Mormon 7-9
We learn in the introduction page of the Book of Mormon that the remnants of the Lamanites are among the ancestors of the Native Americans. It is to them and all the other remnants of the Lamanites that Mormon addresses his final words in the book that he has compiled. There are promises granted to them as the seed of Jacob, and through the faith of other prophets such as Enos (Enos 1:11-13). There are several stories of Native Americans coming to this knowledge; as we read in Saints, Volume 2 of the tribe of Northwestern Shoshone lead by Sagwitch, who was sealed to his wife in the endowment house by president Woodruff, and whose entire tribe was baptized members of the church (Saints, Volume 2 p.510). In many other chapters of Saints, Volume 2 we learn of the missionary work performed on the isles of the sea to great success. The inhabitants of which have also been declared by many as being descendants of Jacob. This was the final desire of Mormon, who shows great humility by regarding the salvation of the descendants of the Lamanites, who would soon destroy him and his own people, as being of greater importance than preserving his own life.
It then becomes the responsibility of Moroni, the son of Mormon, to preserve the record prepared by Mormon. Moroni living to see the entire destruction of his people, wanders alone unsure of his fate, but has complete faith in the purpose and future of the Book of Mormon. Moroni writes, “I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.” (Mormon 8:35) Moroni also gives us his testimony that he is the one who hid the record. And we know that it is he who delivered it to Joseph Smith so it would be translated by the power of God. Truly by no other means could this have happened:
Mormon 8
14 And I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord; the plates thereof are of no worth, because of the commandment of the Lord. For he truly saith that no one shall have them to get gain; but the record thereof is of great worth; and whoso shall bring it to light, him will the Lord bless.
15 For none can have power to bring it to light save it be given him of God; for God wills that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord.
16 And blessed be he that shall bring this thing to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God.
Joseph Smith History 1
30 While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor.
33 He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.
34 He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;
There may be times when we feel alone in our faith, as was Moroni. But we can learn from his example of humility and longsuffering by putting the needs of others, and the will of God above our own. Moroni teaches us that great blessings are available to those who exercise this faith unto repentance. Which is only made available through Jesus Christ.
The existence of the Book of Mormon is a miracle, it’s preservation and translation are miracles, it’s spread throughout the entire earth is a miracle, the building of temples allowing us to make eternal covenants is a miracle, the fact that I can read the Book of Mormon and many other scriptures, and write this on a device that fits in the palm of my hand is a miracle. Who can still say that God is no longer a God if miracles? I add my testimony to that of Moroni, that God does indeed work miracles among us even today according to our faith.
