Moroni 2:1-3

Chapters 2–5 of the book of Moroni concern the priesthood practices of the church. Ether, Chapter 5, is quite clearly Moroni addressing Joseph Smith as an aside in the process of editing Ether. It concerns the permission given Joseph to show the plates to three witnesses. That direct address to Joseph Smith tells us that Moroni has either seen him in vision, or has an understanding of the events that will unfold when the Book of Mormon is given to the world.

Knowing that Moroni has previously addressed Joseph, it is easy to see that these instructions on how to perform the sacred ordinances, that are part of the restoration of the Church, are also directed to Joseph Smith. Moroni understood the nature of what was to come, and therefore provides Joseph with a short handbook on how church ordinances are to be done.

This chapter’s instruction is for conferring the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It is instruction, rather than the specific wording of the ordinance. The important aspects referenced in these verses are:

• The priesthood holder places his hands on the persons head
• He calls the person by name
• He calls on the Father, in Jesus Christ’s name
• He declares that this ordinance is performed by God’s (priesthood) authority
• He bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost (“… give[s] the Holy Ghost”)
• He closes in the name of Jesus Christ (“… in my name shall ye give it”)