Moroni 1-5
Reading for class on Monday, May 14: Moroni 1-5
Learning Activities:
1) Introduction
After completing his abridgment of the plates of Ether, Moroni explained that he “had supposed not to have written more” (Moroni 1:1). However, he was preserved to “write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth” to those in the last days (Moroni 1:4). Moroni 1–5 affirm Moroni’s faithfulness to Jesus Christ. They also outline instructions for important ordinances of the gospel, including the administration of the sacrament.
2) Compare this story to the story of Moroni in Moroni 1
Elder David E. Sorenson, an emeritus member of the Seventy, told the following story about a young woman who had the courage to stand up for her beliefs:
“My granddaughter Jennifer was invited to go with several of her school friends to a dinner and a movie. The girls all agreed on the movie they were going to see, and Jennifer was comfortable attending. However, the girl who left dinner to buy the movie tickets for the group returned with tickets to a different movie than was planned! She said, ‘It is a great show, and it’s R-rated.’
“Jennifer, caught by surprise, couldn’t believe the situation had changed so quickly. But fortunately she had made up her mind before she ever found herself in this position that she would not watch R-rated movies. She was able to stand firm and say to her friends, ‘I can’t go see an R-rated movie. My parents would not approve.’ To which the girls replied, ‘Oh, come on! Your parents will never know!’ Confronted with this, Jennifer went on to say, ‘Well, actually it doesn’t matter whether my parents will know. I just don’t go to R-rated movies!’
“Her friends were upset and tried to get her to relent. They told her she ‘was ruining everything.’ When she would not give in, they threw the ticket and change in her face and deserted her for the R-rated movie. It wound up being a lonely night full of rejection from her friends. But it was a great moment for Jennifer and our family. She gained confidence, self-worth, and spiritual power” (“You Can’t Pet a Rattlesnake,” Ensign, May 2001, 42).
3) What does Moroni 3 teach about priesthood ordination? Copy this quote into your scriptures:
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Clearly, acting with divine authority requires more than mere social contract. It cannot be generated by theological training or a commission from the congregation. No, in the authorized work of God there has to be power greater than that already possessed by the people in the pews or in the streets or in the seminaries—a fact that many honest religious seekers had known and openly acknowledged for generations leading up to the Restoration. …
“… We in the restored Church of Jesus Christ can trace the priesthood line of authority exercised by the newest deacon in the ward, the bishop who presides over him, and the prophet who presides over all of us. That line goes back in an unbroken chain to angelic ministers who came from the Son of God Himself, bearing this incomparable gift from heaven” (“Our Most Distinguishing Feature,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 44).
4) As you read Moroni 4-5 ponder
What are you covenanting to do while partaking of the sacrament?
How faithful have you been in keeping your covenants?
What can you do better?
Want More?
Moroni 2. Priesthood holders among the descendants of Lehi
President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) taught:
“The Nephites were descendants of Joseph. Lehi discovered this when reading the brass plates. … There were no Levites who accompanied Lehi to the Western Hemisphere. Under these conditions the Nephites officiated by virtue of the Melchizedek Priesthood from the days of Lehi to the days of the appearance of our Savior among them. …
“When the Savior came to the Nephites, he established the Church in its fulness among them. … Therefore we are justified in the belief that not only was the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood conferred, but also the Aaronic, just as we have it in the Church today; and this Aaronic Priesthood remained with them from this time until, through wickedness, all priesthood ceased. We may be assured that in the days of Moroni the Nephites did ordain teachers and priests in the Aaronic Priesthood; but before the visit of the Savior they officiated in the Melchizedek Priesthood” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. [1957], 1:124, 126).
Moroni 2:1. Did the twelve Nephite disciples serve as Apostles?
President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained:
“While in every instance the Nephite Twelve are spoken of as disciples, the fact remains that they had been endowed with divine authority to be special witnesses for Christ among their own people. Therefore, they were virtually apostles to the Nephite race” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie [1956], 3:158).
Moroni 4-5
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ask the class to listen for what we can do to help us always remember the Savior.
“We should first put in place the things that make it possible to always remember Him—frequent prayer and scripture study, thoughtful study of apostolic teachings, weekly preparation to partake of the sacrament worthily, Sunday worship, and recording and remembering what the Spirit and experience teach us about discipleship.
“Other things may come to your mind particularly suited to you at this point in your life. …
“… I can attest that over time our desire and capacity to always remember and follow the Savior will grow. We should patiently work toward that end and pray always for the discernment and divine help we need” (D. Todd Christofferson, “To Always Remember Him,” Ensign, Apr. 2011, 51).