“Except Ye Have Charity Ye Can in Nowise Be Saved in the Kingdom of God”

Brant Gardner

Moroni’s statement about charity’s nature is stronger than the one his father used: “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him” (Moro. 7:47). For Mormon, charity is a good thing. For Moroni, it is an essential characteristic. Where Mormon tells us that “it shall be well” with one who has charity, Moroni tells us that “except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God.” This intensification of importance fits Moroni’s positioning of faith and hope, too. Moroni makes them as essential as charity, while Mormon’s description of these terms saw them as preparatory.

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

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