The Book of Mormon
~AD 401–421

Moroni 6

Moroni explains baptism requirements and church practices. Only those showing worthy fruit, broken hearts, and true repentance were baptized and took Christ's name. After baptism and cleansing by the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among Christ's people. The church met often for fasting, prayer, and partaking bread and wine, maintaining strict standards against iniquity.

Rules for Baptism

Now let me talk about baptism. The elders, priests, and teachers were all baptized—but only after they showed by their lives that they were ready for it. They wouldn’t baptize anyone unless they came with a humble and repentant heart, and made it clear to the church that they had truly turned away from their sins. No one was baptized unless they were willing to take Christ’s name on themselves and commit to serving him for the rest of their lives.

After they were baptized and cleansed by the power of the Holy Spirit, their names were added to the church records. This way they could be cared for and taught from God’s word, kept on the right path, encouraged to pray constantly, and helped to rely entirely on Christ—the one who begins and completes their faith.

Life in the Church

The church gathered often to fast and pray together, and to talk about the condition of their souls. They also met regularly to share bread and wine in memory of the Lord Jesus.

They were serious about keeping sin out of the church. If someone was caught doing wrong and three members of the church testified against them before the elders, their name would be removed from the records—unless they repented and confessed. Once removed, they were no longer counted among Christ’s people. But whenever they came back with genuine repentance and asked for forgiveness, they were forgiven.

Their meetings were led by the Spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever the Spirit prompted them to do—whether to preach, encourage, pray, plead with God, or sing—that’s what they did.

Influences

  • 6:1 — Matthew 3:8 (KJV)
    Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • 6:2 — Psalms 51:17 (KJV)
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
  • 6:3 — 1 Peter 4:14 (KJV)
    If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
  • 6:4 — Acts 2:41 (KJV)
    Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
  • 6:4 — Romans 15:13 (KJV)
    Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
  • 6:4 — Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
    Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  • 6:5 — 1 Peter 4:19 (KJV)
    Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
  • 6:6 — Luke 1:54 (KJV)
    He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
  • 6:7 — Revelation 3:5 (KJV)
    He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
  • 6:9 — 1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV)
    How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Moroni 5Moroni 7