"May Christ Lift Thee Up"

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Lesson Date: 12/03/2023

Lesson: 49

Week: 49

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“May Christ Lift Thee Up”

Published 11/27/2023 by Randal S. Chase

Book of Mormon Lesson 49 (Moroni 7–9)
November 27–December 3

INSTRUCTIONS FROM HIS FATHER MORMON

Moroni 7 contains the words of Mormon, as recorded by his son Moroni (Moroni 7:1). It is apparently a sermon on faith, hope, and charity, that Mormon delivered to faithful members of the Church in a “synagogue” which they had built for the purpose of worship (v. 1).

How to Judge Between Good and Evil
They were the “peaceable followers of Christ” (Moroni 7:2–4). President Joseph F. Smith said, “[These people] depend completely upon the saving power of His Gospel, and are therefore at rest in all the tumult of mind and public agitation which beset the way.”1

Motives for doing righteous things (Moroni 7:5–11). It is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. For example, if we do good things to “be seen of men,” they are not counted as righteous acts (Matt. 6:1–8, 16–18). The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “All the religious world is boasting of righteousness: it is the doctrine of the devil to retard the human mind, and hinder our progress, by filling us with self-righteousness.”2

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “Have you ever found yourself doing something you thought was right, but doing it because you `had’ to? Did you ever keep a commandment of God with an attitude of resentment. . . . Do you think such feelings will be ignored by a Father in Heaven who gave us the willpower we call agency? . . . We are accountable for our feelings and desires as well as our acts. Evil thoughts and desires will be punished. Acts that seem to be good bring blessings only when they are done with real and righteous intent. On the positive side, we will be blessed for the righteous desires of our hearts even though some outside circumstance has made it impossible for us to carry those desires into action.”3

Discerning good from evil (Moroni 7:12–19). George Q. Cannon said, “Whenever darkness fills our minds, we may know that we are not possessed of the Spirit of God, and we must get rid of it. When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we are filled with joy, with peace and with happiness no matter what our circumstances may be; for it is a spirit of cheerfulness and of happiness.”4

Dr. Hugh Nibley said, “. . .God does not fight Satan: a word from him and Satan is silenced and banished. There is no contest there; in fact we are expressly told that all the power which Satan enjoys here on earth is granted him by God. ‘We will allow Satan, our common enemy, to try Man and to tempt him.’ It is man’s strength that is being tested-not God’s.”5

The Spirit of Christ is given to every man. It is “an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ.”6 It operates in two ways:
(1) It gives one a sense of peace when the right thing is done; and
(2) It is the power by which the mind operates as it analyzes the choice.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said, “The Lord has not left men (when they are born into this world) helpless, groping to find the light and truth, but every man that is born into the world is born with the right to receive the guidance, the instruction, the counsel of the Spirit of Christ, or Light of Truth, sometimes called the Spirit of the Lord in our writings.”7

The Importance of Faith, Hope, and Charity
“Lay hold upon every good thing” through faith in Christ (Moroni 7:20–26).
—   God’s knowledge of all things (v. 22).
—   Ministering of angels brings the knowledge of God to man (vv. 22, 25).
—   The reality of Christ (v. 22).
—   The prophets of God (v. 23).
—   All of these teach us of Christ and lead us to faith and prayer (vv. 25–26).

“Laying hold upon every good thing” through prayer (Moroni 7:26).

The Savior has the “rights of mercy” (Moroni 7:27–28). Because He atoned for men’s sins, it is his privilege to prescribe the means whereby we receive the benefits of his atoning act.

The calling and ministry of angels (Exactly the same as missionaries) (Moroni 7:29–32).

Faith is a necessary prerequisite to miracles (Moroni 7:33–38). If miracles cease in the lives of men, it is because of a lack of faith (Ether 12:12, 18). President Spencer W. Kimball said, “The Lord will not force himself upon people; and if they do not believe, they will receive no visitation. If they are content to depend upon their own limited calculations and interpretations, then, of course, the Lord will leave them to their chosen fate.”8

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Faith has been wanting not only among the heathen, but in professed Christendom also, so that tongues, healings, prophecy, and prophets and Apostles, and all the gifts and blessings have been wanting . . . Miracles are the fruits of faith, . . . Where faith is there will be some of the fruits: all gifts and power which were sent from heaven, were poured out on the heads of those who had faith.”9

The relationship between faith and hope (Moroni 7:40–44). Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “As used in the revelations, hope is the desire of faithful people to gain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God hereafter. . . . Faith and hope are inseparable. Hope enables [us] to have faith in the first instance and then because of faith that hope increases until salvation is gained.”10

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Faith in Christ and hope in his promises of resurrected, eternal life can come only to the meek and lowly in heart. Such promises, in turn, reinforce meekness and lowliness of heart in that believer.”11

We must have charity in addition to faith and hope (Moroni 7:44–48).
— Charity is “the pure love of Christ”—love that is pure and selfless (v. 47).
— Charity is a gift of God, and one must pray fervently to receive it (v. 48).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “Above all the attributes of godliness and perfection, charity is the one most devoutly to be desired. Charity is more than love, far more; it is everlasting love, perfect love, the pure love of Christ which endureth forever. It is love so centered in righteousness that the possessor has no aim or desire except for the eternal welfare of his own soul and for the souls of those around him. (2 Ne. 26:30; Moro. 7:47; 8:25–26).”12

Moroni summarizes what Mormon taught about faith, hope, and charity and about their relationship one with another (Moroni 10:19–23). Notice his important insight about despair in Moroni 10:22.

No Need for Infant Baptism
Little children are saved thru Christ’s atonement (Moroni 8:8–9, 11, 19–20).

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Do you believe in the baptism of infants?” asks the Presbyterian. No. “Why?” Because it is nowhere written in the Bible. Circumcision is not baptism, neither was baptism instituted in the place of circumcision. Baptism is for remission of sins. Children have no sins. Jesus blessed them and said: “Do what you have seen me do.” Children are all made alive in Christ, and those of riper years through faith and repentance.”13

The Prophet also said, “The doctrine of baptizing children, or sprinkling them, or they must welter in hell, is a doctrine not true, not supported in Holy Writ, and is not consistent with the character of God. All children are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that children leave this world, they are taken to the bosom of Abraham.”14

This also applies to “all they that are without the law”—mentally incapable of understanding the commandments and ordinances of the gospel (Moroni 8:20, 22–24).

MORONI’S FINAL WITNESS

Testimonies involve “a process of change” (Moroni 8:25–26).

Mormon’s analysis of his fallen people (Moroni 8:27–30).

The Holy Ghost Testifies of All Truth
Moroni closes with “a few words by way of exhortation” (Moroni 10:1–3). To exhort means to advise or urge strongly.

Moroni’s famous invitation to ask the Lord if the things written in this record are from God or not, and his promise that the truth of it will be made manifest by the Holy Ghost to every sincere inquirer (Moroni 10:4–5).

Moroni said this required that “ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ,” before “he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (v. 4).

With a sincere heart: Not “testing the Lord” with skepticism, but really wanting to know the truth directly from our Heavenly Father.

With real intent: Not just to “satisfy curiosity,” but committed to “act upon” the answer-be baptized, follow the prophets, etc.

Having faith in Christ: Believing that Jesus is the Christ, and being willing to keep His commandments.

“By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (v. 5). Keith B. McMullin said, “[The Holy Ghost] has a more powerful effect upon the soul than anything else received in any other way. A millennium of experience through sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, and all the powers of the universe combined cannot approach the sublime and complete experience of one brief moment under the influence of the Holy Ghost.”15

Moroni exhorts us to “deny not the power of God” nor the gifts of God (Moroni 10:6–7).

Spiritual Gifts of Those Who Come unto Christ
Moroni’s teachings about spiritual gifts (Moroni 10:8–19). Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “The receipt is always predicated upon obedience to the law, but because they are available to all the obedient they are called gifts. They are . . . reserved for the faithful and none else.”16

We each receive different gifts from God (see D&C 46:11–12).

Spiritual gifts are always present in the true Church of Christ (Moroni 10:19–26).

Moroni bears witness that his words come from Christ (Moroni 10:26-29).

An invitation to come unto Christ (Moroni 10:30–31).

We can be perfected through the atonement of Jesus Christ (Moroni 10:32–33).

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Moroni declared the need for us to deny ourselves ‘all ungodliness,’ thus including both large and small sins. While boulders surely block our way, loose gravel slows discipleship, too. Even a small stone can become a stumbling block. . . . Putting off the views and appetites of the natural man is such a large part of denying oneself, a process sometimes accompanied by scalding shame and the reflux of regret (JST, Luke 14:28). Even so, in today’s world, individual appetites, far from being denied, are actually celebrated! As one writer noted, this mantra has its own incessant `beat,’ and it goes ‘Me . . . Me . . . Me!’ (David Frum).”17

Moroni’s final farewell (Moroni 10:33–34). Thus ends the writings and testimony of the prophet Moroni, but it was not the end of his story. This is the same angel-or at least one of them-whom John the Revelator saw “flying in the midst of heaven, bringing the everlasting gospel to preach unto them who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 14:6). Moroni is the same angel who appeared as a resurrected being to the Prophet Joseph Smith and committed the record into his hands for translation in the latter days, and then appeared to multiple other witnesses to verify its authenticity. And this the same angel who appeared to the Prophet Joseph at least 22 more times between 1823 and 1829 as he guided Joseph in the process of the restoration. Moroni was certainly a major force in the restoration of the Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days. And when we shall meet him at the “pleasing bar of the great Jehovah” we shall surely know that he was a mighty prophet, called of God.

Notes:
1. Improvement Era, July 1904, 7:714.
2. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 241.
3. BYU 1985-86 Devotional and Fireside Speeches, 29, 31.
4. Gospel Truth, 17.
5. Nibley on the Timely and the Timeless, 288.
6. Bible Dictionary, “Light of Christ,” 725.
7. Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Elder Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 1:51.
8. In Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 22.
9. History of the Church, 5:218, 355.
10. Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 365–366.
11. Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon, 334–338.
12. Mormon Doctrine, 121.
13. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 314.
14. History of the Church, 4.5.
15. Ensign, May 1996, 9.
16. Mormon Doctrine, 314–315.
17. Ensign, May 1995, 66–67.

By Randal S. Chase|2022-12-29T00:00:00-07:00November 27th, 2023|

About the Author: Randal S. Chase

Randal S. Chase spent his childhood years in Nephi, Utah, where his father was a dry land wheat farmer and a businessman. In 1959 their family moved to Salt Lake City and settled in the Holladay area. He served a full-time mission in the Central British (England Central) Mission from 1968 to 1970. He returned home and married Deborah Johnsen in 1971. They are the parents of six children—two daughters and four sons—and an ever-expanding number of grandchildren. He was called to serve as a bishop at the age of 27 in the Sandy Crescent South Stake area of the Salt Lake Valley. He served six years in that capacity, and has since served as a high councilor, a stake executive secretary and clerk, and in many other stake and ward callings. Regardless of whatever other callings he has received over the years, one was nearly constant: He has taught Gospel Doctrine classes in every ward he has ever lived in as an adult—a total of 35 years. Dr. Chase was a well-known media personality on Salt Lake City radio stations in the 1970s. He left on-air broadcasting in 1978 to develop and market a computer-based management, sales, and music programming system to radio and television stations in the United States, Canada, South America, and Australia. After the business was sold in 1984, he supported his family as a media and business consultant in the Salt Lake City area. Having a great desire to teach young people of college age, he determined in the late 1980s to pursue his doctorate, and received his Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Utah in 1997. He has taught communication courses at that institution as well as at Salt Lake Community College and Dixie State University for 21 years. He served as Communication Department chair and is currently a full-time professor at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. Concurrently with his academic career, Brother Chase has served as a volunteer LDS Institute and Adult Education instructor in the CES system since 1994, both in Salt Lake City and St. George, where he currently teaches a weekly Adult Education class for three stakes in the Washington area. He has also conducted multiple Church History tours and seminars. During these years of gospel teaching, he has developed an extensive library of lesson plans and handouts which are the predecessors to these study guides. Dr. Chase previously published a thirteen-volume series of study guides on the Book of Mormon, Church History, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. The series, titled Making Precious Things Plain, along with four smaller study guides on Isaiah, Jeremiah, the story of the Nativity, and the final week of our Lord’s atoning sacrifice, are designed to assist teachers and students of the gospel, as well as those who simply want to study on their own. Several of these books are also available in the Spanish language.