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Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
Welcome to part two with Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni, one through six.
Shalise
I would encourage all of our listeners to do a close reading this week of chapter four, verse three, and chapter five, verse two. We can't do it here. We can't go through every word here. We'd be here for hours and hours. But it's a really neat experience to do this. When we read this as a family, I like to have either my wife or my daughter. I say, can you read this? I remember once, my daughter Madeline, we were reading through as a family. And I'm like, maddie, will you read this verse? And she finished. She's like, I've always wanted to do that. Big smile on her face. If I'm maybe reading the sacrament prayer or giving the sacrament prayer, I might mix up a little bit of the pauses and tones and cadence. It seems to be that I hear it in kind of the same manner. I don't want it to be a distraction, but we don't have to read it with pauses in the same place. I've noticed before when a young man will read it and it's different, like, he uses a different emphasis in different places. Helps it stand out.
Elise
There is value to reading it out loud and hearing it in your own voice. It did something different when I was studying this and would read it out loud. I feel like there is something different about reading it. When we hear something in a voice that's familiar, whether it be your own or somebody else's, it's special. It's different.
Shalise
Chalice. I think this would be appropriate in personal study to change the pronouns from we to me. I, that I can have his spirit to be with me, that I witness. You could probably spend a lot of time on personal study in just those two verses.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
There's a statement that President Gordon B. Hinckley made years ago. He was talking to the young man and I thought, wow, that is sobering. He said, when you as a priest kneel at the sacrament table and offer up the prayer which came by revelation, you place the entire congregation under covenant with the Lord. Is this a small thing? It is a most important and remarkable thing. And then he kept going. Now, my dear young brethren, if we are to administer the emblems of the sacrifice of our Lord, we must be worthy to do so. It is totally wrong for you to indulge in filthy and unseemly talk at school or work and then kneel at the sacrament table on Sunday. It was helpful to me to hear how cool is that. We've got maybe 15, 16, 17 year olds placing the entire congregation under covenant. That's impressive.
Shalise
I really like that. It's the same voice. The same voice that is going to school.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
Yeah.
Shalise
Saying good things, I hope is the same voice.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
Is it in the Book of James in the New Testament, you guys? Where out of the same mouth proceedeth both blessing and cursing. Brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Shalise
Ought not so to be. Now, Shalise, as you and I have been talking over the last few months, I know you were excited about chapter six, which made me excited about chapter six. So talk to me here. What are you so excited about?
Elise
I love chapter six. He starts by recapping everything that he already talked about. He talks to us about how to be a church and how to participate in a community of saints that helps one another and keeps each other in the right way. There's value to that. I feel like we don't place enough value on our church worship and service sometimes.
Shalise
Okay, I'm ready.
Elise
Let's read verse 4.
Shalise
This is Moroni 6, 4. And after they had been received unto baptism and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the Church of Christ. And their names were taken that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful and to prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and finisher of their faith. Beautiful.
Elise
There's a lot in there. I feel like there's so much in there. But did you notice that all of this is past tense? I wonder if it's maybe longing for Moroni. This is how it is to be done. These are the good things. After he talks about these members that are baptized, he says, you're numbered among the church. I think it's interesting that that was an ancient practice as well. I don't think numbered means necessarily a tick on the board. We're not trying to get to a certain number. It's more about we number you so we know where you're at, so that if we don't see you, we can find you.
Shalise
That is crucial. One time I walked into Elderskorm, I believe it was, and there were way a lot more chairs than usual. And we all sat down and there were a lot of empty chairs. I thought, this is weird. And then the Elder Scorn president said, I decided to set up a chair not for everyone who attends, but for everyone on the roll. All of a sudden I realized what Used to look like a full Elder Squirm. We're missing people. I like what you said, that they might be remembered.
Elise
So are we doing a good job of remembering? Remembering is the hard part of the church. We can have a calling and feel like we have love for these people. But Elder Hurst, in this last conference, he says being loved is not the same as feeling loved. And I think that's what we gotta do when we remember somebody. We might love them, but we have to make them feel that love. They're not going to want to be at church if they don't feel love from the people that they're around.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
He had a beautiful English accent.
Elise
Yes, yes.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
He talked about his kids passing out before they gave a talk. I walk into my class and there's this sister there, student, who has a beautiful English accent and her name is Darcy Hurst. I walked up to her and after the conference and I said, is that you that passed out during a talk? Oh, how did you make that connection? I listened to your accent, that's how. Yeah, I remember. That was a great talk.
Elise
It was a great talk. And I think the Savior teaches us about this when he comes to the people and he tells them he will heal any that are afflicted in any manner. He does that very individually. He wants a personal connection with each of those people. He could have said, I heal you all and it could be done. That could have happened. It would have saved some time, but he wanted to heal people individually. And then he leaves and he says, I'm gonna come back. And all of those people that were healed then wanna go find everybody else and bring them there. That's exactly what the church is about. It's about us finding, healing for ourselves and then going and getting someone else and saying, come. This is where you will find what you need.
Shalise
Shalish so you're connecting 3rd Nephi 17 where the Savior heals them and they go get others. Come and be healed. Wow.
Elise
But don't you think that that's what church is? Come be healed. Church is also the school to become like Jesus. We talk about we want to live with Jesus again, but we can't do that unless we live the lifestyle of Jesus. And the church provides that education. We can't do that all by ourself with the church. We're allowed to practice loving. We're allowed to practice trying over and over. We're learning to serve and learn together. But also the church is the only place the priesthood and the ordinances can exist.
Shalise
We need a church right to implement these important ordinances. You reminded me of a thought. Joseph B. The church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things or have perfect thoughts or have perfect feelings. The church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other. I think Elder Uchtdorf likened the church to a hospital.
Elise
Elder Renlund talked about in this last conference. He talked about the gospel and the church, and he talked about dynamite nitroglycerin and the Kiesel Kerr that you mix it together and then it could be something useful and how the gospel is perfect, but the church is the vehicle to get us to that place. He says the combination. This is Elder Renlund. He says the combination of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints provides powerful and transformative benefits for us. The gospel is perfect, but a divinely commissioned church is required to preach it, maintain its purity, and administer its sacred ordinances with the Savior's power and authority. The church is simply ordinary people, disciples of Jesus Christ gathered and organized into divinely appointed structure that helps the Lord accomplish his purposes.
Shalise
Wow.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
In our handbook today, we have different names for everything. We used to call it home teaching. Now we call it ministering. But you see that right there, their names were taken. We know who you are. That they might be remembered. We want you to be remembered. Then that phrase, nourished by the good word of God. Do you remember President Hinckley's statement that became so important that every new member of the church needs a friend, a responsibility, and to be nourished by the good word of God. One time, I was in a training meeting and Elder von Keach told the coolest story. He said he was on a plane and he sat next to somebody who was a search and rescue technician in Oregon. Elder Keach was just, so what do you do? And the guy was telling him, well, I rescue a lot of people on Mount Hood. And usually by the time I get to them, they don't want to be rescued. Hypothermia has set in. They finally feel warm, although they're really in danger. And he said, I find that at that point, I have to do three things. So I get out my satellite phone because cell service doesn't work. There's. I introduce myself, I find out their name, I make friends with them. Then I get out my satellite phone and I give them something to do. I'm like, you need to call your family and tell them where you are and that I'm here with you and that I'M going to get you out of this. Then I get some hot chocolate and I give them some nourishment. And Elder Keats said, did you hear what he just said? I find somebody on Mount Hood. I give him a friend. That's me. I give him a responsibility. Call your family. And I give him some nourishment. He said, what if somebody doesn't want to be rescued? What do you do? Same thing as President Hinckley. Be a friend.
Shalise
I'd never heard that. That's great.
Elise
In that same talk, President Hinckley says, we would lose far less people if we took better care of them. I don't know exactly how he said it, but that's why we're numbered and remembered. Sometimes we're the ones that need to be taken care of, and sometimes we're the ones that do the caring. And it's okay to be both.
Shalise
I know that sometimes I have been someone who just wants to go to church, sit, listen and go home. I don't know if he'd say, yeah, that's what I was after. I think he might say, did you remember people? Did you nourish them? Did you talk with them and uplift them?
Elise
I remember a time when I was transitioning from the YSA ward to the family ward. I did not want to be either place. I didn't want to be in the YSA ward because I was too old and I didn't fit in there. I did not want to be in the family ward because I didn't have a family and I didn't fit in there. So I would sit in the back and leave because I didn't belong and I didn't want to be anywhere. I knew church was important. I had a testimony of the gospel. Obviously not a strong enough one, but it was hard because I didn't feel like I fit in. And then somebody snagged me and put me with the young women. And that changed my life because I had somebody to love, I had somebody to serve, and all of a sudden I had a purpose. That's why we need those callings, is we need a purpose. We need something that makes us feel valued and like we belong somewhere.
Shalise
Elise, that's beautiful.
Elise
Verses 5 and 6. 5 and 6 says the church did meet together oft to fast and to pray and to speak with one another concerning the welfare of their soul. Don't you love that? This is still what we do today? It is the very same thing that they were doing then. It is exactly what we're doing now. There's something beautiful about that. This hasn't changed. This is still the Savior's way. This is still how he wants us to do things. I had an experience while I was in Palmyra this last summer, and I have never been before, and it was a beautiful place.
Shalise
Oh, yeah, we ran into each other. I remember that.
Elise
At the Sacred Grove. This is what I'm going to talk about. I knew I was going to be at the Sacred Grove two different times. I had good experiences both places, but they were very different. So the first experience, I went, and as we're driving over there, I am excited to go because this is a place I have a testimony of, and I know of what happened there. I thought in my head, I want to have a good experience. But that's as much thought as I think I really put into it. So we go there, and there is a stillness and a peace that's there that is tangible and beautiful. And I had a good experience. It was wonderful, but I did not see an angel. I did not hear a voice or get an answer to my life's problems. It was a good experience, but that's as far as it went. Second time I went, I was with a group, millennial choirs and orchestras, and we were there for the purpose of making a video that could be shared, a video that shared our testimony of Jesus Christ and God the Father appearing to Joseph Smith. So as we were there, everyone is dressed beautifully, their words are memorized, and their music is learned. As we sat there at that Sacred Grove getting ready to sing, I could still feel the peace. I could still feel the goodness of the place. But as we shared our testimonies, as we raised our voices in song, it was a different experience, because 2,000 people were there sharing a testimony of Jesus Christ and the Spirit was there. Changed me. It will be something that I never, never forget. But it was because there was testimony there. So I think that the church is no different. The church is a beautiful place where sacred things happen. But when we combined it with testimonies of one another, that's where the power comes. That's why we need a church president. Oaks said this in 2021. He says, Years ago, I changed my attitude about going to church. No longer do I go to church for my sake, but to think of others. I make it a point to say hello to people who sit alone, to welcome visitors, to volunteer for an assignment. In short, I go to church each week with the intent of being active and not passive and making a positive difference in people's Lives I get not knowing where you fit. As a single member of the church, we hear often that half of the church membership is single. And I hate that statistic. I hate it because I'm like. But that doesn't describe me. That talks about these missionaries that are young and still have their whole lives to lead, and that talks about these people that have had a family and a spouse and are alone at the end of their lives. But I didn't ever feel like it described me. The beauty of the church is that we really actually can belong anywhere. But sometimes it has to be the hard choice to put yourself out there. Like President Oaks is talking about, I go not only for me, but I go to make somebody else's life better. But I think when that happens, when we serve one another, that changes our hearts. I feel like some of my most favorite friends are the people I have come in contact with because we served together in a calling. We served for the benefit of somebody else, and that made us better, but that also made our relationship with one another stronger because it was founded in Jesus Christ. I remember a time I was in the YSA ward, and I was asked to be the Relief Society president, and I didn't know who to call. And I saw this beautiful person, and I was like, that's her. But I didn't know her. I didn't even know her name. And I can count on one hand, probably the times I've felt like the Lord said, this is exactly what you need to do. But this was one of them. I called her and we served together, and she's one of my most favorite friends out there. But when I talked to her, she also had a similar thought. Like, I'm not sure about this. I'm not sure I want to do this. But that relationship has made us better. I feel like that happens time and time again with bys, the youth program that I was involved in. These people that I served with year after year for the benefit of the youth, all volunteer. Those are the people that are my family. Those are the people that I love because I know their hearts and I know where their testimony is, and I know that they love Jesus Christ. And because of that, we've created a family that's been important in my life, is finding those people that I belong to.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
That is beautiful, perfect in verse five, just that subtle little way this is worded. And to speak one with another, you're in a ward family. One week this person will give a talk. Another week, this person will give a talk. And then this Person will get this calling and this person will get this calling, and a few months later, we'll play musical callings and everything will be shuffled up again. There's not a professional who does it every week, but we speak one with another. I love that. And I recall a time I was in an elder's quorum in Provo, and at the end of the regular priesthood lesson, which I cannot even remember what it was about, this brother who had recently come back to the church put his hands in his face and started to sob. And he said, brothers, I need your help. And we sat with him for a half an hour and talked about the challenge he was going through. And I will never forget that meeting. And it always reminds me, that verse always reminds me of, we're going to speak one with another. I don't just go to listen and go home. We're going to help each other concerning the welfare of our souls. And like I said, I can't remember what the lesson was about, but, boy, do I remember that Elders Quorum meeting.
Shalise
I remember as a young father sitting in Elders Quorum, it just felt so good to have people ahead of me in life talking. It was like a. It was like a mentor session of, how do I do what you're doing?
Elise
Don't you think there comes some vulnerability there where we have to tell people where we're at, or we have to ask for that advice, or we have to say, this is where I'm struggling. We have to be a little bit more open because it's easy to say, I'm fine. I'm fine. I don't need anything. I'm fine. But sometimes we actually do.
Shalise
Latter Day Saints get together a couple times a week to lie to each other about how they're doing. Right. How are you? I'm doing great. How are you? Fine. Love and life, but yet we do have our challenges that we're not sharing.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
Yeah. And what a group of mentors that we are surrounded with. I love what you said, Hank. Those that are maybe a little older, raising their families, whatever, and you get to hear their experiences and their wisdom. That's a really good point. I love the idea of mentors, and I think that's why there are young men's leaders and young women's leaders and so forth, that you've got to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. Isn't it cool that Moroni had this whole church organization described here? In so few verses, verse seven, we.
Elise
Talk about the standards that are there that we don't have any iniquity. And I think there has to be a line. There has to be some boundaries. But verse 8 says, but as often as they repented and sought forgiveness with real intent, they were forgiven. That promise of return is pretty limitless. As often as we wish, we mess up every day, but we can come back every day. And that's awesome. Wow.
Shalise
As often as they repented. Which means it was often, right?
Elise
Yeah, it should be. We should recognize that.
Shalise
Yeah, those rare times when they needed to repent, they were forgiven. It's like. No, it was often. And it was okay that it's often.
Elise
I love sister Reyna Aberto. She says, the church is more than the buildings and the ecclesiastical structure. The church is us, the church is the members. Don't you feel that every time you go somewhere to church that you haven't been, like, a different location? I remember going to church in Switzerland a few years ago. I couldn't understand a thing that was said, but I felt comfortable there. I was happy it was home. But we have this experience, you know, if you go to church in a different town, it still feels the same. Or it should, because the Spirit is there. And that because the church is us, it's the members.
Shalise
Recently I went to church in a little town in Wyoming, McKinnon, Wyoming. Sat there with my family. A tiny little chapel, right. Just not a large chapel. And my kids were looking around going, hey, look at this. But it felt like home. I felt like I was among friends.
Elise
Because you were.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
Yeah, yeah, I was. Attended a sacrament meeting in Portland, Maine. And I heard a couple of exceptionally beautiful talks there and. But had that feeling. You walk in and you felt like, hey, this is family. We're brothers and sisters. And yeah, amen to what you just said.
Elise
We end with verse nine. It says, and their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit. We've talked so much about the Holy Ghost and how it helps us in our lives, but do you have any thoughts about how we should conduct meetings that way?
Shalise
Yeah, look at that spirit. Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. I think he's trying to emphasize something.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
Yeah. I don't know if you guys have ever experienced this. Have you ever had a visiting authority, like in a state conference who tosses the agenda and starts picking on people and doing different things? And everybody starts looking down like, don't pick me.
Shalise
Don't call on me.
Elise
I had a good stake president that did this.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
I've seen that happen before. And yeah, whoever's presiding has the Keys to do that. And I've seen meetings happen that way. Way back when I was a student at byu, kids used to decide to stand up in the middle of him. And then everybody else in the congregation would see that, and, oh, yeah, that's fun. Let's stand up, too. It happened a lot. People would just stand up. One time I was in a training meeting in the Marriott Center. An Elder M. Russell Ballard was there, and this happened. A bunch of people just stood up. And Elder Ballard got up after that hymn, and he said, I want to teach you a principle. I noticed that a lot of you stood up during the hymn. And then he said, watch the presiding authority, and you will never. I never stood up. Right. And then he taught us that the members don't take control of the meeting. The Spirit does. And there's an order of things, and the presiding authority decides that. I would just never forget that. And that thing stopped after that where he said, you watch the presiding authority.
Elise
I would like to close with this thought. President McKay said the principal reason that the church was organized was to make life sweeter today, to give contentment to the heart today, to bring salvation today. Some of us look forward to a time in the future, salvation and exaltation in the world to come. But today is part of eternity. And I feel like that's why we have a church, so that we can be happy today and we can find comfort today. In the end of Moroni, we're invited to come unto Him. The beginning of Moroni is how we do that. That's how we hear Him. These chapters are what brings us to Jesus Christ and how we strengthen our resolve to follow Him. We come to the sacrament table each week to recommit and to renew our covenants, that we're willing to remember Jesus, but that brings healing. We find wholeness and belonging in church, and that's why we go.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
We might not feel the Spirit every time I go to church, but I feel like if we don't attend, we're less likely to feel it in other parts of our lives, because that's where we go. And you've said it so beautifully today, Chalice. That's where the ordinances are. That's where we go to continue this covenant relationship with Christ. We are not only willing to take upon us his name. We are honored. We are thrilled to get back to that sacrament table and to have him give us another chance. Another week.
Shalise
Yeah. Shalise, I don't want to let you go without asking you a couple of questions. Ask away you talked about being a single adult in the church. You're not a missionary who's just got home, or you're not someone who raised a family but is now maybe a widow or widower. So in your mind, you know, we have plenty of ward leaders who listen and wonder, what should I do? How can I do better? So in your opinion, how could we improve?
Elise
Talk to those single people in your ward. Ask them what they want to do. The ways that I was most comfortable was when somebody didn't treat me different because I was single and I didn't have a family. So probably I couldn't be in Young Women's or I couldn't be in Relief Society because I didn't really understand all those people. We're all just people. We all have hard stuff. So I guess that my best advice is don't necessarily treat them different, just involve them. I feel like I have a lot to offer, even though I don't have any knowledge of children. I have nieces and nephews, but I get that it's not the same. We're just people. We're just people like you and everybody else.
Shalise
I like when you mentioned also that we say single adult, but there's all sorts of categories of single adult. Maybe chalice in not meaning to. We kind of, we kind of just scrunch them all together as one.
Elise
I think that that does happen and I don't think it's intentional, I don't think it's vindictive. But sometimes we think if we're married, we have it all figured out, and that's not true. Sometimes if we think people think that we're single so we should do this A, B and C in order to not be single. And that's also not correct. No, it's just the life that we are at right now. I don't think me being single is a problem to be fixed. It's not something that anybody needs to be concerned about. Just involve me and help me belong where I'm at and let me offer what I have because that might be something different than somebody else has. That's where when we meet together like that and we offer what we can, that's what makes the friendships and the community that we have as a church beautiful.
Shalise
Ooh, I, I really like that. I can see in my own mind that you have this early 20 something year old couple come into your ward and then you have this single person who's in their 40s and you, you almost gravitate toward that young couple saying, okay, you know what you're doing, right? Versus here's this experienced single adult. And. But we maybe don't see that as a. I don't know, I don't know what the word is. Someone who can fully contribute.
Elise
Maybe be thoughtful and be kind. Don't ask somebody why they're not married because who knows? The pain that maybe has gotten us to that spot where we're single. But that applies more than to just single. It might apply to somebody that can't have children. Don't ask them why they don't have children. That might be something that they have pain about. Be warm and loving and accept people for where they're at and that's okay. People say not mean things, but thoughtless things. Often that they don't mean to offend. It comes to me as well. I have to be careful not to be offended because I think sometimes that's really easy. For the most part, people are good and kind and they don't mean to make you feel less than you are. Human nature is not to be terrible.
Shalise
Yeah.
Elise
So I think it's. It's a two way street.
Shalise
We have listeners from all over the world, so I guarantee there are some mothers and grandmothers out there saying, I have the boy for her. Right. So we love to show our guests who's listening and where they're listening from. We haven't done this in a while. If you'll come on to YouTube and just leave us a comment, I think Shalise would love to know. Hey, I'm listening from Orem. I'm listening from Germany. It's pretty fun, right, John, to see some of those places.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
It's amazing, too. I'm grateful for technology that makes this kind of thing available.
Shalise
One last question. We know that you love these six chapters and you've shown us that and taught us. I lost count of how many insights I never thought of that you gave. I think our listeners would be interested in your feelings for the entire book. You're someone who's very well educated, getting that doctorate degree. You've probably read quite a bit. With all the experience you have and the education you have. How does the Book of Mormon compare against all of that?
Elise
The Book of Mormon changes everything. The Book of Moroni, it's been a fun study, and I'm internally grateful that we had a prophet that was given some extra time to write these things. But these things, particularly in the whole Book of Mormon, change our life because they provide ways for us to liken scriptures. They provide ways for us to feel our heavenly father's love, which sometimes we feel like we don't in the world that we're in. The Book of Mormon, for me, is something that brings me to the Savior and reminds me who I am and where I want to be and how to get there.
Shalise
I have been so edified today. I just feel it, this feeling of wow. This book holds the answers, especially when you have someone like Chalice to help you look through it.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
The Book of Mormon starts with one man, Lehi, and then it just grows. And there's this huge group of Nephites, and now we're down to one guy, Moroni, saying we're about to become extinct. Here's my last lecture for you. It's so powerful. I'm so glad he stuck it out. So, Shalise, thank you so much for being with us today.
Elise
Thank you.
Shalise
And with that, we want to thank Dr. Chalice Adams for joining us today. We want to thank our executive producer, Shannon Sorensen, our sponsors, David and Verla Sorensen. In every episode, we remember our founder, Steve Sorensen. We have two more lessons, John. Just two more lessons coming up on Follow Him. Before you skip to the next episode, I have some important information. This episode's transcript and show notes are available on our website, followhim. Co. That's followhim. Co. On our website, you'll also find our two free books, Finding Jesus Christ in the Old Testament and Finding Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Both books are full of short and powerful quotes and insights from all our episodes from the Old and New Testaments. The digital copies of these books are absolutely free. You can watch the podcast on YouTube. Also, our Facebook and Instagram accounts have videos and extras you won't find anywhere. If you'd like to know how you can help us, if you could subscribe to rate, review and comment on the podcast, that will make us easier to find. Of course, none of this could happen without our incredible production crew, David Perry, Lisa Spice, Jamie Nilsson, Will Stoughten, Crystal Roberts, Arielle Kuwadra, and Annabelle Sorensen. Whatever questions or problems you have the.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
Answer what is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ? Turn to him, follow him.
Podcast Summary: followHIM: A Come, Follow Me Podcast
Episode: Moroni 1-6 Part 2 • Dr. Shalise Adams Moroni
Release Date: November 27, 2024
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni
In the second part of their deep dive into Moroni chapters 1 through 6, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway invite Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni to explore the profound teachings and applications of these scriptures. Joined by Shalise and Elise, the episode offers an engaging discussion enriched with personal anecdotes, expert insights, and heartfelt testimonies.
Shalise:
At the outset, Shalise emphasizes the importance of personal scripture study, particularly focusing on Moroni 4:3 and Moroni 5:2. She shares a touching moment where her daughter, Madeline, enthusiastically takes on the responsibility of reading a verse, highlighting the joy and personal connection that comes from reading scriptures aloud within the family setting.
“I remember once my daughter Madeline, we were reading through as a family... I've always wanted to do that. Big smile on her face.” [00:07]
Elise:
Elise echoes this sentiment, pointing out the unique experience of hearing the scriptures in one’s own voice versus another’s, stating,
“There is something special about reading it out loud and hearing it in your own voice.” [01:10]
Shalise's Suggestion:
Shalise suggests personalizing scripture study by changing pronouns from “we” to “me,” fostering a deeper individual connection with the spirit and personal witness.
“I can have His spirit to be with me, that I witness.” [01:31]
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni:
Dr. Chalice reflects on President Gordon B. Hinckley’s poignant statement regarding the sacrament prayer, underscoring its profound responsibility.
“When you as a priest kneel at the sacrament table and offer up the prayer... you place the entire congregation under covenant with the Lord.” [01:51]
She highlights the gravity of young members administering the sacrament, praising their commitment despite their youth.
“We’ve got maybe 15, 16, 17-year-olds placing the entire congregation under covenant. That's impressive.” [02:45]
Shalise and Elise’s Insights:
The discussion transitions to the importance of community within the church. Elise expresses enthusiasm for Moroni 6, appreciating the emphasis on building a supportive church community.
“He talks about how to be a church and how to participate in a community of saints that helps one another.” [03:20]
Elise on Church Meetings:
Elise reads Moroni 6:4, reflecting on the practice of numbering church members not for statistics but to remember and nourish each other spiritually.
“After they had been received unto baptism... they were numbered among the people of the Church of Christ.” [03:43]
She elaborates on the emotional impact of remembering members, sharing a personal experience where recognizing an Elder’s speech led to a deeper connection.
“Their names were taken... so that if we don’t see you, we can find you.” [04:52]
Elise:
Elise brings in Elder Hurst’s insights from a recent conference, differentiating between being loved and feeling loved, emphasizing the necessity of making church members feel valued.
“Being loved is not the same as feeling loved.” [05:28]
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni:
Dr. Chalice shares a touching story about a student named Darcy Hurst, connecting it to the broader theme of personal support within the church community.
“He has to do three things... I give him a friend.” [06:00]
Shalise and Elise on Personal Connections:
The hosts discuss the Savior’s individualized approach to healing in 3 Nephi 17, paralleling it with the church’s mission to support and invite others to join and feel healed.
“Church is about us finding healing for ourselves and then going and getting someone else.” [07:16]
Shalise’s Reflection:
Shalise likens the church to a hospital, a place where imperfect people gather to support one another. She references Elder Uchtdorf’s analogy, reinforcing the idea of the church as a healing environment.
“The church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things... but where imperfect people provide encouragement and support.” [08:30]
Elise on the Gospel and Church Synergy:
Elise cites Elder Renlund, describing the church as the necessary vehicle for administering the gospel with divine authority. She admires how the combination of gospel teachings and church organization leads to transformative benefits.
“The gospel is perfect, but a divinely commissioned church is required to preach it...” [08:30]
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni:
Dr. Chalice underscores the church handbook’s emphasis on personal connections, recalling a poignant moment where an elder sought help, illustrating the practical application of Moroni 6:5.
“We are going to speak one with another concerning the welfare of our souls.” [17:49]
Shalise and Elise on Mentorship:
The hosts discuss the importance of vulnerability and mentorship within the church, highlighting how open communication can strengthen relationships and support personal growth.
“We have a group of mentors that we are surrounded with... Those that are maybe a little older, raising their families...” [19:02]
Elise on Single Adults:
Elise addresses the unique challenges faced by single adults in the church, advocating for inclusivity and personalized support.
“Don’t treat them differently, just involve them.” [26:19]
She shares her personal journey of finding belonging through service, illustrating the transformative power of inclusive callings.
Shalise’s Agreement:
Shalise agrees, emphasizing the need to recognize and respect the diverse circumstances of single members, avoiding assumptions based on marital status.
“Be thoughtful and be kind... Accept people for where they're at.” [28:40]
Elise on Global Unity:
Elise reflects on the universal nature of the church, recounting experiences from various locations that felt like home due to the presence of the Spirit.
“The Spirit is there... because the church is us, the members.” [21:12]
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni on Conducting Meetings:
Dr. Chalice discusses the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide church meetings, cautioning against disruptions that detract from spiritual focus.
“The Spirit does control the meeting. Watch the presiding authority.” [23:13]
Elise’s Testimony:
Elise shares her profound appreciation for the Book of Mormon, describing it as a life-changing tool that fosters a deeper connection with Jesus Christ.
“The Book of Mormon... brings me to the Savior and reminds me who I am and where I want to be.” [30:40]
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni’s Appreciation:
Dr. Chalice adds her admiration for Moroni’s final chapters, praising the resilience and dedication depicted.
“The Book of Mormon starts with one man, Lehi... Moroni’s last lecture is so powerful.” [31:17]
The episode concludes with heartfelt reflections on the importance of church participation in finding contentment and salvation in the present life. Elise reiterates President McKay’s message about the church’s role in making life sweeter today, emphasizing the continual opportunity to renew covenants and strengthen relationships with Christ. Dr. Chalice agrees, highlighting the significance of regular sacrament participation in maintaining a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.
Dr. Chalice Adams Moroni:
“We are honored. We are thrilled to get back to that sacrament table and to have Him give us another chance.” [25:17]
Shalise’s Final Questions:
Shalise prompts further discussion on supporting single adults within the church, leading to actionable advice on inclusion and kindness.
Engagement with Listeners:
The hosts encourage listeners to engage via YouTube comments and social media, fostering a sense of global community among followers.
This episode of followHIM: A Come, Follow Me Podcast offers an enriching exploration of Moroni chapters 1-6, emphasizing personal scripture study, the sacred responsibility of administering the sacrament, building a supportive church community, and embracing the diversity of church members. Through heartfelt stories and expert insights, listeners are encouraged to deepen their commitment, foster meaningful relationships, and actively participate in the life and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Final Thought:
“Answer what is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ? Turn to Him, follow Him.” [33:18]
This structured and detailed summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting key discussions, personal insights, and actionable advice, making it accessible and valuable to both regular listeners and newcomers.