Moroni was shown what would come to pass shortly after the Book of Mormon was sent forth among the people (v. 34). Again we are left to wonder the time frame of “shortly.” We can be assured that it is sometime between 1830 and the Second Coming of Christ, and perhaps the entire period. Regardless of the time, Moroni saw our day and could speak specifically of the conditions of these last days in which we are living (v. 35). Therefore, we must give heed to what he says and apply it to ourselves.
The first condition is pride (v. 36). Certainly we live in a day of designer clothes where the label is more important than the quality of the product. Also, the style or fashion of the day is more important than the modesty of the apparel. As Moroni said, other people become conscious of your clothing even to the extent of envy, strife over (ridicule), malice towards, or persecution of those who choose to follow the Lord’s standards of dress as revealed to his servants. Moroni’s statement that pride had entered into even all the churches includes the restored Church, as evidenced by the classic warning of President Ezra Taft Benson upon the subject in the October 1988 General Conference. The love of money (v. 37) is the problem, not money itself. As Jacob, the brother of Nephi, so aptly taught, riches are a by-product of a hope in Christ “if ye seek them; and ye will seek them the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and to administer relief to the sick and afflicted” (Jacob 2:19). Thus Moroni’s description is a second witness to the proper use of riches.
Moroni’s questions, asked collectively of the reader, might well be asked of each individual reader in the following way. Have I sold my character for money? Does my lifestyle as a member of Christ’s Church, or a potential member, discredit the Church? Do my words or my actions show me to be ashamed to take upon me Christ’s name? Do I seek the praises of the world rather than endless happiness? (v. 38). Do I generously contribute fast offerings to the Church, and support other worthy causes, to care for the poor and the needy? (v. 39). President Harold B. Lee quoted Mormon 8:36–37 and commented: “As I read that, I thanked the Lord that for a quarter of a century in our lifetime the church has, through the welfare program, sought to place the proper emphasis where the Lord has placed it, by putting foremost the love of the poor and needy” (CR, Oct. 1963, 107).
Moroni’s question about secret combinations will probably not be read by members of such organizations. However, the readers may ask if they have any knowledge of and association with questionable organizations that may follow similar procedures. These organizations will be discussed more fully in chapter 7 of this work. Moroni’s warning that the blood of the fathers and husbands of widows and orphans will be crying from the ground for vengeance acknowledges that murders are being carried out by secret combinations in our own day, and that some saints or members of the Church will become victims. Moroni’s promise of vengeance coming soon implies once more the nearness of the Second Coming of Christ (vv. 40–41).