A Study of the Book of Mormon

Mosiah 9:1-2 I find this chapter very interesting for several reasons. Zeniff became leader of a people that returned to the land of Lehi-Nephi. We learn however from the first account given of this group over in Omni 1:27-29 that Zeniff wasn't the first leader of this group, but that it was a stiff-necked individual that caused them to fight amongst themselves. With both references in context, it appears that their purpose in going back up to the land of Nephi-Lehi was so that they could possess the land. One leader sought to do it contentiously. He was destroyed. The next (Zeniff) sought an agreement or treaty with Lamanites. Neither worked in the end, but the latter did give them a season of peace and prosperity. So as a spy, Zeniff was part of an army that was commanded to destroy the Lamanites. When he saw that which was good among them, he had no desire to destroy them. However, his leader commanded that Zeniff should also be killed for his opinion. A great battle resulted a...

Mosiah 8 It is interesting that Ammon was called upon to relate to the people of Limhi all that had happened in the Zarahemla. Not only that, but he was also able to declare unto them the words of king Benjamin. This reminded me of a recent visit where we were talking about prophets and how it is that we have a living prophet today. The natural question that followed was, "What has the prophet said today?" It was my responsibility to relate from memory the most recent words of the prophet. Do I really recognize the great blessing that it is to have a prophet among the people of the Church? After the meeting with the people of Limhi, the chapter goes on to relate a discussion between the king and Ammon. Limhi asks him if he is able to translate some records that his people had obtained. Why did Limhi ask Ammon if he could translate? Perhaps it was because of the power of the words that had been delivered to his people concerning the history of Zarahelma and the words of king B...

Mosiah 7:14-33 There have been just a few thoughts regarding bondage and spiritual slavery as I've reviewed these verses in English. It seems that in many cases spiritual bondage as a result of sin precedes physical bondage or limitation in one form or another. Other times, physical limitations or disabilities are not the direct result of sin, but to teach us the difference between the physical and the spiritual. Indeed, the physical can be severely handicapped, while the spiritual side of our beings is allowed to grow and flourish. The essence of a vibrant spirit is one that has complete trust in God and is completely, unconditionally filled with the love of God and love of our fellow man. This can be misunderstood as naivety or plain foolishness by our mortal capacities. But make no mistake, one who can freely forgive and love without condition is free from a host of spiritual limitations. In theses verses, king Limhi counsels his people to prepare to leave the land of Nephi. The...

Mosiah 7:6-13 These verses relate how Ammon and his brethren were taken and imprisoned. I am impressed by the attitude of Ammon in these circumstances.  In verse 13, he says that if the king had known Ammon and his brethren, he would not have permitted that they suffered in prison. This is the Spirit of peace and it avoids contention. Ammon was possessor of this Spirit.

Mosiah 7:1-5 In all reality, these verses at the beginning of this chapter would have no significance to me, if it where not for the circumstances that I find myself in at present. Ammon and the other members of his company wondered without direction for forty days ( verse 4 ). On occasion, we receive commandments that require that we go out into the wilderness without direction. We don't know how to fulfill the commandment, but we go anyways. This is contrary to the line of thought we should wait to keep the commandments until we have received direction from the Spirit as to how to keep the commandments. Even more common is the thought that we should wait until circumstances are better or more convenient to keep the commandments. Many times, the essential guiding influence that we need to keep the commandments doesn't come until after we have started to do so.

Mosiah 6 At the beginning of the chapter, "king Benjamin thought it was expedient... that he should take the names of all those who had entered into a covenant with God to keep his commandments." There is a footnote that leads to Doctrine and Covenants 128:8 where it speaks of the relationship between records made on earth and records made in heaven. It impresses me, then, the importance of the priesthood in the maintenance of the records and ordinances of the Church. The relationship of making covenants to keep the commandments is also noteworthy. To help the people in this covenant, Benjamin consecrated priests with the purpose of teaching the people how to continue keeping the commandments. It is curious that to assist in keeping the commandments, they made covenants. I'm contemplating the process in which one arrives at that point of wanting to make a covenant to keep the commandments. This can only happen when one has listened to the words of Christ, whether from he...

Mosiah 5 This particular chapter has impacted me in a particularly personal way. I've taken a few personal notes, but have otherwise chosen not to publish a blog post about this particular chapter. Thank you.