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Book of Mormon Commentary
Moroni Chapter 2
CHRIST GAVE AUTHORITY TO CONFER THE HOLY GHOST, VER. 1-3
Moroni 2:1 The words of Christ, which he spake unto his disciples, the twelve whom he had chosen,
as he laid his hands upon them.
After addressing the disciples directly so that no others might think he was extending this power to
other disciples than the twelve he had chosen, he directed them how to confirm new members. "Ye
shall call on the Father, in my name, in mighty prayer (2); and after ye have done this, ye shall
have power that on him whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost. -
As a result of the laying on of the hands of the ministers, and the prayer, the right to receive as
well as "give the Holy Ghost" is conferred. The clause "for thus do mine apostles" has caused
some to feel that the twelve disciples had the same commission and authority as the twelve
apostles in Palestine. But this is hardly justified, and this is the only time that Jesus makes a
comparison of the two councils of twelve in the Book of Mormon (See comment III N. 5:44).
Christ made more than one appearance to the Nephites, but this power was conferred "at the time
of his first appearing." And then only the twelve heard it, for "the multitude heard it not" (3).