“This one verse contains an entire discourse on the importance of enduring to the end and always being found doing one’s duty. Both Mormon and Moroni could have easily given up hope on their people, lost the motivation to continue in their prophetic callings, and become fatalistic. Instead, Mormon exhorts Moroni to continue to labor in his divinely inspired duty. From their examples we learn that diligence in doing one’s duty is not to be dependent upon the receptiveness of others. We must do our duty, be diligent in fulfilling the Lord’s commands, regardless of how others choose to conduct their lives or how they respond to our efforts. To do otherwise is to let go of the iron rod, to cease enduring to the end, which brings one under condemnation (compare 2 Corinthians 5:9; Jacob 1:19).” (McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 360)
Ezra Taft Benson
“In the final letter recorded in the Book of Mormon from Mormon to his son Moroni, he gave counsel that applies to our day. Both father and son were seeing a whole Christian civilization fall because its people would not serve the God of the land, even Jesus Christ. Mormon wrote, ’And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.’ (Moroni 9:6.) You and I have a similar labor to perform now—to conquer the enemy and rest our souls in the kingdom.” (A Witness and a Warning, p. 58)
Marion G. Romney
“Mormon’s performance, along with his counsel to his son Moroni, is an heroic example of one’s continuing unto the end under the most trying circumstances…And a discouraging and thankless job it was!” (Conference Report, Apr. 1954, p. 133)
Hugh Nibley
“In this crucible of wickedness the true greatness of Mormon shines like a star as he calls his son to action, telling him that no matter how bad things are, we must never stop trying to do what we can to improve matters, ’for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay’ (Moroni 9:6). In this spirit Mormon took over command of the army even when he knew that all was lost, ’for they looked upon me as though I could deliver them from their afflictions. But behold, I was without hope’ (Mormon 5:1-2). His is the predicament of the true tragic hero.” (Since Cumorah, p. 401)