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.

How Baptism Worked

I, Moroni, will now talk about baptism. Church leaders, priests, and teachers were baptized. They were only baptized if they showed they were ready for it. They only let people be baptized if they came with sad and sorry hearts. These people told the church that they were sorry for all their sins. People were only baptized if they took Christ’s name. They had to promise to follow him their whole lives. After they were baptized, the Holy Spirit cleaned them. Then they were counted as part of Christ’s church. The church wrote down their names. This helped them remember and teach these people using God’s good words. This kept them on the right path. It kept them praying. They trusted only in what Christ did for them. He started and finished their faith.

Church Meetings

The church met together often to fast and pray. They talked with each other about how they were doing. They met together often to eat bread and drink wine. They did this to remember the Lord Jesus.

Dealing with Wrongdoing

They were careful to stop any wrongdoing among them. If someone did something wrong, three church members would tell the leaders about it. If the person was not sorry and did not admit what they did, their names were crossed out. They were not counted as part of Christ’s people anymore. But when they were sorry and asked to be forgiven with real hearts, they were forgiven.

Following the Spirit

The Holy Spirit led their meetings. The Spirit’s power told them what to do. If the Spirit led them to preach, encourage others, pray, ask for help, or sing, they did it.

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.
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