The Goodness of God and His Children as a Fundamental Theological Concept in the Book of Mormon

Abstract: The phrase goodness of God does occur occasionally in the Hebrew Bible but has not been considered by Old Testament scholars to be an independent principle in Israelite theology but as just another way of talking about God’s acts of loving kindness for his covenant people and is usually interpreted in the context of the covenants Israel received through Abraham and Moses. The Book of Mormon presents two additional conceptual frameworks: an explicit divine plan of redemption or salvation that existed before Abraham, making eternal life possible for God’s human children universally — not just the descendants of Abraham. And it also teaches the gospel or doctrine of Christ that provides the path individuals must walk to take full advantage of that plan — as they become good like God and qualify to enter his presence and receive eternal life.