Moroni: The Champion of Isolation

 “And my father also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not.” (Mormon 8:3)

As we approach the end of 2020, we finish off a very interesting year. Pandemic, riots, elections. But let’s not forget that we also had the Book of Mormon as our Come Follow Me study this year. And what a year for it to be. 

With social distancing and isolation, it can be very lonely. Whether you’re single and have little human contact outside of zoom meetings. Whether you’re married with kids and can’t find a spare second to yourself. Or whether you’re working from home and your walls are closing in on you. Loneliness comes in many forms, but remember that you are not alone.

Moroni, son of Mormon and final author of the Book of Mormon, spent countless years on his own. His people had been killed and he was being pursued by his enemies. Even before his people had died, they had spiritually killed themselves by rejecting God. He must have felt isolated from the very start. 

And yet he had hope. 

As we finish off the Book of Mormon this year, remember the hope and faith that Moroni had. He spoke of faith, hope, and charity. Even though he had no one left. He didn’t know whether he’d be slaughtered, starved, or translated. But he persevered. 

Mormon and Moroni knew this time would come (see Mormon 8:35) and they knew we’d need the words they’d write. They knew we’d need hope in lonely and trying times. So here are a few scriptures that I love about hope. And I hope they help you.

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” (2 Nephi 31:20)

“For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us.” (Jacob 4:4)

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.” (Ether 12:4)

“Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.” (Moroni 7:42)

Because of Jesus Christ, there is always hope.