Moroni organized his final message by giving a series of exhortations. He used a form of the word “exhort”nine times in this chapter—first, as he introduced this section and then eight more times as he gave eight specific exhortations. This word sets the main tone that runs throughout this final chapter. Moroni had exhorted his readers in similar ways earlier in Mormon 8 and 9. However, in his final words in Moroni 10, something gentler and more compassionate is now found, even though his message is still very intense and urgent. Here, Moroni took time to offer more explanation and instruction together with each of his exhortations.
In Greek, the origin of the word “exhort” is related to swearing an oath and “to encourage extremely or strongly.” In English, it means “to encourage, entreat, persuade, preach, urge, and warn.” Moroni knew that this was his last chance to communicate with his readers. He said, in effect, “Do not procrastinate and set this message aside,” and he said repeatedly, “I would exhort you, … I would exhort you.”
Pair Item | Scripture | Context |
|---|---|---|
Pair One | ||
1 | 10:3 | Remember God’s mercy |
2 | 10:4 | Ask God in the name of Christ |
Pair Two | ||
3 | 10:7 | Deny not the power of God |
4 | 10:8 | Deny not the gifts of God |
Pair Three | ||
5 | 10:18 | Remember that every good gift cometh from Christ |
6 | 10:19 | Remember that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever |
Pair Four | ||
7 | 10:27 | Remember all these things |
8 | 10:30 | Come unto Christ |
These exhortations and the method in which Moroni presented them are valuable to anyone leading Come Follow Me discussions, giving Home Evening lessons, doing missionary work, seeking personal improvement, and teaching the gospel in general. Each exhortation given by Moroni, or for that matter the earlier prophets, may be usefully studied by following their themes as they run through the Book of Mormon. These settings increase understanding, give enlightenment, guidance, and ideas for application. Moroni’s final exhortations were not included as mere afterthoughts. Moroni worked with this text intentionally, intricately, and intimately. He knew every theme in the materials that he and his father had abridged, and he understood which themes would be most important for those who would eventually read the record. Each of these important exhortations deserve to be discussed separately and contemplated as necessary parts of one great whole.
James E. Faulconer, “Sealings and Mercies: Moroni’s Final Exhortations in Moroni 10,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 22, no. 1 (2013), 5–19.