Moroni 1

I Will Not Deny the Christ

Being a follower of Jesus Christ has never been easy. Near the end of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni revealed that followers of Christ were being put to death unless they denied the Savior (see Moroni 1:2). Because Moroni refused to deny Jesus Christ, he was forced to wander wherever he could to find safety and stay hidden from the Lamanites. Perhaps you have felt alone when trying to live your faith and stay true to the Savior and His Church. This lesson can help motivate you to always follow Jesus Christ and not deny Him.

Ask questions that invite introspection. Questions that invite students to ponder the scriptures, their current situation, their feelings toward the Savior, or the application of principles can invite the Spirit to teach them.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of an experience when they or someone they know followed Jesus Christ even though they felt alone or were persecuted.

Possible Learning Activities

Facing opposition

Take a moment to think about how you tend to act when you are surrounded by those who may not share your standards or beliefs about God.

Consider displaying this diagram on the board. Another option would be to have four different colored papers for the students to hold up during the activity. Doing so may help engage students with the lesson.

The colors in this diagram could help you imagine different levels of opposition that a disciple of Jesus Christ might face. Green could represent no opposition. Yellow and orange could suggest increasing levels of opposition, while red could symbolize the most difficult opposition.

After introducing what the colors in the diagram represent, consider sharing personal experiences or experiences shared in general conference in which someone faced opposition as a disciple of Christ. Invite students to choose the color they feel would best describe the intensity of each situation. This could help start a conversation about being true to Jesus Christ.

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) served in the military as a young man and witnessed many acts of courage. He shared the following example.

Think about the color you would choose to represent the level of opposition this young man experienced. How do you think you would act in a similar situation?

One which I shall never forget was the quiet courage of an 18-year-old seaman—not of our faith—who was not too proud to pray. Of 250 men in the company, he was the only one who each night knelt down by the side of his bunk, at times amidst the jeers of bullies and the jests of unbelievers. With bowed head, he prayed to God. He never wavered. He never faltered. He had courage. (Thomas S. Monson, “Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 67)

• What stands out to you about this example?

• What do you think is difficult about always following Jesus Christ? What helps you?

List some other situations in which following Jesus Christ might be challenging. Try to imagine specific details and consider what color on the diagram would best fit each situation.

Of course, it is much easier to talk about our commitment to Jesus Christ than it is to follow through in the moment we are challenged. As you study, seek to find the motivation you need to stay true to your belief in Jesus Christ and to the standards of His restored Church.

Moroni is hunted by the Lamanites

When Moroni was given the responsibility to keep and preserve the records of the Nephite people, he also faced opposition.

Read Moroni 1:1–4, considering how you might rate the opposition he faced.

To help you get a better idea of what life might have been like for Moroni, you might also watch “Moroni Invites All to Come unto Christ” from time code 0:00 to 3:59, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• How intense would you rate Moroni’s opposition?

• What can we learn from Moroni’s example?

One truth we can learn is that we can be true to Jesus Christ in any circumstance and not deny Him.

Consider writing this truth on the board. This way students can see it as they read different examples of people living this truth.

• Why is it important for us to be true, or loyal, to Jesus Christ?

• What experiences do you think Moroni had that helped him be so loyal to Jesus Christ?

• What do you know about Jesus Christ that could motivate you to not deny Him?

Consider marking Moroni’s words in verse 3. You could also record your name next to Moroni’s to help motivate you to always follow Jesus Christ.

Invite students to share examples of individuals in the scriptures who were true to Jesus Christ in difficult circumstances. Consider using some of the examples below. Provide context as needed. Also help students recognize that Jesus Christ is always loyal and true. He willingly died for each of us.

• Queen Esther (see Esther 4:16)

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (see Daniel 3:17–18)

• Abinadi (see Mosiah 17:20)

• Joseph Smith (see Doctrine and Covenants 135:4–5)

• The daughters of Onitah (see Abraham 1:11)

Showing our commitment

This might be a good time for students to report on their preparations for class. You could help students do this by asking a question like the following.

• When have you or someone you know shown commitment to Christ in difficult circumstances?

  Consider having students respond to the following questions in their study journals.

• Are there any circumstances in which you are facing opposition for following Jesus Christ?

• What can you do to be true to Jesus Christ in those circumstances?

To help students reflect on what they have learned in this lesson, consider inviting them to make a poster or a social media post that can motivate them and others to stay true to Christ in any circumstance. They could place it somewhere for personal motivation or share it with others. Provide the materials students would need and the instructions for this activity. If possible, show a recent example from the For the Strength of Youth magazine. Below is an example.

Students could begin by looking for an image to use in the “Image Collections” section of www.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/media. Then help students find scriptures about being true to Jesus Christ to include in their messages. They could use a verse from Moroni 1, a scripture they find on their own, or one from a list you provide such as the following.

• Joshua 1:9

• Romans 1:16

• Mosiah 18:8–9

• 3 Nephi 12:10–12

• “Commitment” in the Topical Guide

Give students sufficient time to create their post or poster, and allow them to share what they created with their classmates. Remember to look for ways to create a safe environment where students know that what they created is valued and meaningful.

Commentary and Background Information

How can I be true to Jesus Christ and stand up for my beliefs?

The following articles and videos give examples that can help answer this question.

• “Stand Up, Speak Up, and Shine”

• “People make fun of me for standing up for what’s right, even at Church activities. What can I do?”

• “Standing Up for What We Believe”

• “Preparation of Joseph F. Smith: True Blue, Through and Through” (1:31)

• “Come unto Me, O Ye House of Israel” (from time code 0:00 to 3:05)

How can I be true to Jesus Christ among those who do not believe?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

While some are neglecting their faith, others are searching for the truth. We have taken upon ourselves the name of the Savior. What more are we to do? …

You and I speak of Jesus Christ, but maybe we can do a little better. If the world is going to speak less of Him, who is going to speak more of Him? We are! Along with other devoted Christians! …

As the world speaks less of Jesus Christ, let us speak more of Him. As our true colors as His disciples are revealed, many around us will be prepared to listen. As we share the light we have received from Him, His light and His transcendent saving power will shine on those willing to open their hearts. Jesus said, “I … come [as] a light into the world” [John 12:46]. (Neil L. Andersen, “We Talk of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 88–90)

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

To persevere firm and steadfast in the faith of Christ requires that the gospel of Jesus Christ penetrate one’s heart and soul, meaning that the gospel becomes not just one of many influences in a person’s life but the defining focus of his or her life and character. …

Most of us find ourselves at this moment on a continuum between a socially motivated participation in gospel rituals on the one hand and a fully developed, Christlike commitment to the will of God on the other. Somewhere along that continuum, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ enters into our heart and takes possession of our soul. It may not happen in an instant, but we should all be moving toward that blessed state. (D. Todd Christofferson, “Firm and Steadfast in the Faith of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 31–32)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Moroni 1:1–4. Joseph Smith did not deny Christ

Students could benefit from talking about Joseph Smith as an example of someone who was true to Jesus Christ. Although he was persecuted for saying he had seen Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, Joseph said that he “could not deny it” (Joseph Smith—History 1:25). Joseph Smith remained true to God throughout his life and sealed his testimony with his blood when he was killed in Carthage (see Doctrine and Covenants 135).

Consider showing “Testimony of the Book of Mormon” (4:39), in which Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles describes Joseph Smith’s unwavering faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.

Examples of prayer and opposition

After sharing President Monson’s story about the young sailor who prayed each night, invite students to ponder the following questions: How likely are you to pray when you are alone, with others, or with those who would mock you? or if you would be punished for praying? Read and discuss Daniel 6:7–10 or Mosiah 24:11–12 for examples of when disciples of Christ were threatened with death if they prayed to God. What can we learn from these examples?