Moroni 7:14-16

Brant Gardner

The important part of judging is to be careful to judge correctly. Although some might misread the Matthean admonition of “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1) as a caution against judgment, Mormon clearly understands its correct meaning. Judging is inherent in agency. Where Matthew was concerned with the effect of judging on the person doing the judging, Mormon is asking a different question. Therefore, there is no hint that one might not judge, or even be hesitant to judge.

In Mormon, “it is given unto you to judge.” Why? “That ye may know good from evil.” Our agency only functions if we can tell the difference between good and evil. Without the difference, and without being able to discern the difference, we would be again in the state that existed in the Garden of Eden, a state that had to change to allow for our progression.

If it is so essential that we judge between good and evil, how can we be sure that we are judging correctly, that we are not judging “that which is evil to be of God?” Mormon’s declaration is that “the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.” The Spirit of Christ is a universal gift, perhaps endowed at the time of the Fall. It is the assurance that it is possible for us to discern good from evil. There is in us something like a conscience, but deeper and stronger, if we learn to listen to it. For all humankind, throughout all time and in all places, the Spirit of Christ is the assured measuring stick whereby we can judge good from evil.

Book of Mormon Minute

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