Mormon 7

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of the Eternal Father

Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up. Mormon 7:5

Mormon's first message to the Lamanites is who Jesus is: the Son of God, who was killed and then raised by the Father's power. Everything else in his message depends on that testimony.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Mormon 9:22 — Moroni also calls Him 'Jesus Christ, the Son of God.'

Resurrection

Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up. Mormon 7:5–6

Christ won the victory over the grave, so death loses its sting. Because He rose, everyone will rise and stand before Him to be judged.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Mosiah 16:7-8 — Abinadi: 'the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ' and He gains the victory over the grave.
• alludes to 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 — 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting?'
• alludes to 2 Nephi 9:22 — Jacob: He suffers so that the resurrection passes on all men and all stand before Him at the judgment.

Redemption of the world

And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end. Mormon 7:7

'He' still means Jesus Christ from verse 5. His Atonement redeemed the whole world, so that people made guiltless through Him can go back into God's presence.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Mormon 9:12-13 — Moroni: 'because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man.'

The Son (member of the Godhead)

And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end. Mormon 7:7

The redeemed will praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They are three distinct beings united as one God. The Son is named here as one of the Godhead.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in 2 Nephi 31:21 — 'the doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God.'
• the same title in Alma 11:44 — Amulek: 'Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God.'

Baptized in the name of Jesus

Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you. Mormon 7:8

Baptism is done in the name of Jesus, and the gospel belongs to Him. The Book of Mormon and the Bible, the record from the Jews, are both witnesses of Him and work together.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 3 Nephi 11:25 — The baptismal words the Savior gave: 'Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you.'
• alludes to 2 Nephi 29:8 — The testimony of two nations: the words of the Jews and the words of the Nephites run together.

Following the example of our Savior

Savior — the one who rescues from sin and death

And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant; and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment. Amen. Mormon 7:10

Mormon ends with the doctrine of Christ: faith in Christ, baptism by water, then baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost. Jesus Himself set the example by being baptized.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:9 — Nephi: the baptism of the Lamb of God 'showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path' and sets the example.
• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:13 — 'then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.'
• alludes to 3 Nephi 12:2 — Those baptized are to be visited 'with fire and with the Holy Ghost.'