Mosiah 26

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for Messiah)

They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ. Mosiah 26:2

The rising generation rejected King Benjamin's testimony that Christ would come and that the dead would be resurrected through Him. Unbelief in Christ is what hardened their hearts.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Mosiah 3:5-10 — Benjamin's angel-given prophecy of Christ's coming, death, and Resurrection.

Jehovah

And it came to pass that after he had poured out his whole soul to God, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying: Mosiah 26:14–16

The Lord who answers Alma is the same One who, in verses 23 and 26, calls Himself the Redeemer who takes upon Him the sins of the world. Abinadi was His servant, who testified of Him even to death.

Take His Name

And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people. Mosiah 26:17–18

Christ Himself blesses those willing to bear His name. His covenant people are called by His name and belong to Him.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Mosiah 5:8 — Taking upon you the name of Christ by covenant.
• the same title in Mosiah 25:23 — Those who joined the church took upon them the name of Christ.

Good Shepherd

Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my sheep. Mosiah 26:20–21

The Lord speaks as the Shepherd whose sheep hear His voice, the same image Jesus uses in John 10. Alma is sent in His name to gather them.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 10:27 — "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
• alluded to by Alma 5:37-38 — Alma the Younger: the good shepherd calls you in his own name; hearken to his voice.

Faith in Christ

For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive. Mosiah 26:22

Christ declares the church is His. Membership requires belief in His name and baptism unto repentance, and He freely forgives those who come.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by Mosiah 27:13 — The angel repeats the Lord's words: This is my church, and I will establish it.
• the same title in 3 Nephi 27:8 — The risen Christ: if it be called in my name then it is my church.

Atonement

For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand. Mosiah 26:23

The Lord speaking to Alma says plainly that He is the One who takes upon Him the sins of the world. This identifies the Lord God of the Nephites as Jesus Christ, the atoning Savior, over a century before His birth.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 1:29 — "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
• alluded to by Alma 7:13 — Alma the Younger: the Son of God suffers to take upon him the sins of his people.

Creation by Christ

For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand. Mosiah 26:23

The One who atones is also the Creator; He has the right to redeem what He made. He grants the faithful a place at His right hand.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things.
• alludes to John 1:3 — All things were made by Him.
• alludes to Matthew 25:33-34 — The sheep set on the King's right hand inherit the kingdom.

Take His Name

For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand. Mosiah 26:24

Those called by His name who truly know Him will come forth in the Resurrection to stand at His right hand, just as King Benjamin taught.

• alludes to Mosiah 5:9 — Found at the right hand of God, called by the name of Christ.
• alludes to John 17:3 — Life eternal is to know God and Jesus Christ.

Judgment

And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me. Mosiah 26:25–28

Christ foretells that all will stand before Him at the last day, where He is the Judge. His words closely match what Jesus later taught in the Sermon on the Mount and the parable of the sheep and goats.

• alludes to Matthew 7:21-23 — "I never knew you: depart from me."
• alludes to Matthew 25:41 — "Depart from me... into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back or frees at a price

And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed. Mosiah 26:26

In one sentence the Lord God identifies Himself as the Redeemer: Jehovah and Jesus Christ are the same Being. Even those who refused Him will one day know who He is.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 49:26 — All flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer.

Grace

Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also. Mosiah 26:29–31

The Savior promises to forgive His people as often as they sincerely repent, and asks them to forgive each other the same way. His mercy is the power behind every repentance.

• alluded to by Moroni 6:8 — As oft as they repented and sought forgiveness with real intent, they were forgiven.
• alludes to Matthew 6:14-15 — Forgive men their trespasses and your Father will forgive you.
• alluded to by D&C 64:9-10 — He that forgiveth not his brother standeth condemned; forgive all men.

Doctrine of Christ

Now I say unto you, Go; and whosoever will not repent of his sins the same shall not be numbered among my people; and this shall be observed from this time forward. Mosiah 26:32

The Lord closes His instructions: repentance is required to be numbered among His people.