Photo by David Vandagriff
Orson Hyde, speaking of Moroni, said:
In those early and perilous times, our men were few, and our resources limited. Poverty was among the most potent enemies we had to encounter; yet our arms were successful; and it may not be amiss to ask here, by whose power victory so often perched on our banner? It was by the agency of that same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the history of the early inhabitants of this country, whose mounds, bones and remains of towns, cities and fortifications speak from the dust in the ears of the living with the voice of undeniable truth. This same angel presides over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings. He was in the camp of Washington; and, by an invisible hand, led on our fathers to conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world.
This same angel was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New World. Trammelled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet his persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in his way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God helped him was with him on the stormy deep, calmed and troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven. Under the guardianship of this same angel, or Prince of America, have the United States grown, increased, and flourished, like the sturdy oak by the rivers of water (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, p.368).
Reading 1 – Moroni 1:1-4
Reading 2 – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, speaking of the sacrament: “…every ordinance of the gospel focuses in one way or another on the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and surely that is why this particular ordinance with all its symbolism and imagery comes to us more readily and more repeatedly than any other in our life. It comes in what has been called ‘the most sacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church’ (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:340).
“Perhaps we do not always attach that kind of meaning to our weekly sacramental service. How ‘sacred’ and how ‘holy’ is it? Do we see it as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?
“With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions. As such it should not be rushed. It is not something to ‘get over’ so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the meeting. And everything that is said or sung or prayed in those services should be consistent with the grandeur of this sacred ordinance.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1995, “This Do in Remembrance of Me”)
Reading 3 – Moroni 4:3
Reading 4 – Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said, "Those who are found worthy to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ at the last day are described in the great revelations recorded in the ninety-third and seventy-sixth sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Here the Savior revealed to Joseph Smith that in due time, if we keep the commandments of God, we can receive the ‘fulness’ of the Father. (D&C 93:19-20.) Here the Savior bears record that ‘all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the [Father], and are the church of the Firstborn.’ (D&C 93:22.) ‘They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things. … Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods’ who ‘shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.’ (D&C 76:55, 58, 62.) ‘And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.’ (John 17:3; see also D&C 88:4-5.) This is the ultimate significance of taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ." (Conference Report, May 1985 Ensign, “Taking Upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ”)
Reading 5 – Elder Joseph E. Taylor said, “You partake of the ordinance in order that His Spirit may be with you. You cannot have spiritual life without it. You show me a person who from Sabbath to Sabbath, month to month, and year to year, absents himself from these sacred meetings of the Latter-day Saints, and I will show you a man from whom the Spirit of the Lord will be taken and he will become spiritually dead. Do you believe it? It seems to lay at the very foundation of your spiritual life and mine.” (Collected Discourses 1886-1898, ed. by Brian Stuy, vol. 5, Joseph E. Taylor, Nov. 18, 1894)
Reading 6 – Moroni 6:1-4
Reading 7 - President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “With the ever increasing number of converts, we must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with ‘the good word of God’ (Moroni 6:4)” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 66; or Ensign, May 1997, 47).
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