Ether 11 and 12

The wars and wickedness continue. More and more prophets are sent and people reject them. The rulers put them in prison and murder them for prophesying that the people and the government will be destroyed. The prophet Ether comes into the picture. Prophets are not all equal and evidently Ether is significantly more powerful or he wouldn't be singled out among so many others. In the midst of this, Moroni interjects some of the great verses on faith, hope and charity. Moroni points out that without hope, without belief in the Savior, he will not be revealed to man. Even the prophet Joseph Smith had to first come to a point to where he turned his confusion into belief and faith that he could get an answer. Only then did the Lord reveal himself to him. This speaks volumes about how much faith Joseph Smith had even as a boy. The Lord didn't just appear to him out of the blue.

With all things sacred, there must first be an effort on our part. The Lord has said "Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." President Lee once told President Packer, when he was a new general authority, "Do you know what's wrong with you-you always want to see the end from the beginning... You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and perhaps a few steps into the darkness, and you will find that the light will appear and move ahead of you." This is a true principle for all kinds of decisions in life. I think this is especially true when we make major decisions such as when we make a decision to be married, to serve a mission, to move, to change jobs. Smaller decisions we often can make on our own and I think the Lord expects us to, although I think inspiration is just as possible with them. But with major life changing decisions, we have the right and the promise that if we are living righteously, the Spirit will provide us confirmation AFTER we have carefully thought it through, made a decision and then moved forward in faith. If it is wrong, the Lord will let us know. If it is right, we'll eventually see the light and receive a confirmation.

There are great verses in this chapter on dealing with weaknesses, verses in which Moroni tells the Lord of his worries about his father's and his own weaknesses in writing. Nephi made similar statements. Moroni explains that his writing just doesn't carry the same weight and power that words spoken under the influence of the Spirit do. He states that the Brother of Jared could write words so powerful that they were overwhelming to the reader. Perhaps that's one reason why those plates were sealed. Words that powerful would not require us to develop our own faith. Moroni understands the purposes of the Book of Mormon, the main one being to persuade people to come to Christ. He states that he has seen the Savior, that the Savior has taught him face to face just as people converse with each other. Then he urgently pleas for people in our day to come to Christ. Of Moroni, Elder McConkie said this, "After the true saints receive and enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost; after they know how to attune themselves to the voice of the Spirit; after they mature spiritually so that they see visions, work miracles, and entertain angels; after they make their calling and election made sure and prove themselves worthy of every trust - after all this and more - it becomes their right and privilege to see the Lord and commune with him face to face. Revelations, visions, angelic visitations, the rending of the heavens, and appearances among men of the Lord himself - all these things are for all of the faithful. They are not reserved for apostles and prophets only." I believe this is true; this is the path to follow, although I have to admit, my progress along that path is woefully slow.