Moroni now quotes a letter from his father on the topic of baptism. In response to disputations in the church on this topic, Mormon inquired of the Lord and received the answer that small children do not need to be baptized. “Baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.” Since small children cannot sin, they do not need to be baptized. They are “alive in Christ.”
Chapter Outline
- The question: Should small children be baptized? (v. 1-6)
- The answer: Children do not need baptism because they cannot sin (v. 7-9)
- Teach repentance and baptism to adults. Children are alive in Christ (v. 10-26)
- Conclusion: Pray for our people (v. 27-30)
My Takeaways
- When you pray, ask questions. Don’t just make requests.
- It’s important for parents to be mindful of their children.
- We need to teach children, and we also need to learn from them.
- We need to let go of activities that are no longer useful. Don’t put your trust in “dead works.”
Featured Blog Posts
❖ The question – Moroni 8:1-6
Mindful of You – Moroni 8:2-3
2 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.3 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,…
❖ The revelation – Moroni 8:7-9
“I Inquired of the Lord” – Moroni 8:7
When Mormon learned that there was some disputation in the church relating to baptism, he was concerned. When the Savior had visited the American continent, He had emphasized the importance of unity in the performance of baptisms. “Thus shall ye baptize,” He had said. “And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have…
❖ Children are alive in Christ – MOroni 8:10-26
As Their Little Children – Moroni 8:10
10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.(Moroni 8:10) In this epistle…
Moroni 8:25-26 The First Fruits of Repentance is Baptism
25 And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins; 26 And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost,…
Old Testament Foundations
Seek Meekness
“Gather yourselves together,” says Zephaniah, “…before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you.” What should we do to prepare for those difficult days? “Seek ye the Lord,” he says, “all ye meek of the earth.” How should we do this? “Seek righteousness,” he clarifies, “seek meekness.” Then, he adds, “it may be ye…
“I Feared the People”
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point…. Pilate was merciful till it became risky. C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, 161 Saul may have been the king, but he was afraid of his people. The first time he failed to follow instructions from the…
“The Lord Bless Thee, and Keep Thee”
While the Israelites lived in the wilderness, God instructed Aaron and his sons to offer the following blessing on the people: The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26…
New Testament Parallels
No Fear in Love
John says, “There is no fear in love.” Therefore: 1. When we love, we are more confident. 2. When we feel loved, we are less likely to be anxious. We particularly need to establish an environment of love in our homes, so family members feel secure.
Knowing, Loving, Living, Being
In his epistles, John teaches that different aspects of our discipleship are integrated. He makes numerous statements of equivalence, equating loving God with knowing Him, loving others, and following Him. Here is a diagram illustrating these equivalences
The Gall of Bitterness
Peter told Simon that he was in the “gall of bitterness.” Gall is bile. It is a bitter substance which our bodies use for digestion. Alma taught that Jesus can help us overcome spiritual bitterness. When we recognize our need and ask for help, He is there
Abuse
Jesus condemned child abuse in the strongest possible terms. President Nelson has also reiterated the Savior’s teachings on this issue. Here are some things I learned by studying the Church’s abuse prevention website today.
A Physician
“They that be whole need not a physician,” said Jesus, “but they that are sick.” Then He added, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:12-13, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31-32). The prophet Mormon used the same metaphor to explain to his son Moroni why small children do not need to be baptized: Listen to the…
Dead Works – Moroni 8:23
Some things we do simply aren’t worth our energy. In a letter to his son, Mormon discussed an issue that had caused some contention in the church: Do small children need to be baptized? Mormon responded that baptism is for people who are old enough to know right from wrong. “Little children are alive in…
Church History Connections
“Lest Ye Become as the Nephites of Old”
Prosperity without pride is a worthy goal. After Lehi and his family abandoned their home in Jerusalem, leaving behind their gold, silver, and precious things (1 Nephi 2:4), the Lord promised them that, if they would keep His commandments, they would prosper in their new land (1 Nephi 2:20). After arriving on the American continent,…
“Inquire of the Lord”
The Book of Mormon contains many stories of people taking questions to God in prayer and receiving answers. Here are some examples: Lehi prayed to know where his son Nephi should go to hunt for food for the family (1 Nephi 16:23-26). Jacob prayed to know what he should do about the “wicked practices” he…
All Posts Referencing Moroni 8
- “Take Especial Care of Your Family” (11/6/2025)
- Another Comforter (8/12/2025)
- Tradition! (7/5/2025)
- Book of Mormon Elements in Doctrine and Covenants 20 (3/14/2025)
- Endless (3/8/2025)
- It Began with a Question (1/1/2025)
- His Holy Child (12/14/2024)
- Repentance and Remission of Sins (12/5/2024)
- Moroni’s Excellent Hope (11/6/2024)
- Mercy (3/26/2024)
- No Fear in Love (11/29/2023)
- Knowing, Loving, Living, Being (11/28/2023)
- Charity (9/3/2023)
- The Gall of Bitterness (7/12/2023)
- Abuse (4/20/2023)
- Seek Meekness (12/1/2022)
- “Thy Words Were Heard” (11/5/2022)
- How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling-place (8/21/2022)
- “I Feared the People” (6/17/2022)
- Finding Grace (6/12/2022)
- “The Lord Bless Thee, and Keep Thee” (5/10/2022)
- The Raven, the Dove, and the Olive Leaf, or How Did Noah Know? (2/2/2022)
- Affection (1/26/2022)
- Why? (1/2/2022)
- “Especial Care” (11/2/2021)
- “Let Them…Not Tarry” (10/15/2021)
- “Lest Ye Become as the Nephites of Old” (4/17/2021)
- A Physician (4/7/2021)
- Dead Works – Moroni 8:23 (3/6/2021)
- “Inquire of the Lord” (1/7/2021)
- “I Inquired of the Lord” – Moroni 8:7 (12/13/2020)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Refute? (12/29/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Affirm? (12/28/2019)
- How Can I “Use Boldess, but Not Overbearance?” (9/12/2019)
- What Is Pride? (9/2/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Endure to the End? (5/14/2019)
- What Does It Mean for Jesus to Be Our “Redeemer?” (3/10/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be “Baptized Unto Repentance?” (2/22/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Grace? (1/28/2019)
- As Their Little Children – Moroni 8:10 (5/26/2017)
- Mindful of You – Moroni 8:2-3 (11/26/2016)
- The Endurance of Faith – Moroni 3:3, 8:3 (12/28/2015)
- Moroni 8:25-26 The First Fruits of Repentance is Baptism (12/29/2014)