Moroni 8

Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ — Jesus (Jehovah saves), Christ (the Anointed One)

My beloved son, Moroni, I rejoice exceedingly that your Lord Jesus Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to his ministry, and to his holy work. Moroni 8:2

Mormon rejoices that the Lord Jesus Christ personally remembered Moroni and called him into His ministry.

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

Holy Child, Jesus

Holy Child — the Father's holy Son (or holy Servant)

I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Moroni 8:3

Mormon prays to the Father in the name of "his Holy Child, Jesus," a rare title of the Son, asking that Moroni endure in faith on His name.

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

• the same title in Acts 4:27 — Thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed.
• the same title in Acts 4:30 — By the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Redeemer, Lord, and God

Redeemer — one who buys back and sets free

For immediately after I had learned these things of you I inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. And the word of the Lord came to me by the power of the Holy Ghost, saying: Moroni 8:7–8

In answer to Mormon's prayer, Christ Himself speaks, calling Himself Redeemer, Lord, and God. He came to heal sinners, as a physician comes to the sick.

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

• quotes Matthew 9:12-13 — They that be whole need not a physician... I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
• quotes Mark 2:17 — The same saying of Jesus.

Curse of Adam taken away in Christ

Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me. Moroni 8:8

Christ declares that through His Atonement the effect of Adam's fall has no power over little children, and that the old law of circumcision is fulfilled in Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mosiah 3:16 — As in Adam little children fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins.
• alludes to Moses 6:54 — The Son of God hath atoned for original guilt... children are whole from the foundation of the world.
• alludes to Galatians 5:6 — In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing.

Little children alive in Christ

But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism! Moroni 8:12

Little children are spiritually alive and safe in Christ, a provision made before the world was created through His foreordained Atonement.

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

• alludes to D&C 29:46 — Little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten.
• alludes to Mosiah 15:25 — Little children also have eternal life.

Mercies, Atonement, and redemption of Christ

Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy. Moroni 8:19–20

Insisting that babies need baptism treats Christ's Atonement as if it were worthless, denying His mercy and His power to redeem.

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

• alludes to Moroni 8:23 — Mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ.

Judgment-seat of Christ

Wo unto such, for they are in danger of death, hell, and an endless torment. I speak it boldly; God hath commanded me. Listen unto them and give heed, or they stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ. Moroni 8:21

All will stand before Christ as Judge, and words ignored now will testify then.

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

• the same title in Romans 14:10 — We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
• the same title in 2 Corinthians 5:10 — We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
• alludes to Moroni 10:34 — The pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge.

Power of redemption for those without law

For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing— Moroni 8:22–23

Christ's redemption covers little children and those who never had the law. Trusting in an ordinance instead of His mercy is trusting in dead works.

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

• alludes to 2 Nephi 9:25-26 — Where there is no law given there is no punishment; the atonement satisfieth the demands of justice upon all those who have not the law.
• alludes to Mosiah 15:24 — Those who died in ignorance, not having salvation declared, have part in the first resurrection.

Our Savior

Savior — one who rescues and saves

And after rejecting so great a knowledge, my son, they must perish soon, unto the fulfilling of the prophecies which were spoken by the prophets, as well as the words of our Savior himself. Moroni 8:29

Mormon sees the Nephites' coming destruction fulfilling what the Savior Himself foretold during His visit.

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

• alludes to 3 Nephi 27:32 — Christ foretells the fourth generation from Him will be led away captive by the son of perdition.
• alludes to 1 Nephi 12:12-15 — Nephi foresees the Nephites' fall in the generations after Christ's visit.