2013
Line upon Line: Moroni 7:16–17
December 2013


“Line upon Line: Moroni 7:16–17,” New Era, Dec. 2013, 38

Line upon Line

Moroni 7:16–17

The prophet Mormon teaches how to know if something is good or evil.

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

Spirit of Christ

The Spirit of Christ is also known in the scriptures as the “Light of Christ,” which is different from the Holy Ghost (see Bible Dictionary, “Light of Christ”). What can you learn from these scriptures about the Light of Christ? What other scriptures can you find that teach about this light?

Every Man

President Henry B. Eyring

“Every child of Heavenly Father born in the world is given at birth, as a free gift, the Light of Christ. You have felt that. It is the sense of what is right and what is wrong and what is true and what is false.”

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Walk in the Light,” Ensign, May 2008, 123.

Judge

“While it is true that you should not condemn others or judge them unrighteously, you will need to make judgments of ideas, situations, and people throughout your life. The Lord has given many commandments that you cannot keep without making judgments. … Judgment is an important use of your agency and requires great care. … All your judgments must be guided by righteous standards.”

True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference (2004), 90.

Perfect Knowledge

In another part of the Book of Mormon, Alma teaches that it’s possible to have a perfect knowledge of some things (see Alma 32:34). In addition to the test given in this scripture, you can also try the experiment in Alma 32 to know if something comes from God or not.

Doth the Devil Work

President Thomas S. Monson

“We are surrounded—even at times bombarded—by the messages of the adversary. … Lucifer, that clever pied piper, plays his lilting melody and attracts the unsuspecting away from the safety of their chosen pathway … . He seeks not just the so-called refuse of humanity; he seeks all of us, including the very elect of God. … Lucifer’s methods are cunning; his victims, numerous. … I plead with you to make a determination right here, right now, not to deviate from the path which will lead to our goal: eternal life with our Father in Heaven. … No temptation, no pressure, no enticing can overcome us unless we allow such.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “The Three Rs of Choice,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 67–69.

His Angels

“The scriptures speak of the devil’s angels. These are those spirits who followed Lucifer and were thrust out in the war in heaven and cast down to the earth.”

Bible Dictionary, “Angels”