Book of Mormon

Covenant of Christ

 

 

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12 And it came to pass that the days of Ether was in the days of Coriantumr, and Coriantumr was king over all the land. 2 And Ether was a prophet of the Lord; wherefore, Ether came forth in the days of Coriantumr and began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be constrained because of the spirit of the Lord which was in him. 3 For he did cry from the morning even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance lest they should be destroyed, saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled. 4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. 5 And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe because they saw them not.

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12 Ether lived during Coriantumr’s rule, who was king over the whole land. Ether was a prophet of the Lord; therefore he came forward during Coriantumr’s time and began to prophesy to the people, since he couldn’t be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord in him. He cried out from morning until the sun went down, urging the people to believe in God to bring them to repentance, so they wouldn’t be destroyed, telling them that all things are accomplished by faith. Therefore anyone who believes in God can, with confidence, hope for a better world, even a place at God’s right hand. This hope comes from faith and becomes an anchor to people’s souls, which would make them sure and resolute, always abounding in doing good, being led to glorify God. Ether prophesied great and miraculous things to the people, things they didn’t believe because they didn’t see them.

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6 And now I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things. I would shew unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen. Wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness — not until after the trial of your faith. 7 For it was by faith that Christ shewed himself unto our fathers after he had risen from the dead, and he shewed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he shewed himself not unto the world 8 but because of the faith of men. He has shewn himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the Heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen; 9 wherefore, ye may also have hope and be partakers of the gift if ye will but have faith. 10 Behold, it was by faith that they of old were called after the Holy Order of God. 11 Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of the Son hath God prepared a more excellent way, and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled. 12 For if there be no faith among the children of men, God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he shewed not himself until after their faith.

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Now I Moroni would like to speak a little about these things. I would like to show the world that faith is things that are hoped for and not seen. So don’t resist or argue that you don’t believe because you don’t see, because you don’t receive any witness until after your faith is tested. Indeed, it was by faith that Christ visited our ancestors in person after He had risen from the dead. He didn’t visit them until after they had faith in Him. That being the case, it was necessary for some to have faith in Him, since He didn’t show Himself to the world unless the people had faith. Because of people’s faith He has shown Himself to the world and glorified the Father’s name and prepared a way so that others could share in the heavenly gift, so they could hope for those things they haven’t seen. Therefore you may also have hope and share in the gift if only you have faith. 10 It was by faith that men long ago were called according to God’s Holy Order. 11 Therefore the Law of Moses was given by faith. But God has prepared a better way in the gift of His Son, and it has been fulfilled by faith. 12 Because if there isn’t any faith among mankind, God can’t do any miracle among them; consequently, He didn’t show Himself until after they had faith.

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13 Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth. 14 Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the holy ghost. 15 Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites. 16 Yea, and even all they which wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ, and also them which were after. 17 And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death, and they obtained not the promise until after their faith. 18 And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore, they first believed in the Son of God. 19 And there were many whose faith was so exceeding strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith; and they were glad. 20 And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared, for so great was his faith in God that when God put forth his finger, he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith. 21 And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore, he shewed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil. 22 And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the gentiles. Therefore, the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ.

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13 It was Alma and Amulek’s faith that caused the prison to collapse to the ground. 14 It was Nephi and Lehi’s faith that brought about the conversion of the Lamanites, so they were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost. 15 It was the faith of Ammon and his brothers and their companions that brought about such a great miracle among the Lamanites. 16 All those who performed miracles did them by faith, both those who lived before Christ and those who lived after. 17 It was by faith the three disciples obtained a promise that they wouldn’t experience death, and they didn’t obtain the promise until after they had faith. 18 No one at any time has performed any miracles until after they had faith; therefore they first believed in the Son of God. 19 There were many whose faith was so strong, even before Christ came, who couldn’t be kept outside the veil but truly saw with their eyes the things they had seen first with an eye of faith; and they were glad. 20 We’ve seen in this record one of these was Jared’s brother: his faith in God was so great that when God put forward His finger, He couldn’t hide it from Jared’s brother because of the promise He made to him, which he had obtained by faith. 21 After Jared’s brother had seen the Lord’s finger, because of the promise Jared’s brother had obtained by faith, the Lord couldn’t hold anything back from his sight. So He showed him all things since he could no longer be kept outside the veil. 22 It’s by faith that my forefathers have obtained the promise that these things would come to their descendants through the Gentiles. Therefore the Lord, even Jesus Christ, has commanded me.

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23 And I said unto him, Lord, the gentiles will mock at these things because of our weakness in writing; for Lord, thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing. For thou hast made all this people that they could speak much because of the holy ghost, which thou hast given them. 24 And thou hast made us that we could write but little because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty, even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them. 25 Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them. Wherefore, when we write, we behold our weakness and stumble because of the placing of our words. And I fear lest the gentiles shall mock at our words.

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23 And I said to Him: Lord, the Gentiles will ridicule these things because of our weakness in writing; You’ve made us powerful in speaking, by faith; however, You haven’t made us powerful in writing. You’ve made this people able to speak great things because of the Holy Ghost, which You’ve given them. 24 Yet You’ve made us able to write only a little because of the difficulty of inscribing and You haven’t made us gifted in composing like Jared’s brother. You endowed the things he wrote with power, just as You are, to such a degree as to overpower the people who read them. 25 You’ve also inspired our sermons to be powerful and great, so that we can’t even write them. Therefore when we write, we see only our weakness and hesitate because of the contrast in our writing. I’m afraid the Gentiles will mock our record.

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26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying, Fools mock, but they shall mourn. And my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness. 27 And if men come unto me, I will shew unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness, that they may be humble. And my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. 28 Behold, I will shew unto the gentiles their weakness. And I will shew unto them that faith, hope, and charity bringeth unto me, the fountain of all righteousness.

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26 When I had said this, the Lord told me: Fools mock, but they will mourn. And My grace is sufficient for the meek, so that they won’t find an excuse in your weaknesses. 27 If people come to Me, I’ll show them their weaknesses. I give people weaknesses so they can be humble. And My grace is sufficient for all people who humble themselves before Me. If they humble themselves before Me and have faith in Me, then I’ll make weak things become strong for them. 28 I’ll show the Gentiles their weaknesses. I’ll show them that faith, hope, and charity lead to Me, the Source of all righteousness.

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29 And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted, and said, O Lord, thy righteous will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith. 30 For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove — and it was removed. And if he had not had faith, it would not have moved. Wherefore, thou workest after men have faith. 31 For thus did thou manifest thyself unto thy disciples; for after they had faith and did speak in thy name, thou didst shew thyself unto them in great power. 32 And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father, in the which man might have a more excellent hope. Wherefore, man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared. 33 And again I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again, to prepare a place for the children of men. 34 And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity. Wherefore, except men shall have charity, they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. 35 Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said that if the gentiles have not charity because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly.

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29 Having heard these words, I was comforted and said: O Lord, may Your righteous will be done. I know You act according to people’s faith for their benefit. 30 Indeed, Jared’s brother said to the mountain Zerin: Move out of the way! — and it was moved out of the way. If he hadn’t had faith, it wouldn’t have moved. Therefore You act after people have faith. 31 In this way You revealed Yourself to Your disciples. After they had faith and spoke in Your name, You showed Yourself to them in great power. 32 I also remember You’ve said that You’ve prepared a place for mankind in Your Father’s kingdom, confirming our hope. So mankind must hope or they can’t inherit the place You’ve prepared. 33 I remember You’ve said You’ve loved the world, so much You laid down Your life for the world so that You could take it back, in order to prepare a place for mankind. 34 Now I know this love You have for mankind is charity. Therefore unless people have charity, they can’t inherit the place You’ve prepared in Your Father’s kingdom. 35 I know by what You’ve said that if the Gentiles don’t have charity because of our weaknesses, it will test them and may cost them the gift, and even result in losing a blessing that will then be given to those grateful and willing to accept Your gifts.

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36 And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the gentiles grace, that they might have charity. 37 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me, If they have not charity, it mattereth not unto thee. Thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father.

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36 Then I prayed to the Lord that He would give the Gentiles grace, so they could have charity. 37 The Lord said to me: If they don’t have charity, it’s no loss for you. You’ve been faithful; therefore your clothes will be washed clean. Because you’ve seen your weaknesses, you’ll be made strong; this will let you arrive in peace at the place I’ve prepared for you in My Father’s kingdom.

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38 And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren, whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. 39 And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another, in mine own language, concerning these things. 40 And only a few have I written because of my weakness in writing. 41 And now I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you for ever. Amen.

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38 Now I’ll say farewell to the Gentiles, and to my people as well, whom I love, until we come face to face before Christ’s judgment seat, where everyone will know my clothes aren’t stained with your blood. 39 Then you’ll know I’ve seen Jesus and He has talked with me face to face, and He told me about these things in plain humility in my own language, just as one person tells another. 40 I’ve written only a few of them because of my weakness in writing. 41 Now I would urge you to investigate this Jesus whom the prophets and His messengers have written about, so that the grace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, which testifies of Them, can be and dwell in you forever. Amen.