“The Same That Judgeth Rashly Shall Be Judged Rashly Again”

Brant Gardner

Moroni parallels judging the Book of Mormon “rashly” and being judged rashly by Yahweh, a variation on the New Testament concept of being judged as we judge others. This concept is stated in Matthew 7:1–2 as “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” The Messiah repeated it in the Sermon at the Temple (3 Ne. 14:1–2). Moroni has added the concept of judging “rashly.” It is easy to understand that a judgment made quickly, without ascertaining the full facts, can be a rash decision. But while many may approach the Book of Mormon with this attitude, it cannot accurately describe God’s justice. God would never judge us rashly or on insufficient data. Thus, the parallelism, not a theological principle, dictates the presence of the second “rashly.”

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 6

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