Moroni 7:1-19
Reading Assignment for Wed. May 16: Moroni 7:1-19
Learning Activities:
1)Introduction
Moroni recorded a sermon that his father, Mormon, had delivered many years earlier. This lesson covers the first part of the sermon, in which Mormon taught about doing righteous works with real intent and about how we can discern between good and evil.2) Moroni 7:6 "Real Intent"
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:“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” (Dallin H. Oaks, Pure in Heart [1988], 15).
Elder Michael T. Ringwood of the Seventy:
“The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that the desires of our hearts can be transformed and our motives can be educated and refined” (Michael T. Ringwood, “Truly Good and without Guile,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 61).
3) Study this chapter to learn how to tell the difference between truth and error. This quote may help you understand the Light of Christ.
President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:“The Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ are different from each other. …
“Regardless of whether this inner light, this knowledge of right and wrong, is called the Light of Christ, moral sense, or conscience, it can direct us to moderate our actions—unless, that is, we subdue it or silence it. …
“Every man, woman, and child of every nation, creed, or color—everyone, no matter where they live or what they believe or what they do—has within them the imperishable Light of Christ” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Light of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 2005, 8, 9, 10).
4) Ponder: How could this chapter help you make decisions, choose your free-time activities, decide who to hang out with or which music to listen to, etc.?
Want More?
Moroni 7:9. “If he shall pray and not with real intent of heart”
President Brigham Young (1801–1877) taught that rather than avoiding prayer when it is difficult to pray with real intent, we should develop real intent by praying:President Brigham Young
“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” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 45).
Moroni 7:17. The devil persuades no one to do good
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“Satan, or Lucifer, or the father of lies—call him what you will—is real, the very personification of evil. His motives are in every case malicious. … He is eternally opposed to the love of God, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the work of peace and salvation. He will fight against these whenever and wherever he can. He knows he will be defeated and cast out in the end, but he is determined to take down with him as many others as he possibly can” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “We Are All Enlisted,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 44).
Moroni 7:19. “The Light of Christ”
President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that as we foster the Light of Christ, it will lead us to the greater light of the gift of the Holy Ghost:President Boyd K. Packer
“Everyone everywhere already has the Spirit of Christ, and while the Spirit of the Holy Ghost can visit anyone, the gift of the Holy Ghost is obtained ‘by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel’ (Articles of Faith 1:3), by submitting to ‘baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; [and the] laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost’ (Articles of Faith 1:4). It is not automatically present like the Spirit of Christ is present. This gift must be conferred by one holding authority (see Articles of Faith 1:5).
“That is what we are commissioned to do, to foster the Light of Christ, which is within every soul we meet, and bring souls to the point where the Holy Ghost may visit them. And then, in due time, they can receive, through the ordinance, the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is conferred upon every member of the Church” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Light of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2005, 13).
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