Mormon's sermon on faith, included in Moroni 7, enters the topic of the ministry of angels (Moro. 7:22). Angels were sent to minister "unto the children of men" to teach them about Christ. This statement about angels ministering unto men is general, not limited to a small group of leaders. All men and women may and should receive angels, or true messengers. These messengers are sent from the presence of God to teach them how to "begin" to exercise faith in Christ (Moro. 7:25). This is the beginning of revealed religion.
It is by this faith that men are saved, and "become the sons of God" (Moro 7:26). Mormon tries to convince his audience that miracles haven't ceased because Christ left and ascended into heaven. Miracles haven't ceased, and angels haven't ceased to minister unto the children of men (Moro. 7:29). They are subject unto Christ and are sent by him unto men (Moro. 7:30).
As long as there is one man left upon the earth to be saved, so long as time shall last, angels will be sent to minister unto that man (Moro. 7:36). Does this not imply that the ministry of angels is in some way inescapably tied to your salvation? Can you be saved without the ministry of angels? In other words, can you be prepared in all things, and be brought to the veil to meet your Lord without the guidance of true messengers? What does the temple teach about this? Do the teachings of the temple validate Mormon's testimony?
It is by faith that angels come to minister unto man (Moro. 7:37). If angels have ceased to minister unto men, it is because of unbelief, and their religion is vain (ibid.). "For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name (Moro. 7:38).
Both Mormon and Moroni speak unto you as if you were present (Morm. 8:35). In order for their message to have the intended impact, you must actually believe the text is speaking to you personally. Many in the Church insist passages like this are not meant to be taken personally. You should read the text carefully and ask yourself if you're willing to believe that.
Remember that you cannot justify your standing before God by a reference to Joseph Smith's own experiences with angels. Joseph Smith's personal experiences are no more a fair assessment of your own standing before God than Moses' experiences were a reflection of the righteousness of the children of Israel. Nor are Joseph's personal experiences a good determinant of the Church's present condition. In fact, Mormon said our churches "have become polluted" because of our pride (Morm. 8:36). "The holy church of God" has been polluted from the inside out (Morm. 8:38). Hugh Nibley always said it was an inside job.
The things Moroni included for us as he finished his record should be more helpful to us than we tend to allow them to be. His words are corroborated by the testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. In the vision of the telestial world he saw that those who were to be heirs of salvation would be ministered to by angels (D&C 76:88). They receive instruction from true messengers if they seek redemption from the fall.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
The Greatest of These Is Love
Mormon described the struggle he had working with a people who had once been enlightened by the gospel but had hardened their hearts against it. Because of their accomplishments they became proud, and boasted in their own strength. They sought revenge for the evils brought upon them by their enemies. They desired blood, and went to other lands to destroy. Thus, Satan had great hold upon their hearts.
"And it came to pass that I, Mormon, did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abominations.
"Behold, I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith, because of the hardness of their hearts" (Morm. 3:11-12, emphasis mine).
The prophet Mormon admits that though he continued to pray for his people it was without faith. He understood the prophecies, and knew the final outcome. He not only knew the destiny of the wicked, but knew that his people would ultimately fail to repent and would be destroyed. He could not exercise faith in their behalf. In other words, faith failed. Love remained intact.
Mormon made a point of alerting his readers that even though his preaching would have no effect upon his people, he believed we could learn from their example. "Therefore I write unto you Gentiles, and also unto you House of Israel..." (Morm. 3:17). He reminds us that we will indeed stand before Christ to be judged (v. 20). He writes to help us "believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ" (v. 21). He desires to persuade "all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare" for the judgment which shall come (v. 22).
After seeing that his people were on the verge of becoming extinct, Mormon goes forth to lead them once more.
"But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them" (Morm. 5:2).
Their efforts were "all in vain" (v. 6). If they had repented they might have been "clasped in the arms of Jesus" (v. 11). Mormon desires to help us understand these things. In case the meaning is lost upon us he helps us with his own commentary to the Gentiles:
"And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?
"Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?
"Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you - lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver" (Morm. 5:22-24).
Though faith and hope failed him, love did not. Mormon prayed without faith for his people, and led them without hope. It seems, however, that he held out hope for us.
"And it came to pass that I, Mormon, did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abominations.
"Behold, I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith, because of the hardness of their hearts" (Morm. 3:11-12, emphasis mine).
The prophet Mormon admits that though he continued to pray for his people it was without faith. He understood the prophecies, and knew the final outcome. He not only knew the destiny of the wicked, but knew that his people would ultimately fail to repent and would be destroyed. He could not exercise faith in their behalf. In other words, faith failed. Love remained intact.
Mormon made a point of alerting his readers that even though his preaching would have no effect upon his people, he believed we could learn from their example. "Therefore I write unto you Gentiles, and also unto you House of Israel..." (Morm. 3:17). He reminds us that we will indeed stand before Christ to be judged (v. 20). He writes to help us "believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ" (v. 21). He desires to persuade "all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare" for the judgment which shall come (v. 22).
After seeing that his people were on the verge of becoming extinct, Mormon goes forth to lead them once more.
"But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them" (Morm. 5:2).
Their efforts were "all in vain" (v. 6). If they had repented they might have been "clasped in the arms of Jesus" (v. 11). Mormon desires to help us understand these things. In case the meaning is lost upon us he helps us with his own commentary to the Gentiles:
"And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?
"Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?
"Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you - lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver" (Morm. 5:22-24).
Though faith and hope failed him, love did not. Mormon prayed without faith for his people, and led them without hope. It seems, however, that he held out hope for us.
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