In Moroni 7:33-37, Mormon speaks on the power of faith. The middle two verses are full of questions to push us to ponder the reaches of God’s omnipotence and the power that comes from having faith in Him. Mormon’s final question includes, ‘Or will he, so long as time shall last?’ about God. Did Mormon think that time had an end?

The full set of questions from verses 35 and 36 include;

• And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?
• Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men?
• Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them?
• Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

Interestingly Mormon’s last question leaves some confusion about the exact action that God ‘will’ do. Generally, it is referencing the power of God. In particular, it seems that it could be any of the following;

• withholding the spirit based on the question just previous
• angels ceasing to appear based on a Boyd K. Packer and Mark E. Petersen quotes (see below)
• God performing miracles based on the first question in the series, the topic of verses 33-37, and the quotes from Jeffry R. Holland, Howard W. Hunter, and Gerrit W. Gong (see below).

Mormon appears to be using the phrase ‘so long as time shall last’ as a rhetorical statement or ballad statement in reverence to the power of God. I don’t think he is trying to define the doctrines of time, the eternality of the earth, or if all men can be saved. In fact, he may be referencing three things that will not end to imply the long lastingness of the miracles and power of God. This verse doesn’t establish Mormon’s or the Church’s doctrine on time ending.

General Conference References

Interestingly, six different Apostles have referenced this final question in the General Conference addresses. In all the following references, they use the phrase ‘so long as time shall last’ as a rhetorical statement to signify that God’s power would not end.

Marion G. Romney (April 1956)

Among the Jaredites and Nephites, the manifestations of these gifts were likewise prevalent. Mormon testified that they would not cease except for unbelief, “. . . so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?”

Boyd K. Packer (April 1980)

The Book of Mormon had been published, and its pages carried a testimony of the prophet Moroni that angels have not “ceased to appear unto the children of men.” Nor will they, “so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved.”

Mark E. Petersen (October 1983)

The Lord also teaches that, over the ages, if angels have ceased to appear, it is because of unbelief and the spirit of apostasy among men. But where there is faith, the ministry of angels will last as long as the earth shall stand or “there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved.”

Howard W. Hunter (October 1989)

To countermand and ultimately forbid our choices was Satan’s way, not God’s, and the Father of us all simply never will do that. He will, however, stand by us forever to help us see the right path, find the right choice, respond to the true voice, and feel the influence of his undeniable spirit. His gentle, peaceful, powerful persuasion to do right and find joy will be with us “so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved.”

Jeffrey R. Holland (October 2008)

My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.”

Garrit W. Gong (October 2019)

Our God is a God of covenant. By His nature, He “keepest covenant and showest mercy.” His covenants endure “so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved.”

Wrapping it up

Mormon’s treatise on faith, hope, and charity is the focus of Moroni 7. All three of those attributes work when they are focused on Christ. Mormon’s question of God’s reach into the future of His miracle and relationship with His children is resonant. The miracle of His love will reach forever into the future, even as ’long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved.’

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