Moroni 7:1-19 How to judge between good and evil
Moroni, still alive and still possessing room on the plates, elects to finish his record with two letters from his father, Mormon. Mormon says that it is as easy to judge between good and evil as it is to judge between light and dark (see verse 15). What keys does Mormon give us to help us discern between good and evil? What is the light by which we should judge? (See verse 18.)
Moroni 7:20-48 How to lay hold upon every good thing
In the first half of Moroni 7, Mormon explained how to judge between good and evil. Now he will explain how, after having discerned that something is good, a person might hold on to good things. In verses 20-36, Mormon explains the relationship between faith, repentance, and miracles. What is that relationship? In verses 37-48, he explains the relationship between faith, hope and charity. What is that relationship? Moroni has seen the destruction of his people and recorded the destruction of the Jaredites. Why would he feel it was important for us to read the words of his father?
Moroni 8:1-30 Little Children Are Alive in Christ
Have students read these verses looking for the words “little children”. What does Mormon teach us concerning baptism and little children? According to verses 20-28, what is the danger of accepting the doctrine that little children must be baptized? Moroni has seen the destruction of his people and recorded the destruction of the Jaredites. Why would he feel it was important for us to read the words of his father?
Moroni 9:1-26 The Sufferings of the Unfaithful
Mormon says he cannot speak favorably to God concerning the Lamanites (see verse 21). Have students read verses 1-20 and list the reasons why Mormon would not desire to do this. What do we see about us today that would cause Mormon to say the same thing about us? According to Mormon’s counsel to Moroni in verses 21-26, what can we do so that prophets would feel like they could “recommend us to God”?
Moroni 10:1-34 Moroni’s Final Testimony
In these verses Moroni explains: 1) How to know the truth, 2) The gifts of the Spirit, 3) The relationship between faith, hope and charity (and this is the third time he has done it), 4) Why we should not deny the power of Christ. Have students find what Moroni said on these four subjects. Remind them of Moroni’s background and understanding. Why would a man who has watched and recorded the destruction of two civilizations remind us of these four things? How can understanding these four things keep our families and communities from destruction?
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Moroni 1-6 Ordinances of Salvation
Moroni 1:1-4 Moroni’s Surprise
What seems to have caught Moroni by surprise? What things have happened in your life that are clearly the will of the Lord but have been a surprise to you?
Moroni 2-6 The Administration of the Church of Christ
Remind students that no where else in scripture up to this point in history had recorded these aspects of Church administration. No one had ever recorded how to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, how to ordain others to the priesthood, the words of the sacrament prayers, the conditions that had to be met for baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and how to conduct meetings of the Church. What would have happened if Moroni had assumed his mission was over after he abridged the Jaredite record? Why is it important that none of us ever feel like our mission or assignment in the kingdom of God is complete?
What seems to have caught Moroni by surprise? What things have happened in your life that are clearly the will of the Lord but have been a surprise to you?
Moroni 2-6 The Administration of the Church of Christ
Remind students that no where else in scripture up to this point in history had recorded these aspects of Church administration. No one had ever recorded how to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, how to ordain others to the priesthood, the words of the sacrament prayers, the conditions that had to be met for baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and how to conduct meetings of the Church. What would have happened if Moroni had assumed his mission was over after he abridged the Jaredite record? Why is it important that none of us ever feel like our mission or assignment in the kingdom of God is complete?
Ether 7-15 The Destruction of the Jaredites
Ether 7:1-27 Surely this thing leadeth to captivity.
The Jaredites desired that there should be a man who was named king over the people. The brother of Jared declared, “Surely this thing leadeth to captivity” (Ether 6:23). Invite the class to find the word captivity in Ether 7. Why do the Lord’s people become captives when they have someone other than the Lord for their king? Cross-reference: 1 Samuel 8:5-18.
Ether 8:20-23 Secret Combinations
Moroni revealed that secret combinations were established among the Jaredites to help the most wicked among them to gain power. Moroni issued a warning to the Gentiles concerning secret combinations. Have students read the warning in verses 20-23 and explain why we should not sustain those who are part of secret combinations.
Ether 9:35 The Jaredites humble themselves
There was gross wickedness among the Jaredites. They began to follow those who established secret combinations. There was murder and adultery and corruption of every sort. However, verse 35 indicates that the people repented. Invite students to read verses 30-34 and discover why it is that the people humbled themselves and repented. How does the Lord humble people in this generation?
Ether 10:22-28 Prosperity among the Jaredites
Have students read these verses and list the elements of prosperity among the Jaredites. Help students see that the prosperity of the Jaredites was a collective prosperity. No mention is made of individuals prospering, rather it is national prosperity. As soon as the Jaredites seek for individual prosperity through secret combinations they go into captivity (see verses 33-34).
Ether 11:13-23 The Final Destruction of the Jaredites Prophesied
What are the key words that describe the reasons why the Jaredites were headed for a final destruction? How do people show that they are wicked and rebellious in this generation? What is the difference between living in captivity and living in peace?
Ether 12:1-41 Faith, Hope and Charity
Moroni saw the destruction of the Jaredites. He also saw our day (see Mormon 8:35-41) and saw that we were headed in the same direction the Jaredites were headed. In Ether 12, Moroni attempts to give us a doctrinal framework within which to live our lives and avoid the promised destruction of the wicked. The first principle of that doctrinal framework is faith in Christ. Have students read verses 1-31 and find examples of faith among the Jaredites and Nephites. In those same verses the Lord explains why men receive weaknesses in this life. How do these weaknesses lead to an increase of faith? The second principle is hope. Have students read Ether 12:32 and explain why we must have hope. The third principle is charity. Have students read Ether 12:33-37 and explain why those who will not suffer destruction must have charity.
Ether 12:38-41 Moroni’s Testimony
Why does Moroni have confidence as he anticipates the day he will stand before God to be judged? What can we do to have that same confidence?
Ether 13:1-14 Ether Writes of a New Jerusalem
Ether wrote of the reconstruction of the Jerusalem that Lehi came from. He also wrote of a New Jerusalem. What did Ether see when he was shown the future? What does the scripture mean in verse 12? Who are the first and who are the last? Why is it important for us to know the prophecies of Ether?
Ether 13:1-15:34 The End of the Jaredites
Have students read Ether 14:25 and explain what the fullness of the wrath of God was that was poured out upon the Jaredites. Have students read Ether 15:3 and explain why Coriantumr began to repent after having resisted repentance for so long. Have students read Ether 15:19 and explain why the Spirit had ceased striving with the Jaredites. What lessons can we learn from this pattern?
The Jaredites desired that there should be a man who was named king over the people. The brother of Jared declared, “Surely this thing leadeth to captivity” (Ether 6:23). Invite the class to find the word captivity in Ether 7. Why do the Lord’s people become captives when they have someone other than the Lord for their king? Cross-reference: 1 Samuel 8:5-18.
Ether 8:20-23 Secret Combinations
Moroni revealed that secret combinations were established among the Jaredites to help the most wicked among them to gain power. Moroni issued a warning to the Gentiles concerning secret combinations. Have students read the warning in verses 20-23 and explain why we should not sustain those who are part of secret combinations.
Ether 9:35 The Jaredites humble themselves
There was gross wickedness among the Jaredites. They began to follow those who established secret combinations. There was murder and adultery and corruption of every sort. However, verse 35 indicates that the people repented. Invite students to read verses 30-34 and discover why it is that the people humbled themselves and repented. How does the Lord humble people in this generation?
Ether 10:22-28 Prosperity among the Jaredites
Have students read these verses and list the elements of prosperity among the Jaredites. Help students see that the prosperity of the Jaredites was a collective prosperity. No mention is made of individuals prospering, rather it is national prosperity. As soon as the Jaredites seek for individual prosperity through secret combinations they go into captivity (see verses 33-34).
Ether 11:13-23 The Final Destruction of the Jaredites Prophesied
What are the key words that describe the reasons why the Jaredites were headed for a final destruction? How do people show that they are wicked and rebellious in this generation? What is the difference between living in captivity and living in peace?
Ether 12:1-41 Faith, Hope and Charity
Moroni saw the destruction of the Jaredites. He also saw our day (see Mormon 8:35-41) and saw that we were headed in the same direction the Jaredites were headed. In Ether 12, Moroni attempts to give us a doctrinal framework within which to live our lives and avoid the promised destruction of the wicked. The first principle of that doctrinal framework is faith in Christ. Have students read verses 1-31 and find examples of faith among the Jaredites and Nephites. In those same verses the Lord explains why men receive weaknesses in this life. How do these weaknesses lead to an increase of faith? The second principle is hope. Have students read Ether 12:32 and explain why we must have hope. The third principle is charity. Have students read Ether 12:33-37 and explain why those who will not suffer destruction must have charity.
Ether 12:38-41 Moroni’s Testimony
Why does Moroni have confidence as he anticipates the day he will stand before God to be judged? What can we do to have that same confidence?
Ether 13:1-14 Ether Writes of a New Jerusalem
Ether wrote of the reconstruction of the Jerusalem that Lehi came from. He also wrote of a New Jerusalem. What did Ether see when he was shown the future? What does the scripture mean in verse 12? Who are the first and who are the last? Why is it important for us to know the prophecies of Ether?
Ether 13:1-15:34 The End of the Jaredites
Have students read Ether 14:25 and explain what the fullness of the wrath of God was that was poured out upon the Jaredites. Have students read Ether 15:3 and explain why Coriantumr began to repent after having resisted repentance for so long. Have students read Ether 15:19 and explain why the Spirit had ceased striving with the Jaredites. What lessons can we learn from this pattern?
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