Mosiah 3

Glad tidings of His coming

And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God. And he said unto me: Awake; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me. Mosiah 3:2–4

An angel wakes Benjamin to announce 'glad tidings of great joy,' the same words the angel used to the shepherds at Jesus' birth. The good news is that the Lord Himself is coming.

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

• alluded to by Luke 2:10 — The angel to the shepherds: I bring you good tidings of great joy.
• alluded to by Alma 13:22 — Angels declaring glad tidings of great joy concerning the Lord's coming.

Lord Omnipotent

Lord Omnipotent — the all-powerful Lord

For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. Mosiah 3:5

The all-powerful Lord who has reigned from all eternity will come down and live in a mortal body. Jehovah, the God of Israel, becomes a mortal man, Jesus Christ.

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

• the same title in Revelation 19:6 — The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
• alluded to by Mosiah 7:27 — Abinadi's teaching that God should take upon him the image of man and come down among the children of men.
• fulfilled by John 1:14 — The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Ministry and Miracles

For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. Mosiah 3:5–6

More than a century before His birth, the angel describes exactly the miracles Jesus would do: healing, raising the dead, and casting out devils.

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

• fulfilled by Matthew 11:5 — The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised.
• fulfilled by Mark 1:34 — He healed many and cast out many devils.
• the same event in 1 Nephi 11:31 — Nephi sees the Lamb healing the sick and casting out devils.

Gethsemane

And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. Mosiah 3:7

The angel foretells Christ's suffering, beyond what any mortal could bear and survive, and that He would bleed from every pore. This was fulfilled in Gethsemane, where He took on the weight of our sins.

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

• fulfilled by Luke 22:44 — His sweat was as great drops of blood.
• fulfilled by D&C 19:18 — Christ's own witness: suffering caused Him to bleed at every pore.
• the same event in Alma 7:11 — He shall suffer pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves (Greek form of Joshua); Christ — the Anointed One

And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary. Mosiah 3:8

About 124 years before His birth, the angel reveals His mortal name, Jesus Christ. Knowing His name, the Nephites could exercise faith in Him long before He came.

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

• fulfilled by Matthew 1:21 — Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
• the same title in 2 Nephi 10:3 — An angel told Jacob His name should be Christ.

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of the Eternal Father

And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary. Mosiah 3:8

Jesus is the literal Son of God the Father, which is why He has power over death.

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

• fulfilled by Luke 1:35 — That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Creator; Father of Heaven and Earth

Father of heaven and earth — He is the Father as the Creator (the maker) of heaven and earth

And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary. Mosiah 3:8

Christ is called the Father of heaven and earth because He created them under the direction of Heavenly Father. He is not the Father in the Godhead, but the Creator of all things.

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

• the same title in John 1:3 — All things were made by him.
• interpreted by Mosiah 15:4 — Abinadi explains how Christ is the Father and the Son, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.
• the same title in Helaman 14:12 — Jesus Christ, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning.

Birth to Mary

And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary. Mosiah 3:8

The angel even names His mother, Mary, over a century before she bore Him.

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

• the same event in Alma 7:10 — He shall be born of Mary, a virgin, at Jerusalem.
• fulfilled by Luke 1:30-31 — Gabriel tells Mary she shall bring forth a son and call his name Jesus.

Rejection and Crucifixion

And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him. Mosiah 3:9

Christ comes to His own people so they can be saved through faith in His name, but they see Him as only a man, accuse Him of having a devil, scourge Him, and crucify Him.

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

• fulfilled by John 1:11 — He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
• fulfilled by John 10:20 — Many of them said, He hath a devil.
• fulfilled by John 19:1 — Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.
• the same event in 1 Nephi 19:9 — Nephi foretells that they scourge him and crucify him.

Resurrection; Judge of the World

And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men. Mosiah 3:10

The angel foretells the Resurrection on the third day. The risen Christ stands as the Judge of the world, so judgment will be righteous.

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

• fulfilled by Luke 24:46 — It behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.
• the same title in John 5:22 — The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son.

Atonement

For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. Mosiah 3:11

Christ's blood covers Adam's transgression and the sins of those who never knew God's will. His Atonement reaches people who never had the chance to learn the gospel.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• alludes to 2 Nephi 9:26 — The atonement satisfies justice for those who have not the law given to them.
• alluded to by Moroni 8:22 — All they that are without the law are alive in Christ through the power of redemption.

Faith in Christ

But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Mosiah 3:12

Those who knowingly rebel can be saved only by repenting and having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

• alluded to by Acts 20:21 — Paul testifies of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith in the Christ to come

And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them. Mosiah 3:13

God sent prophets to every nation so people could believe in Christ before He came. His Atonement worked for them as if He had already come.

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

• alludes to Jarom 1:11 — Believe in him to come as though he already was.
• alludes to Jacob 4:4 — Ancient prophets knew of Christ and had a hope of his glory before his coming.

Law of Moses as Types and Shadows

Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses. Mosiah 3:14–15

The Lord gave Israel the law of Moses full of types and shadows of Christ's coming. The text itself says those rituals had no saving power except through Christ's atoning blood, and that the Lord who gave the law was pointing to Himself.

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

• alluded to by Mosiah 13:31 — Abinadi: the law was types of things to come.
• alluded to by Alma 34:14 — The law points to that great and last sacrifice.
• alludes to 2 Nephi 11:4 — All things given of God from the beginning are the typifying of him.
• alluded to by Galatians 3:24 — The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.

Atonement for Little Children

And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins. Mosiah 3:16

Little children are blessed because Christ's blood atones for them. The Fall came through Adam, and Christ covers its effects on them.

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

• alluded to by Moroni 8:8 — Little children are whole; the curse of Adam is taken from them in me.
• alluded to by 1 Corinthians 15:22 — As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
• alluded to by D&C 29:46 — Little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten.

Christ, the only name of salvation

Christ — the Anointed One; Lord Omnipotent — the all-powerful Lord

And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. Mosiah 3:17

No other name, way, or means brings salvation except Christ. The same verse identifies Christ as the Lord Omnipotent, the all-powerful God.

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

• alluded to by Acts 4:12 — None other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
• alludes to 2 Nephi 25:20 — None other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ.
• alluded to by Mosiah 5:8 — There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh.

Atoning Blood of Christ

For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. Mosiah 3:18

Christ judges justly. Salvation has always come, and always will come, only through His atoning blood, for people in every age who become humble like little children.

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

• alluded to by Matthew 18:3 — Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:38 — The risen Christ: become as a little child to inherit the kingdom of God.

Atonement changes the natural man

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. Mosiah 3:19

Everyone's fallen nature fights against God. Through Christ's Atonement, and by yielding to the Holy Spirit, a person puts off the natural man and becomes a saint with a childlike, Christlike character.

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

• alluded to by 1 Corinthians 2:14 — The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.
• alluded to by Alma 41:11 — All men in a state of nature are in the bonds of iniquity.

Savior; Lord God Omnipotent

Savior — the one who saves and delivers

And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Mosiah 3:20–21

The angel prophesies that knowledge of the Savior will spread to every nation. After that, only little children are blameless, and everyone else needs repentance and faith in the name of the Lord God Omnipotent, Christ.

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

• alluded to by Mosiah 15:28 — Abinadi: salvation of the Lord shall be declared to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
• alluded to by Mosiah 16:1 — Every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see the salvation of the Lord.

Judgment

And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. Mosiah 3:24

The Lord declares these words will witness at the Judgment Day, when each person is judged by their works. Verse 10 says Christ is the one who stands to judge the world.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Revelation 20:12 — The dead were judged every man according to their works.
• interpreted by Mosiah 3:10 — He standeth to judge the world.

The cup of wrath (justice and mercy)

And if they be evil they are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence they can no more return; therefore they have drunk damnation to their own souls. Mosiah 3:25–26

Those who reject Christ must drink the cup of God's wrath themselves, and mercy has no claim on them. The echo is that Christ drank this bitter cup for everyone who repents.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:11 — The risen Christ: I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me.
• alluded to by D&C 19:16-18 — Christ suffered so the repentant need not; he would that he might not drink the bitter cup.