Before Moroni concluded the record we know today as the Book of Mormon with his own final words, he shared three messages from his father, Mormon: an address to “the peaceable followers of Christ” (Moroni 7:3) and two letters that Mormon had written to Moroni. Perhaps Moroni included these messages in the Book of Mormon because he foresaw similarities between the perils of his day and ours. When these words were written, the Nephite people were turning away from the Savior. Many of them had “lost their love, one towards another” and delighted in “everything save that which is good” (Moroni 9:5, 19). And yet Mormon still found cause for hope, teaching us that hope does not mean ignoring or being naive about the world’s problems. Hope means having faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, whose power is greater and more everlasting than these problems. It means “lay[ing] hold upon every good thing” (Moroni 7:19). It means letting the Atonement of Jesus Christ “and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind” (Moroni 9:25).
The Light of Christ helps me know truth from error.
Many people wonder, “How can I know if an impression comes from God or from my own thoughts?” or “With so much deception today, how can I know what is right or wrong?” Mormon’s words in Moroni 7 give us several principles we can use to answer these questions. Look for them especially in verses 12–20. You might use these truths to help you evaluate the messages you encounter and the experiences you have this week.
See also Guide to the Scriptures, “Light, Light of Christ,” Gospel Library; “Patterns of Light: Discerning Light” (video), Gospel Library.
Because of Jesus Christ, I can “lay hold upon every good thing.”
Mormon asked a question that seems especially important today: “How is it possible [to] lay hold upon every good thing?” (Moroni 7:20). He then taught about faith in Jesus Christ, hope, and charity. As you read verses 20–48, look for how each attribute helps you find and “lay hold” on the goodness that comes from Jesus Christ. Why are these attributes essential for a disciple of Jesus Christ?
See also “Mormon’s Teachings about Faith, Hope, and Charity” (video), Gospel Library.
Mormon observed that our faith and hope in Jesus Christ lead us to have charity. But what is charity? You might write Charity is … and then read Moroni 7:44–48, looking for words or phrases that could complete the sentence. When you finish, consider replacing the word Charity with the name Jesus Christ. What does this teach you about the Savior? How has Jesus Christ demonstrated His pure love? Think of examples from the scriptures and your own life.
President Dallin H. Oaks observed: “The reason charity never fails and the reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness … is that charity, ‘the pure love of Christ’ [Moroni 7:47], is not an act but a condition or state of being. … Charity is something one becomes” (“The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 34). With this statement in mind, you might read Elder Massimo De Feo’s message “Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 81–83). How does charity affect your discipleship? How can you “cleave unto charity”? (verse 46).
Use object lessons. Perhaps thinking of a three-legged stool can help you understand more about the relationship between faith, hope, and charity (see Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Infinite Power of Hope,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 21–24).
In contrast to Mormon’s message of love in Moroni 7:44–48, Mormon’s second epistle to Moroni included warnings against something many struggle with today—anger. According to Moroni 9:3–5, what were some of the consequences of the Nephites’ anger? What warnings can we take from verses 3–5, 18–20, 23?
See also Gordon B. Hinckley, “Slow to Anger,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 62–66.
I can have hope in Christ regardless of my circumstances.
After describing the wickedness he had seen, Mormon told his son not to grieve. What impresses you about Mormon’s message of hope? What does it mean to you for Christ to “lift [you] up”? What attributes of Christ and principles of His gospel “rest in your mind” and give you hope? (Moroni 9:25).
If I have faith in Jesus Christ, I can do whatever He needs me to do.
Consider looking at a few pictures together that show someone from the scriptures accomplishing something important (see, for example, Gospel Art Book, nos. 19, 70, 78, 81). How did having faith in Christ make a difference in these examples? You and your children could then read Moroni 7:33, looking for what we can do when we have faith in Jesus Christ. You could also share experiences with each other when God blessed you with power to do His will.
As you read Moroni 7:41 to your children, perhaps they could raise their hands when they hear something Mormon said we should hope for. Tell them about the hope you feel because of Jesus Christ.
You and your children could also think of someone who may be having a hard time with something. Maybe your children could draw a picture for the person that can remind him or her to have hope in Jesus Christ.
I can have hope in Jesus Christ, even during difficult trials.
To teach your children about hope in Jesus Christ, you could fill a clear container with water and drop two objects into it—one that floats and one that sinks. As you read together Moroni 7:40–41 and 9:25–26, your children could look for what hope does for us. Then they could compare the floating object to a person who has hope in Christ. How does He “lift [us] up” when we face difficult trials? Help your children think of ways they can keep the Savior and His encouraging teachings “in [their] mind forever.”
A song about love, such as “Love One Another” (Children’s Songbook, 136), may start a discussion about what charity is. You could read or summarize Moroni 7:47 and invite your children to draw pictures of themselves showing love to someone. Suggest that they put their picture where it will remind them to love others as Jesus does.
How can you inspire your children to seek and develop the pure love of Christ in their lives? Perhaps you could help them think of ways that Jesus showed charity (see, for example, Luke 23:34; John 8:1–11; Ether 12:33–34). How can we follow His example?
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
