Moroni 10:32 "come unto Christ"

Come unto Christ.  To me, this is the main message of the Book of Mormon.  It constantly invites me, both directly and indirectly, to come unto Christ.  As I have read the Book of Mormon this time, I have searched specifically for principles that I can apply to ‘Come unto Christ’ by becoming a better husband and father.  As I have searched for these principles, I have found them.  I have felt guidance and inspiration in my life as to things I can change to become more like Christ.  As I have tried to exercise faith by acting upon these promptings, I have received strength from Christ to continue to overcome some of my weaknesses and pride and to become a little closer to, and more like, Him.

I love these last few verses of Moroni.  They are so beautiful, profound, and moving.  They provide the framework for us to reach our true potential - to become holy, without spot.  And it all begins by coming unto Christ.  I testify that the Book of Mormon contains the word of God.  If we search its pages, we can learn more fully what it means for us individually to come unto Christ.

Earlier in this same chapter (vs. 3-5), Moroni taught how one can know whether the teachings in the Book of Mormon are true.  In reading the Book of Mormon, I have tried to remember how merciful the Lord has been unto the children of men.  I have observed His deliverance, both temporally and spiritually, through numerous accounts in its pages.  I have tried to remember His deliverance of me on numerous occasions in my life.  I have pled for His deliverance in my current needs.  I have tried to ask with a sincere heart, and with real intent - I have tried to be diligent in acting upon the promptings that I have received as I have studied this book.  And as I have done so, I have had the truthfulness of its teachings manifest to me by the power of the Holy Ghost.  This has come through thoughts and feelings.  But even more importantly, it has come through increased power to change my heart and my behavior.  It has blessed me and my family.

Joseph Smith either translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God, or he somehow fraudulently produced this book.  In my view, someone could not have fraudulently produced a book that helps me feel the Spirit so strongly and that has such power to bring me to Christ.  There are real and conflicting forces in the world.  Some seek to draw me to Christ and to help me become more like Him and entice me to true happiness and joy.  Others seek to draw me inward, and to make me selfish and prideful.  They seek to make me miserable.  The Book of Mormon draws me to Christ and teaches me principles of happiness so powerfully and clearly that I know it is from God.  As I have pondered, prayed and practiced, I have also received spiritual witnesses in my heart that these things are true and are of God, and are the way for me to achieve my full potential.  I am so thankful for the Book of Mormon and for its invitation to ‘Come unto Christ’!

Ether 6:4 "they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God"

The Lord promised Jared and his brother that He would lead their people to a promised land.  After much preparation, they got into their vessels and trusted in the Lord to deliver them to the promised land.  Getting into these vessels was an act of great faith.  We learn little about these barges in this account.  I do not know how they were able to steer, or guide them.  They had a limited supply of food.  They were completely reliant upon the Lord for their lives and for their ability to reach their destination.  If the Lord did not help them, they easily could have perished.  And how did the Lord help them reach their destination?  By providing furious winds and letting them be tossed upon the waves of the sea.  It was not an easy journey, but because of their faith, they did reach the promised land.

What journey am I on?  What is my destination?  How do I get in my vessel and commend myself unto the Lord?  My promised land is the celestial kingdom of God.  My journey is to become fully converted to Christ.  Like these people, I am completely reliant upon the Lord to reach my destination.  I cannot change my own heart.  Only by exercising faith in the Lord, and keeping His commandments can I hope to reach my destination.  I do not get into a physical ship that I cannot control.  But I must place my trust in God.  I must give up my pride and let Him know that I am willing to follow Him with my whole heart.  The love of God is what changes my heart.  And I must invite that love in by accepting Christ and exercising faith in Him.  That is my journey.  And by furious winds and being tossed upon the waves of the sea, I too, can reach my promised land.

Mormon 1:1. "I, Mormon, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard"

We, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are often referred to as 'Mormons'.  My understanding is that this nickname started out as a derogatory term for those who believed in the Book of Mormon.  I imagine that most outside our faith have little understanding of what is behind that name ‘Mormon’.

The prophet Mormon authored, edited and compiled the Book of Mormon.  We learn in Mormon chapter 2, that, like Nephi, Mormon was large in stature.  I imagine this is likely speaking both spiritually and physically. Probably also in reputation. It is interesting that even though most everyone around him was wicked, they apparently respected and appreciated the righteousness of Mormon.  Most people who call us ‘Mormons’ likely have no idea that it is after this amazing man. I want to be more like Mormon.  He is a lower light that guides me to the Savior.  Like him, we can sometimes feel alone in our beliefs, but we can be valiant and strong.

In 3 Nephi 5:12, we learn that Mormon was named after the land of Mormon, which we learned of in Mosiah chapter 18.  In the beginning of Mosiah 18, the land of Mormon wasn't made to sound like a very desirable place.  It was in the borders of the land.  It was infested with wild beasts.  It was given its name by the wicked king who sought to kill Alma and those who believed.  However, by the end of the chapter, it became a beautiful place to the people who went there to learn of Christ.  It was the place they began to follow their Savior.  It was the place they made covenants with Him to become His children.  They loved the land of Mormon.

So when we are called ‘Mormons’, we are being called after this prophet, who was called after this place where many came to be converted to the Lord.  We are a people that also desire to be converted to the Lord, and we have authority to administer the ordinances that are associated with the covenants and the power that make this possible.  Like the land of Mormon, we may seem undesirable to some, but for those who truly desire to become like their Savior, we invite them to come and see what the Mormons have to offer!

Of course, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we do not follow Mormon, we follow Christ - thus the name of the church.  However, it is also an honor to be associated with this great prophet and this land where long ago many came unto Christ and entered into covenants to become His followers and become like Him.  When I am called a Mormon, this is what I feel it represents - that I am one that, like Mormon, Alma and the people at the waters of Mormon, seeks Christ, makes covenants with Him, and tries to be more fully converted to Him.

3 Nephi 17:5 - "they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them"

In 3 Nephi 17, as Jesus was about to leave the Nephites, the multitude looked at him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.  As I read this account, I wondered how I would have felt if I were there.  Of course it seems like I would always want Jesus to tarry longer with me.  But as I thought more deeply and honestly about this question, I realized that I have plenty of opportunities to invite Jesus to tarry with me right now.  Do I take those opportunities to have the Lord tarry with me a little longer now?  How do I desire to spend my time?  Am I eager to delve into the scriptures to tarry with the Lord?  Am I eager to pray and tarry with the Lord?  Am I eager to attend my church meetings and to worship in the temple to tarry with the Lord?  I have so many opportunities to invite the Lord to tarry with me.  When I get distracted, or waste my time in trivial matters, I am showing where my true desires are.  I do not need to wait for physical manifestations of the Lord to invite him to tarry with me.  This should be the desire of my heart on a daily basis.

The Nephites desires to have Jesus tarry a little longer with them led to incredible blessings.  Chapter 17 is a very tender chapter.  Jesus healed every one of the sick that were brought to him.  He blessed each of the children, one by one.  He wept with the people.  They were overcome with joy because of his tarrying with them.  I believe that Jesus desires to bless each one of God's children.  We need to desire and invite him to tarry with us to receive his blessings.

Helaman 13:3 "return again"

Samuel had been preaching for many days to the Nephites in Zarahemla and they rejected his message and cast him out of the land.  As he was about to return to his home, the voice of the Lord commanded him to 'return again' and prophesy unto the people.  How must Samuel have felt?  He must have felt like he was guided by the Lord the first time around to go preach to the Nephites.  And he apparently had little to no success.  They treated him poorly.  Was he questioning that original inspiration?  And then to receive guidance to return and try again?  What would I do?  Samuel did not hesitate.  He did not return to his home, but immediately returned to prophesy 'whatever things should come into his heart'.  This took great faith.  This is not an isolated incident in the Book of Mormon.  Similar occurrences happened earlier where prophets were not successful on a first attempt, yet were commanded to 'return again' - e.g., Nephi and the brass plates, Abinadi and King Noah's people,  Alma and Ammonihah, or Nephi to the Nephites and Lamanites just a few years earlier.  What would have happened if these prophets had not returned, as prompted by the Spirit?  Alma the Elder would not have been converted.  Amulek and Zeezrom would not have been converted.  Look at the good that came from them!  Many of the Nephites and Lamanites who responded to Nephi and Samuel may not have experienced the joy of the gospel.

A few principles stand out to me in his account.  First, the Lord gives us so many chances!  He does not give me just one chance to repent and turn to Him.  He gives me many chances.  He invites me to change constantly, often through the words of his prophets, or through family members, or local priesthood leaders or friends.  This account reminded me of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), and Elder Hollands talk on this subject (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-laborers-in-the-vineyard?lang=eng).  The Lord of the vineyard 'returned again' 5 times. Each who accepted received the same wage.

Another principle is that we sometimes receive spiritual promptings that do not seem to work out.  I imagine Samuel, and each of these prophets, could have been discouraged when they received revelation to go preach to people, and apparently none of the people wanted to accept their message.  Why go in the first place?  But I am learning that I do not always need to understand why I receive guidance to do something.  I need to seek and follow the Spirit.  I need not worry so much about the outcome.  In addition to the Lord giving these people more chances to change and repent, perhaps he was giving these prophets further opportunities to exercise and strengthen their own faith, by letting them 'fail' the first time, and then prompting them to 'return again'.  And just because the Lord asks us to do something, it does not necessarily mean that it is going to be easy, or even clear how we are to accomplish it. Sometimes we receive a prompting to do something, and it may not play out how we expect. Did Samuel think he was going to have to preach from the wall when he went back? It can be easy to doubt our promptings if obstacles arise. Samuel didn't do this. He knew he had to act on what the Lord prompted him and he found a way to accomplish this. Can I learn to be this faithful and diligent?

As I pondered my own life, I realized that I also have often had promptings to 'return again', and and keep trying to reach out to someone who has not responded to my initial invitations.  This has happened on numerous occasions with my children, home teaching, serving in church callings, and sharing the gospel.  It is very common that we are not successful reaching someone on the first try.  Some common themes among these scriptural accounts of when people 'returned again':  1) they were immediately obedient to the counsel of the Lord; 2) they took a different approach; 3) they were filled with and directed by the Spirit; 4) they continued to face great obstacles the 2nd time around, but they exercised great faith, and showed great desire and persistence in accomplishing what the Lord had commanded.  And in some of these instances, they may never have known the positive impact they had through their diligent efforts. I will try to be more diligent at following promptings to 'return again'.

Helaman 7:16. "how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery"

There are real forces enticing us for good and for evil in this world.  And there are sources of these forces.  God's plan is for us to become like Him, and receive a fullness of joy.  Satan seeks to destroy us and make us 'miserable like unto himself' (2 Nephi 2:25-27).  There are commandments that help us know how to respond to these forces and progress toward joy.  One of Satan's powerful tools is to entice us to forget that these forces are real and that the authors of these forces work tirelessly to accomplish their objectives.

What a passionate, beautiful, and true speech Nephi gives to the Nephites in Helaman chapter 7.  Nephi helps me see and remember more clearly what my objective is on earth, and how hard Satan tries to destroy me.  If I can only maintain this vision at all times!  When I am tempted to be prideful or selfish or lazy, I must remember that this is the cunning enticing of the evil one, who seeks to hurl my soul to hell.  His intent is to destroy me!  He does not support his followers.  There is only temporary satisfaction or pleasure in following him.  But each time I follow him he attaches a cord to my heart, making it more difficult for me to desire the things that help me progress toward my real goal.  Fortunately, Christ is more powerful and will break these cords as I exercise faith in Him and repent.  As I have studied the Book of Mormon this year, and tried to apply its teachings, I have felt Christ loosening some of these cords that the evil one has attached to my heart.  The teachings in this book truly lead me to Christ and teach me how to exercise faith in Him.

Alma 61:9 "you have censured me, but it mattereth not"

In the exchange of epistles between Moroni and Pahoran in Alma 60-61, Pahoran showed an outstanding example of selfless behavior and unity.  In Moroni's epistle, he basically accused, or at least suspected, Pahoran of being guilty of the same selfish, power-seeking behavior as the kingmen. However, Pahoran had been working to defend the cause of freedom and he himself was also suffering in the cause.  The natural man would be offended by this lack of trust and this censure from Moroni.  Pahoran had a great deal of charity. In his response, he showed that he did not care for his own position or power, but for that of freedom.  His response was not about himself at all.  He completely overlooked Moroni's lack of trust and his accusations and looked for the truth in Moroni's message.

As I look for principles of how to be a better husband and father, this exchange provides powerful insights.  Pahoran's response is a good example of how spouses can respond to each other and keep unity in stressful situations.  The key principle reinforced for me is the importance of giving each other the benefit of the doubt when there is disagreement or misunderstanding.  Do not look for perceived slights or lack of respect, but rather look for the good that is offered.  The way Pahoran did this was to remember the greatness of Moroni's heart.  Pahoran realized that Moroni had no way to know exactly who was at fault in the government, so he was very strong with his words.  But in his heart, Moroni never intended to accuse anyone that was innocent.  If I remember the greatness of my wife's heart, I will remember she is not trying to injure me when we disagree or there is a misunderstanding.  I will remember that we are on the same team, and are trying to accomplish the same objectives.  I will not get defensive, but strive to work together.  Another key to remember is that just like Moroni and Pahoran, we simply don't always have the same view of the field or the obstacles we face.  That can be a strength, if we are able to give each other the benefit of the doubt.  Even though Moroni's interpretation of Pahoran's situation may not have been fully accurate, Moroni taught powerful principles about the importance of unity and how to rectify their situation (I also learned great principles about being a better father and how to have more unity in marriage from Moroni's letter).  Because Pahoran was able to look past the 'censure', he was able to implement the good in Moroni's counsel, and they were able to work together in unity against their real common foe, and not waste their energy protecting their pride.  For me, this means that as spouses, we look for solutions together.  We rely on each other's strengths and overlook and forgive weaknesses. We take the good in each other's ideas to work together for a common goal.  Working together brings us to Christ, whereas protecting our pride divides us and allows the enemy to gain victories.