There are some essential characteristics of what a man really is. In a world where these things have become less important, less valuable, perhaps it is good to occasionally remind ourselves of what good men should be like and how they should act. The disintegration of the family lies primarily with the fathers and the lack of responsibility they show towards their wives and children. Our homes have become overrun and it is time to take them back. Men must arise from the dust and shake off the chains with which they are bound. We are men. We have divine potential and great responsibility. We must rise to the occasion.
Moroni was a man who did just that. Some of the characteristics listed by Mormon in these chapters are:
1. He was a strong and mighty man. While physical prowess or ability is not essential, having a healthy body is vital to being able to have the Spirit with us in our lives. This is the main reason why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom - to avoid pitfalls and remain close to the Holy Spirit. We cannot do that if we have partaken in mind-altering or addictive substances. This would include pornography and anything else like it which can be addicting. It removes our ability to stay close to the Lord.
2. He was a man of perfect understanding. He was obviously intelligent and wise. He also knew what he didn't know and was humble enough to ask for help when needed. He trusted those who were around him and delegated responsibility whenever appropriate.
3. He did not delight in the shedding of blood. Violence has become the vice of choice in our entertainment. Coupled with the pornographic and seductive images we are bombarded with, the world has become too inured to these things. As we desensitize our minds and our bodies to these things, we are finding them tolerable, then interesting, then embraced. The world at the time of the flood was so wicked that the Lord destroyed it, and one of the main characteristics of the evil in that day was violence - they hated their own blood. It also contributed to the downfall of the Nephites.
4. He took joy in the liberty and freedom of his country and of his brethren from bondage and slavery. See the last post for my ideas on personal freedom. It is clear that there is a freedom that should and really must be fought for - the freedoms and rights we enjoy as human beings. Things are fairly good for us as Americans, but we should be ever vigilant that we are not led astray by those who would diminish what rights and privileges we have. Ignorance and poverty keep us in bondage just as much as physical chains.
5. He was grateful. President Benson gave a great talk on pride about 15 years ago. This talk noted that there never was a righteous pride in the scriptures, and that the antidote for pride is humility and gratitude. Those who are grateful for blessings received will always acknowledge the Source of all goodness. A real leader understands his position is always a tenuous one, and that he must therefore constantly strive against himself to overcome this pride and learn to love, respect, and appreciate those around him. Otherwise he may find himself the leader of a group of one...
6. He worked. Work is something that is becoming foreign to us in our world today also. As we become more privileged in secular and temporal things, our requirement to work is diminishing. Learning to work - and teaching our children to work - is a good start. Learning to love working is an entirely different matter. Work is required in everything we do. As someone once said - we are a Church of workers, not a museum of Saints.
7. He was faithful. He loved the Lord and knew that all successes and blessings came from Him. His intentions and leadership focused in Christ and defending his people's rights and privileges to serve and worship Him. As a result of this he was blessed. His example of faithfulness shines through the millenia down to our current day.
8. He was a defender of goodness. We are often placed in situations where we have the opportunity to stand for truth or shrink. Moroni was brave and courageous in defending what he knew to be right. This is perhaps the finest characteristic of a real man.
Mormon goes on to state that if all men had been and ever would be like Moroni the very powers of hell would be shaken and that the devil never would have power over the hearts of the children of men. What a really amazing thing to have said about you! It reminds me of another great man I know who had said of him - Joseph Smith has done more, save Christ only, for the salvation of men in this world than any other man.
This is the kind of man I hope to be. I'm not there yet, but I am working on it...
Moroni was a man who did just that. Some of the characteristics listed by Mormon in these chapters are:
1. He was a strong and mighty man. While physical prowess or ability is not essential, having a healthy body is vital to being able to have the Spirit with us in our lives. This is the main reason why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom - to avoid pitfalls and remain close to the Holy Spirit. We cannot do that if we have partaken in mind-altering or addictive substances. This would include pornography and anything else like it which can be addicting. It removes our ability to stay close to the Lord.
2. He was a man of perfect understanding. He was obviously intelligent and wise. He also knew what he didn't know and was humble enough to ask for help when needed. He trusted those who were around him and delegated responsibility whenever appropriate.
3. He did not delight in the shedding of blood. Violence has become the vice of choice in our entertainment. Coupled with the pornographic and seductive images we are bombarded with, the world has become too inured to these things. As we desensitize our minds and our bodies to these things, we are finding them tolerable, then interesting, then embraced. The world at the time of the flood was so wicked that the Lord destroyed it, and one of the main characteristics of the evil in that day was violence - they hated their own blood. It also contributed to the downfall of the Nephites.
4. He took joy in the liberty and freedom of his country and of his brethren from bondage and slavery. See the last post for my ideas on personal freedom. It is clear that there is a freedom that should and really must be fought for - the freedoms and rights we enjoy as human beings. Things are fairly good for us as Americans, but we should be ever vigilant that we are not led astray by those who would diminish what rights and privileges we have. Ignorance and poverty keep us in bondage just as much as physical chains.
5. He was grateful. President Benson gave a great talk on pride about 15 years ago. This talk noted that there never was a righteous pride in the scriptures, and that the antidote for pride is humility and gratitude. Those who are grateful for blessings received will always acknowledge the Source of all goodness. A real leader understands his position is always a tenuous one, and that he must therefore constantly strive against himself to overcome this pride and learn to love, respect, and appreciate those around him. Otherwise he may find himself the leader of a group of one...
6. He worked. Work is something that is becoming foreign to us in our world today also. As we become more privileged in secular and temporal things, our requirement to work is diminishing. Learning to work - and teaching our children to work - is a good start. Learning to love working is an entirely different matter. Work is required in everything we do. As someone once said - we are a Church of workers, not a museum of Saints.
7. He was faithful. He loved the Lord and knew that all successes and blessings came from Him. His intentions and leadership focused in Christ and defending his people's rights and privileges to serve and worship Him. As a result of this he was blessed. His example of faithfulness shines through the millenia down to our current day.
8. He was a defender of goodness. We are often placed in situations where we have the opportunity to stand for truth or shrink. Moroni was brave and courageous in defending what he knew to be right. This is perhaps the finest characteristic of a real man.
Mormon goes on to state that if all men had been and ever would be like Moroni the very powers of hell would be shaken and that the devil never would have power over the hearts of the children of men. What a really amazing thing to have said about you! It reminds me of another great man I know who had said of him - Joseph Smith has done more, save Christ only, for the salvation of men in this world than any other man.
This is the kind of man I hope to be. I'm not there yet, but I am working on it...
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