Mormon 8

Lord and Savior

Savior — the one who rescues from sin and death

Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. Mormon 8:6

The Nephites counted their years from the sign of the Savior's birth. So even Moroni's calendar was a witness of Christ's coming into the world.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to 3 Nephi 2:8 — The Nephites began to reckon their time from when the sign of Christ's coming was given.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 1:13 — The Lord's voice: 'on the morrow come I into the world.'

Disciples of Jesus (the Three Nephites)

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'

And there are none that do know the true God save it be the disciples of Jesus, who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth. Mormon 8:10–11

The three Nephite disciples asked Jesus if they could stay on the earth until He comes again. Here they still minister to Mormon and Moroni. They are living evidence that Jesus's promise was real.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• fulfils 3 Nephi 28:7 — Jesus promised the three that they would never taste of death until He comes in glory.
• the same title in Mormon 1:16 — 'the three disciples of Jesus.'

Jehovah (the Lord who judges)

Jehovah — 'I AM', the covenant God of Israel

Behold what the scripture says—man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay. Mormon 8:20

Moroni quotes the Lord's own words: judging and repaying belong to Him, not to people. In Latter-day Saint understanding the Lord who speaks here is Jehovah, who is Christ, and the Father has given all judgment to the Son.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 — Jehovah in the Song of Moses: 'To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence.'
• quotes Romans 12:19 — 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.'
• alludes to John 5:22 — 'the Father ... hath committed all judgment unto the Son.'

Miracles in His name

And he knoweth their prayers, that they were in behalf of their brethren. And he knoweth their faith, for in his name could they remove mountains; and in his name could they cause the earth to shake; and by the power of his word did they cause prisons to tumble to the earth; yea, even the fiery furnace could not harm them, neither wild beasts nor poisonous serpents, because of the power of his word. Mormon 8:24

The ancient Nephite saints worked miracles by faith in the Lord's name. Book of Mormon prophets say plainly that this is the name of Jesus Christ. Moroni reminds readers that the power was His, not theirs.

• alludes to Jacob 4:6 — Jacob: 'we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains.'
• alludes to Helaman 5:44 — Nephi and Lehi in prison; the prison walls shook and they were encircled by fire that did not harm them.

Jesus Christ (revealer)

Jesus Christ — 'Jehovah saves', the Anointed One

Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. Mormon 8:34–35

Moroni says Jesus Christ Himself showed him our day, so he writes to us as if we were in front of him. The Lord who gave him the vision is named here as Jesus Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Mormon 9:30 — Moroni again speaks to latter-day readers 'as though I spake from the dead.'

Take upon you the name of Christ

O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world? Mormon 8:38

Moroni rebukes church members and leaders who are ashamed of Christ's name because they want the praise of the world. Taking His name is a covenant, and it should be worn openly.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Mosiah 5:8 — King Benjamin: 'take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God.'
• alludes to Moroni 4:3 — The sacrament prayer: 'willing to take upon them the name of thy Son.'