To continue with my study and summary of the Myths of Christianity that the Book of Mormon Refutes (see myth #1 here, myth #2 here), I will expand upon the second myth I summarized which was the notion of Original Sin.
Implied in the traditional Christian theology of Original Sin is the idea that Adam and Eve were sinful and rebellious, and that humans are born sinful and as such little children need to be cleansed of original sin to prevent them from being spiritually lost if they were to die at a young age. The practice of infant baptism, which is much less popular in the Christian world today, was for almost two thousand years believed to be necessary to save a child from eternal damnation. Infants who died without baptism were believed to be lost forever which belief caused great pain for Christians throughout the world. Clearly greater clarity in Christian teaching was needed, and the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon through the gift and power of God was the answer to countless Christian prayers over the ages.
Moroni, the final Book of Mormon prophet, was inspired by the spirit of revelation to address the practice of infant baptism in a way that it could not be misunderstood in the day in which the Book of Mormon would be brought forth. Some emphasis of the conditions under which this last book was written helps provide important context that gives even greater force to his words.
Moroni was the last remaining follower of Christ among an entire civilization of people. He had been handed the abridged record of his people by his father Mormon who had spent his life compiling the thousand year history it contained into a relatively short account of only the most spiritually significant teachings of their people. Mormon and Moroni knew, through revelation and the record, that the words of this book would in the last days be brought forth to restore the plain and precious truths of the gospel of Christ that would be last in the Great Christian Apostasy. Thus, Moroni was given a few gold pages to write a few last words in the record, and the words that he recorded were carefully chosen through the spirit of prophecy. In fact, he is clear that they are the words of Christ to him through this gift of prophecy. The words Moroni records about the practice of infant baptism are found only in this final book. Clearly, this essential subject was needing attention in the record that would come forth in a Christian age in which this practice was believed to be necessary for the salvation of children.
Before I share this important sermon the refutes the Christian Myth of infant baptism and explain what the Book of Mormon teaches about little children, it's important to note that in the modern Christian era, most Christians have rejected the concept that even baptism is necessary for salvation in spite of the fact that Jesus clearly taught Nicodemus that baptism was necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven (John 3:1-13) and by his own baptism he witnessed it's necessity to fulfill all righteousness. The necessity of baptism for salvation was universally accepted throughout the Christian world for almost two thousand years, and in the time the Book of Mormon came forth it was still considered a requirement of salvation. LDS people still accept the teachings of baptism in the bible and have greater clarity on the topic because of the teachings of the Book of Mormon.
Under the law, with baptism required to fulfill all righteousness, it is understandable that the ancient church practiced infant baptism. It is also understandable that the practice so offend the human heart, or at least the teaching that infants who die without it would be lost forever was so abhorrent, that the Christian world would distance itself from the practice in modern times. The growing rejection of baptism for little children has played a role in the rejection of baptism as necessary in general. For this reason, the teachings of the Book of Mormon on the baptism of little children is critically restorative to the Bible teachings of baptism as necessary for salvation.
The teachings in the Book of Mormon that restore the precious truths related to baptism also refute the entire theology of Original Sin in unmistakable clarity. Moroni begins his sermon in prophetic authority with these words: "Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. 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." Is more needed than this? You would think not, but this subject was apparently of so much importance to Christ that Moroni will continue to expound the true words of Christ.
As I pondered this, why Christ would inspire such bold and thorough a discourse on this topic and I was reminded of the great love and passion he showed for the little children and the innocent during his ministry.
"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
The same passion we hear from Christ in the New Testament when addressing this subject can be heard in his words given through the prophet Moroni in the Book of Mormon. Moroni continues:
"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. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins. But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!"
The ancient prophets of the Americas worshiped Jesus Christ and prophesied of His coming and of our times. They knew and loved the gospel of Jesus Christ. The prophet Nephi saw a vision of all the history of his people, the coming of Christ in the meridian of time, his mission and death. He also saw the Great Apostasy, reformation and restoration. Here Nephi explains why the Book of Mormon would be essential in the restoration of the gospel:
"These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world" (1 Nephi 13:40)
Is there anything more plain or more precious then the teachings of Moroni on the innocence and salvation of infants and young children? Certainly these words are plain, they are easy to understand, and there can be no mistake in the intent of the Lord. Moroni Continues in this plainness:
"Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell. For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism. Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear. And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption. Wo unto such, for they are in danger of death, hell, and an endless torment. I speak it boldly; God hath commanded me. Listen unto them and give heed, or they stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ."
These words and feelings have found voice in the bosom of every mother who has lost an infant in the ages of Christianity that false teachings condemnation their precious little ones to eternal hell fire. Oh, how they would have taken comfort from these soothing words of Christ in the Book of Mormon:
"I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation. For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity. Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy. For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—"
Oh what comfort and joy is in the restoration of these plain and precious truths! In my own family I have witnessed the terrible sorrow and excruciating suffering of a mother who has had to lay here little child's body to rest in the earth, and I have seen how the comfort of this knowledge has lifted her high on the wings of the Spirit of Christ and made the unbearable, bearable. It is unimaginable to me the great pain that the false teachings of original sin and infant baptism must have caused many of grieving mother and father. I have a deep gratitude for the bold words of Christ recorded by Moroni in the Book of Mormon, and here is one more reason why the Book of Mormon has drawn me closer to Christ.
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