1 AND now, I speak also concerning those who do not believe in Christ. [ And to those who do not believe - I have a message for you. ]

2 Behold, will ye believe in the day of your visitation [ In a way this is a question for each of us. How does this change your life if you just believe that the Lord will come on earth to reign again? ] —behold, when the Lord shall come, yea, even that great day when the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, [ Joseph Fielding Smith was asked if the fire would be a literal fire to which he responded "Oh, no , it will not be a literal fire any more than it was literal water that covered the earth in the flood " The Signs Of The Times p.41 It will be a time when the earth will get a new heaven and all corruptible things will be removed. ] yea, in that great day when ye shall be brought to stand before the Lamb of God—then will ye say that there is no God?

3 Then will ye longer deny the Christ, or can ye behold the Lamb of God? Do ye suppose that ye shall dwell with him under a consciousness of your guilt? [ How can we phrase that in todays terms? Do you think you will feel any comfort in his presence knowing your sins. ] Do ye suppose that ye could be happy to dwell with that holy Being, [ Do you think that if you are not living the kind of life that God lives and trying to live that life for yourself that you are going to be comfortable in eternity living with God? Would that not be hell? Living in a place that you are not comfortable being in? This is the doctrine that he is teaching us start living to be what or where you want to remain, if you don't you will not be comfortable there anyway. ] when your souls are racked with a consciousness of guilt that ye have ever abused his laws?

4 Behold, I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell. [ Everyone will be happy in the kingdom that they find themselves in. So in other words for some heaven will be in the telestial kingdom, and hell for some would be in the celestial kingdom if they are not worthy. Hell is where you do not belong, even if it is the celestial Kingdom. If our character is not in line with the character of God and everyone else around us then we would be miserable as there will be no one around to do what we want to do. It is as simple as that. The best way that I can describe it is without any kind of judgement to either group if you are a cougar fan then you will not be placed with the Ute fans to dwell forever, never to see your fellow cougar fans again. Or vice versa, either way it would be hell. Why would such a people be "more misserable to dwell with God [than] with the damned souls in hell?" Now isn't that interesting - if we pick wrong where we want to go - we will still be in hell. So how does our relationship with the Savior on this life effect it in the next life? D&C 88:22-24. Think about it, this simple principle teaches us the reason why God has provided the way that he would do things so that we might become accustomed to doing things that way. If we can and do we will want to be in a place with him for eternity, if we do not want to or cannot feel comfortable in doing so then why would things be different on the other side? They won't. ]

5 For behold, when ye shall be brought to see your nakedness [ Or our sinful state. With that bright recollection of who we really are. "Nakedness" as used figurativly in the scriptures appears to indicate a fallen, sinful,or guilt-ridden state away from the presence of God. (see also Moses 4:13, 16-17; 2 Ne. 9:14). ] before God, and also the glory of God, [ It is then when we can see both at the same time, who were are and then compare who we really are to who God is, that we will be hit head on with the truth in a way in which we never before have known. It is through the process of comparison that we will really see, our blinders will be taken off. ] and the holiness of Jesus Christ, [ Remember that God cannot shut off his glory. This is why no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God. When we see this then if we do not have the same character we would be more miserable to dwell with God than the damed souls in hell. ] it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire upon you.

6 O then ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord; cry mightily unto the Father in the name of Jesus, that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, [ How do we do that? We repent and call upon God (Jesus Christ) for take away our sins. We believe is him, repent and ask. ] at that great and last day.

7 And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, [ Compare with 2 Ne 28:2-8; Joseph Smith History 1:17-19; 21-22. What does Moroni say to those who do not believe in the revelations of God? ] and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues;

8 Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them. [ Or is you don't know these things then you are not reading and studying your scriptures, because if you are you will know and understand. ]

9 For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, [ What can we gain from that? Well it impossable to ever win a game or even have fun playing when you do not know the rules or if they were always changing. You know rules that seem to change for which ever side the ref or rules person decides they should apply. Holding calls are only enforced for one team. Or a penalty is administered differently, the game is just not fair. God is not like that nor can he be, if he was it would not work as all he would have to do is do someting different once and he would loose all creditability. How miserable would life be if that were the case? Modern revelation confirms that the coming forth of the Book of Mormon proves God continues to “inspire men and call them to his holy work” in our day as He has in the past, “showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever” (D&C 20:11–12). The Lectures on Faith state that in order to have perfect faith in God one must have a correct idea of God’s “character, perfections, and attributes” ([1985], 38). One of God’s characteristics is that He will not change: “[God] changes not, neither is there variableness with him; but that he is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday, today, and for ever; and that his course is one eternal round, without variation” (Lectures on Faith, 41). Consider the blessing of knowing that God continues His holy work in our day and will always remain the same yesterday, today, and forever. ] and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?

10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.

11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, [ What evidences does Moroni use to show that God is a God of miracles? see 12,13,14 ] even the God of Abraham, [ These same words where uttered by others ( Mosiah 7:19; Mosiah 23:23; Alma 29:11; 36:2; 3 Ne. 4:30; Morm. 9:11 ) What event do these all consistently suggest from the life of Abraham that provides a foundation to put your trust in God as did Abraham? Abraham was bound up on the altar of King Nimrod, his destruction was imminent, and yet Abraham trusted God against otherwise impossible odds. It was in a way Abraham against all of society, he was alone, and yet still he trusted God with whom he had a relationship. In the Book of Abraham, the story begins with young Abraham on a collision course with the world around him. He was opposing the practices not merely of a few wicked individuals but of a whole society whose "hearts were set to evil" (Abr. 1:6) and who would tolerate no questioning of their evil ways. Yet one individual trust in God enough to go the coarse alone. ] and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.

12 Behold, he created Adam, [ MIRACLE NUMBER ONE - The creation of heaven and earth - including man ] and by Adam [ man or mankind – in the council in heaven we agreed using our agency to be bound by the consequences of any action of Adam who was to be our first parent – just as we are bound by any actions of any other of our parents – some are born into the church others are not… ] came the fall of man. [ MIRACLE NUMBER TWO - he gave man agency to act for himself, to choose - to choose that man might be. ] And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man.

13 And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; [ MIRACLE NUMBER THREE - The redemption of man thru Christ ] yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, [ MIRACLE NUMBER FOUR - The resurection of all men ] from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death.

14 And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; [MIRACLE NUMBER FIVE - The judgement, that he will know how to judge us fairly, and that we will be given an eternal reward based on that judgement. ] and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; [ (2 Ne. 9:14-16) ] and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still.

15 And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, [ In otherwords just because you un-believers have imagined that God has stopped performing miracles does that make it true? ] I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.

16 Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God?

17 Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought?

18 And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? [ What were the miracles performed by Christ? What are your favorite miracles? ] And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.

19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? [ Very good logic implied here - how could you come to any other conclusion other than the one that Moroni offers - here - end of vs 20. ] And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men [ Why does the Lord cease to do miracles? ] is because that [ 1)] they dwindle in unbelief, [ Maybe the first one is that if we do not believe in God then we stop looking for the hand of God in our lives, so we cannot see it. What role does belief play in receiving miracles? How much do we limit the power of God when we say tha he cannot do something or that we do not believe that he can or will? ] and [ 2)] depart from the right way, and [ 3)] know not the God in whom they should trust. [ so what causes miracles to cease? see 1), 2) 3). - Interesting choice of words - "TRUST". Why do we have to know God and trust God before miracles to happen? - If someone were to say to you that the Lord is not a God of miracles what would you say, How would you respond? “Why do signs and miracles cease in certain ages? Why are they not found at all times and among all peoples? Were those of old entitled to greater blessings than those of us who now dwell on the same earth that once was theirs? Moroni answers: ‘The reason why’ a God of gifts and miracles ‘ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men,’ and to pour out his gifts upon them, ‘is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.’ They worship false gods whom they define in their creeds, and they no longer walk in the same paths pursued by the saints of former days. “It is men who have changed, not God; he is the same everlastingly. All men who have the same faith and live the same law will reap the same blessings” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 367). ]

21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; [ so if we have a desire and ask God and do not get it does it always mean that we simply do not have or not exercising enough faith? What do we need to do to overcome doubt? 10 Those then who make the sacrifice will have the testimony that their course is pleasing in the sight of God, and those who have this testimony will have faith to lay hold on eternal life, and will be enabled through faith to endure unto the end, and receive the crown that is laid up for them that love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who do not make the sacrifice cannot enjoy this faith, because men are dependent upon this sacrifice in order to obtain this faith; therefore, they cannot lay hold upon eternal life, because the revelations of God do not guarantee unto them the authority so to do; and without this guarantee faith could not exist.
11 All the saints of whom we have account in all the revelations of God which are extant, obtained the knowledge which they had of their acceptance in his sight, through the sacrifice which they offered unto him. And through the knowledge thus obtained, their faith became sufficiently strong to lay hold upon the promise of eternal life, and to endure as seeing him who is invisible; and were enabled, through faith, to combat the powers of darkness, contend against the wiles of the adversary, overcome the world, and obtain the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls.
12 But those who have not made this sacrifice to God, do not know that the course which they pursue is well pleasing in his sight; for whatever may be their belief or their opinion, it is a matter of doubt and uncertainty in their minds; and where doubt and uncertainty are, there faith is not, nor can it be. For doubt and faith do not exist in the same person at the same time. So that persons whose minds are under doubts and fears cannot have unshaken confidence; and where unshaken confidence is not, there faith is weak; and where faith is weak, the persons will not be able to contend against all the opposition, tribulations, and afflictions which they will have to encounter in order to be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ Jesus; and they will grow weary in their minds, and the adversary will have power over them and destroy them. Lectures On Faith Lecture 5. ] and this promise is unto all, [ so what is this promise - do we just say we don't doubt, is there more - what must we do? lectures on faith see above - sacrifice brings forth faith, bringing a knowledge that he live, that he loves, that we are obedient, until we have confidence in his presence there will be no room for doubt.] even unto the ends of the earth.

22 For behold, thus said Jesus Christ, the son of God, [He is not the son of Joseph. He is not the son of a man. This title the son Of God means that his Father is literally God our Father in Heaven. ] unto his disciples who should tarry, yea, and also to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multitude: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;

23 And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned;

24 And these signs shall follow them that believe [ What are the signs that follow the believers? ] —in my name shall they[ 1)] cast out devils; [ 2)] they shall speak with new tongues; [ 3)] they shall take up serpents; [ 4)] and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall [ 5)] lay hands on the sick and they shall recover; [ Do we see any of those miracles in the church today? ]

25 And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth.

26 And now, behold, who can stand against the works of the Lord? Who can deny his sayings? Who will rise up against the almighty power of the Lord? Who will despise the works of the Lord? Who will despise the children of Christ? Behold, all ye who are despisers of the works of the Lord, for ye shall wonder and perish.

27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.

29 See that ye are not baptized unworthily; [ What else is he saying here? See that you do not go to the temple unworthily. Why is that a problem? ] see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out.

30 Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead; for I know that ye shall have my words. [ Because he has seen our day - and we know that he saw the time when the book of Mormon came forth so he most likely saw Joseph Smith as well - then the generations after that who would have the book.]

31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.

32 And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, [ According to Tvedtnes and Ricks, non-Latter-day Saint scholars and others have long scoffed at the idea that an Israelite group from Jerusalem should have written in Egyptian and mocked the term "reformed Egyptian" as non-sense. Since Joseph Smith's time, we have learned a great deal about Egyptian and Israelite records and realize that the Book of Mormon was correct in all respects.
The ancient Egyptians used three types of writing systems. The most well known, the hieroglyphs (Greek for "sacred symbols"), comprised nearly 400 picture characters depicting things found in real life. A cursive script called hieratic (Greek for "sacred") was also used, principally on papyrus. Around 700 B.C., the Egyptians developed an even more cursive script that we call demotic (Greek for "popular"), which bore little resemblance to the hieroglyphs.15 Both hieratic and demotic were in use in Lehi's time and can properly be termed "reformed Egyptian." From the account in Mormon 9:32, it seems likely that the Nephites further reformed the characters. (John A. Tvedtnes and Stephen D. Ricks, "Jewish and Other Semitic Texts Written in Egyptian Characters," in Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, 5/2 (1996), pp. 157-158) ] being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.

33 And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; [ A Jewish convert to the Church, Henry Miller, who discovered that the entire Book of Mormon could be written on 41 pages if the Hebrew alphabet were used. Moroni seems to indicate that at least he and his father Mormon still knew a version of Hebrew, becuase he suggests that if the plates where larger they would have used Hebrew. ] but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; [ Hebrew characters are not suitable for engraving, but are designed to be painted by brush strokes--each part of a given character having thicker or thinner brush strokes to convey a precise meaning. Thus, a greater amount of space would have been required to enable the recorder to make the characters sufficiently distinguishable for interpretation. ] and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record. [ What is it about the Hebrew language that would have make the record perfect? What are the differences between reformed Egyptian and Hebrew? According to sorenson, this would mean that Mormon used Egyptian signs to depict Hebrew (sorenson 1985, p. 76) While it is unclear which aspects of "language" are involved in this verse, the message is that their language is unique. That should leave out a simplistic interpretation of "language" as Hebrew, as that language is still known. By the time Mormon writes, there has been a shift in the two components of written language. First, we know that whatever the text represents, it is not Hebrew, by explicit statement (Mormon 9:33). We also know that whatever the orthography, it was not "pure" Egyptian, but rather "Mormon 9:32 "in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian". In other words, by the time of Mormon, who is writing the vast majority of the text, Hebrew is no longer Hebrew and Egyptian is no longer Egyptian. It is important to remember that the term "reformed Egyptian" only occurs nearly 1,000 years after Lehi left Jerusalem, so finding reformed Egyptian in the old world is a futile, non-Book-of-Mormon-text issue. ]

34 But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.

35 And these things are written that we may rid our garments of the blood of our brethren, who have dwindled in unbelief.

36 And behold, these things which we have desired concerning our brethren, yea, even their restoration to the knowledge of Christ, are according to the prayers of all the saints who have dwelt in the land.

37 And may the Lord Jesus Christ grant that their prayers may be answered according to their faith; and may God the Father remember the covenant which he hath made with the house of Israel; and may he bless them forever, through faith on the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. [ At this point the record goes quite as Moroni buries the records in the hilside. It is interesting that Ezekiel was show that this would happen in Ezekiel 4:4-6. From the earliest prophets we are taught that the Savior(Jesus Christ) would take upon himself the flesh and administer to his people as one of their own. This began in his 30th year of life, the earliest age that was possible to be a minister in his day according to the law. Ezekiel suggested that from the beginning of his ministry God would bear the sins of Israel for some 390 years before he would scatter and destroy them. As for Judah he would only bear their sins for 40 years from that time at which point they would be scattered as well. We know that the children of Joseph ruled the northern nation which was destroyed in 720 BC, so this math is to be applied to the surviving remnant of Joseph, or those who are in America for which the math works out perfectly. If you add 390 years to the first year of Christs ministry you end up at the year 420 which happens to be the exact year here that the record of Joseph goes silent. ]