I, Moroni, want to share some words from my father Mormon. He spoke about faith, hope, and love—teaching these things to the people in the synagogue they’d built as their place of worship.
Mormon Teaches About Faith, Hope, and Love
Here’s what he said: 'I speak to you, my dear friends, by God’s grace—the grace of the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s his will and his calling on my life that lets me stand before you now.
'I can say these things about you because I’ve watched how you live peacefully with others. I remember what God said: 'You’ll know them by what they do.
Good Comes from Good Hearts
'God has made it clear: An evil person can’t do what’s truly good. If someone gives a gift or prays to God without meaning it, it does them no good. God doesn’t count it as righteousness. When an evil person gives a gift, they give it grudgingly. In God’s eyes, it’s as if they kept the gift for themselves. He sees them as evil. The same goes for prayer. If you pray without real intent in your heart, it does you no good. God doesn’t accept prayers like that.
'A polluted spring can’t produce clean water. A pure spring can’t produce filthy water. In the same way, someone who serves the Devil can’t follow Christ. And if you follow Christ, you can’t serve the Devil. Everything good comes from God. Everything evil comes from the Devil. The Devil is God’s enemy and fights against him constantly, always inviting and tempting people to sin and do what’s evil. But what comes from God invites and draws you toward good.
How to Judge Good from Evil
'So listen closely, dear friends: Don’t mistake what’s evil for God’s work, or what’s good and from God for the Devil’s work.
You’ve been given the ability to judge, to know good from evil. The way to judge is as clear as daylight is from darkness. 'The Spirit of Christ is given to everyone, so they can know good from evil. Let me show you how to judge: Everything that invites you to do good and believe in Christ comes from Christ’s power and gift. You can know for certain it’s from God. But anything that leads people to do evil, to not believe in Christ, to deny him and refuse to serve God—you can know for certain that’s from the Devil. That’s how he works. He doesn’t persuade anyone to do good—not one person.
'Now, friends, since you know the light by which you can judge—the light of Christ—be careful not to judge wrongly. The same standard you use to judge others will be used to judge you. So I urge you: Search carefully in Christ’s light, so you can know good from evil.
Faith Opens the Door to Everything Good
' 'Let me talk about the faith I mentioned. I’ll tell you how you can embrace every good thing.
God knows everything—he’s always existed and always will. He sent angels to serve people, to announce that Christ was coming. And through Christ, every good thing would come. God also spoke directly to prophets, telling them that Christ would come. He revealed good things to people in many different ways. All good things come from Christ. Without him, humanity would be lost, and no good thing could ever reach us. So through the ministry of angels and every word that came from God’s mouth, people began to exercise faith in Christ. Through that faith, they embraced every good thing. This went on until Christ came. 'After he came, people were saved by faith in his name. Through faith, they became children of God.
Miracles Haven’t Stopped
'So, dear friends, have miracles stopped just because Christ ascended to heaven and sat down at the Father’s right hand, claiming the mercy he has for all people? He fulfilled the law completely, and he claims everyone who has faith in him. Those who have faith in him will hold tight to every good thing. That’s why he speaks up for us.
'Because he’s done this, have miracles stopped? I tell you: No. Angels haven’t stopped serving people either. They obey Christ’s commands and serve people, showing themselves to those who have strong faith and firm minds, in every godly way. Their job is to call people to turn back to God, to fulfill the promises God made to humanity, to prepare the way by declaring Christ’s message to those the Lord has chosen, so they can testify about him. By doing this, the Lord God makes it possible for others to have faith in Christ, so the Holy Spirit can find a place in their hearts.
' And he said: 'Everyone, everywhere—turn away from your sins.
'Dear friends, if what I’ve told you is true—and God will show you with power and great glory on the last day that it is—then has the age of miracles ended? Have angels stopped appearing to people? Has God held back the Holy Spirit’s power? Will he do that as long as time lasts, as long as the earth stands, as long as there’s even one person left who needs to be saved? I tell you: No. Miracles happen because of faith. Angels appear and serve people because of faith. So if these things have stopped, it’s terrible for us—because it means we’ve stopped believing, and everything is meaningless. No one can be saved, according to Christ’s own words, unless they have faith in his name. So if these things have stopped, then faith has stopped too—and how awful that would be.
'But I believe better things about you. I believe you have faith in Christ, because I’ve seen your humility.
Faith, Hope, and Love Work Together
'Let me talk to you about hope. How can you have faith if you don’t have hope?
What should you hope for? I’ll tell you: Hope that through Christ’s sacrifice and the power of his resurrection, you’ll be raised to eternal life. This hope comes from your faith in him and his promise. So if you have faith, you must have hope.
'And here’s another thing: You can’t have faith and hope unless you’re humble and gentle of heart. If you’re not, your faith and hope are empty. God only accepts those who are humble and gentle. And if you’re humble and gentle, and you acknowledge by the Holy Spirit’s power that Jesus is the Christ, then you must have love. Without love, you’re nothing.
'Love is patient. Love is kind. It doesn’t envy. It’s not arrogant. It doesn’t look out only for itself. It’s not easily angered. It doesn’t think evil thoughts. It doesn’t celebrate when wrong happens, but celebrates truth. Love bears everything, believes everything, hopes for everything, endures everything. Dear friends, without love you’re nothing. Love never fails. So hold tight to love, which is the greatest thing of all. Everything else will pass away. 'But love—the pure love of Christ—lasts forever. ' 'So, dear friends, pray to the Father with all your heart’s energy, that you may be filled with this love he’s poured out on everyone who truly follows his Son Jesus Christ. Pray that you may become children of God. When Christ appears, we’ll be like him, because we’ll see him as he really is. Hold this hope, so you may be made pure just as he is pure.
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 — 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.