“Those Who Do Not Believe in Christ”

D. Kelly Ogden, Andrew C. Skinner

Moroni issued some startling questions to those who say they do not believe in God or Christ. “The day of your visitation” is the day of his coming in glory, when the earth shall be “rolled together as a scroll” and “the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” This is exactly what will happen when the Creator of the elements returns in fire or glory, with tens of thousands of holy ones accompanying him, to consume and then re-create, re-form, and re-fashion those elements into a new, transfigured, terrestrial world. For more details about this fire and melting with fervent heat, see 2 Peter 3:10–13; see also commentary at Helaman 5:23–50 and 3 Nephi 25:1.

The second phase of “the day of your visitation” is our day to appear before the Savior for judgment. Moroni boldly interrogates, “Then will ye say that there is no God?” “Then will ye longer deny the Christ?” “Do ye suppose that ye could be happy to dwell with that holy Being, when your souls are racked with a consciousness of guilt that ye have ever abused his laws?” Thought-provoking questions, indeed!

The wicked and unbelieving shall be “brought to see [their] nakedness before God” and stand exposed, having refused to be “clothed upon with robes of righteousness” (D&C 109:76). They will not want to dwell in the presence of righteousness, even if they could. They would be glad to have the rocks fall on them (Alma 12:14). For the stark contrast in the day of judgment between having one’s nakedness exposed or being clothed upon with righteousness, see commentary at 2 Nephi 9:13–16.

Ultimately, in the eternities, we will report to the kingdom where we deserve to live, given our behavior on earth, and where we feel most comfortable.

Verse by Verse: The Book of Mormon: Vol. 2

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