Lessons on the Book of Mormon 2020
Lesson No. Forty-Two
The Righteousness of People Who Love the Lord Makes All the Difference
Two very important questions Moroni asked each of us who live in the latter days – Moroni knew that because the Nephites, who had received the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, fell into great wickedness and total apostacy they were destroyed. He was given a vision of the latter days (see Mormon 8:26-41:9:1-30), and he warned us not to follow the ways of the Nephites. To make sure we are not on the path of the Nephites we should individually answer the questions Moroni directed to each of us found in Mormon 8:38:
“Have ye polluted the holy church of God?” We have not polluted the church of God if we partake of the sacrament worthily and are worthy when we enter into the temple, the house of the Lord.
“Are ye ashamed to take upon me the name of Christ?” We are not ashamed to take upon us the name of Christ if we gladly identify ourselves as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and if we advocate “the cause of the Christians” (Alma 46:16) in our public and private life.
What is the most significant difference between our time and the days of Mormon and Moroni? I believe that the most significant difference is that there are righteous disciples of Jesus Christ worldwide. Furthermore, I believe the Lord stays His judgment because His faithful saints worldwide are actively gathering Israel.
To the rebellious young Alma an angel said: “Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people” (Mosiah 27:13). From this we learn that the only thing that could stop the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to prepare the world for His Second Coming is the wickedness and apostacy of members of His Church.
The Church of Jesus Christ will never again be lost from the earth and most of its members will remain faithful – In various periods of the world’s history known as a dispensation the Lord has dispensed or revealed anew the plan of salvation. All previous dispensations have fallen into apostacy, but our dispensation, known as the dispensation of the fulness of times, will not. Individuals will apostatize in our dispensation, but there will never be a general apostacy. Rather the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth will be in place at His Second Coming.
That The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains on course is evidenced by the increasing number of temples worldwide – As of November 1, 2020, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 168 dedicated temples, 24 are under construction, and 39 are announced, for a total of 231 temples throughout the earth.
The reason great effort is made to ensure that only worthy members receive temple recommends is to keep the house of the Lord holy. Speaking of the importance of the temple the Lord said: “For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house….And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out on the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.” (D&C 110:7-8, 10).
The righteousness of devoted followers of Christ, more than the wickedness of the world, determines our happiness and safety – Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles explained: “As evil increase in the world, there is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous. As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the direction they are traveling. The gift of the Holy Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight….I emphasize once again: As evil increases in the world, the Lord does not leave us on the same footing. In a world that would diminish or discard or impair belief, there is an added spiritual power for those who are willing to set their course on increasing their faith in Jesus Christ” (BYU Education Week devotional, August 18, 2015).
Therefore, if we stay in the mainstream of the Church and follow the prophet our future, regardless of what happens in the world, is certain, secure, and bright. Whether in this life or the next, we will rejoice when the Lord comes again.