Mosiah 28

I find it interesting that Mormon, with no explanation tells us that king Mosiah  -

"...took the plates of brass, and all the things which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the interpreters, and conferred them upon him, and commanded him that he should keep and preserve them, and also keep a record of the people, handing them down from one generation to another, even as they had been handed down from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem."  (Mosiah 28:20)

Maybe because -

"...not any of his sons who would accept of the kingdom."  (Mosiah 28:10)

...and he knew that the kingship was about to end.

Mosiah 27

Righteous king Mosiah sent out a proclamation that -

"...they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for their support.
5 Yea, and all their priests and teachers should labor with their own hands for their support, in all cases save it were in sickness, or in much want; and doing these things, they did abound in the grace of God."  (Mosiah 27:4–5)

And by doing so, Mormon explains -

"...the Lord did visit them and prosper them, and they became a large and wealthy people.  (Mosiah 27:7)

Think about that when politicians speak otherwise.

Mosiah 26

As Alma, probably partially concerned by his own past, approaches the Lord on what to do with rebellious sinners, one thing he is told -

"...Go; and whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also.
30 Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me."  (Mosiah 26:29–30)

I find it comforting that the Lord teaches "as often as my people repent will I forgive".

Mosiah 24

I have always wondered why...if Alma and his people escape Helam as the Lord puts the Lamanites to sleep, why didn't He protect them again in their newly settled place...Alma where -

"...the Lord said unto Alma: Haste thee and get thou and this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awakened and do pursue thee; therefore get thee out of this land, and I will stop the Lamanites in this valley that they come no further in pursuit of this people."  (Mosiah 24:23)


After this past general conference, I sent the following to the Elders quorum -


"Reviewing Church history, we know that Joseph Smith, Sr. experienced multiple economic setbacks, failures and discouragements during the time he lived in New England, including some investments that went south, crop failures due to weather, family health, etc. causing he and his family to move multiples times while in New England.  Each time having to pick himself up and moving he and his family forward.


In Elder Ballard’s remarks in general conference, he referred to Joseph Smith, Sr. and his family finally giving up with New England, moving to Manchester and “starting over” on a 100 acre parcel of land. He commented, “I’m not sure if that many of us realize the physical and emotional challenges that starting over presented the Smith family”.

With all of these difficult challenges the Smiths were experiencing, and probably wondering why, we now can see years later, with 20/20 vision, how much the Lord’s hand was intimately involved in their life.  The Lord needed Joseph Smith, Sr. with his future prophet son, in Manchester.  We all know how much Joseph Smith Sr. was blessed because of it."

It dawned on me this morning that Alma's people probably could have done just fine in valley of Alma if the Lord willed.  But we see that the Lord wanted Alma in the land of Zarahemla.  And because of that, Alma and his people were blessed.

Mosiah 23

As Mormon teaches that God, at times, "seeth fit to chasten His people", he adds -

"...behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob.
24 And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did show forth his mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings."  (Mosiah 23:23–24)

In a day of bondage in an invisible disease, I have faith that He will deliver us.

Mosiah 21

Today, I couldn't help but compare our battle with the Coronavirus to that of the people of Limhi -

 "Yea, all this was done that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled."  (Mosiah 21:4)

Such that -

:...they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies.
14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions.
15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage.
16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger."  (Mosiah 21:13–16)

The Lord's purpose seems to be much the same today.

Mosiah 19

You can almost sense the character of Mormon and his only desire to include that which the Lord would have him as he writes of king Noah -

"...they were angry with the king, and caused that he should suffer, even unto death by fire."  (Mosiah 19:20)

That all he wrote concerning Noah's death showing no grudge.

Mosiah 18

I find it interesting that Alma taught his people -

"...that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets."  (Mosiah 18:19)

I think that still applies today.

Mosiah 17

Just like the Jewish leadership with the Savior, Noah and his priests condemn Abinadi having said -

"...that God himself should come down among the children of men; and now, for this cause thou shalt be put to death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people."  (Mosiah 17:8)

The exact same false reasoning.

Mosiah 16

Abinadi warned king Noah and his wicked priests -

"...remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God..."  (Mosiah 16:5)

Which suggests having to experience justice and punishment.

Mosiah 15

This chapter is one of my favorites in all of scripture.  A message that wass so important that the Lord allowed Abinadi to be a martyr for.  One being  -

"Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God.
12 For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed?"  (Mosiah 15:11–12)

I specifically note "all those who have hearkened unto their words" are His seed.

Mosiah 14

Abinadi speaks of the Savior -

"He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities."  (Mosiah 14:11)

The Savior knew that His infinite suffering and atonement would happen.  Just like many of us that experience tribulation, we are greatly satisfied as we overcome such.

But most important is that He will justify or make just many, based upon His conditions for -

"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."   (Articles of Faith 1:3)

Mosiah 13

Abinadi teaches -

"...that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses."  (Mosiah 13:28)

The word "alone" suggests that obedience and works are still essential.  This has always been taught for -

"...did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things?"  (Mosiah 13:33)

Which truly suggest that many teachings have been removed from the Old Testament.

Mosiah 12

Even as the people of king Noah knowingly committed sin, as they brought forth Abinadi, they told the king -

"...what great evil hast thou done, or what great sins have thy people committed, that we should be condemned of God or judged of this man?
14 And now, O king, behold, we are guiltless, and thou, O king, hast not sinned; therefore, this man has lied concerning you..."  (Mosiah 12:13–14)

I see this much the same in our day where the world twists "good is evil, and evil is good"

Mosiah 11

After Abinadi spoke the word of God, wicked people responded -

"...they were wroth with him, and sought to take away his life..."  (Mosiah 11:26)

And Noah responded -

",,,Who is Abinadi, that I and my people should be judged of him, or who is the Lord",,,"  (Mosiah 11:27)

This seems the response of any wicked group.  That is, get angry, seek to destroy, and question their credibility.

Mosiah 10

Zeniff teaches one of the greatest tools of Satan..."victimhood" where the Lamanites believed -

"...that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their fathers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their brethren, and they were also wronged while crossing the sea;
13 And again, that they were wronged while in the land of their first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea, and all this because that Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord—therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them, and he took the lead of their journey in the wilderness.
14 And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord.
15 And again, they were wroth with him when they had arrived in the promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill him.
16 And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them.
17 And thus they have taught their children that they should hate them..."  (Mosiah 10:12–17)

It is victimhood that leads to blaming everyone else for you problems.

Mosiah 9

Even though Zeniff was referring to the Lamanites as the enemy, there is a great analogy to our day as he wrote -

"Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle…for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.
18 And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers..."  (Mosiah 9:17–18)

As our Prophet has asked us to participate in a global fast this Friday, I feel He will hear our cries and answer our prayers.

Mosiah 8

Ammon taught, which obviously Mormon agreed -

"...a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known."  (Mosiah 8:17)

"Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings."  (Mosiah 8:18)

This past weekend we listened to several seers that I believe led us in the way we should go and what we should do.

Mosiah 7

Limhi reminds his people that the Prophet Abinadi was put to death and comments  -

"...Therefore, who wondereth that they are in bondage, and that they are smitten with sore afflictions?
29 For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them.
30 And again, he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind; and the effect thereof is poison."  (Mosiah 7:28–30)

But then adds -

"But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."  (Mosiah 7:33)

Mosiah 5

It seems in ancient scripture that when a righteous person makes a new covenant with God, they are given a new name (i.e Abraham, Sarah, Israel).  To me it is symbolic of being born again, becoming a new creature, thus taking on a new name.

King Benjamin taught -

"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters."  (Mosiah 5:7)

Thus truly taking upon us the name of Christ, making a covenant to serve Him, keep His commandments, always remembering Him, consecrating and representing him, and doing His will, we in a sense becomes as Scandinavian countries, besides receiving a name, our surname comes from our fathers name.  In this case "Christson".  Thus -

"There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ."  (Mosiah 5:8–9)

Mosiah 4

As king Benjamin teaches the things that we must do such as prayer and succoring the poor and needy, and other principles, he counsels -

"...believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them."  (Mosiah 4:10)

I couldn't help but think and the world prays for the relief of the Coronavirus, that they need to do more "repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God" and "see that ye do them".