MORONI 10:30-32—COME UNTO CHRIST AND
BE PERFECTED BY HIS GRACE (EIGHTH EXHORTATION)
In these verses, Moroni outlined steps
to attain the goal of coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him. To become perfected
in Christ, Moroni explained, we must deny ourselves of all ungodliness, and
love God with all our might, mind, and strength, which Jesus identified as the
greatest commandment.
“Perfected” does not mean 100% or
flawless. The Hebrew term means “to be at peace, finally settled, everything is
calm.” In Greek, “to be perfected” means “to come across a finish line.” Note
also that the scripture says to be perfected “in Christ.” This can only be
accomplished as we are yoked together with Him through our covenants and harnessing
His enabling power. “Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving [our
Savior’s grace] as a gift from heaven—we can’t ‘earn’ it” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be
Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually, Ensign, November 2017). He does not
expect us to achieve “perfection” alone or in this lifetime. (John W. Welch, Inspiration
and Insights from the Book of Mormon: A Come, Follow Me Commentary [American
Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc., 2023], 321)
