Moroni 9Terrible Tragdies

Cities & Outcomes

• People of the Flood• Jaredites• Sodom & Gommorah• Ammoniah• Nephites

Moroni 9:4-10

What is the worst tragedy here? • (Jacobs, #5)

• Moroni 9:25

Moroni 10The Gifts of the Spirit

Moroni 10

Order the following in terms of when they are manifested in a person’s life:• Light of Christ (D&C 88:7-13)• Spirit of Christ (Moroni 7:16)• Manifestation of the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10:5)• Gift of the Holy Ghost (4th Article of Faith)• Gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12-14)

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Three groups

1 Corinthians 12:4‑‑11;

Doctrine and Covenants 46:11‑‑26;

Moroni 10:8‑‑19. • 1. Make a list of spiritual gifts.• 2. Discuss examples/stories for each spiritual gifts

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“One of the great tragedies of life, it seems to me, is when a person classifies himself as someone who has no talents or gifts. When, in disgust or discouragement, we allow ourselves to reach depressive levels of despair because of our demeaning self-appraisal, it is a sad day for us and a sad day in the eyes of God. For us to conclude that we have no gifts when we judge ourselves by stature, intelligence, grade-point average, wealth, power, position, or external appearance is not only unfair but unreasonable…

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  “It is up to each of us to search for and build upon the gifts which God has given. We must remember that each of us is made in the image of God, that there are no unimportant persons. Everyone matters to God and to his fellowmen. Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts:

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“The gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost. (Elder Marvin J. Ashton, October 1987).

Moroni 10:30–33

“That final, last, lonely appeal of the keystone of our religion and the most correct book ever written is to touch not the unclean thing; it is to be holy and without spot; it is to be pure. And that purity can come only through the blood of that Lamb who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, the Lamb who was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, the Lamb who was despised and afflicted, but whom we esteemed not …

“Purity—through the blood of the Lamb. That is what [the Book of Mormon] pleads for” (Elder Holland, “A Standard unto My People” [CES symposium on the Book of Mormon, Aug. 9, 1994], 15, si.lds.org).

Moroni 10Book of Mormon Introduction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfc77nkm4Dw#t=146

Moroni 10

Moroni 10:3–5 Three steps to obtain a testimony of the Book of Mormon.

1. Read

2. Ponder

3. Pray

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“Read these things”

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“A 14-year-old girl … said that she had been discussing religion with one of her friends at school. Her friend said to her, ‘What religion do you belong to?’

“She replied, ‘The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons.’

“Her friend replied, ‘I know that church, and I know it’s not true.’

“‘How do you know?’ came the reply.

“‘Because,’ said her friend, ‘I have researched it.’

“‘Have you read the Book of Mormon?’

“‘No,’ came the answer. ‘I haven’t.’

“Then this sweet young girl responded, ‘Then you haven’t researched my church, because I have read every page of the Book of Mormon and I know it’s true’” (“The Book of Mormon—a Book from God,” Ensign or Liahona,Nov. 2011, 76).

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“Remember how merciful the Lord hath been”

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What evidence of the Lord’s mercy have you seen in your life?

How do you think remembering the Lord’s mercy helps someone receive a testimony of the Book of Mormon?

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“Ponder it in your hearts”

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“Dictionaries say that ponder means to weigh mentally, think deeply about, deliberate, meditate. …

“By pondering, we give the Spirit an opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind. As we read the scriptures, our hearts and minds are touched.

“Pondering is a progressive mental pursuit. It is a great gift to those who have learned to use it. We find understanding, insight, and practical application if we will use the gift of pondering” (“There Are Many Gifts,”Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20).

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“ask with a Sincere Heart”

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“Real intent” means ….

…That a person “intends to act on the answer they receive from God” (Preach My Gospel [2004], 111).

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Rodolfo Armando Pérez Bonilla learned the importance of praying with real intent: “Occasionally I prayed to know what was right, but it was more of a passing thought than a sincere question. Then one night I decided to pray with ‘real intent.’

“I told Heavenly Father that I wanted to know Him and to be part of His true Church. I promised: ‘If you will let me know whether Joseph Smith is a real prophet and whether the Book of Mormon is true, I’ll do whatever Thou would have me do. If The Church is the true Church, I’ll follow it and never give it up.’

“I had no spectacular manifestation, but I felt at peace and went to bed. Several hours later I awoke with a distinct thought: ‘Joseph Smith is a true prophet, and the Book of Mormon is true.’ The thought was accompanied by an indescribable peace. I fell asleep again, only to awake later with the exact same thought and feeling.

“Since that time, I have never doubted that Joseph Smith is a true prophet. I know that this is the Savior’s work and that Heavenly Father will answer our sincere petitions” (“How I Know,” Ensign, Oct. 2011, 64).

• What difference has studying the Book of Mormon this year made in your life?

• What lessons or principles have helped you “come unto Christ” and strengthened your faith in the Savior?

• What is your testimony of the Book of Mormon?

Moroni 10The Book of Mormon