MOSIAH 18:8–10 — WHY MIGHT WE WANT TO BE BAPTIZED?
A unified, principle‑driven Bible study.
"And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
"Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?"
Mosiah 18:8-10
VERSE 8 — “DESIROUS… TO COME INTO THE FOLD OF GOD”
Cross‑Reference Word: Desirous
Supporting Scriptures:
36 And the Lord God has spoken it; and honor, power and glory be rendered to his holy name, both now and ever. Amen.
37 And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.
77 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:36-37, 77
Why these
These passages show that desire is not passive — it is the inward turning of our hearts toward Christ. Desire precedes covenant, repentance, and the reception of the Spirit. Baptism begins with wanting to belong to Him.
Principle: Desire Precedes Covenant
We seek baptism because our hearts awaken to God and we want to enter His family and His work.
The Fold of God
Two principles flow from “fold”: Brotherhood & Sisterhood and Conversion.
1. Brotherhood and Sisterhood
Supporting Scriptures:
▪︎ Ruth 1:16 — Ruth said … thy people shall be my people.
▪︎ John 15:13 — that a man lay down his life for his friends.
▪︎ Romans 12:10 — affectioned one to another with brotherly love.
▪︎ 1 Peter 3:8 — compassion one of another, love as brethren.
▪︎ Mosiah 5:7 — have become his sons and his daughters.
Excerpts from the Topical Guide
Brotherhood and Sisterhood emphasize unity, loyalty, shared identity, and covenant belonging.
Why these
These scriptures show that entering the fold means entering a family — a covenant community bound by love, sacrifice, and mutual devotion.
Principle: Baptism Joins Us to a Covenant Family
We are not saved alone; we are saved together. Baptism places us in a people who love, lift, and walk with one another.
2. Conversion, Convert
Supporting Scriptures:
▪︎ Ps. 19:7 — law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
▪︎ Ps. 51:13 — sinners shall be converted unto thee.
▪︎ Matt. 18:3 — Except ye be converted, and become as little children.
▪︎ Acts 3:19 — Repent … and be converted.
▪︎ Mosiah 5:2 — wrought a mighty change in us.
▪︎ Mosiah 27:25 — all mankind … must be born again; yea, born of God.
▪︎ Hel. 15:7 — repentance bringeth a change of heart.
Excerpts from the Topical Guide
Conversion is a mighty change of heart, a turning toward God that leads to obedience and covenant loyalty.
Why these
These passages show that baptism is not merely symbolic — it is the outward witness of an inward transformation.
Principle: Baptism Is the Covenant Expression of Conversion
We desire baptism because our hearts have changed and we want to follow Christ fully.
VERSE 9 — “WILLING TO BEAR… MOURN… COMFORT… STAND AS WITNESSES”
Cross‑Reference Word: Willing
Principle: Baptism, Qualifications For
Supporting Scriptures:
▪︎ Matt. 3:8 — Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.
▪︎ Mark 1:5 — baptized … in the river … confessing.
▪︎ Mark 16:16 — He that believeth and is baptized.
▪︎ Acts 2:38 — Repent, and be baptized.
▪︎ Acts 8:37 — If thou believest with all thine heart.
▪︎ 2 Ne. 31:7 — witnesseth … he would be obedient.
▪︎ Moro. 6:2 — came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
Why these
Willingness is the heart of covenant discipleship. Baptism requires readiness to repent, believe, and follow Christ.
Principle: Baptism Requires a Willing Heart
We choose baptism because we are ready to act, ready to change, and ready to follow Christ.
Mourn
Two principles: Comfort and Compassion.
1. Comfort
Supporting Scriptures:
▪︎ Gen. 24:67 — Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
▪︎ Ps. 23:4 — rod and thy staff they comfort me.
▪︎ Isa. 49:13 — Lord hath comforted his people.
▪︎ Isa. 61:2 — to comfort all that mourn.
▪︎ Matt. 5:4 — Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
▪︎ John 14:18 — I will not leave you comfortless.
▪︎ 2 Cor. 1:3 — the God of all comfort.
Excerpts from the Topical Guide
Comfort is divine reassurance, healing, and presence.
Why these
These passages show that entering Christ’s fold means we join Him in comforting others as He comforts us.
Principle: Baptism Commits Us to Comfort Others as Christ Comforts Us
2. Compassion
Supporting Scriptures:
▪︎ Lev. 19:14 — Thou shalt not curse the deaf.
▪︎ Prov. 19:17 — He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord.
▪︎ Isa. 53:4 — he hath borne our griefs.
▪︎ Matt. 9:36 — he was moved with compassion on them.
▪︎ Luke 10:33 — Samaritan … when he saw him, he had compassion.
▪︎ Luke 15:20 — his father saw him, and had compassion.
▪︎ 1 Pet. 3:8 — be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another.
▪︎ Alma 7:11 — he will take upon him the pains.
Excerpts from the Topical Guide
Compassion is Christlike feeling, empathy, and action.
Why these
These scriptures show that mourning with others is not passive — it is active compassion.
Principle: Baptism Calls Us to Christlike Compassion
Witnesses
Two principles: Missionary Work and Witness/Witnesses.
1. Missionary Work
Supporting Scriptures:
▪︎ Isa. 2:3 — he will teach us of his ways.
▪︎ Isa. 49:6 — I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles.
▪︎ Isa. 52:7 — beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him … that publisheth salvation.
▪︎ Matt. 28:19 — teach all nations, baptizing them.
▪︎ Mark 16:15 — preach the gospel to every creature.
▪︎ Luke 24:48 — ye are witnesses of these things.
▪︎ John 4:35 — the fields … are white already to harvest.
▪︎ D&C 4:1 — marvelous work is about to come forth.
Why these
These passages show that witnessing is part of our covenant identity — we help gather Israel.
Principle: Baptism Enlists Us in God’s Work
2. Witness, Witnesses
Supporting Scriptures:
▪︎ Isa. 43:10 — Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord.
▪︎ Matt. 24:14 — gospel … preached … for a witness unto all nations.
▪︎ Luke 24:48 — ye are witnesses of these things.
▪︎ Acts 1:8 — ye shall be witnesses unto me.
▪︎ Rom. 8:16 — Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit.
▪︎ Heb. 12:1 — compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses.
▪︎ Ether 12:6 — no witness until after the trial of your faith.
Why these
These scriptures show that witnessing is both verbal and lived — the Spirit confirms our testimony.
Principle: Baptism Makes Us Living Witnesses of Christ
First Resurrection
Supporting Scripture:
11 Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.
Principle: Baptism Aligns Us with the Resurrection of the Righteous
VERSE 10 — “BEING BAPTIZED… IN THE NAME… ENTERED INTO A COVENANT”
Cross‑Reference Word: Baptized
Supporting Scriptures:
17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
4 And they began to establish the church more fully; yea, and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined to the church of God; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma, who had been consecrated the high priest over the people of the church, by the hand of his father Alma.
Principle: Baptism Opens the Gate to the Path of Discipleship
Name
Principle: Jesus Christ, Taking the Name Of
Supporting Scriptures:
▪︎ Matt. 12:21 — in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
▪︎ Acts 4:12 — none other name … whereby we must be saved.
▪︎ 2 Ne. 31:13 — take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism.
▪︎ Mosiah 5:11 — I shall give this people a name.
▪︎ Moro. 4:3 — willing to take upon them the name of thy Son.
Principle: Baptism Places Christ’s Name Upon Us
Covenant
Supporting Scripture:
29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;
Principle: Commitment
Supporting Scriptures:
▪︎ Num. 14:24 — Caleb … hath followed me fully.
▪︎ Deut. 6:5 — love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
▪︎ Josh. 24:15 — choose you this day whom ye will serve.
▪︎ Ps. 37:5 — Commit thy way unto the Lord.
▪︎ Matt. 6:33 — seek ye first the kingdom of God.
▪︎ John 14:15 — If ye love me, keep my commandments.
▪︎ Mosiah 5:5 — we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God.
▪︎ D&C 20:37 — having a determination to serve him to the end.
Why these
These passages show that covenant is not casual — it is wholehearted devotion to God.
Principle: Baptism Is Our Covenant Commitment to Serve God Forever
Closing Summary
When we ask, “Why might we want to be baptized?” Mosiah 18:8–10 answers with a sweeping vision of who we become in Christ. Baptism is not merely an ordinance; it is our entrance into a covenant family, our witness of a changed heart, and our willingness to walk with God and with one another. Through baptism we join the fold, embrace compassion, comfort, and discipleship, and stand as living witnesses of Christ in all things. We take His name upon us, commit to His path, and look forward with hope to the first resurrection. In every way, baptism is our declaration that we choose Him — and that we desire to walk in His Spirit, His service, and His love for the rest of our lives.
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