December 16-22: Moroni 10
"Come Unto Christ, and Be Perfected in Him"
Ben Howell (American, born 1979)
Transcription (2010-2016)
Ink on Kitakata Natural, 393.7 x 33 inches
Collection of the artist
Used with permission of the artist
artist’s Vimeo page
In this lesson covering Moroni chapter 10, our reading of the Book of Mormon in the Come, Follow Me manual comes to a close—the remaining lesson covers the birth and mission of the Savior. What a year this has been! For many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, studying the Book of Mormon has provided much-needed perspective throughout an unspeakably challenging time.
The artist Ben Howell took his reading of the Book of Mormon to an entirely new level in a work from 2010-2016 for which he wrote out the entire text of the book longhand on two huge scrolls more than 30 feet in length. Transcription became performance art, meditation, and study at once. He recommends the practice to anyone, “I’d invite people to transcribe a chapter or two by reading aloud as many words as you can remember and then writing them out. It’s a spiritually rewarding experience.”
Glen Nelson adds, “Seeing the work for the first time, in a New York City art gallery, the impression Ben’s work left on my mind was first and foremost meditative. From a distance, it looked like an abstract work of horizontal lines on a huge scroll mounted to the wall. As I got closer and closer to it, the text became clearer, and I visualized how the object was made—written in his own hand, one word at a time—as an act of devotion, endurance and immersion. It was (and remains) mesmerizing to me.”
Discussion Questions:
Moroni encourages those of us reading the Book of Mormon today to "remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men" (Moroni 10:3). How have you felt the Lord's mercy and kindness this year?
Moroni 10 encourages us to "ask God" with a sincere heart. How can devotional practices, such as Howell's transcription of scripture, help us deepen our connection with God and gain spiritual insights? What personal devotional practices have brought you closer to God?
This chapter contains the well-known verses encouraging readers to pray if the words written are true, and the promise that through the Holy Ghost, they can “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). What experiences have you had with this promise? How does exercising faith in this promise strengthen your relationship with the Savior?
For Children & Youth:
Moroni says everyone has spiritual gifts, like wisdom, knowledge, and faith. What are some talents or gifts you think you have? How can you use those gifts to help others?
This artist wrote the Book of Mormon by hand as a way to understand it better. If you could make scripture study more creative or fun, what would you do? How could that help you learn more about the stories and teachings?
It took Ben Howell six years to finish writing the Book of Mormon! What is something you’ve done that took a long time to finish? How did you feel when you finally completed it? How can that experience help you stick to other important goals, like reading the scriptures?
