My thoughts this morning are on an amazing role model. As far as I can tell, Moroni, you know the Book of Mormon prophet who so many people of the Mormon faith, young and old, look up to, was not a virtual person. He was a living, breathing, feeling human being. The feelings and experiences he had were not virtual creations on a screen. They were not experiences generated from a keyboard with a albeit very realistic cartoon character taking part.
When Moroni was instructed by his father, he was instructed by a flesh and blood Mormon. He must have been very close to his father who was a righteous, real life human being. They were hunted down by their enemies for a good part of their lives. When Mormon died, Moroni carried on alone. I don't know how many times he wished the Lord to take his cup from him but I'm reasonably sure he did once in a while or maybe often. Even so, he continued on alone holding fast to the teachings of his righteous progenitors.
He is one of my heroes because, having not lived a "virtual" life myself, I can identify with his love and his pain. Most of our lives are so very real! Why then, unlike Moroni, do we choose to live them by "virtual" means? Why do today what you can put off 'til tomorrow. Why undertake that seemingly impossible, often terrifying task? Why ask that question that may make you seem uninformed when you can google it? Why take the risk of giving your whole heart to someone or some project when you may get rejected. Why, why, why?
The answer lies with Moroni. Why did he run from hateful enemies for years protecting something he couldn't be sure would have any influence on anything or anyone? He did it for one reason. LOVE. He and his father loved his people, even the ones who were trying to take their lives. They loved their God even more and knew His Son, Jesus Christ had given every one of them a way to progress eternally or at the very least, live together in God's kingdom as brothers and sisters. He wanted that for everyone more than he cared about his own life. He did it then and his story and example are still promoting that now. Are we listening?
We have life so very easy as members of the church right now. It is simple, go to church, pay your tithing, say your prayers, read your scriptures and repeat. Sure, once in a while there will be a little controversy thrown your way. Ignore it and it soon goes away while you settle back into your regular lifestyle. Have you ever asked yourself what you would do if you were asked to be a Moroni now, no comfy bed, no food in the fridge, no change of wardrobe or car to go places in? Why then is this man your hero? Would you do the things he did? Food for thought. Do we want to watch heroes or do we want to be heroes. Are you like the man my husband speaks of, the man in the arena or are you satisfied to let someone else do it?
Heroes are doers. Do what you know is right at the time you know is right for the right reasons. Don't wait for someone else to do it. Who knows, you may become someone else' hero.
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