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Book of Mormon Commentary
Moroni Chapter 10
Moroni 10:12 And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally,
according as he will.
The adverb "severally" does not have the connotation of "several" but the opposite. It here means,
"separately, one at a time." Moroni gave the assurance that "all these gifts which are spiritual,
never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand" (14). But there must be faith, hope,
and charity, or "ye can in no wise be saved" (15).
Moroni 10:18 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth, that if the day cometh that the power and
gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief.
This danger is stressed by many writers in the Book of Mormon (I N. 3:134; 4:16; 11 N. 11:72-83;
A. 16:153; 21:9-12; H. 2:161; 5:108; III N. 7:28, 31; 9:35; Mn. 1:15; 2:44; E. 1:97). This may
sound to the investigator of the Restoration message like playing a record with a stuck needle.
However, that this came in an age of unbelief in a God of action and power gives evidence of
God's love and wisdom in presenting this additional scriptural witness that Jesus is the Savior of
mankind.
"If this be the case" (that the spiritual gifts have ceased), wrote Moroni, "there shall be none that
doeth good, no not one" (19). This challenging statement really says that as long as there remains
on earth one good man of genuine faith in Christ, "he shall work by the power and gifts of God"
(20).
Moroni 10:22 And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall
know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God, and the Lord God will say unto you, Did I not
declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead?
Many will not take seriously the warnings of the prophets, until it is too late to help themselves.
But they are accountable for their opportunities to know as well as for their knowledge. Moroni's
words are to be brought forth from the ground and at the bar of judgment their truth will be
certified. "God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true" (26).
Moroni 10:28 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments,
O daughter of Zion, and strengthen thy stakes, and enlarge thy borders for ever, that thou mayest no
more be confounded, that the covenants of the eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of
Israel, may be fulfilled.
Thus Moroni begins a quotation of thoughts found in Isaiah 52:1, 2. "Yea, come unto Christ, and
be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness" (29). He continued his appeal to the
Israelites of Jerusalem, "Love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then is his grace
sufficient for you. Then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of
the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father, unto the remission of your sins" (29,
30).
Israel has actually arisen from the dust since its establishment as a nation in A.D. 1948. (See the
comments on II N. 5:19; and III N. 13:54.) She has strengthened her stakes and enlarged her
borders (28). As yet no noticeable movement has been evidenced of their coming "unto Christ"