Moroni 1-6: Come Follow Me Book of Mormon with Sam

 Welcome to Come follow me with Sam! Moroni finds he has a little more time and so he chooses first to reiterate and specifically explain and testify of the order that Christ set forth among the Nephites and Lamanites. I find it so fascinating that this was what was important to him for us to know. I think he wanted us to understand that the order under which we are is the same order under which Christ Himself established his church. This gives a certain understanding of the holiness of which we partake.

You cannot escape from the darkness in your own heart

The Lamanites were driven by anger, hate, and fear to war upon their enemies. They destroyed the Nephite civilization utterly. But they couldn't destroy the anger, hate, and fear and so they fell upon one another. Their wars became exceedingly fierce. But, as you guessed, the war isn't going to solve anything either. Until you work into yourself a heart of peace, there is nowhere to turn.

The simple triple connection Moroni sets forth

If you look carefully, you can see Moroni building up the pattern of how the ordinances are to be administered. He starts on the foundation of the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This is something we have.

Then he talks about ordaining the priests. The priests are to 'preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end.' This is something we teach.

Then Moroni tells us the specific sacrament prayers we use. This is what we do.

The Sacrament prayers are still prayers

Note that the sacrament prayers are still prayers. We have almost no recited prayers in the church so we are not used to praying with words already given us. Recited prayers are still a real prayer to God. Yes He knows what you are going to say but He already knows that anyway so it doesn't change much on His end. 

If you are a priest, try this. Pause just a little bit after addressing your Heavenly Father and check if he is listening. You may be surprised by the response you get.

Next time you are in Sacrament meeting, try this too. Focus on your baptism, and the Gift of the Spirit. Ask yourself who you really are. Then ask God to help you remember. :) I think you will find out some amazing things about both you, your Savior, and the Sacrament.

The Church and the straitness of the way

In chapter 6, Moroni talks about the straitness of coming to the church of Christ. He teaches that we have a broken heart and a contrite spirit and truly repent to come to Christ. He says that those who take upon them the name of Christ have a determination to serve him to the end and that the church helps to nourish all people. Its important to remember our offering we make for discipleship. How appropriate to speak of this after reading Ether 8 and understanding the Cain and Abel story.

Moroni says the church did meet together oft. There is some powerful force that permeates God's people when they come together. The organization and meeting of the church is a foundational pillar. I'm primarily introverted so it can be difficult in groups for me. It is difficult for other reasons for other people. I believe there are many ways we can make church meeting more adapted to our current circumstances, but one thing that is core through all time is the commandment and power that comes from organized meeting together. In addition, if we are not meeting and looking after each other, how will our stewardships be accepted?

The church meetings Moroni talks about are a lot more flexible than our church meetings. We have a pretty defined format. This helps standardize a growing church and helping people to come together and is a staff on which we can lean to grow the church. This being said, I wonder if we won't see changes further in Moroni's direction some day? As the church grows and stabilizes, and with the influence of so many cultures and ways, I think that we may see some greater variation. The most important part of this equation, though, is the members seeking and finding the Spirit at their meetings so that the Spirit can then lead them to what they should do.

In all this, we see Moroni guiding us on the foundations of the church and testifying of the the order with which Christ has given us to follow Him.