Moroni: a brief theological introduction

The Book of Mormon: brief theological introductions #12

by David F. Holland

“. . . ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son. . .” This call to pure love marks the culmination of Moroni’s book—and thus of the Book of Mormon. With his final words the prophet concludes that love is the lens through which we can fully understand our Savior, the essential quality in our quest to become like him. David Holland shows the book of Moroni to be an intentionally organized collection of artifacts, pointing readers toward the transformative power of divine love. He interprets Moroni’s teachings as a “theology of the Gift”—a doctrinal depiction of a God whose nature is to give. This theology powerfully reminds Latter-day Saints that the ordinances we observe, the community we serve, and the talents we develop are all gifts designed to draw us toward the culminating bestowal of Christlike love. Ultimately, this theology rests upon the truth that Jesus Christ is the Gift from which all other gifts flow.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Theology, Church, Faith, Christianity

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2020

Reviews

[Courtney Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully executed and unapologetically Christ-focused in its discussions of gifts, ritual, meekness, and charity. My drug of choice is reading theological explorations written by humanities degrees. Give me the close read, give me the situating of this narrative within its historical context, and give me the allusions. Holland delivered on all fronts for me but particularly in clarifying charity and its relationship to hope & faith in a way I’ve had trouble understanding in the past.

[William Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s only fitting that I wind up my study of the Book of Mormon with the last of these Brief Theological Introductions, and equally apropos that it be on the second-to-last day of the year. This volume, written by Harvard religion professor and son of apostle Jeffrey R. Holland, David Holland, sets itself apart from other volumes in the series with its purposeful cohesion and sustained focus on the concept and metaphor of giving in a Christian theology and soteriology (a great new word for me—the science of salvation).

I was impressed right away with the quality of the writing, which maintains a narrative character that isn’t present in all of the other volumes, but it makes this book both extremely approachable and eminently engaging. This is partially accomplished by Holland’s adherence to Moroni’s structure of his book, and so it flows along familiar paths for the Latter-day Saint reader. Holland is clearly a careful, thoughtful scholar, and this is reflected in spades here.

A couple of stand-out ideas and focal areas that are worth highlighting: first, Holland’s treatment of the ordinance of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is transformational in my own understanding of this essential part of my worship. Conceiving of the ritual as both an aspirational experience and an effectuating one condenses and clarifies my own personal understanding of the sacrament—that I am, in fact, never fully worthy to participate, but I aspire to be so and partake of grace each time I engage, but also that each instance of worship is molding myself further into the image of a disciple following Christ and aligning myself more fully with God’s will. It is both and it is more than the sum of those individual parts. Not to mention the idea that the ritualized language of the ordinance collapses the temporal distance between us in the present and Christ’s institution of the sacrament among His Old World and New World disciples … it’s brilliant.

Second, Holland leans heavily into the paradoxes inherent in the Gospel generally and in Latter-day Saint understanding of Gospel doctrines particularly, which many find uncomfortable. His highlighting of Moroni’s own engagement with these sorts of apparently conflicting ideas informs my own approach—that I am a mortal and cannot see as God does, and what may appear contradictory to me has an eternal consistency that I cannot yet perceive. And maybe, as Christ is both human and divine, and embodies these poles of opposition, so every true principle orbits around a pairing that appears to humans as a paradox.

Finally, I especially appreciated the narrative cohesion offered by Holland’s focus on a theology of giving, from the divine gift of Christ as Redeemer, to the concept of spiritual gifts, and so forth. The verses in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon that describe God as a giver of good gifts to His children have always resonated deeply with me, and I feel the truth of Holland’s insights as I read his words.

I can’t recommend this series enough. I will be revisiting this volume in particular as I attempt to deepen my weekly engagement with the sacrament and personal repentance, but I look forward to further insights as I return.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to think about in David Holland's Moroni. I highlighted so many statements and ideas in this book. The end of Ether and Moroni are my favorite sections of the Book of Mormon, and I have read Moroni's writings countless times. Holland brought out a deeper reading, of course, than I have ever attempted. Right from the beginning in his introduction, he states, "A giver leads us toward the Giver." This acknowledgment helps me be more generous in my actions and keep looking toward my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have taken the sacrament a few thousand times. Holland notes how "the ordinance's steady and repetitive role in the gradual development" of ourselves is more defining than I have considered. Holland is a disciple of Christ and his thoughtful writing has given me more insight into the spiritual practices of Moroni and his father, Mormon, than I have contemplated before.

[Sophia Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Holland’s perspective, particularly as he builds a relationship between the structure of Moroni’s book alongside a theology, proves masterful.
I enjoyed his thoughtful exploration of Protestant ideologies and the insights he offered around what it means to be wholly dependent on the grace of God, on our Savior, in the processing of becoming.

[conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid cap on an excellent series. I really appreciated the way that Holland thinks through the individual and community tensions that are present in Moroni's writing (and the ways that Moroni's own lived experience would color how those tensions are thought about and worked through).

[Brad Rees · Rating 3 out of 5]

2023- jul. I loved the brief theological introduction series!

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is the best book in the series, to be honest. I was moved by the wisdom and deftness with which Holland tackles complex issues.

[RK Bitton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed. Some of his definitions and explanations around faith, hope, and charity were probably some of the clearest I’ve encountered. There is a lot in this book and a tad longer than others so the salient points get lost. Great discussion and all of it through the lenses of Moroni as author.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite book in the series.

[Tyler Critchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Maybe my new favorite in the series.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this book was a good conclusion. Holland's basic message is that Jesus Christ is God's gift to us. Not a new thought. But he finds beautiful ways to support his thesis through the artifacts Moroni includes in his book: new ways of looking at gifts, charity, atonement, love.

I reread Moroni before starting this elegant little book and wondered what in the world Holland would be able to do with it. I was happily surprised.

[Jenny Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, carefully-thought, with a thematic focus on the role and force of love in lives of discipleship as well as in the life of Christ. I was least familiar with Holland's work going into the series, and am pleased to add him to my list of writers and thinkers working in religion more broadly that are well worth reading.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading the last book in the Theological Introduction series, and I am sad to be leaving them. These were a treasure, and I will need to revisit them in the future. They also give me a pattern to refresh my own approach to the scriptures, bringing new life to passages I have read since I was a kid, like Moroni 10:3-5.

Holland manages to do quite a lot with the short book of Moroni. I took two key themes: Moroni as a bringer of gifts, and a deep engagement with the tensions of the gospel without necessarily giving a final definitive answer. I am still wrestling with Holland's/Moroni's engagement with faith versus works in Moroni 7, which I never thought to engage with at this level, they seemed tired and overused tropes of the gospel that I didn't necessarily take as a cohesive argument. Take the passage:

"For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.

"For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.

"For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God."

"For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil."

If we are bitter fountains, how can we ever bring forth good water? I always assumed reading this that the implicit answer was to pull us up by our bootstraps. But that counters the argument-- pulling yourself up by your bootstraps would be a good gift, which you cannot do. It wasn't just the force of the logic that hit me though; it was my experience in real life. I know how difficult, nay, impossible it is to do away with character flaws, weaknesses, and yes, sin. Holland acknowledges how foreign this sounds to Latter-Day Saint theological narrative, so much more akin to the language of free will. Moroni uses the language of both, without yielding either. His answer, according to Holland, is the language of miracles and gifts. It is only through the miracle of Christ that we are able to choose, and we can choose. This rang true with recent experiences in my own home life. I recognize grace when I receive it, because it is goodness that I couldn't do on my own. I can't force it either. I can only invite and pray.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

While excellent, this volume on the book of Moroni didn't resonate with me quite as much as many of the others in this series of theological introductions to books in the Book of Mormon. This has little to do with the writing or content; it likely has more to do with my own interests and learning style.

There were definitely poignant portions here, but what I took most from Holland's work was his identification of the broad thematic arc that stretched from the beginning of Moroni's book to its end. More than most other authors of theological books I've read, Holland succeeded in situating Jesus Christ as an active participant in humanity's salvation. This is a reality I have always understood and frequently study from numerous angles, but Holland managed to breathe fresh life into it, at least for me, through his discussion of brokenheartedness, contrition, gifts, charity, and change. Christ's love is something that can and is frequently trivialized in our teaching and testimonies -- probably because it is something much more meaningfully felt than described -- but Holland with his writing makes that love seem new and immediate and critical.

Holland's decision to treat the book of Moroni sequentially meant that it got bogged down in parts. Instead of addressing each aspect of Moroni's work, I think the book would've been better served had Holland chosen the most salient matters and developed them in more depth. Still, this volume is an excellent capstone on the theological introduction series.

[Brady Kronmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Given that Latter-day Saints have for much of their history, been locked in a kind of antagonistic theological struggle with Protestant Christians, a contest in which the restoration’s emphasis on human capacity frequently conflicts with the Reformation’s commitments to human depravity, we are often better versed in the arguments for free agency than we are in the notion of unmerited gifts from above…We are typically less aware of the actual logic of the arguments arrayed against the notion that humans can simply choose to be something better than what they are, but those arguments are extensive and profound. Indeed, they have been profound enough to sustain a powerful stream of Christian thinking for 2000 years.”

“When the children of Israel began their redemptive journey home— a metaphor for our own path to exaltation— they needed both to be released from bondage by the blood of the Lamb and the chance to walk the trail with manna and light… and what the Lord most asked of them was to appreciate the giftedness of it all, even as he called on them to keep pressing on. So it is with us. Paradoxical as it may be, when we humbly accept as given both the offer of grace and the opportunity to work, the practical result of such a combination is the promise of a peaceful exertion. We get the chance to try, the blessing of a morally meaningful existence, even as we know that the attributes of godliness will ultimately be conferred, according to God’s own giving and forgiving.”

[Sherman Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly may favorite entry in this series. Holland's style just connected with me. He's clearly an academic, as the other authors are. But his style reads (to me) as a little more resonant with a general audience.

In his opening words about Moroni chapter 7, he states (correctly in my view): "Chapter 7 constitutes Moroni's finest gift to his readers...(he) brings forth one of the records most important moments of theological reflection". And that he's done so humbly by "(ceding) space to Mormon", his father.

Especially appreciate his thoughts on the attribute of meekness, the relationship between faith and hope. And especially the provocative idea that we may ultimately not really have any ability at all to change ourselves, because all we are ever able to do is what we most desire to do, the thing that our most inner self really wants. And so this is why we need grace and God's hand to gift us with desires to become better and different. Holland acknowledges the practical challenges with the idea, as we are all very conscious of the process of changing our minds, choosing to do things we really don't want to do, many many times a day.

Also appreciate his observations about Moroni 7:4 where Mormon states that he knows the people he's addressing "have obtained a sufficient hope by which (they) can enter into the rest of the Lord" because of their "peaceable walk with the children of men." He calls that state a "maturation" spiritually that is the result of redemption, not the cause of redemption.

Lots of great spiritually enriching content in this little volume.

[Ethan Unklesbay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to end this series.

Moroni's editorial choices, his writing structure and organization, and his word choices reflect a deeply held belief in a Savior who is powerful enough to save any of us.

David Holland's analysis and commentary highlight that acceptance is the only thing we are actually capable of doing in the work of our own salvation. Life is a gift, agency is a gift, our relationships with others is a gift. That every good thing comes from God, and that it is up to us to simply accept the gifts that are handed to us, is apparently the entire purpose of the Book of Mormon.

It's a lovely bookend to the foundational text of my faith. A text that seems to open with "you are saved by grace after all you can do", but closes with "Choose to accept Christ from whom all good things come. That's the only thing you can do."—that's the text I believe in.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great volume to end the "Brief Theological Introductions" series. Holland does a fantastic job of looking both at the 30,000 foot view of the book of Moroni, as well as diving deeply into each of its constituent parts, showing how Moroni carefully crafts his final words as he finishes his father's record to help us understand human nature, the necessity of faithful community, the power of ordinances, the peril of overly focusing on ordinances and faithful community, and, of course, as a consistent and thorough through-line, the atonement of Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of his, and of course, our, faith.

[Jackson Switzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holland addresses some important questions. Why the haphazard appearance of the Book of Moroni? Why did Moroni choose the collection of artifacts he did? Where do ordinances fit into Book of Mormon theology? What underlying message unifies Moroni's conclusion to the Book of Mormon? Well reasoned and rich with theological references from outside and within Latter-day Saint tradition, this book is excellent.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Much to Consider

Drawn toward. I am drawn toward this book, the series, the authors, other works by several of these authors … to truth. An awareness of things past, present, and yet to be. A lifting of a / the fog which seems to inhibit awareness. Questions. Well formulated questions. Precise wonderings. Reasoned and inspired. The breadth of God’s gifts on display.

[Lilia Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this brief theological introduction! The ideas discussed were interesting and thought provoking. I had many discussions with roommates stem from what I was reading. I learned a great deal and felt inspired by this introduction to study the Book of Moroni with a different perspective.

[Greg Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful and well written. David is more than a just chip off the old block - he is someone with something to say. His original/unique perspective is a gift I very much needed this Christmas Season (what his old man would have appropriately referred to as "Christmas Comfort").

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this book being the last in this series, the author does a wonderful job putting a cap on the Book of Mormon. The author made some great insights on aspects of the sacrament, having a broken heart and a contrite spirit and others.

[Christopher Angulo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pleasant read, but a bit of a dud.

[Ryan Haueter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have loved this series. Everyone of them has been excellent. Very sad this is the last one.

[Chanel Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great insights. This book is wonderful.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done. The entire series was great.

[Spencer Willardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the insights about the Book of Moroni that were provided by Holland.

[Louise Hartvigsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great series. Holland has great insights into the final book of the Book of Mormon.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots to unpack in this one.