Not shrinking vs. Surviving

Mormon 8 & 9

Sometimes I just can’t stop myself and must read more.  Such was the case this morning.  I think this is the saddest part of the Book of Mormon.  I cannot imagine what it must be like to be the sole survivor of a nation to tell the story for the rest of mankind.  How sad too that he didn’t have a computer to quickly put his feelings on.  Silly to think such a thing, but it would be nice to know how long Moroni wandered alone, secreting himself from the Lamanites with no one but himself to talk to.

And here I go again - putting my standard of living onto another person’s life.   The real things taught in these two chapters is that the Book of Mormon will come forth in the latter day and by the power of God.  Woes will be pronounced upon those who breathe out wrath and strife against the work of the Lord.  When the Book of Mormon comes forth, it will be when the world is wicked. 

Neal A. Maxwell wrote: “Not shrinking is more important than surviving.”  Such was the case with Moroni.  He did not shrink but survived to do the Lord’s work for as long as the Lord needed him to.  It brings me comfort to know that he was ministered to by the three Nephite disciples.  I hope they were good friends and sat around talking about things we won’t hear about in this earth life.  That would certainly increase one’s ability to “not shrink”. 

I suspect Moroni made friends with Isaiah – maybe not face to face, but he searched the words of Isaiah. (v23)  He knew these words well as he had access to them.  He was privy to the revelations given to Isaiah. 

Moroni saw our world – today’s world.  That had to be a culture shock!  He saw the pride and how it was manifest in our clothing, envyings, strifes, malice and persecutions and all manner of iniquities.  He saw the polluted state of our world.  That could not have been a pretty picture.  Talk about your R-rated movies.

Moroni goes on to talk about the Plan of Salvation and tells us God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing. (v9)  This is a scripture to remember when those of the world try to argue that revelation is something in the New Testament and God said it all.  Such nonsense!  God is a God of miracles (v19).  If we aren’t seeing miracles, it is because of our disbelief.  He tells us how to return to Heavenly Father in v25-29.  They aren’t all that complicated: 

• Hearken unto the words of the Lord (aka scriptures)
• Ask for what we need (aka pray)
• Doubt not, but be believing
• Come unto God with all your heart (you can’t have your heart in the temple and your feet planted in Babylon)
• Work out your own salvation (Serve)
• Be wise; strip self of uncleanness  (Interesting word "strip".  When you strip something, it comes off in bits and pieces.  So too do our unclean behaviors.  We strip one unclean behavior at a time, just as we add oil drop by drop to one's lamp.)
• Be baptized worthily (you’ve really repented and intend to move forward)
• Take sacrament worthily (repent daily)

These really are more Sunday School answers.  So many want the gospel to be complicated.  It really isn’t.  There is much to learn, but the basics are rather simple.