Moroni 8

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

Repentance and baptism is necessary for all who would come unto Christ. Little children are saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ. God is perfectly just in His dealings with His children. Through faithful obedience to the commandments, we can receive the Holy Ghost, which prepares us to dwell with God.

1-3. How did Mormon feel about his son? Did Moroni reciprocate those feelings? What did Mormon specifically pray for in his prayers concerning his son? How would you feel to know that one of your parents prayed for you in such a manner? Who else was mindful of Moroni besides Mormon? How can this knowledge strengthen and comfort both Mormon and Moroni? How often did Mormon think and pray about Moroni? How do you think that made Moroni feel? What did Mormon especially pray would happen in Moroni's life?

"First Mormon reaffirmed his love for Moron I, and then he taught him. When our children first know they are loved, they are more likely to listen and be taught. Our children will be more able to survive the challenges that will come to them when they know and understand that keeping God's commandments can bring them peace and joy in their lives and enable them to walk up rightly.… May God bless us as parents to teach our children to walk up rightly before the Lord." – Ruth B Wright, GC, April 1994

4-5. Mormon wishes to address an issue or a disputation that he has heard of. Why do you suppose that he wished to address this issue and without being first asked for counsel and advice? How do you feel when you see others contending over a doctrine or principle? Do you need all the details of the conflict to be able to offer sound advice? If you are in a conflict, are you able to recognize and act upon sound advice coming from a parent or leader?

6. What responsibility or assignment did Mormon give to his son? Why was Moroni willing to dedicate his time doing what his father asked him to do?

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel." – Boyd K Packer, GC, October 1986

7. What did Mormon do immediately upon learning of the disputations that his son had to deal with? How can turning to the Lord help us overcome the disputations and challenges we face? Why is the word 'immediately' a key word in this process?

8-26. What do these verses teach us about the power of the Atonement? How should these things affect the way we deal with little children? What impact should these teachings have on those of us who have been baptized?

8. Who did the Savior specifically come into the world for? Do doctors treat healthy people or people who are ill?

9. How does the Lord feel about the baptism of little children?

10. Who is accountable and capable of committing sin? Why does the Lord encourage us to become as little children?

"Because they cannot sin, they have no need of repentance, by the baptism. Adam's original transgression has no claim as a result of the atonement of Jesus Christ.… Because all children who died before the age of accountability are pure, innocent, and wholly sin-free, they are saved in a celestial kingdom of heaven." – Merlin R Lybbert, GC, April 1994

11. Why do little children not need baptism?  What is the purpose of baptism?

"For our turning to the Lord to be complete, it must include nothing less than a covenant of obedience to him. We often speak of this covenant as the baptismal covenant since it is witnessed by being baptized in water.… Without this covenant, repentance remains incomplete and the remission of sins unattained." – D Todd Christofferson, GC, October 2011

12. How does the principle that little children do not need baptism show us that God is fair? That He loves and respects each of his children wanting and desiring to give them equal opportunity to come unto him?

"Remember the atonement of Christ. Do not despair or count as forever lost those who have fallen to the temptations of Satan. They will, after the debt is paid to the 'uttermost farthing' and after the healing which attends complete repentance takes place, receive salvation." – Boyd K Packer, GC, April 2004

13-14. How does a belief that little children need to be baptized indicate that one does not fully understand the gospel of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to be in the gall of bitterness?

15. Why is it considered wicked to believe that God will save one child or person and not another?

16. What effect does perfect love - or Charity - have upon fear?

"We… live in a time when the love of many will wax cold. Fear will therefore increase. Why? Because when men fear, it is because we are not perfect in love. The less love, the more fear – as well as the more war!" – Neal A Maxwell, GC, October 1982

17. How do you feel about little children? Do you love them perfectly regardless of their circumstance? How would it be to be filled with the love such as that described by Mormon in this verse?

"All men may have the gift of love, but charity is bestowed upon only upon those who are true followers of Christ." – Gene R Cook, GC, April 2002

18. How does knowing that God is unchangeable and constant help you better understand the doctrine of accountability?

"In this world where nearly everything seems to be changing, His constancy is something on which we can hold fast and be safe, lest we be swept away into uncharted waters." -Thomas S Monson, GC, October 2011

19-20. Why is it wicked to deny the mercies of Christ to others? Do we have the right to decide who can or cannot use the power of the Atonement? How is this kind of behaviour a mockery of the Atonement? What is the purpose of the Atonement - why was it offered and to who?

21. What warning is there given to all those who would mock the gift of the Atonement?

22. How come little children are outside the law? How does this verse help you better understand the age of accountability and the great mercy that The Lord extends to all his children?

"We understand from our doctrine that before the age of accountability a child is not capable of committing sin. During that time, children can commit mistakes, even very serious and damaging ones that must be corrected, but there acts are not accounted as sins." – Dallin H Oaks, Ensign, October 1996

"The Lord said that those who live without law shall be judged without law, and by the same token those who are not privileged to have the blessings in this life that you and I have who are mentally and physically able and strong, they also shall ultimately receive blessings from our Heavenly Father, and through the atonement of Jesus Christ, blessings that are withheld from them through no fault of their own shall not be withheld from them." - Clifford E Young, GC, April 1954

23-24. Who is repentance for? Why is it that repentance is only for those who break a law and come under condemnation for it? Can you break a law that you have no knowledge of? If you do should you be held accountable for it?

25-26. How is baptism a way of showing God that you are ready and willing to obey all His laws? How does this help you receive a remission of your sins?

26. What attributes come with the remission of sins? Why are these qualities important for us to have in order to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? Why do you think that receiving a remission of your sins can lead to meekness and lowliness of heart? How can being meek and lowly of heart invite the Holy Ghost into your life? How will having the Holy Ghost help you prepare to live with God? Mormon taught that if we want to be filled with love that endures, we must pray diligently. Why do you think that diligent prayer is necessary if we want to be filled with love?

27. What will ultimately cause the destruction of the Nephite nation? Why is it so important for us to also guard against pride? What are the results of pride? Compare these results to the results of meekness and lowliness of heart mentioned in the previous verse. Which result would you prefer in your own life?

28. What concern is there when a person or people reach a point where the Spirit has ceased to strive with them? Through what means does the Lord work among his people? If the spirit ceases to strive with us, how likely is the Lord's influence to be felt in our hearts?

29. Why do you think the Nephites chose to reject the great knowledge they once had?

1-30. How can our baptismal covenants be a bigger influence in our lives from day to day?

"When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God… By choosing to be in his kingdom, we separate – not isolate – ourselves from the world. Our dress will be modest, our thoughts pure, our language clean. The movies and television we watch, the music we listen to, the books, magazines and newspapers we read will be uplifting. We will choose friends who encourage our internal goals, and we will treat others with kindness. We will shun the vices of immorality, gambling, tobacco, liquor, and illicit drugs. Our Sunday activities will reflect the commandment of God to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. We will follow the example of Jesus Christ in the way we treat others. We will live to be worthy to enter the house of the Lord. We will be examples of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. We will receive a mighty change… in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. We will keep our covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things… all the remainder of our days. We will demonstrate that we are desirous to… become his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort." – Robert D Hales, GC, October 2000