One of the Few

Moroni the son of Mormon is probably my favorite scriptural hero. Being the social butterfly that I am, (except for when I'm a reclusive hermit), I can't imagine what it must have been like to live out years of his life completely alone, knowing that any human being he came into contact with most likely wanted to kill him. And yet, he remained perfectly faithful to his God.

I was reading his words in Mormon chapter 8 this morning, and I wanted to share a few things that struck me. In verses 14 and 16 he notes that the actual plates the Book of Mormon was written on were of essentially no worth, but the record they contain is of great worth to each of us. He writes that this book will "shine forth out of darkness" and later goes on to describe the darkness of Joseph Smith's day as well as our own.

The Book of Mormon is the light that we are all searching for. We live in a time when people no longer believe in miracles or the power of God, when saints are martyred and churches exist for personal gain rather than worshiping God, when our leaders and teachers are corrupted by pride, when natural disasters are becoming such a frequent occurrence that they don't even make the news anymore, when wars break out every day and more are threatening to start, when the earth is both physically and spiritually polluted, when murders and robbery and dishonesty and whoredoms are the norm, and when people everywhere deny the laws of God and follow after their own wills. Never have we needed the light of the Book of Mormon more than now. It brought light to the world and it brings light to our individual lives. I know that.

Moroni was shown our day. He saw each of us. He knows your doing. He tells us that there are none, save a few only, who do not walk after the pride of their hearts.

Am I one of the few?

Am I one of the few who don't pride myself on how expensive my clothes are, who aren't envious or malicious, who don't cause strife or persecute others to satisfy my own pride? Am I one of the few who love people more than money? Am I one of the few who aren't ashamed to take upon ourselves the name of Christ?

I know that as we keep God's commandments and the
covenants we make with Him we will have more
peace and joy in our lives.

Am I one of the few who will reach out to the friendless and offer a smile to the lonely? Am I one of the few who will serve those who dislike me? Am I one of the few who will gladly sacrifice a few of my precious spare hours a week to attend church and the temple and read my scriptures and say my prayers? Am I one of the few who will maintain a cheerful attitude amidst trials? Am I one of the few who will sacrifice my own will to do what God asks me to?

Am I one of the few my Savior will recognize when He comes again? Am I one of the few He will call to His side and say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant"?

I may not be called as a full-time missionary, but
there is still so much to do. God needs us to bring
His children home to Him. 

I wish I could answer yes to all of these questions, but the truth is that I have a long way to go. What I know is that I am one of the few who has been called to labor in the Lord's vineyard. I am one of the few with the commission to go and teach the gospel to all the world because I am one of the few who has been entrusted with the precious truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

How grateful I am to the prophet Moroni, who dedicated his life to preserving the scriptures so that they could come forth in our day, bringing with them the everlasting light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am one of the few who will dedicate my life to sharing that light with the world. 

Christ is the Light of the world.