Friday, November 24, 2023

John W. Welch on Moroni 10:32 and being "perfected"

  

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)