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[from my online journal]
Over a year ago, Bishop D. was giving the Family Home Evening lesson. He had us read the following verses in Alma 48, which happened to be part of what I read today. It reminded me of something, and I felt to share.

We read:

And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;

Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country....

...this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.

Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God. nd his religion, even to the loss of his blood.

Bishop Dever: So, what is this talking about?

Me: The Perfect Man.

I still believe that. And I believe such men do still live and walk the earth today. And I believe that if we have not reached that point, yet, it is still possible. For with God, nothing is impossible. And it is why we are here on earth--to reach the potential Heavenly Father sees in us.