If we seek in faith, we can receive a testimony of the book of Mormon
and of Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost. God grants gifts of the Spirit to
profit his children. When we quit desiring to become like the Savior, that is
when we lose the gifts of the Spirit. Those who have received the book of
Mormon will be accountable to God for their response to it. If we have faith,
we will be able to do what heavenly father wants us to do. As we come unto
Jesus Christ, we can be purified and perfected through his atonement.
1-2. What does the word exhort
mean? As you read this chapter watch for the recurrence of that word. What does
Moroni exhort you to do?
3. How can remembering the
Lords mercies in our lives cause us to soften our hearts and prepare us to
receive the Holy Ghost? When have you felt the Lord's mercy in your life? What
kinds of things can you do to help you remember the great mercy that the Lord
has extended to you? How is the Book of Mormon evidence of that great mercy?
What is your favorite Book of Mormon story that illustrates mercy? How can you
be sure that you ponder and carry these things in your heart? How has pondering
as you have studied the Book of Mormon help you to feel the Holy Ghost? What
could you do to ponder more consistently and effectively as you study the
Scriptures?
"When
people pray sincerely and have a real intent, it means that they intend to act
on the answer they received from God." – Book of Mormon Study Guide for
Home-study Seminary Students page 325 
"The act
of pondering involves using not only our heads but also our hearts.… The act of
pondering on the Scriptures and the things we have seen and heard invites
personal revelation to come into our lives." – William D Oswald, GC,
October 2008 
"True
gratitude is the ability to humbly see, feel, and even receive love. Gratitude
is a form of returning love to God. Recognize his hand, tell him so, express
your love to him. As you come to truly know the Lord you will find an intimate,
sacred relationship built on trust. You will come to know he understands your
anguish and will, in compassion always respond to you in love." – Gene R
cook, GC, April 2002 
"By
pondering, we give the Spirit and opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering
is a powerful link between the heart and the mind. As we read the Scriptures,
our hearts and minds are touched. If we use the gift to ponder, we can take the
eternal truths and realize how we can incorporate them into our daily
actions." – Marvin J Ashton, GC, October 1987 "As I
study the Scriptures, I am challenged and moved by the word ponder used so
frequently in the Book of Mormon. Dictionaries say that ponder means to weigh
mentally, think deeply about, deliberate, meditate… Moroni used this term as he
closed his record. By pondering, we give the Spirit an opportunity to impress
and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind. As we
read the Scriptures, our hearts and minds are touched. If we use the gift to
ponder, we can take these eternal truths and realize how we can incorporate
them into our daily actions… Pondering is a progressive mental pursuit. It is a
great gift to those who have learned to use it. We find understanding, insight,
and practical application if we will use the gift of pondering." – Marvin
J Ashton, GC, October 1987
4. What phrases in this verse
describe how we should approach God in prayer? To have faith implies that we
try to live what we have learned before asking for this special manifestation
from God. How does your faith in Christ help you to act on the things that you
have learned that he wants you to do? How does that action become part of your
answer as to the truth of these things? What must you do to be worthy for the
Holy Ghost to give you this witness?
"The
pattern for seeking answers from God is simple to explain yet much more
personal when applied. To begin, we are invited to study in our minds and
ponder in our hearts those things we most desire of him. This process of
reflection brings clarity and inspiration to our souls. We are then instructed
to present our thoughts and desires directly to Heavenly Father in humble
prayer with the promise that, if we ask him in the name of Christ, if what we
are seeking is right, and if we ask with a sincere heart, with real intent,
having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto us, by the power
of the Holy Ghost, for it is by the power of the Holy Ghost that we know the
truth of all things." – Craig C Christensen, GC, April 2003 
"Ultimately,
Moroni's counsel to read and ponder and then ask God in all sincerity of heart,
with real intent, to confirm scriptural truths by the witness of the Spirit is
the answer. In addition, when we inculcate into our lives scriptural
imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with the spirit and taste of
his goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and especially peace." –
Quentin L Cook, GC, April 2012
5. When have you felt the
influence of the Holy Ghost helping you know the truth of the Book of Mormon?
What efforts might you make this week to ask God in private prayer for the
witness of the Holy Ghost regarding the truthfulness of the things that you
have read?
"A sure
witness from the Holy Ghost carries far more certainty than a witness from any
other source." – Craig C Christensen, GC, October 2012 
"The
Spirit of God speaking to the spirit of man has power to impart truth with
greater effect and understanding them the truth can be imparted by personal
contact even with heavenly beings." – Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of
Salvation 
“The Holy
Ghost teaches individuals in a very personal way. This makes it possible for us
to intimately know truth for ourselves. Because of our different needs,
circumstances, and progression, the Holy Ghost it teaches what we must know and
do so we may become what we must be. Please note that while the Holy Ghost
teaches the truth of all things, he does not teach all truth all at once. The
Spirit teaches truth wine upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and
there a little." – Matthew O Richardson, GC, October 2011
6. If all things that are good
acknowledge the Savior, how might you invite more goodness into your life? How
does it make you feel to hear others deny the existence of Christ?
7. In what ways do you observe
people denying the power of God? When we choose to disobey counsel that comes
from God through his prophets, what are they saying to God about his wisdom and
our wisdom?
"In this
forgiveness we see the enabling and the redeeming power of the atonement
harmoniously and graciously applied. If we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ, the enabling power of his Atonement strengthens us in our moment of
need, and his redeeming power sanctifies us as we put off the natural
man." – Craig A Cardon, GC, April 2013
8. Why does God give us
spiritual gifts? What gifts have you received from God? How do you recognize
them?
9-17. What are the gifts of
the Spirit? How have you profited from the gifts of the Spirit you have
received? What examples of spiritual gifts have you seen in the church today?
How can you use your spiritual gifts to bless the lives of others? How has your
life been blessed by the gifts of others?
"One of
the great tragedies of life, it seems to me, is when a person classifies
himself as someone who has no talents or gifts… For us to conclude that we have
no gifts when we judge ourselves by stature, intelligence, grade-point average,
wealth, power, position, or external appearance is not only unfair but
unreasonable… Taken at random, let me mention a few gifts that are not always
evident or noteworthy but that are very important. Among these maybe your gifts
– gifts not so evident but nevertheless real and valuable. Let us review some
of these less conspicuous gifts: The gift of asking; the gift of listening; the
gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep;
the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of
avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift
of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; The gift of
being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to
ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony;
and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost. We must remember that to every man is
given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept
our gifts and to share them. God's gifts and powers are available to all of
us." Marvin J Ashton, GC, October 1987 
"The
scriptures tell us that we should desire and zealously seek spiritual gifts.…
In every case, the receipt of spiritual gifts is predicated upon faith,
obedience, and personal righteousness… We should seek after spiritual gifts.
They can lead us to God. They can shield us from the power of the adversary.
They can compensate for our inadequacies and repair our imperfections." – Dallin
H Oaks, Ensign, September 1986
17. What is one gift that
every faithful member of the church has been blessed with?
"These
gifts of the Spirit are encompassed by the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy
Ghost is the third member of the eternal Godhead and is identified as the Holy
Spirit. This Holy Spirit is a gift from God to help us make the decisions that
will allow us to find and fulfill our mission… In these latter days, and
understanding of the gifts of the Spirit has been given to us by revelation as
recorded in section 46 of the Doctrine and Covenants... We are clearly
instructed that each of us is given a gift or gifts. Do we know what gift we
have been given? Are we seeking to find our gifts?" -Robert D Hales,
Ensign, February 2002
18. Who is the source of all
goodness?
19-24. What prevents people
from receiving and recognizing spiritual gifts? Why do you think that people in
a condition of unbelief cannot recognize or receive the power and gifts of God?
"If any
of us are in perfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us
perfect… No man ought to say, 'Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.' He is
not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to
correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them. If a man lack
wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with everything else.
That is the design of God concerning his Church. He wants his Saints to be
perfected in the truth. For this purpose He gives these gifts, and bestows them
upon those who seek after them, in order that they may be a perfect people upon
the face of the earth." – George Q Cannon, Millennial Star, April 1894,
page 260
20. In what way do you think
that faith, hope and charity are linked?
21. What godly characteristics
must you have developed in order to be saved in the kingdom of God? Why do you
think these particular characteristics are required?
30. How can you come unto Christ? Do you think
that it is possible to be perfect in this life?
"Perfection
is an eternal goal. But we cannot be perfect in mortality, striving for it is a
commandment to, which ultimately, through the Atonement, we can keep." –
James E Faust, GC, April 1999
30-33. What must I do to
become pure and eventually perfect? What does God promised to do to help me
achieve this goal? How have the things that you have read in the Book of Mormon
brought you closer to Christ?
34. Who will we see after we
die? Why will we stand before them? What will they have to say to us? How do
you imagine you will feel when you meet them? What would you like to say to
them?
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