1And now I, Moroni, proceed to finish my record concerning the destruction of the people of whom I have been writing. 2For behold, they rejected all the words of Ether; for he truly told them of all things, from the beginning of man; and that after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof;

3And that it was the place of the ^aNew Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord.

After the close of the millennial reign we are informed that Satan, who was bound during the millennium, shall be loosed and go forth to deceive the nations. Then will come the end. The earth will die and be purified and receive its resurrection. During this cleansing period the City Zion, or New Jerusalem, will be taken from the earth; and when the earth is prepared for the celestial glory, the city will come down according to the prediction in the Book of Revelation” (Joseph F. Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:103–6).

The Book of Mormon: Chapter Twelve: 2 Nephi 25:23

1Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.

2For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations.

3Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those that shall receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he hath spoken.

One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation. . . . One passage in the Book of Mormon, written perhaps . . . to stress and induce appreciation for the gracious gift of salvation offered on condition of obedience . . . is particularly enlightening: ‘For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.’ (2 Nephi 25:23; italics added.) . . .

. . . However good a person’s works, he could not be saved had Jesus not died for his and everyone else’s sins. And however powerful the saving grace of Christ, it brings exaltation to no man who does not comply with the works of the gospel.

Of course we need to understand terms. If by the word salvation is meant the mere salvation or redemption from the grave, the ‘grace of God’ is sufficient. But if the term salvation means returning to the presence of God with eternal progression, eternal increase, and eventual godhood, for this one certainly must have the ‘grace of God,’ as it is generally defined, plus personal purity, overcoming of evil, and the good ‘works’ made so important in the exhortations of the Savior and his prophets and apostles (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 70–71).

Alma 37:6

6Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

Accustomed and acculturated to look for large events, patterns, trends, happenings, we often overlook the prosaic, ordinary or small things that can tip our world, someone’s life experience, our conversion, our demeanor, or even  have multi- generational impact.  Even a faucet dripping consistently for long enough could flood a home. Likewise, our righteous acts, the following of an impression, can at a singular moment, change lives. Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints–Christian disciples of Jesus Christ–recognize the value of making prized daily choices that count. In our imperfection we strive to follow the Holy Ghost more fluidly each day, recognizing that this day counts for eternity. In the words of a Mormon prophet (more accurately, a prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints):

The course of our lives is seldom determined by great, life-altering decisions. Our direction is often set by the samll, day-to-day choices that chart the track on which we run. This is the substance of our lives-making choices (Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand a Little Taller, 13).

One comment on this video reads:

I feel something, when he holds that book up. It’s like God is trying to tell me something.

God will always testify of truth through our heart and mind. To know how to seek and know truth for yourself, read Knowing God, Knowing Truth.

12And there was but little alteration in the affairs of the people, save it were the people began to be more hardened in iniquity, and do more and more of that which was contrary to the commandments of God, in the eighty and ninth year of the reign of the judges.

13But it came to pass in the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges, there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled.

14And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.

Satan is evil: totally and always. He ever seeks to defeat the gospel plan and ‘destroy the souls of men.’ (Doctrine and Covenants 10:27.) . . .

It’s no surprise that the vision of who God and Jesus Christ really are, becomes blurry as conceptions of Him fade into the background of secularist thought. The adversary is real, and his tactic works from both ends of the belief spectrum: If he blurs the reality of God as a glorified personal Father, and then denies the reality of Satan as one who creates that distortion to keep us from sensing our divine identity, he accomplishes his goal of dwarfing our sense of purpose and our hope of an inconceivably glorious destiny.

A nationwide survey of adults’ spiritual beliefs suggests that Americans who consider themselves to be Christian have a diverse set of beliefs – but many of those beliefs are contradictory or, at least, inconsistent.

Views on Spiritual Beings

The Barna survey asked questions about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Satan, and demons.

All 1,871 self-described Christians were asked about their perception of God. In total, three-quarters (78%) said he is the “all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the universe who rules the world today.” The remaining one-quarter chose other descriptions of God – depictions that are not consistent with biblical teaching (e.g., everyone is god, god refers to the realization of human potential, etc.).

For the other survey items a four-point opinion scale was used to measure people’s reactions to statements about each spiritual entity.

Four out of ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.” An additional two out of ten Christians (19%) said they “agree somewhat” with that perspective. A minority of Christians indicated that they believe Satan is real by disagreeing with the statement: one-quarter (26%) disagreed strongly and about one-tenth (9%) disagreed somewhat. The remaining 8% were not sure what they believe about the existence of Satan (Barna).

Mormon Beliefs: Satan is Real

Mormons believe in the reality of Satan. He is real spirit personage who gave up his right to come to earth because of an overwhelming craving to be the king of kings–the one worshipped on the throne. He sought to overthrow the Savior and the Father in a council before birth, in a pre-earth life. In the words of one Mormon leader (apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ):

Satan is irrevocably committed to countering and overcoming the influence of the Spirit of Christ upon men (Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, Apr. 1971, p. 24; or Ensign, June 1971, p. 36).

 

20Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

The Lord Jesus Christ knows the desires of our hearts and responds to those like no other. With answers to complex problems strewn along our paths like hedges of roses on a summer day, the Lord delights in answering our prayers and supplying our need, as each day demands.  His request for us to obey His commands is the most unselfish of all for it is a spiritual shortcut to our happiness, and He knows that.  It’s us who may be slow to comprehend that until we comply long enough to feel the sweet embrace to which this modern scripture speaks.

The invitation to find obedience “a quest and not an irritation” is extended once again to each of us by a late prophet of God (you may refer to him as “Mormon prophet”; the fullname is prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Savior’s true and living Church on earth. We invite you to learn more of its message:

Be true to your convictions. You know what is right, and you know what is wrong. You know when you are doing the proper thing. You know when you are giving strength to the right cause. Be loyal. Be faithful. Be true. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand a Little Taller, 16.)

 

12And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.

The conversion process transforms from the inside out; only the Spirit of God can open our spiritual eyes to see the truths of the gospel. Some try to defer to their pastors or radio talk shows for answers only He can truly give. While others may be inspired to help us in our quest, we need to go directly to God for confirmation of our beliefs, for we alone are responsible for our daily walk which hinges on our very conception of God, Jesus Christ, and His teachings.

This passage in the Book of Mormon speaks to the conversion, the change of desires, that a real transformation brings.Once we know of the truth of a book of scripture, of a principle, of an ordinance, we are behooved to comply with and apply it, that our hearts may continue to increase in love and our minds in truth. In the words of a late Mormon prophet, beloved and true, we read:

There is no miracle like the miracle of conversion. It is the greatest proccess by wich those with responsive hearts listen to the teachings and testimonies of missionaries and change their lives, leaving the past behind them, and moving forward into a new life. There is no miracle quite like it in all the world (Gordan B. Hinckley, Stand a Little Taller, 30).

Joseph Smith: Witness of Jesus Christ and God the Father

We invite you to consider prayerfully this account of a young boy inspired to ask a question many of us have asked: “Which of all these Churches, is thine, Lord?” Here is his first person account. Read it yourself and ask God in sincere prayer if it is not true. I promise He will answer you. The pure gospel has been restored to the earth. Joseph lived and died in sharing and living that, martyred at the hands of those who sought to erase his testimony by erasing his life. It didn’t work. Millions have independently received a witness of the truthfulness of the doctrines of Jesus Christ as taught in The Church of Jesus Christ (Mormon Church is a name ascribed inadvertently by some of other faiths).

Joseph Smith, Prophet:

6For, notwithstanding the great ^alove which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested by the respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to have everybody converted, as they were pleased to call it, let them join what sect they pleased; yet when the converts began to file off, some to one party and some to another, it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more ^bpretended than real; for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued—priest contending against priest, and convert against convert; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions.

7I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father’s family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that church, namely, my mother, Lucy; my brothers Hyrum and Samuel Harrison; and my sister Sophronia.

8During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.

9My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of both reason and sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodists in their turn were equally zealous in endeavoring to establish their own tenets and disprove all others.

10In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them beright, which is it, and how shall I know it?

11While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

12Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.

13At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.

14So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.

15After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I wasseized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

16But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of ^cight exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

17It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me Isaw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

18My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 42:45

45 Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection.

True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well-being of one’s companion (Gordan B. Hinckley, Stand a Little Taller, 47).