A First Farewell
“Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.”
Moroni had only a few words to share with us in his conclusion of his father’s record; until he didn’t. In the latter portion of the Book of Mormon, we have three different farewells given to us by Moroni, the son of Mormon. Initially, he wrote a farewell at the end of his father’s record and then again as he abridged the record of Ether, and then one final time as he had a little more remaining space and time.
Each of these concluding farewells comes with great light and truth that is edifying for each of us to ponder.
I wonder what it will be like as I face those final moments and have to deliver my final farewell. What will I share?
One of the most impactful talks in my life was Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s final General Conference talk. It was given mere days before his passing. He was struggling to not only physically be able to give it but also emotionally. Leading up to Conference he was struggling to get through his talk when reviewing it with his wife. He got up and bore a powerful witness of Jesus Christ and His divine grace. I first read this talk as a missionary and then was able to get a VHS copy from his son shortly after my mission. This can now be found on YouTube pretty readily.
This is one of the greatest final discourses given in our time but then at his deathbed he had another message. As shared by Marvin J. Ashton four and a half years later,
“As Sister McConkie held his hand during his final earthly minutes, she asked, ‘Bruce, do you have a message for me?’ Though weak and expiring, he responded in a firm voice his last words, ‘Carry on.’ Here was one of God’s choicest servants, who had studied, pondered, and written as extensively on the life and mission of Jesus Christ as anyone else in his time, using these two powerful words for direction and encouragement.”
It is one thing to deliver a profound message to a filled Tabernacle and television cameras but an entirely different scene when you are writing in a book that will be sealed up with no believers around to read what you are writing. In his own words, Moroni tells us that he is alone to tell this tale.
“I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.” — Mormon 8:5
There are a few key messages that he shares with us in his final address. It at times can seem devoid of hope, though that becomes a distinct focus of his in his later farewell addresses. It does make its way into this initial farewell as he writes with a hope that there will indeed be readers. Here are a few things that we should focus on from Moroni’s initial farewell address:
There may be imperfections but God will sustain the record amidst those imperfections.
And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. — Mormon 8:12
He who brings this record out of darkness and obscurity will do so by the power of God
For none can have power to bring it to light save it be given him of God; for God wills that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord.
And blessed be he that shall bring this thing to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God. — Mormon 8:15-16
Search the prophecies of Isaiah
As we look at the Book of Mormon, there is no prophet that is quoted more than Isaiah. He is referenced to by Nephi, Jacob, Abinadi, Jesus, and now Moroni. His words are specific to our day. They are specific to the temple. They are specific to covenants and the covenant path. They are specific to the Messiah. We must learn to study and understand them.
The last days will be filled with calamity but also with the fulfilling of covenants made to the ancients
the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. — Mormon 8:34
Moroni has seen our day
Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. — Mormon 8:35
We must be humble and put the things of God over the things of the world
ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. — Mormon 8:37
Without faith in Christ we would be miserable in His presence
ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell. — Mormon 9:4
There is always time to repent and return to God
O then ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord; cry mightily unto the Father in the name of Jesus, that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day. — Mormon 9:6
What a powerful principle! No matter what, we can repent. We can change. We can turn from unbelieving to a life of faith through the divine grace of Jesus Christ. As we repent and cry mightily in His name then we are able to become spotless. What a beautiful sentiment. We are never lost to Him.
God is a God of miracles
The greatest of these miracles was the ability to overcome the Fall and provide a way for us in our mortal and corruptible state to become immortal and incorruptible. Through Christ we can become perfect, redeemed, and exalted.
“God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.” — Mormon 9:15
God grants according to our desires
“Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.” — Mormon 9:21
God sees beyond our needs. He grants according to our righteous desires. He says, WHATSOEVER he shall ask shall be granted. Do we really believe that? How profound. Test it. Be willing to act in faith and experience it.
He then concludes with admonitions to help us stay on the covenant path.
Let us look to the guiding principles that are put forth by Moroni. His invitations are for us to exercise our faith that we might witness miracles, that we might overcome the adversary, that we might find joy and hope no matter what may befall us.
As one who saw much suffering, rebellion, and sorrow, Moroni delivered a message of hope through Christ. He pointed us to the actions and truths that can be a fortification to each of us amidst the struggles of mortality. There will be chaos. There will be trial. There will be evil. There will be discouragement. There will be doubt. We are assured of these things. We are also assured that there is peace, joy, hope, and salvation through the enabling grace of Jesus Christ. There are miracles. Let us embrace that. Let us live in light and hope. As Elder McConkie shared with his wife nearly 40 years ago in his final farewell, Carry On!