Review
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Title: Moroni’s Guide To Surviving Turbulent Times
Author: John Bytheway
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Genre: LDS, Religion, Spirituality
Year Published: 2017
Number of Pages: 159
Binding: Paperback
ISBN10: N/A
ISBN13: 978-1-62972-251-1
Price: $11.99
Reviewed by Alisa Bates for the Association for Mormon Letters
Moroni, the sole survivor of the Nephites, wandered in exile with the Holy Ghost as his only companion. Though all hope was gone for his people, he had great hope for the generations to come. It was his calling to leave us with warnings, an invitation to “Come unto Christ,” and his great promise in Moroni 10: 4-5, “if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”
John Bytheway, a well-known LDS motivational speaker, shares his insight, knowledge, and personal experiences to aid readers of “Moroni’s Guide to Surviving Turbulent Times” to develop a “Moroni mind-set” and to liken themselves to Moroni as they face latter-day challenges.
At the beginning of the book, we meet Moroni. We learn of his difficult times, loneliness, great love for his people, and a desire to warn future generations. With only limited space on the golden plates, Moroni recorded, through divine inspiration, what he felt was most important for us as we seek spiritual safety. Bytheway views these final chapters of the Book of Mormon as “Moroni’s last lecture” and also refers to them as “Moroni’s survival guide.”
In Mormon chapters 8 and 9, Moroni describes his grief and loneliness in the loss of his loved ones and of his people. He finds himself with the stewardship of finishing the record of his father, Mormon. Moroni admonishes: “Learn to be more wise than we have been.” The author shows how Moroni made a conscious decision to move on, looking forward and not backward. As quoted from this guidebook, “His voice of mourning becomes a voice of warning,” as Moroni sees the latter-days. This section delves into detail concerning the creation, the fall, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The text in chapter four teaches the importance of the Book of Ether and why it is included in the Book of Mormon. Among other reasons, it is a second witness of Jesus Christ.
Moroni will not deny Christ. In the ten chapters of the Book of Moroni, his stewardship now lies in teaching and admonishing future generations. Studies of the Holy Ghost, the correct organization and principles of the church, the priesthood, and the Sacrament are included in this section of Bytheway’s book. We learn more about the Spirit of Christ, faith, hope, charity, and spiritual gifts.
An informative commentary on the immortal Moroni fills chapter 14. Moroni’s mission did not end when he buried the plates. The angel Moroni tutored Joseph Smith, delivered the record, and played a prominent role in the restoration of the gospel. The former days and the latter days become linked as Moroni speaks to us from out of the dust.
This guidebook concludes with suggestions of ways we might apply Moroni’s situations and examples into our own lives as we struggle with similar trials.
As a reviewer of “Moroni’s Guide to Surviving Turbulent Times,” I found the book to be encouraging, enlightening, and presented in an enjoyable John Bytheway style. In its pages, I felt the importance of moving faithfully forward, fulfilling my mission in life, and inviting the Holy Ghost to be my constant companion. I recommend this book to those who are seeking hope, faith, and the ability to conquer life’s challenges.