# Moroni 8

*Paraphrase*

### Mormon’s Letter About Little Children

This is a letter my father Mormon wrote to me soon after I was called to ministry. Here’s what he said:

“My dear son Moroni, I’m thrilled that the Lord Jesus Christ has called you to serve him in his holy work. I pray for you constantly. I ask God the Father, through his Son Jesus, that by his grace he’ll keep you faithful to the end.”

“But there’s something troubling me deeply—the arguments that have broken out among you. I’ve heard people are fighting over whether to baptize little children. Son, you need to work hard to clear up this terrible mistake. That’s why I’m writing you this letter.”

“As soon as I heard about it, I asked the Lord. And the Holy Spirit brought me his answer:”

### God’s Message to Mormon

“’Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. I didn’t come into the world to call the righteous—I came for sinners who need to change. Healthy people don’t need a doctor; sick people do. Little children aren’t sick. They can’t sin yet. Adam’s curse has no hold on them because of me. The old law of circumcision is finished.’”

“That’s how the Holy Spirit revealed God’s word to me. So, my dear son, I know for certain that baptizing little children is a mockery before God. Here’s what you should teach: repentance and baptism are for people old enough to understand right and wrong and capable of sin. Teach parents that they need to repent, be baptized, and become humble like their little children. Then they’ll all be saved together with their children. Little children don’t need repentance or baptism. Baptism is for people who need to repent, so they can obey God’s commands and have their sins forgiven.”

“Little children are alive in Christ from the beginning of time. If that weren’t true, God would be playing favorites and changing his mind—he’d be biased. Think of all the little children who’ve died without baptism. If little children couldn’t be saved without baptism, they’d all be in hell.”

### A Warning Against False Teaching

“Anyone who thinks little children need baptism is poisoned with bitterness and trapped in sin. They have no faith, no hope, no love. If they die thinking that way, they’ll go to hell. It’s horrible wickedness to think God saves one child because of baptism but damns another who wasn’t baptized.”

“Terrible judgment awaits anyone who twists God’s ways like this—unless they repent. I’m speaking boldly because God has given me authority. I’m not afraid of what anyone thinks. Perfect love drives out fear. I’m filled with love that never ends. All children are the same to me. I love little children with a perfect love. They’re all equal, and they all share in salvation. I know God doesn’t play favorites. He doesn’t change. He’s the same forever and always.”

“Little children can’t repent. So it’s terrible wickedness to deny them God’s pure mercy. They’re all alive in him because of his mercy. Anyone who says little children need baptism is denying Christ’s mercy, rejecting his sacrifice, and dismissing his power to save. Disaster is coming for people like that—death, hell, and endless suffering. I’m speaking boldly because God commanded me to. Listen and pay attention, or these words will stand against you when Christ judges you.”

“All little children are alive in Christ. So are all people who’ve never heard God’s law. The power of Christ’s sacrifice reaches everyone who never had the law. If you’re not condemned, you can’t repent—and baptism means nothing to you. Baptizing them is mockery before God. It denies Christ’s mercy and the Holy Spirit’s power. It puts trust in empty rituals.”

“Son, this shouldn’t be happening. Repentance is for people under condemnation, people living under the curse of a broken law.”

### The Path of Repentance

“The first step of repentance is baptism. Baptism comes through faith and leads to obeying God’s commands. Obeying his commands brings forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness brings humility and a gentle heart. Because of that humility, the Holy Spirit comes as a comforter, filling you with hope and perfect love. That love lasts through constant prayer until the end comes and all God’s people live with him forever.”

### News from the War

“I’ll write you again, son, if I don’t have to march out against the Lamanites soon. The pride of our nation—the Nephites—is destroying them, unless they repent. Pray for them, son. Pray that they’ll turn back. But I’m afraid the Spirit has stopped trying to reach them. In this part of the land they’re trying to tear down every authority that comes from God. They’re denying the Holy Spirit. After rejecting so much truth, son, they’re going to be destroyed soon. The prophecies will be fulfilled—both what the prophets said and what our Savior himself spoke. Goodbye, my son. I’ll write again, or maybe we’ll see each other. Amen.”

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*Source: [The Book of Mormon](https://bookofmormon.com/paraphrase/moroni/8)*
