To the Convincing that Jesus is the Christ

In a podcast this week, Dr. Anthony Sweat highlighted the fact that there are some similarities between the Title Page of the Book of Mormon and Moroni 10, the book’s last chapter. Both were written by Moroni, and it is likely that the Title Page came right after his final words in Moroni 10. The Nephite prophet wrote as an introduction to his final chapter, "Now I, Moroni, write somewhat as seemeth me good; and I write unto my brethren, the Lamanites" (v1). In the Title Page he similarly wrote, "Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel," but he also added, "and also to Jew and Gentile." Moroni also wrote in the Title Page, "Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed." In his final chapter he similarly said, "And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you," highlighting again that the records were to be sealed up (v2). In Moroni 10:8-19, he spoke of many "gifts of God" as he listed out different spiritual gifts, including this one: “And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues.” In the Title Page, he spoke of that specific gift again as the means by which the words would come to us: "To come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God."

                Both the Title Page and Moroni 10 also highlight two of the important purposes of the Book of Mormon. The Title Page says this: "Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever." Similarly, in the final chapter he wrote, "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 forever, 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" (v31). Both referred to Israel and the Lord's covenants with His people, reassuring them that they would not be cast off or confounded. Most importantly, both these documents from Moroni focus on a witness of Jesus Christ. The Title Page gives this powerful declaration: "And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations." In his final verses of Moroni 10 the prophet similarly wrote, "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness;... then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ." He added that he will see us "before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead" (v32-34). In both places Moroni left his witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ, who is the Eternal God and the Eternal Judge and who manifests Himself to all nations, both to the living and the dead. Moroni’s words confirm that the purpose of this sacred book is to help us be convinced of the divinity of Jesus Christ and come unto Him. It is incredible to think that these powerful witnesses came from a man who had been alone for decades, wandering across North America, and hunted by his enemies. I look forward indeed to the day when I will “meet [him] before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah!