Moro 7:36-40
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
The Book of Mormon > Moroni > Chapter 7
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Questions
Verse 37
- Faith and seeing angels. Can we interpret v. 37 to mean if we don't see angels it is because we lack faith? (see exegesis)
Verse 40
- Hope before faith? Is this saying that the attainment of hope preceeds the attainment of faith? If so, how can this be reconciled with other verses that seem to suggest the attainment of faith preceeds the attainment of hope (e.g. verse 42, Moro 8:26, 2 Ne 31:19-20, and Ether 12:4)?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
Verses 36-37: Faith and seeing angels
Verses 36 and 37 tells us that angels will not cease to appear unto the children of men unless it is "because of unbelief." Then verse 38 tells us that "if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also." On this point Moroni is clear: if no angels appear to the children of men then it is because of a lack of belief and faith. He does not tell us that for each individual, if that individual has not seen an angel than it is because that individual lacks faith. In D&C 46:10-11 the Lord distinguishes between those gifts given to the church collectively versus those given to individuals. About gifts given to individuals the Lord says "all have not every gift given unto them." Though we should seek good gifts, the scriptures make it clear that the Lord chooses not to bless every righteous and faithful person with every good gift they ask for. The ultimate example of this is when Christ asks "let this cup pass from me" Matt 26:39.
Verses 40 and 42: Faith before hope?
At first blush, verse 40 might be read as suggesting that the attainment of hope preceeds the attainment of faith. However, verse 42 would seem to contradict such an interpretation. One way to avoid this apparent contradiction is to consider the attainment of faith and the attainment of hope as a simultaneous, mutually-reinforcing process, as exemplified by the intertwined cable metaphor that Elder Nelson suggests (see related links for verse 42).
Another possibility is to view the attainment of hope as an immediate consequence to the attainment of faith. On this view, if you think you have attained faith but you do not have hope, then you would be able to infer that you have not attained true faith. Note that the following verses seem to corroborate this view: Moro 8:26, 2 Ne 31:19-20, and Ether 12:4)?
Related links
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