That there is only one name and one means of salvation, “the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent,” is taught several other places in the Book of Mormon (see 2 Nephi 10:24; Mosiah 16:13; Alma 38:9; Helaman 5:9). Peter taught the same doctrine to the high priest and his kindred in Jerusalem:
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. [Acts 4:10–12]
The angel declares that infants are saved through Christ, and adds that man must become as little children to obtain salvation (Mosiah 3:18). Mormon taught the same doctrine to his son Moroni: “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” (Moroni 8:10).
The next verse (Mosiah 3:19) is one of the most often quoted and discussed verses in the Book of Mormon. Controversy often arises over who is the natural man, and why he is an enemy to God? These are good questions and need to be answered.
The natural man is an enemy to God because he goes “contrary to the nature of God,” and opposes the plan of God to bring happiness. The plan of happiness is for men to come unto Christ and be baptized. “The Spirit of Christ is given to every man that he may know good from evil” (Moroni 7:16). As he comes in contact with the gospel, God’s messenger, the Holy Ghost (see TPJS, 323), will teach him of the baptismal covenant.
44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.
48 And the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world.
49 And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin.
50 And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me.
51 For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin.
52 And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.
53 And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now. [D&C 84:44–53]
Thus, the unbaptized are enemies to God. Also, those who are baptized may lose light and truth through “disobedience … and because of the traditions of their fathers” (D&C 93:39; quoted above). Therefore, all people must yield “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and put off the natural man and become a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord, and become as a child” (Mosiah 3:19).