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Book of Mormon Commentary
THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, VER. 1-18
Moroni Chapter 7
Moroni 7:4 And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with
the children of men; for I remember the word of God, which saith, By their works ye shall know
them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.
Moroni writes the words his father spoke to the people as they were gathered in their synagogue
(1). (See comments on A. 11:22 regarding the synagogue.)
He addressed his remarks "unto you that are of the church .. . and that have obtained a sufficient
hope, by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord" (3). Jesus once promised, "Come unto me,
all ye that labor . . . and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:29). But his very next words are: "Take my
yoke upon you, and learn of me . . . and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy and
my burden is light" (Matt. 11:30). Most often he talks of taking up a cross and serving. The life of
a disciple involves yokes, crosses, and burdens, but the soul of the laborer can find rest in this life
and in the next.
An evil man cannot produce good works; even his gift or prayer with wrong intent profiteth
nothing (Mi. 7:5). For if his gift is given grudgingly, he might as well have retained it (7). His
prayer without "real intent of heart" profiteth nothing, for God will not receive it (8).
Mormon then likens an evil man to a bitter fountain. The water it gives forth is bitter. So it is also
with those who serve the devil (9).
Moroni 7:10] Wherefore, all things which are good, cometh of God; and that which is evil, cometh
of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth
and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
However, the opposite is also true. "That which is of God, inviteth and enticeth to do good
continually and is inspired of God" (11). Then Mormon warned his people not to judge wrongfully
and accept the enticings of the devil for those of God (12) . It is given unto us to judge. Jesus said,
"Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7:2). The King James Version omits
"unrighteously." Mormon assured his people that they would "know with a perfect knowledge, as
the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that they
may know good from evil" (13, 14). Righteous jud,(,merit is therefore possible, for "everything
which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift
of Christ" (14).
Mormon then explained, "For after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to
do good, no not one" (16). Then he cautions, "See that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that
same [kind of] judgment which ye judge, ye shall also be judged" (17). "Search diligently in the
light of Christ, that ye may know good from evil" (18). While a perfect knowledge was promised
(13), it was based on the premise that men have the Spirit, to which each is entitled.
THE POWER WHICH COMES BY FAITH, VER. 19-36
Moroni 7:20 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way
whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.