Fools Mock, But they Shall Mourn

1. Fools Mock, But they Shall Mourn Ether 6-14

2. Last Week In talking about testimonies: We know more than we think we know…

3. Ether 12 5 And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not.

4. Ether 12 …I (Moroni) would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. Can this be rewritten as: “for ye receive no testimony until after you go through tribulation” ?

5. In context… 5 And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not. 6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. 7 For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world. 8 But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.

6. More Light and Knowledge More Light and Knowledge Obedience Faith Light and Knowledge Obedience Obedience

7. Again- We know more than we think we know… However-

8. President Harold B. Lee The true Church is intended not only to comfort the afflicted- but to afflict the comfortable.

9. To the priesthood brethren in Nauvoo the Prophet said: God will feel after you, he will take hold of you and wrench your very heartstrings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Kingdom of God

10. Ether 12 8 But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen. 9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.

11. Moroni Continues 22 And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles;

12. The Rest of the Story… … [Jesus] hath talked with me face to face, and that he hath told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things Ether 12:39 23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing;

14. Ether 12 26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

15. Charity 34 And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. 35 Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them…

16. Charity Light and Knowledge Light and Knowledge Obedience Faith Light and Knowledge Obedience Obedience

17. Neil A. Maxwell Moroni, indicated that God will both show us our weaknesses and give unto us certain weaknesses in order to help us be humble and to accelerate our growth. Given these realities, it would be unwise and unfair for us to overreact to the weaknesses of others, especially as an excuse for not overcoming our own.

18. 31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.

19. Hyrum SmithJune, 1844 Ether 12:38 And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. 39 And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face…

20. Gratitude… When Marine Lance Cpl. David Battle learned he'd either have to sacrifice his ring finger or the wedding band he wore, he told doctors at a field hospital in Iraq to cut off the finger. The 19-year-old suffered a mangled left hand and serious wounds to his legs in a November 13 fire fight in Falluja. … Doctors were preparing to cut off Battle's ring to save as much of his finger as they could. "But that would mean destroying my wedding ring," he said. "My wife is the strongest woman I know. She's basically running two people's lives since I've been gone. I don't think I could ever repay her or show her how grateful ... how much I love my wife, my soul mate." With his approval, doctors severed his finger, but somehow in the chaos that followed, they lost his ring. Although Battle was disappointed, his wife, Devon, said she was honored.