Moroni 8 Background Questions
- What evidence do we have to help us date the time when Mormon wrote Moroni 8 to his son Moroni? What parallels or links can you find between the events and phrases in Mormon 3 and the words and concerns in Moroni 8 that might give some indications about the setting of this letter?
- How poignant is it that Mormon would refer in this setting to Jesus as God’s “holy Child?” (Moroni 8:3)?
- How did Mormon feel about children? Why might he especially have felt that way?
- What might a person’s attitude about little children reveal about that person’s spiritual state and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Why do you suppose that the baptism of little children was introduced during Mormon’s day?
- Why is baptizing little children a “gross error” (8:6), a “solemn mockery” (8:9, 23), and “awful wickedness” (8:19)? These are strong words. Do we feel and speak this way about infant baptism today? If not, why not?
- How can it help us in times of trial and anxiety to be assured that “perfect love casteth out all fear”?
- How many times does the word “repent/repentance” appear in Moroni 8, and why is it so crucially central to Mormon’s persuasive logic and prophetic declaration regarding infant baptism in particular and to the situation of his people in general?
- What can we do better to prepare our little children to fully appreciate and remember their baptism?
References