Moroni saw and wrote to people of last days
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
The procedures and practices of the Church in Moroni's day are explained in the first six chapters of the book of Moroni.
"What is written is somewhat `ordinary' for active Latter-day Saints because the procedures are so similar to Church practices today," wrote Robert E. Parsons in Studies in Scripture, Vol. 8: Alma 30 to Moroni. "Thus, there often is a tendency to skim these chapters quickly and move on to more exciting material."However, a different view is needed if we acknowledge that Moroni was writing to our generation and had seen our day and time:
" `Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.' (Mormon 8:34-36.)
"In connection with seeing our day," Brother Parsons continued, "I like to think that Moroni also saw the practices of modern-day Christianity. This makes it easier to understand his concern and interest in telling us the correct procedures for such basic practices as conferring the Holy Ghost, ordaining to offices in the priesthood, administering the sacrament and conducting Church meetings."
Brother Parsons observed how practices pertaining to the sacrament, ordinations, and meetings differ in various churches:
"In that framework, it is easy to understand Moroni's concern with basic procedure and why he wrote what he did to this generation."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: Studies in Scripture, Vol. 8: Alma 30 to Moroni, edited by Kent P. Jackson; April 1982 and October 1986 general conference reports.
