him nothing
7 it is not counted unto him for righteousness
8 if it is done grudgingly, it is counted the same as if he had retained it
9 if he shall pray and not with real intent - God receives none such
10 Wherefore an evil man cannot do good nor can he give a good gift
7 it is not counted unto him for righteousness
8 if it is done grudgingly, it is counted the same as if he had retained it
9 if he shall pray and not with real intent - God receives none such
10 Wherefore an evil man cannot do good nor can he give a good gift
What do you think of these verses? Does that mean if I pay tithing without real intent - it profits me nothing?
He is making a point here - about being a double minded man - see below.
What should we then do evil - and not do that which is good if we don't have real intent? No!!
Take heed that we judge not incorrectly...
14 Judge that which is evil to be of God
15 it is given you to judge perfectly what is light/dark
16 the spirit of Christ is given to every man - to know good from evil - persuade us to believe in Christ
17 If it persuades us to do evil and not believe in Christ it is of the devil!
18 with that judgment ye shall be judged
19 search diligently in the light to know what is good and hold upon every good thing
15 it is given you to judge perfectly what is light/dark
16 the spirit of Christ is given to every man - to know good from evil - persuade us to believe in Christ
17 If it persuades us to do evil and not believe in Christ it is of the devil!
18 with that judgment ye shall be judged
19 search diligently in the light to know what is good and hold upon every good thing
Quote #1:
There is weakness in the thought that one can indulge heavily in both evil and good things at the same time. Many centuries ago Jesus said that “man cannot serve two masters,” he will either love one and despise the other or hate the one and love the other. The apostle James emphasized the importance of constantly choosing right over wrong. To those who attempt an allegiance to both right and wrong, he declared: “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8.)
Man is the sum result of what he thinks and does. Habit is the instrument that molds his character and makes of him essentially what he is. Habit can become a monster to tanish and destroy, yet proper behavioral traits can bring lasting joy and achievement. To say no at the right time and then stand by it is the first element of success.
Ensign Oct 1971 - Nobility of Man Alvin R. Dyer
Quote #2:
I add my voice today to the voices of my Brethren that Lucifer is a clever and cunning intelligence. One of the main methods he uses against us is his ability to lie and deceive to convince us that evil is good and good is evil. Right from the very beginning in the great Council in Heaven, Satan “sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him. …
“And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will” (Moses 4:3–4).
The battle over man’s God-given agency continues today. Satan and his minions have their lures all around us, hoping that we will falter and take his flies so he can reel us in with counterfeit means. He uses addiction to steal away agency. According to the dictionary, addiction of any kind means to surrender to something, thus relinquishing agency and becoming dependent on some life-destroying substance or behavior.1
Ensign Oct 2010 - Cunning Plan of the Evil one - M. Russell Ballard
How then can we with certainty lay hold upon every good thing?
It is through the gifts and abilities and powers of the spirit that he abundantly blesses us with!
Moroni 7:24-27,36-37
24 there are divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men
25 Ministering of angels, words of prophets, men exercising faith
26 Men saved by faith and by faith they become the sons of God - Whatsoever you ask - it shall be done
27 Have miracles Ceased?
36 Have angels ceased to appear, has the Holy Ghost been withheld?
37 Nay - it is by faith miracles are wrought - and by faith angels appear unto men
If these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men - all is in vain!
25 Ministering of angels, words of prophets, men exercising faith
26 Men saved by faith and by faith they become the sons of God - Whatsoever you ask - it shall be done
27 Have miracles Ceased?
36 Have angels ceased to appear, has the Holy Ghost been withheld?
37 Nay - it is by faith miracles are wrought - and by faith angels appear unto men
If these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men - all is in vain!
Spiritual Gifts - given by the Holy Ghost Moroni 10:6-8 Testify of Jesus Christ and help us have power to be his disciples!
D&C 46:7-9, 10-30 (The list)
7 you are commanded to ask of God in all things - walking uprightly, doing all things with thankfulness
8 beware lest ye are deceived
9 they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments - and sleekest to
9 Not for a sign to consume it upon their lusts (not so they think they are better than others etc.)
8 beware lest ye are deceived
9 they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments - and sleekest to
9 Not for a sign to consume it upon their lusts (not so they think they are better than others etc.)
Charity - Pure love of Christ - given to all true disciples of Jesus Christ Moroni 7:45-48 - required for salvation Moroni 10:21
Teach the Word of Wisdom
Teach the Word of Knowledge
Great Faith
Gift of Healing
Work Mighty Miracles
Prophecy
Beholding Angels - Ministering spirits
All kinds of tongues
Interpretation of Languages
Teach the Word of Wisdom
Teach the Word of Knowledge
Great Faith
Gift of Healing
Work Mighty Miracles
Prophecy
Beholding Angels - Ministering spirits
All kinds of tongues
Interpretation of Languages
Moroni 10:24-25 Wo unto the children of men if these gifts have disappeared - all is vain
Let us end with one of My Favorite Scriptures - and the words of Moroni:
Moroni 10:32-34 Come unto Christ and be perfected in him!