Seminary
Moroni 7:20–43: Finding Hope in Christ

“Moroni 7:20–43: Finding Hope in Christ,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“Moroni 7:20–43,” Book of Mormon Student Manual

Moroni 7:20–43

Finding Hope in Christ

Image
Christ smiling at a child

Have you ever needed to feel more hope in your life? Moroni, who wandered alone for many years after his people were destroyed, recorded his father’s words about the hope we can have in Christ of greater things to come. This lesson can help you feel increased hope through Jesus Christ.

Lay hold on every good thing

In Moroni 7, Mormon said that he wanted to help his people know how they could “lay hold on every good thing” (verse 21).

  • When Mormon used the phrase “good thing,” what do you think he was referring to?

  • What are some spiritual and eternal “good things” that you would like to lay hold of, or receive, in this life or the next?

You may remember that in Moroni 7:12–19, Mormon taught that all good things come from Jesus Christ. Read Moroni 7:20–26, looking for what Mormon taught about how to receive these good things from Christ.

  • What did you find?

  • What accounts can you think of in which Heavenly Father sent angels to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world?

The meaning of hope

To help you prepare to learn more about Mormon’s teachings regarding hope, read this account from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

Image
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Before I reached my 12th birthday, our family had been forced twice to flee our home and start over amid the chaos, fear, and uncertainties caused by war and political division. It was an anxious time for me. …

This time of bleakness after World War II left its mark upon the world. It left its mark upon me.

Back then, in the solitude of my loneliest hours, I often wondered, “Is there any hope left in the world?” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “God among Us,” Liahona, May 2021, 8)

  • What are some reasons people feel a lack of hope today?

Elder Uchtdorf recalled that “while the world was drowning in cynicism, bitterness, hatred, and fear,” he found something that “filled [him] with hope” (“God among Us,” Liahona, May 2021, 8).

Are you experiencing a lack of hope in your life? Think about what brings you hope in even the most difficult circumstances. As you continue studying this lesson, look for truths that can help you be filled with hope.

Mormon teaches about hope

Read Moroni 7:40–44, looking for how our faith in Jesus Christ is related to hope.

  • How would you summarize verse 41 in your own words?

A truth from Mormon’s teachings

One truth we can learn from Mormon is if we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, we can have hope through His Atonement to be raised to eternal life.

  • What do you think it means to have hope in Jesus Christ?

  • Why might we need to be humble, or “meek, and lowly of heart” (Moroni 7:43), to exercise faith in Jesus Christ and have hope?

To see an example of someone who found hope through faith in Jesus Christ, review one of the following accounts. As you do, look for how the person experienced hope through Jesus Christ.

It is important to note that even as we show faith in Jesus Christ and have hope for the blessings He offers, we may still have difficult and trying moments in our lives. But as we continue to exercise faith in the Savior and focus on Him and the eternal life that He makes available to us, we will gain the hope we seek.

  1. Do the following activity and answer the final three questions:

Finding Hope in Jesus Christ

Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Moroni 7:20–43: Finding Hope in Christ”

To help you think about how having hope because of Christ can affect our lives in different circumstances, select one of the following scenarios (or come up with one on your own):

  • James has fallen back into sinful habits that he thought he had left behind.

  • Becca’s father has stopped coming to church and has declared that he no longer believes in God.

  • Analise is struggling to keep up with all of her obligations at school, work, and home.

Finish these two phrases, stating how the person might look at his or her situation differently:

  • Without hope in Jesus Christ,

  • With hope in Jesus Christ,

  • How could this person exercise faith in Jesus Christ? See if you can find a scripture to include in your response.

  • How might exercising faith in this way help this person have more hope through Jesus Christ?

  • What might you say to this person if he or she asked you why you have hope in Jesus Christ? (See 1 Peter 3:15.)

© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.