A Heavenly Hope

My family recently read the Book of Mormon story of Moroni, a great military leader. We were impressed with the clarity of his purpose, and how he inspired his followers toward the same understanding.

A prolonged war was beginning, due to wickedness and treachery. Ambitious men sought for power, that they might overthrow the liberty of the people. One among them went as far as joining their enemies, to make himself a king over them.

In contrast, Moroni sought to righteously defend the most important aspects of his culture and remain worthy of heaven's help.

To demonstrate his devotion, he rent his coat and wrote upon the torn sheet. He thrust it heavenward upon the tip of a pole to spread his battle cry far and near.

The writing declared, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children."

This flag united believers in a shared hope.

Moroni's followers then rent their own garments, in token of a covenant which bound them to God through Jesus Christ.

Their covenant was that they would suffer themselves to be rent in twain, like their clothes had been, should they fall from the lofty ideals God had taught them.

Copies of Moroni's flag, or Title of Liberty, as he named it, were hoisted above Nephite cities throughout the land, broadcasting their collective hope in those precious eternal values which united them.

(Alma 46, The Book of Mormon)

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Reading this story has caused me to wish longingly upon the situation of my country at the present time. How the world needs leaders like Moroni! (Alma 48: 11-17)

I decided I should create a modern Title of Liberty, to pledge my family's allegiance to God and His cause.

Rather than text, I wanted a visual representation of the things Moroni and his army defended.

With the help of an artificially intelligent image generator, I gradually coaxed into reality an appropriate symbolic statement, a coat of arms suitable for brandishing by flag —

"Our Hope is in Heaven" (Latin)

It's important that we focus our hope on heaven. It's important that we worship God Himself, and not our expectations of worldly convenience or comfort.

God doesn't owe us a thing. Keeping His commandments does not entitle us to blessings. We don't play some kind of cosmic vending machine—inserting the required obedience, and pulling out the desired blessing.

If we serve Him with all our souls, we are still only unprofitable servants in the end. (Luke 17: 7-10; Mosiah 2: 20-25)

The Lord's judgments of performance always favor measuring the qualitative rather than the quantitative. (See Matthew 25: 14-30; Mark 8: 34-38)

Our purposes in this mortal life are rather narrow. We are not here to build our eternal kingdom. We are not here to enjoy the highest privileges of our divine heritage. Not even the fullness of our own identity is revealed to us in this life. Why should we expect to live in bliss while strangers on this lonely little planet?

Worship God. Not your own contrived expectations of blessings, but only God Himself. (See 1 Nephi 20: 2)

Keep your faith and hope centered in Him. Grow in charity, by loving Him and your neighbor with a pure heart.

See also:

1 Peter 1

Colossians 3 What Has Our Savior Done for Us? by Dallin H. Oaks

Our Relationship with God, by D. Todd Christofferson

Adversity, by Henry B. Eyring

God Is Marching On, by the Author

The Redemption of Zion, by the Author

Charity Never Faileth, by the Author