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Book of Mormon Commentary
Moroni Chapter 8
LITTLE CHILDREN Do NOT NEED BAPTISM, VER. 1-35
Moroni 8:5 For if I have learned the truth, there have been disputations among you concerning the
baptism of your little children.
Mormon wrote to his son soon after Moroni was called to the priesthood (1), rejoicing that "Christ
bath . . . called you to his ministry" (2).
He assured Moroni that he was praying continually for him that God "will keep you through the
endurance of faith oil his name to the end" (3).
The Book of Mormon is not clear as to the office to which Moroni was called, nor the time and
circumstances of that calling. He was an officer in his father's army, having command of a corps
of ten thousand men at the battle of Cumorah. He and his father were among the twenty-four
survivors of that battle (Mn. 3:13, 14). He was considered worthy of trust and was given direction
to complete the record and protect the plates (W. M. 1:1; Mn. 3:8).
Moroni was the messenger who came to Joseph Smith, Jr., on September 21, 1823, in the night
visions and told him of the plates and of the divine purpose for them (Church History, Vol. 1, pp.
12-16; D. and C. 26:2 a; 110:20 a).
Mormon revealed that the main object of his epistle was to discuss "the gross error" (Mi. 8:6) in
the disputations among the Nephites about which he had grieved exceedingly (4). He had inquired
of the Lord about the matter, and was presenting "the words of Christ, your Redeemer," which he
had received by the Holy Ghost (7, 8).
Moroni 8:9 Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance; the whole need no
physician, but they that are sick; wherefore little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin;
wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of
circumcision is done away in me.
Jesus declared that he "came into the world not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance";
likewise he reasoned that "the whole need no physician, but they that are sick" (9; Luke 5:31, 32).
From time immemorial men seem to have been attracted to the forms and ceremonies of worship,
rather than to the true spirit in the doctrines of Christ. The fact that many Christians, even in this
enlightened age, still baptize infants and small children shows why Mormon was commanded to
write on this subject so many centuries ago (A.D. 385-400). ''I know that it is solemn mockery
before God, that ye should baptize little children" (10). This is strong language. It is based on clear
principles of doctrine and does not refer to all children but to little children. In A.D. 1831 the Lord
made it plain that he meant only those who had not arrived at the age of accountability, which is
eight years (D. and C. 68:4 b; 16:6 d; Gen. 17:11). (See comments on III N. 8:12 concerning this
and blessing children.)
Moroni 8:11 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: and their little children need no repentance, neither baptism.