Moroni is first mentioned in The Book of Mormon in the first verse of "Words of Mormon". In 385 A.D., Mormon was preparing to hand the record of his people, the Nephites, over to his son prior to gathering for the last great battle between the Nephites and their long time enemies, the Lamanites.
It was a tragic note in history, seeing that this battle would include not only designated warriors, but every man, woman and child capable of handling a weapon. Mormon and Moroni knew that the very survival of their people hung in the balance. Both sides — Nephite and Lamanite — took four full years to gather their forces before finally meeting. (Mormon 6:5)
Moroni Commanded 10,000 Nephites in Last Battle Against Lamanites
Moroni led a company of some 10,000 – apparently the normal size for his level of commander. (Mormon 6:12) Twenty-three men were listed, thirteen by name, each leading 10,000. Of those 230,000 Nephites, only 24 survived the bloodbath. Moroni was among them, as was his father who had been severely wounded but not killed.
Mormon and Moroni both attributed this rout to the pride and wickedness that had infested the Nephites. They had turned their backs on their God, even after years of widespread righteousness, peace and prosperity. Now, they were ripe in iniquity and God allowed them to be swept off the face of the earth. (Mormon 5:2)
After the melee was over, Mormon wrote a few last messages to the future descendants of the Lamanites then handed the record, written on gold plates, over to Moroni who added his own post script.
Lamanites Killed All Nephites Who Wouldn’t Deny Christ
Moroni’s addition tells of the total destruction of the surviving Nephites. The Lamanites had hunted them down and killed them, including Mormon. Moroni acknowledges that he doesn’t know his own future, stating that whether they will slay him as well, he doesn’t know. “Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not…for I am alone. ..How long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.” (Mormon 8:3,4)
Later in his record, Moroni declares a bold commitment to his belief in Christ. In the opening of the Book of Moroni, he says he hadn’t expected to write more, but he hadn’t yet been killed. He was in hiding from the Lamanites, “…because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ. And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.” (Moroni 1:2,3)
There seem to be a few pieces of information he felt important to leave for future generations who would later possess the record. He includes clear directions for sacred ordinances such as conferring the gift of the Holy Ghost, ordaining priesthood, and administering the sacrament. He then counsels about baptism and repentance and shares his testimony of Christ. (Moroni 1-8)
Moroni’s Challenge
Moroni invites the future reader to “ask God…in the name of Christ, if these things are not true,” promising that if the reader asked with real intent and faith then God would let him know if it was true. (Moroni 10:3-5)
That was circa 421 a.d.
Joseph Smith Receives Gold Plates
Centuries later, in September, 1823, Moroni is said to have returned to earth as a resurrected being. His mission was to bring the record out of obscurity with the help of a young man by the name of Joseph Smith.
After Joseph had been told by God that He had a great work for him to accomplish, Moroni appeared to him three times in one night to tell him of that work in more detail and make sure Joseph didn’t misunderstand nor forget. The assignment? To go to the Hill Cumorah and locate the record, later removing it and translating it for use by modern generations. Moroni personally showed Joseph where the gold plates were buried and reminded him of his appointed work and responsibility. When the translation was finished, Moroni would return and collect the ancient records. (Joseph Smith History)
While nothing is said about Moroni’s childhood or family life, readers can get a fairly clear view of the character of the man from his devotion to his father, to his country and to his God. To live faithfully during such dark and wicked times, let alone to be called back to serve as an angelic messenger is a testimony to the greatness of this warrior-prophet.
Source:
- The Book of Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elizabeth Linehan - Elizabeth studied American Sign Language at Brigham Young University. She has worked with hearing impaired and multipli-handicapped ...
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