Mormon 8:27–41; 9:1–6, 27–37

Written for Our Day

Imagine living hundreds of years ago but knowing what it would be like to live in our time. Moroni experienced this; the Lord showed him our day. Moroni described sins and attitudes that would be prevalent in the last days. He invited us to “turn … unto the Lord” (Mormon 9:6) and gave other counsel to help us follow Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you understand that the Book of Mormon is written to help us, in the latter days, turn to the Lord.

Come to know Jesus Christ through studying His word. Studying the scriptures can help us draw closer to Jesus Christ. Help students practice looking for Jesus Christ as they study. As they do this, they will strengthen their relationship with Him and enjoy the blessings of the gospel.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to come to class prepared to share a scripture from the Book of Mormon that can help us turn to Jesus Christ.

Possible Learning Activities

Moroni wrote to us

Bring a box that represents a time capsule.

Imagine you lived a long time ago and were asked to write a message to be put in a time capsule that would be opened in our day.

Give students a small piece of paper to write down their responses to the following question. Ask students to deposit their papers in the time capsule, then read a few to the class.

• What warning, advice, or encouragement would you give to help someone navigate today’s challenges?

Before Mormon died, he entrusted his son Moroni with the gold plates (see Mormon 8:1). Moroni described one way the Lord helped him to know what to write to the people in our day. Read Mormon 8:34–35; 9:30, looking for ways the Lord blessed Moroni in his sacred responsibility.

• What did the Lord show Moroni?

• What truths can we learn from this?

One truth we learn is that Jesus Christ inspired Book of Mormon prophets to write with our day in mind.

• How might knowing that the Book of Mormon prophets saw our day influence the way we read the Book of Mormon?

Read the following statement by President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) about Book of Mormon prophets:

If they saw our day, and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, “Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?” (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6)

Asking questions like those suggested by President Benson is an effective scripture study skill that can help students find more meaning and relevance in their study of the Book of Mormon. Students could make note of these questions to refer to in their study today and in their future personal study.

• How do you think asking these questions could improve your scripture study?

Consider dividing the class in half or placing students in pairs, with each assigned to read one of the following passages. Invite students to write what they find on the board under a heading like Spiritual Problems in Our Day. As needed, help students understand the meaning of the words in Moroni’s descriptions.

The statement by Sister Oscarson in the “Commentary and Background Information” section could help students understand these verses.

Read Mormon 8:27–33 or Mormon 8:36–41, looking for how Moroni described the spiritual condition of the people in our day.

• Which of the conditions described by Moroni do you see in our society?

• How can these attitudes and behaviors impact our belief in Jesus Christ?

Spiritual solutions in our day

Invite students to write what they find in the following verses on the board under a heading like Spiritual Solutions in Our Day. Help students discuss how specific solutions can help us overcome specific spiritual problems. Make sure students discuss how Moroni points us to Jesus Christ.

Mormon 9:7–26 will be studied in the next lesson.

Read Mormon 9:6, 27–31, looking for what the Lord inspired Moroni to write to help us overcome negative spiritual conditions.

• What did Moroni teach that can help us overcome the sins and attitudes common in our day?

• Which of these teachings can best help the youth of this generation rely more on Jesus Christ?

• The next question is intended for personal reflection, not class discussion.

  Which of these teachings do you think could help you the most right now? Why?

Book of Mormon teachings

The Book of Mormon was written to help us believe in and turn to Jesus Christ (see 1 Nephi 6:4; Mormon 7:5; Moroni 10:30, 32).

Invite multiple students to find and share Book of Mormon passages that can help us turn to Jesus Christ. Students could draw upon their preparation for class. Students could share in a variety of ways—for example, by writing the scripture references on the board or on a paper that is passed around the class.

Invite students to share why the passages are meaningful to them. You could also discuss how the passages can help us believe in Jesus Christ and turn to Him (see Mormon 9:6).

You could also invite students to place a note in the time capsule with a scripture and message about the Savior. You could read these messages in a future class session.

Share your testimony of Jesus Christ. Invite students to ask the questions that President Benson encouraged.

Commentary and Background Information

Who was the Book of Mormon written for?

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared:

Do you realize that the Book of Mormon was written for you—and for your day? This book is one of the blessings of living in what we call the dispensation of the fulness of times. Although the Book of Mormon was written by inspired, ancient authors—many of whom were prophets—they and the people of their day did not have the benefit of possessing the whole book. You now have easily within your reach the sacred record that prophets, priests, and kings treasured, embraced, and preserved! You have the benefit of holding in your hands the complete Book of Mormon. Interestingly, one of the Book of Mormon prophets, Moroni, saw our day—your day. He even saw you, in vision, many hundreds of years ago! (Gary E. Stevenson, “Look to the Book, Look to the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 46)

How did Moroni describe the last days?

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, former Young Women General President, taught:

Moroni says he has seen our day, and it includes wars and rumors of wars, great pollutions, murders, robbing, and people who tell us that there is no right or wrong in God’s eyes. He describes people who are filled with pride, caught up in the wearing of expensive clothing, and who make fun of religion. He is shown people who are so obsessed with worldly things that they allow “the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by” [Mormon 8:39] without being noticed.

Moroni asks a soul-searching question of us—we who are living in these times. He says, “Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ?” [Mormon 8:38]. This indictment accurately describes the increasingly secular condition of our world. (Bonnie L. Oscarson, “Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 12)

What language was the Book of Mormon written in?

Moroni stated that he had the ability to write in at least two languages: Hebrew and reformed Egyptian. He noted that if the “plates had been sufficiently large,” he would have written in Hebrew; however, those who kept the record used “reformed Egyptian” due to the lack of space (Mormon 9:32–33). Previously in the Book of Mormon, both Nephi and King Benjamin acknowledged their use of Egyptian. Nephi stated that he wrote in “the language of the Egyptians” when he engraved the small plates (1 Nephi 1:2).

However, Moroni acknowledged that he wrote in “reformed Egyptian” that had been “handed down and altered …, according to [their] manner of speech” (Mormon 9:32), indicating that some adaptations in the language had occurred over the thousand years since the time of Lehi. This could explain why Moroni concluded with the comment that “none other people knoweth our language” but that God had “prepared means for” the eventual interpretation and translation of the record (Mormon 9:34).

Supplemental Learning Activities

Mormon 8:33–41. God will hold us accountable for the way we treat the poor and those in need

Here is one way to study an additional principle in Mormon 8. Students could write a sentence to summarize what they learn in Mormon 8:33–41 about our responsibility to care for the poor and those in need. Students may identify that God will hold us accountable for the way we treat the poor and those in need.

Discuss different types of needs that people have and how teenagers can help meet those needs. You could also discuss how the Savior cares for those in need.

Ask students to share experiences they have had helping someone in need or being helped in a time of need.

Mormon 8:34–35. Written for our day

Consider using doctrinal mastery scripture passages to help students see how the Book of Mormon was written for our day. Students could be assigned or select one or more doctrinal mastery passages in the Book of Mormon. Invite students to read the passage and ask: Why might a Book of Mormon prophet have included that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this time?

Invite multiple students to share their thoughts.

A way to analyze the scriptures

The following could help students analyze the text in Mormon 8–9.

One way to analyze some scripture passages is to read them as if you were a doctor diagnosing an illness and prescribing treatment.

For example, when students read Mormon 8:27–33 or Mormon 8:36–41, they could look for spiritual illnesses that need treatment. Then they could find treatments in Mormon 9:6, 27–29.