The Book of Mormon
~AD 401–421

Moroni 7

1

And now I, Moroni, write a few of the words of my father Mormon, which he spake concerning faith, hope and charity: for after this manner did he speak unto the people, as he taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship.

2

And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time;

3

wherefore I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope, by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time hence forth, until ye shall rest with him in Heaven.

4

And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men:

5

for I remember the word of God, which saith, By their works ye shall know them: for if their works be good, then they are good also.

6

For behold, God hath said, A man being evil, cannot do that which is good: for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent, it profiteth him nothing.

7

For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.

8

For behold, if a man being evil, giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.

9

And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray, and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing: for God receiveth none such;

10

wherefore, a man being evil, cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift.

11

For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore a man being the servant of the Devil, cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ, he cannot be a servant of the Devil.

12

Wherefore, all things which are good, cometh of God; and that which is evil, cometh of the Devil: for the Devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

13

But behold, that which is of God, inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

14

Wherefore take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God, to be of the Devil.

15

For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.—

16

For behold, the spirit of Christ is given to every man, that they may know good from evil; wherefore I shew unto you the way to judge: for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge, it is of God;

17

but whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the Devil, for after this manner doth the Devil work: for he persuadeth no man to do good, no not one; neither doth his angels; neither doth they which subject themselves unto him.

18

And now my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully: for with that same judgement which ye judge, ye shall also be judged.

19

Wherefore I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ, that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

20

And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?

21

And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.

22

For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.

23

And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come.

24

And behold, there were diverse ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good, cometh of Christ, otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them.

25

Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing: and thus it was until the coming of Christ.

26

And after that he came, men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as suredly as Christ liveth, he spake these words unto our fathers, saying, Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.

27

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, hath miracles ceased, because that Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath set down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men:

28

for he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those that hath faith in him; and they that have faith in him, will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.—

29

And because that he hath done this, my beloved brethren, hath miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither hath angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.

30

For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, shewing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind, in every form of godliness.

31

And the office of their ministry is, to call men unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Father which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him;

32

and by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof: and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men.

33

And Christ hath said, If ye will have faith in me, ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.

34

And he hath said, Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.

35

And now my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will shew unto you with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true; and if they are true, hath the day of miracles ceased?

36

or hath angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? or hath he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

37

Behold I say unto you Nay, for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore if these things have ceased, wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain:

38

for no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man: for they are as though there had been no redemption made.

39

But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ, because of your meekness: for if ye have not faith in him, then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church.

40

And again my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?

41

And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you, That ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal; and this because of your faith in him according to the promise;

42

wherefore, if a man have faith, he must needs have hope: for without faith there cannot be any hope.

43

And again: Behold I say unto you, That he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart:

44

if so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly of heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity: for if he have not charity, he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

45

And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things;

46

wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail;

47

but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with them.

48

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son Jesus Christ, that ye may become the sons of God, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is, that we may have this hope, that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Influences

  • 7:1 — 1 Timothy 1:19 (KJV)
    Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
  • 7:1 — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV)
    And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
  • 7:2 — 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
    Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
  • 7:2 — 1 Corinthians 15:10 (KJV)
    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
  • 7:2 — 1 Thessalonians 3:11 (KJV)
    Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
  • 7:5 — Matthew 7:16, 20 (KJV)
    Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
  • 7:5 — Matthew 7:17 (KJV)
    Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
  • 7:6 — 1 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV)
    And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
  • 7:7 — Romans 4:3 (KJV)
    For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
  • 7:8 — Matthew 8:9 (KJV)
    For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • 7:11 — Matthew 4:1 (KJV)
    Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
  • 7:12 — Revelation 12:12 (KJV)
    Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
  • 7:12 — Romans 13:4 (KJV)
    For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
  • 7:13 — Hebrews 13:16 (KJV)
    But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
  • 7:16 — 1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)
    But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
  • 7:16 — Ephesians 4:7 (KJV)
    But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
  • 7:17 — Acts 18:13 (KJV)
    Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
  • 7:17 — Romans 3:12 (KJV)
    They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
  • 7:18 — Matthew 7:2 (KJV)
    For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
  • 7:19 — Acts 26:3 (KJV)
    Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
  • 7:25 — Acts 24:24 (KJV)
    And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
  • 7:26 — Acts 3:16 (KJV)
    And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
  • 7:26 — John 1:12 (KJV)
    But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
  • 7:26 — Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
    I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
  • 7:26 — John 16:23 (KJV)
    And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
  • 7:26 — Matthew 21:22 (KJV)
    And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
  • 7:26 — John 15:7 (KJV)
    If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
  • 7:27 — Acts 2:34 (KJV)
    For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
  • 7:27 — Hebrews 10:12 (KJV)
    But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
  • 7:30 — 1 Corinthians 15:28 (KJV)
    And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
  • 7:30 — 2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)
    Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
  • 7:31 — Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
  • 7:32 — Acts 24:24 (KJV)
    And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
  • 7:33 — 2 Corinthians 8:10 (KJV)
    And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
  • 7:34 — Acts 2:38 (KJV)
    Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
  • 7:35 — Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
  • 7:35 — Luke 21:27 (KJV)
    And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
  • 7:35 — John 6:39 (KJV)
    And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
  • 7:36 — Romans 15:13 (KJV)
    Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
  • 7:36 — John 10:16 (KJV)
    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
  • 7:37 — Romans 11:20 (KJV)
    Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
  • 7:38 — Acts 3:16 (KJV)
    And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
  • 7:39 — Hebrews 6:9 (KJV)
    But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
  • 7:41 — Matthew 5:39 (KJV)
    But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
  • 7:41 — Philippians 3:10 (KJV)
    That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
  • 7:41 — John 4:36 (KJV)
    And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
  • 7:42 — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
    But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
  • 7:43 — 1 Peter 1:21 (KJV)
    Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
  • 7:43 — Matthew 11:29 (KJV)
    Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
  • 7:44 — 1 Timothy 5:4 (KJV)
    But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
  • 7:44 — Matthew 11:29 (KJV)
    Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
  • 7:44 — Romans 15:13 (KJV)
    Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
  • 7:44 — John 20:31 (KJV)
    But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
  • 7:44 — 1 Corinthians 13:2 (KJV)
    And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
  • 7:44 — 1 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV)
    And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
  • 7:45 — 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (KJV)
    Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
  • 7:45 — 1 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)
    And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
  • 7:46 — 1 Corinthians 13:2 (KJV)
    And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
  • 7:46 — 1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV)
    Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
  • 7:46 — Colossians 3:14 (KJV)
    And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
  • 7:46 — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV)
    And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
  • 7:47 — 2 Corinthians 5:14 (KJV)
    For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
  • 7:47 — Matthew 8:33 (KJV)
    And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
  • 7:47 — John 6:39 (KJV)
    And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
  • 7:48 — 2 Timothy 1:4 (KJV)
    Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
  • 7:48 — 1 John 3:1 (KJV)
    Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
  • 7:48 — Romans 1:3 (KJV)
    Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
  • 7:48 — 1 John 3:1 (KJV)
    Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
  • 7:48 — John 1:12 (KJV)
    But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
  • 7:48 — 1 John 3:2 (KJV)
    Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
  • 7:48 — 1 John 3:2 (KJV)
    Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
  • 7:48 — 1 John 3:3 (KJV)
    And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
  • 7:48 — 1 John 3:3 (KJV)
    And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Moroni 6Moroni 8