What could be a more powerful formulation of a celestial mode of living than this oft-cited expression by Moroni? Amulek preached the same truth when he counseled the Zoramites: “And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ” (Alma 34:37). And the Apostle Paul, too, declared: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Jacob, brother of Nephi, put it succinctly when he said, “O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life. O be wise; what can I say more?” (Jacob 6:11–12).
In our day, the Lord has given us this counsel: “For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day” (D&C 45:57). When we hearken to the words of the Lord, pray with a believing heart, keep the commandments in all diligence, avoid temptation, and serve God and our fellow man, we are truly wise. This doctrine raises important questions of conscience for all of us: Do we pray with our whole soul that we might avoid yielding to temptation? Are we wise in the use of our time, possessions, and efforts? Are we fully engaged in working out our own salvation with fear and trembling?