Moroni 10, Part 2 — An Ending Filled With Hope

I want to turn to Moroni’s final words and the hope he leaves with us. After all the darkness, destruction, and sorrow recorded in the Book of Mormon, it does not end in despair. It ends with an invitation. It ends with hope.

Moroni doesn’t casually suggest that we read these things—he exhorts us to do it. That word matters to me. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read the Book of Mormon, but there have been a few times I read it with real intent. Those times stand out. They reminded me just how merciful Heavenly Father has been with me. And I know He will be merciful to all His children who turn to Him.

Moroni tells us exactly how to approach this sacred record:

·       A sincere heart

·       Real intent

·       Faith in Christ

If we do that, he promises the truth will be made manifest to us—by the power of the Holy Ghost.

I’ve mentioned before a miraculous manifestation I experienced. To be brief, it wasn’t until I stood in Fast and Testimony meeting, after a sincere encounter with Heavenly Father, that I felt the Holy Ghost come upon me with such power it would be impossible to deny. It rocked my world. I felt a warmth in my bosom that filled my entire being. I would love to feel that again—but it really isn’t needful. Remembering is enough. This is the place I return to when I feel weak. I know.And I am deeply grateful that this experience has helped keep me strong in my discipleship.

I love verse six: If it is good, it comes from Christ. What a beautiful and grounding truth.

Then Moroni gives us a list—and I love a good list. He reminds us that all good things come from the same God:

·       The word of knowledge

·       Faith

·       The gift of healing

·       The working of miracles

·       Prophecy

·       Beholding angels

·       Tongues

·       The interpretation of languages

This list and similar ones are given throughout the scriptures. Did you catch that these gifts can be given according to our will. And it all begins with a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Why do you suppose that is?

Because the Book of Mormon clearly teaches us that we have a Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ—and that the Holy Ghost is real. Just read the first eighteen verses of this chapter. A testimony of the Godhead is essential if we are going to move forward in righteousness.

So how do we gain that testimony?
We must want it.

This is where my heart aches for my children and grandchildren. When one grandson told me he’s “not the reading kind of guy,” I wanted to cry. I don’t know how else a testimony grows without sincere engagement with the word of God.

And yet, I do know this: Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. None of us are here by chance. We chose to come here. We trusted Jesus Christ to help us return. There is a path for every one of God’s children. The sooner we turn to God and humbly follow the Spirit, the sooner we will find ourselves on that path leading home.

It comforts me to know that Heavenly Father is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Faith leads to hope—hope that one day my family will be united in discipleship and in love for our Savior and Redeemer. And once we have faith and hope, charity naturally follows. Charity—the pure love of Christ—opens our eyes. It helps us see that we have something to offer. It moves us to lighten another’s burden, even in the smallest ways: unloading groceries, returning a cart, offering help without being asked. Charity tastes good. Once we start, we want to keep going.

Verse 23 is a truth I could shout from the highest mountain. I have learned to trust Christ that whatever I turn over to Him, He will make it work—healing, church callings, writing music, motherhood, grandmotherhood… even SCUBA diving.

I will never forget my fear of SCUBA diving. I had to go to my “happy place”—music—to fully surrender that fear. I prayed hard and sang hymns as I experienced the beauty God created beneath the sea. It became a beautiful and empowering experience once I turned it over to Him.

The Book of Mormon is true. I have no doubt. I pray with all my heart that my children and grandchildren will come to know this truth for themselves. There is a unique Spirit that accompanies this book. That was made known to me over 48 years ago, when I had barely begun reading it.

I have put Moroni’s challenge to the test many times. The first time, I hadn’t even asked yet. I had simply begun reading. The very next day, I felt overwhelming happiness—and couldn’t explain it. My life was dark at the time, and yet suddenly there was light. It was soon made known to me that it was the Spirit. The first ray of light I had seen in years.

And it all began with a book… and an invitation to read with real intent.