“Believest Thou in Jesus Christ Who Shall Come?”

Brant Gardner

Alma’s next question is the critical one of the definition of Helaman’s true Nephite belief. He must believe in Jesus Christ. Note that he specifically says “who shall come.” This is the essential Nephite distinguishing believe, one in the coming Atoning Messiah.

Translation: Here as in other places we have discussed, the appearance of Jesus Christ as a designator is misleading, and is the result of Joseph’s understanding rather than the understanding that would have been on the plates. The “Christ” is a title meaning the anointed one – or the Messiah (Hebrew for the “anointed one”) who is to come.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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