Mormon 9:31 - How to Learn from Imperfect Leaders

"31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been."

This poignant verse from Moroni demonstrates a humility after which all leaders and people should model themselves. It is easy for man, in his carnal nature, to point out and catalog the faults of other people, especially leaders. We mock and scorn at the mistakes, both real and fabricated, others make, yet we fail to recognize our own failures. In a church setting, some people allow themselves to be offended because of a leader’s action. Not only is this behavior churlish and immature, it also displays a certain sense of pride and lack of faith in the offended individual or group. Some profess that if a church truly was true, everything within it would be perfect, including the decisions of the leaders. This statement and all variations thereof not only show an ignorance of human nature and the Plan, but also demean the role of Christ as our only perfect example. He, alone, led a sinless life so that He could fully atone for all of us.

Another important designation to make concerns the true leadership and origin of power of the Church. Many mistakenly believe that the Bishop, Stake President or even Prophet is the ultimate authority of all happenings of the Church and its doctrine. While these individuals do play an integral role in the implementation of doctrine and Church practices, it is imperative that all members and nonmembers alike recognize that the true ultimate leader of the Church is Jesus Christ. This is such an important concept for people to understand. Once a person has a testimony of that, many issues can be easily resolved.

Moroni leaves the reader with an invitation to learn from his mistakes as well as those of his father. This shows his humility because he openly admits that he is not perfect. His example should be applied in a modern setting in which people take ownership for their actions instead of finding ways to blame others. It is important to note that Moroni does not simply berate himself, but he uses this as an opportunity to help others become better. It would be good for all of us to focus on uplifting ourselves and others too instead of being demeaning. Moroni continues to serve as an example of how we can become more Christ-like in our church membership.