Moroni 7-9

 

Moroni 7

In this chapter Moroni shares his father’s words

On faith, hope and charity that he shared in church.

“I speak to the peaceable followers of Christ.

“By your works you’ll be known for men will see your light.”

Then he gave a standard by which all man can tell

If a man or thing is of God or the devil.

“If a man is evil, he really can’t do good—

“He won’t have the intentions that a good man should.

“Just as bitter fountains can’t produce good water,

“Gifts shared grudgingly aren’t esteemed by our Father.

“All things that invite us to do good are from God.

“They’ll lead us to love Him, to serve and give Him laud.

“Anything that’s evil and invites us to sin

“Comes from the devil—the deceiver of all men.

“Everyone has been given the Spirit of Christ

“So we’ll know good from evil, like the day from night.”

“As you use Christ’s light when you judge,” Mormon then pleads,

“Watch that you don’t make final judgments wrongfully.

“Lay hold upon every good thing; condemn it not

“And you will be a child of Christ—a child of God.

“If they exercise faith in Christ they will be saved.

“They’ll receive all of the good things for which they pray.

“If it seems that miracles and angels have ceased

“It’s not true!  It’s just that men no longer believe.

 “Miracles have not ceased.  Angels still minister,

“Calling men to repent; declaring Jesus’ word.

“He has said, ‘Have faith, repent and come unto me

“‘Be baptized in my name and you’ll be saved, you’ll see.’

“You can only have faith if you have hope in Christ—

“That through His atonement you’ll have eternal life.

“Faith and hope are vain if a man has a proud heart.

“Being meek and lowly is an essential start.

“But even with all of these traits he is nothing

“Unless he has the love of Christ called charity.

“Charity suffers long, is kind, feels no envy,

“Isn’t selfish, takes no joy in iniquity,

“Thinks no evil, loves truth, bears and believes all things.

“If you do not have it, my brethren, you’re nothing.

“Cleave to charity.  Pray to our Father above

“That your heart may be filled with this unfailing love.”

 

 

Moroni 8

This chapter was written by the prophet Mormon

In a letter he wrote to Moroni, his son.

“I rejoice that you, too, have been called to this work

“And I always pray that God will help you endure.

“I am grieved to hear of recent disputations

“In which some claim we should baptize little children.

“This is a gross error for children cannot sin

“And the curse of Adam has been taken from them.

“This is thanks to Christ.  The Spirit shared this with me.

“Baptizing these children is solemn mockery.

“Those who are older should repent and be baptized

“But these little children are all alive in Christ.

“Think of all the infants and children who have died

“Are they now in hell if they haven’t been baptized?

“This would set at naught the atonement of our Lord

“Those who preach such things will be judged, you can be sure.

“This would make God partial and also changeable

“But I know that our Father is unchangeable.

“I am not afraid as I make this doctrine clear;

“I have found that perfect love casteth out all fear.

“All the Nephites will be destroyed due to their pride,

“They could still repent but the Spirit’s ceased to strive

“With them and since they all deny the Holy Ghost

“They will perish soon, as the prophets taught and wrote.”

 

Moroni 9

Mormon wrote his son once again, in which he shared

How bad things had gotten for those for whom he cared.

“I am yet alive.  We’ve lost so many choice men.

“Our people will be destroyed if they don’t repent.

“They are always angry when I preach if I’m sharp

“But if I use no sharpness they harden their hearts.

“Their constant anger makes me think they’ve lost their love.

“Instead, they thirst only for revenge and for blood.

“Even so, my son, the two of us must not cease

“Laboring to share our Father’s message of peace.

“Horrible crimes have been committed by both sides,

“Like forced cannibalism by the Lamanites.

“Nephite sins are also unimaginable—

“Treating girls in barbaric ways that are evil.

“Only a few years ago they were civilized.

“How can they find abominations a delight?

“My heart cries for God to hide all this from His face.

“We cannot expect that His judgment will be stayed.

“Many widows and daughters have been left behind.

“Scavenging for food, many faint away and die.

“Nephites are depraved!  There’s no order or mercy.

“All of our women and children are suffering.

“I am praying to God that He will spare your life

“So that you can see what happens to the Nephites.

“If they don’t repent they’ll fall like the Jaredites,

“Because of their bloodthirsty hearts, so full of spite.

“Write down everything that you see if you are spared.

“I trust I’ll see you soon; I have records to share.

“Be faithful in Christ; don’t let these words weigh you down.

“Let Christ’s mercy and glory in your mind resound.”

 

 

 

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes