Mosiah 18

Atonement of Jesus Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

And now, it came to pass that Alma, who had fled from the servants of king Noah, repented of his sins and iniquities, and went about privately among the people, and began to teach the words of Abinadi— Mosiah 18:1–2

Alma sums up Abinadi's message: redemption comes through Christ's power, suffering, death, Resurrection, and Ascension. Alma, the one convert of Abinadi, now carries that witness of the coming Savior to others.

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 Mosiah 15:7-9 — Abinadi's teaching that the Son suffers, dies, breaks the bands of death and stands betwixt the people and justice.
• alludes to Mosiah 16:7-8 — Abinadi: 'if Christ had not risen from the dead' — the Resurrection Alma now teaches.
• alludes to Mosiah 15:20-23 — Abinadi on the Son bringing to pass the resurrection of the dead.

Faith in Christ

And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord. Mosiah 18:7

Following verse 2, 'the Lord' in whom they are to have faith is Christ, the source of redemption. Faith on Him, repentance, and redemption are the core of what Alma preached.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Mosiah 18:20 — The same charge repeated to the priests: 'faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.'

Good Shepherd

And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Mosiah 18:8

Entering 'the fold' echoes the image of the Good Shepherd gathering His sheep, and bearing one another's burdens echoes Paul's call to 'fulfil the law of Christ.' Taking on His people's burdens is what Christ Himself does.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 10:16 — One fold and one shepherd.
• alludes to Galatians 6:2 — 'Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.'

Redeemer

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— Mosiah 18:9

Being 'redeemed of God' and rising in the first resurrection are blessings Abinadi had just taught come only through Christ, the God who redeems. The baptismal covenant points toward that redemption and eternal life.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mosiah 15:21-24 — Abinadi's teaching on the first resurrection brought about by Christ.

Taking His Name in Baptism

Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? Mosiah 18:10

Baptism is performed in the name of the Lord and is a covenant with Him to serve Him and keep His commandments. This is the baptismal covenant later echoed in the sacrament prayers.

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

• alludes to Mosiah 5:8 — King Benjamin's people take upon them the name of Christ by covenant.
• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:13 — Nephi: willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism.
• alludes to Moroni 4:3 — Sacrament prayer renewing the witness to take His name and keep His commandments that they may have His Spirit.

Christ Prepared from the Foundation of the World

Christ — the Anointed One

And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world. Mosiah 18:13

Alma's baptismal words name Christ as the one whose redemption brings eternal life, and teach that the Father prepared Him as Redeemer before the world was made. The plan centered on Christ from the very beginning.

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

• the same event in Mosiah 4:6-7 — King Benjamin: the atonement 'prepared from the foundation of the world.'
• the same title in Ether 3:14 — 'I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people.'
• alludes to Revelation 13:8 — The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Baptism as a Likeness of Christ's Burial and Resurrection

And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit. Mosiah 18:14

Being 'buried in the water' and coming 'forth out of the water' pictures what Paul says baptism means: being buried with Christ and rising with Him to a new life. The ordinance itself is a type of His death and Resurrection.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by Romans 6:3-5 — Buried with Him by baptism into death, raised in the likeness of His resurrection.
• the same event in D&C 76:51 — Those 'buried in the water in his name' — baptism by immersion in Christ's name.

Church of Christ — Called by His Name

Christ — the Anointed One

And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church. Mosiah 18:17

The newly baptized believers are organized under Christ's name, long before His birth. The Savior later taught that His church must be called in His name.

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 3 Nephi 27:7-8 — Christ: 'how be it my church save it be called in my name?'
• the same title in D&C 115:4 — The Church in the latter days is called by the name of Jesus Christ.

Redeemer

Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people. Mosiah 18:20

The priests may preach only repentance and faith on the Lord who redeems. Speaking of the coming redemption as already done follows Abinadi's habit of treating Christ's future Atonement as certain.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mosiah 16:6 — Abinadi speaks of things to come as though they had already come.
• the same title in Mosiah 18:7 — Alma's own preaching of faith on the Lord.

One Faith, One Baptism

And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. Mosiah 18:21

'One faith and one baptism' echoes Paul's 'One Lord, one faith, one baptism' — unity centered on the one Lord, Jesus Christ. Looking 'forward' fits a people awaiting His coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Ephesians 4:5 — 'One Lord, one faith, one baptism.'

Redeemer

Redeemer — the one who buys back and frees those in bondage

And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever. Mosiah 18:30

The waters of Mormon are beautiful because there the people came to know Christ as their Redeemer. Their joy is to sing His praise forever.

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

• alluded to by Alma 5:26 — Alma the Younger asks whether they still feel to 'sing the song of redeeming love.'