The Name Jesus in the Book of Mormon
In the Book of Mormon, an angel uses the name “Jesus Christ” years before the time of Christ (2 Nephi 25:19; Mosiah 3:8, etc.). Yet in Old Testament times, the name “Jesus Christ” was never used in reference to the Son of God. The first time His name was revealed was when Gabriel appeared to Mary (Luke 1:31).
Book of Mormon prophets recieved their information on the name of the Savior through direct revelation and also from other Book of Mormon prophets and not from the Old Testament. Nevertheless, it is interesting that Isaiah’s use of the word “savior” in Isaiah 43:11, as well as other usages of names (such as “Joshua”) seem to prefigure the name of Christ, as a number of early Christian writers noted. The words “savior” and “Joshua” derive from the same Hebrew root as Yeshuca, which is the name of Christ given by Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:31). “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Many early Christian writings indicate that details of Christ’s mortal ministry, including the name of his mother and his own name, were known to ancient prophets before his coming.