BYU ScholarsArchive

Article Title

Captain Moroni and the Sermon on the Mount: Resolving a Scriptural Tension

Authors

Duane Boyce

Keywords

BYU Studies, Book of Mormon, Sermon on the Mount, Moroni

Abstract

A natural tension seems to exist between two important features of the Book of Mormon. On one hand, Mormon includes in his record a version of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus gave to the Nephites—an address that sets the standard for discipleship and that contains teachings obviously opposed to violence.1 In it, we hear about not resisting evil, turning the other cheek, going another mile when compelled to go one, loving our enemies—and so forth (3 Ne. 12:39–44). On the other hand, Mormon also presents various Nephite leaders as righteous even though they were immersed in violence. Captain Moroni stands out among these leaders because his wartime activities dominate the last third of the book of Alma: we see him in significant detail.

Recommended Citation

Boyce, Duane (2021) "Captain Moroni and the Sermon on the Mount: Resolving a Scriptural Tension," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 60: Iss. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol60/iss2/5