The Saints of the Church in the Book of Mormon are consistently depicted as the faithful followers of Christ’s gospel throughout various dispensations. These individuals are characterized by their sincere commitment to keep the commandments of the Lord and enter into sacred covenants manifested most notably through the ordinance of baptism. The term “saints” becomes a communal title for those who have chosen to bear the name of Christ or God, signifying a collective identity grounded in devotion to divine teachings and the expectation of redemption through the Messiah (Mosiah 25:18-24).
From the era of Alma’s ministry, converts who embraced the teachings of the gospel and underwent baptism joined the ranks of these saints, becoming the people of God. This spiritual adoption endowed them with blessings from the Lord and resulted in the prosperity of their communities (Alma 2:11). Their collective identity was further reinforced during conflicting periods, such as their confrontations with the apostate Amlicites and through the spiritually fortified leadership of prophets (Alma 2:28).
This sacred community was not limited to a particular group or era; rather, it extended to the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, who became notable for their steadfast commitment to the principles of peace, despite facing aggressive persecution. Their unwavering covenant of non-violence, even in the face of mortal danger, exemplified the depth of their faith and solidified their identity as true people of God (Alma 24:16-29).
Ultimately, Abinadi’s elucidation of Isaiah’s prophecies affirms the Saints of the Church as the seed of Christ—encompassing all holy prophets and those who heeded their words with expectation of redemption. They are identified as the children of Christ, born again through the covenant waters of baptism and cleansed by the atoning blood of the Redeemer, with the promise of becoming heirs in the kingdom of God (Mosiah 15:10-18; Moses 6:59). These saints’ journeys, unified by the Savior’s grace, epitomize the transformative power of the Atonement and the pathway to eternal life for all who join the fold of God’s people through the name of Christ (Mosiah 5:7-11).