Moroni, in pondering what “may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord” (Moroni 1:4), is inspired to include in his postlude section the exact words Jesus uses in authorizing His twelve disciples to impart the gift of the Holy Ghost after they have been calling “on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer” (Moroni 2:2). Besides the sacrament prayers, Moroni also includes the protocol for ordaining priests and teachers, the purpose and method of baptizing members of the Church, the manner of fellowshipping and nurturing converts after baptism, keeping the fold free of iniquity, maintaining careful membership records, and instructions for conducting all meetings “after the manner of the workings of the Spirit” (Moroni 6:9). In these short gems on Church government, Moroni confirms for modern-day readers that the Lord’s program has continuity in all dispensations.
How do we remember the application of such wisdom in our lives? The sacrament is the Lord’s key for helping us remember our covenants. Moroni confirms in these chapters that the sacrament was administered in his day in precisely the same manner that priesthood leaders of today administer the sacrament. Similarly, we learn that the Church in Book of Mormon times provided a divine institutional environment for nurture much as it does today. The sacramental prayers are to remind us—then as now—of the covenants we have made with our Heavenly Father. We are to exercise our faith and live by the Spirit that we prove worthy of eternal life and exaltation. We will fast and pray, attend our meetings, and demonstrate active concern for the welfare of the souls of mankind. And when we sin, we will repent and move forward in the gospel by serving others in a Christlike manner. Such is the nature of discipleship in the Lord’s kingdom.