Sunday, March 17, 2013

Mosiah 8

Mosiah 8

Mosiah 8: 1-11

rehearse...............................................................Ammon fills in the history of Zarahemla
last words of Benjamin.........................................Ammon explains the teachings of the king
dismissed...........................................................after the assemblage, the adjournment
plates brought........................................................hopes that Ammon can read
interpret..................................................................Ammon unable to read the record
party of 43......................................................sent to find Zarahemla
land of many waters.................................................unknown place
24 plates..................................................................found a record left by the dead people
other things.............................................................weapons of wars, rusted and decaying
cause of their destruction.............................................want to find out the problem with the people


A search party sent out from Limhi is unabe to locate Zarahemla, but they do find the ruins of a once great people.

Mosiah 8: 12-

gift from God.......................................................Ammon explains that Mosiah can translate
the king....................................................................holds the gift of God to translate
seer.......................................................................greater than a prophet


Mosiah 8: 13-17

lift up....................................................................tells people to pray and turn to God for help
abominations.............................................................why the people fell into bondage to others
overzealous..........................................................the ancestor was to proud to be successful
pay tribute..........................................................allowed them to be financiers of Lamanaties by force
grievous.................................................................very difficult requirements from Lamanites
bring weapons and shields........................................have prepared for the right moment to flee
plates...................................................................have the plates of Ether
King a seer...........................................................Mosiah is a translating prophet.
seer.......................................................................greater than a prophet.  A revelator
past present future......................................................great power of God

King Mosiah 8: 18-21

great benefit.....................................................those with such Godly power are great help to others
rejoiced.............................................................this makes Limhi especially happy
plates.................................................................they are important, but they cannot read them
not seek wisdom..............................................men are often too distracted to get help from God
wild flock..........................................................Lord's people are very hard to lead.
driven and devoured...........................................symbolically, flock of God are often lost and vulnerable to forces that separate them and cause their destruction

A search party locates a migrating group that has come under the severe leadership of a large group of Lamanites.  Their king wants to free his people from bondage.  The group is humble and fearsome of their predicament.  Ammon, a man of faith, directs their attention to King Mosiah, a prophet king, who translate a set of records they have found from a lost people.


Friday, March 15, 2013

Mosiah 7

Mosiah 7

Mosiah 7:  1-9

Desire to know about split away group...................................Mosiah teased by his people
sixteen.............................................................a group sent into Lamanite territory to look
Ammon...................................................................described as mighty and strong
40 days................................................................literally or does it mean "many"?
took three.........................................................a party of 4 enters the new land
taken..................................................................almost immediately captured and incarcerated
commanded to answer.....................................interrogated by the king of the land
Limhi......................................................................the king is Nephite, son of Noah "elected"

A brave group goes into enemy country is ironically captured by a Nephite group that they are seeking.

Mosiah 7: 10-12

why so bold.........................................................does not understand the actions of the group
thankful................................................................shows deference to this king
exceedingly glad.....................................................once understanding the fear turns to joy
deliver us..................................................................Nephites here force to be vassals
others.......................................................................the full band is brought into the city
gather.................................................................town has a temple.  All to assemble
effectual struggle...................................................expects that the move will cause war

What began as a fear turns into a tentative joy.

Mosiah 7: 13-17

lift up....................................................................tells people to pray and turn to God for help
abominations.............................................................why the people fell into bondage to others
overzealous..........................................................the ancestor was to proud to be successful
pay tribute..........................................................allowed them to be financiers of Lamanaties by force
grievous.................................................................very difficult requirements from Lamanites

The Nephites are forced to submitt to exorbitant demands to the Lamanites.

Mosiah 7: 18-33

no longer in subjection.............................................prophecy that they will be saved
king calls for faith......................................................sees the coming of Ammon as deliverance
abominations............................................................people under condemnation for their actions
given over..............................................................have been place under the power of Lamanites
tribute.....................................................................very heavy taxes to the Lamanites
mourn................................................................many have been killed
shed blood.........................................................a curse for the horrible behavior
prophet slain.........................................................justice because they killed a prophet
taught of Christ..........................................................prophet was slain for teaching Christ
put to death.........................................................ordered killed by the leadership
will not succor.........................................................the Lord does not proper the wicked
reap the chaff....................................................such a terrible act that they must suffer
reap the east wind..............................................like a hurricane, they will be suddenly destroyed
promise of delivery..............................................contingent on a profound repentence

The people have been severely punished for killing a righteous prophet (Abinadi).  As a result they have fallen under the Lamanites.


Thursday, March 14, 2013

Mosiah 6

Mosiah 6

Mosiah 6: 1-7

take the names........................................................the King takes a census, records believers
covenant................................................................the people commit themselves to the faith
dismissed...............................................................after completing the ceremony, the son becomes King and the people go home
walk in the ways..................................................an overall judgement of Mosiah's reign:  good
king himself works...............................................a strong belief to keep taxes low

The transition of the reigns of Benjamin and Mosiah takes place.  Both kings considered faithful and good.  This extends both to the faith and to the leadership of the nation.  Mosiah works for his own living, not becoming a burden to his people.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Mosiah 5

Mosiah 5

Mosiah 5: 1-6

if believed.......................................................conducts a detailed opinion poll
one voice..........................................................results overwhelmingly support his thoughts
infinite goodness.................................................people united in their religious beliefs
great knowledge...................................................belief that the religion has tremendous potential
covenant.........................................................willing to make a public commitment to be loyal
I desired............................................................King Benjamin pleased with outcome

King Benjamin conducts an extensive public opinion poll to ascertain whether or not the public supports his religious manifesto.  The indicators support his hopes, and he prepares to step up the religious ceremony with a public covenant with God.  Some believe this process is similar to many done in the Middle East when royal leaders were in transition from father to son.

Mosiah 5: 7-12

children of Christ..............................................a designation to indicate acceptance of Messiah
made free............................................................acceptable to God, under his salvation
no other name................................................will accept no other path to salvation
left hand.......................................................other not acceptable to Christ
blotted out............................................................losing your name from the Book of Life
know the voice....................................................important to recognize the voice of God

If we follow the Lord's teachings, and if we accept him, we can gain the skill of knowing when we are in the Spirit of unity with Christ, and we will be blessed.

Mosiah 5: 13-15

master.........................................................men manifest to whom they listen, God or Satan
men drive away.............................................if we have an animal feeding with our own, we cut it out of the herd
learn...........................................................God will do the same
justice and mercy..............................................if we follow Christ's teaching we are promised mercy.

We cannot expect to be of the fold of Christ, if we are not of his children.  It is our duty to learn how this applies to us, and to follow Christ and His directions to us.

Mosiah 5

The people of King Benjamin are reminded of their relationship to Jesus Christ, of how we make choices that can seal us for ever to the Savior.  What we must recognize is that we do not make the rules, rather He does.  Those rules are clear, and we can gain direction to help us during our lives.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Mosiah 4

Mosiah 4

Mosiah 4:  1-11

fallen to the earth.......................................................act of submission, humbling
remission of sins...................................................forgiven by God, worthy of mercy
man who receiveth salvation..........................................will endure to the end
conditions..............................................................salvation comes as a covenant.
steadfast..................................................................do not falter, keep the faith

Salvation and eternal life are bestowed on those who meet thge conditions of the atonement and the covenant.

Mosiah 4: 12-19

will grow in knowledge...........................................those who live righteously in faith
each his due....................................................people should receive things
serve the devil....................................................those who cause trouble and harm others
teach to walk.....................................................responsible to teach the younger generation
succor.............................................................give comfort and help
shalt say.............................................................guilty of condemning the destitute
repent...........................................................must cease to condemn others

We have responsibilities to those in need who are around us.

Mosiah 4: 20-29

poured out Spirit............................................have received divine guidance
grant unto you................................................prosperity that comes from the Lord
wo unto him....................................................condemnation on the judgmental
impart of substance..........................................share the things you have
run faster than he can........................................we are expected to use wisdom when helping
borroweth......................................................return the things that you borrow
watch yourselves................................................we are expected to monitor ourselves

The Lord wants us to help others, but we need to use the wisdom we have and to monitor ourselves.

Mosiah 4

This is a reminder that we do not get to heaven alone.  We need to help others on the level that the other needs and that we have the means to help.


Friday, March 8, 2013

Mosiah 3

Mosiah 3

Mosiah 3: 1-7

which is to come..........................................................prophetic about future events
angel.....................................................................speaks with authority of an angel
awake and hear......................................................receiver to be awake and alert
Lord hath heard...........................................................the Lord has chosen to given the message
judged of thy righteousness.......................................the great Judge finds you worthy
shall come down.......................................................Christ to be born (Messiah)
mighty miracles.........................................................of a strong and notable manner
shall suffer temptation....................................................will have a mortal test like others
great anguish............................................................will understand what others go through

King Benjamin receives a witness and a prophecy concerning the mortal ministry of the future Messiah.

Mosiah 3: 8-13

Creator..............................................................among his titles is the Creator
faith through his name...................................................men must believe in Him to be saved
consider him a man.................................................the world in general will reject his most important role
rise the 3rd day,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Christ will be the first resurrected on the earth
blood atones.......................................................reconciliation will require Christ's life with blood
for the sins.........................................................a universal reconciliation for all sinners
holy prophets.....................................................will work with his chosen servants, who will likewise suffer

The atonement of Christ will cover the sins of the righteous through all time.  This makes it a universal.  And men must accept this role in order to be saved from their sins.  Also, the Lord will have a profound understanding of the severe trials of men because of his own life and experiences.

Mosiah 3: 14-20

law of Moses........................................................given because of the limitations of men
hardened hearts....................................................men will reject the main purpose of the Law of Moses
Adam and Christ.....................................................mortality and immortality have their laws
no other name.........................................................Decreed;  only on Savior, Jesus Christ
children saved........................................................The atonement is automatic for children
yield..................................................................we must overcome Satan and we must believe in Christ through the Holy Ghost
like a child.............................................................children are acceptable before Christ.  We must earn the acceptability according to his commandments
knowledge shall spread...............................................The future will see the mission of Christ taught to all the world

Christ provides a law for men to live by in order for the atonement to take place.  He will send the Spirit to help men, but if they reject the Holy Ghost they will be unable to qualify for the full effects of the Atonement.  The laws given are to define the law, but the Lord understands the severity of the trial, so he allows for men to earn reconciliation, if they do as he requires.  Children under the age of accountability qualify automatically.

Mosiah 3: 21-27

none blameless..........................................................No one can find excuses
bright testimony...........................................................King Benjamin's words published and binding
evil..........................................................................will have everlasting consequences
cup of wrath.............................................................men who willingly transgress the law are under condemnation
torment is like.......................................................the punishment is made symbolic to make certain men understand how tragic a missed life will be.

King Benjamin makes it clear that each person must work out his own salvation with the help of the Lord.

Mosiah 3

This chapter stresses to men and women their responsibility with the Lord for designing and living their lives in a way that will be acceptable to the Lord, so that they can earn everlasting life.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Mosiah 2

Mosiah 2

Mosiah 2: 1-7

proclamation to gather..........................................formal meeting between king and people
did not number.........................................assemblage so large as to be uncountable
firstlings.........................................................a day for animal sacrifices
thanks to Lord..................................................a remembrance of the law of Moses
pitched tents.................................................a ceremony requiring temporary lodging
doors to the temple..................................a sacred orientation for the speech of King Benjamin
tower built.............................................necessary in order to have the people hear and see

A huge number of people respond to the proclamation for the people to gather to hear King Benjamin's farewell speech

Mosiah 2: 8-23

words written.............................................assemblage too large for all to hear
mortal man..................................................King Benjamin shows his mortality and humility
suffered..........................................................allowed by lot to lead the people
days in service.................................................the king labored all days for the people
taught commandments....................................established law based on the law of God
not laden with taxes...........................................King himself works so people not overburdened
answers to God.............................................did his best, will be rewarded by God
service........................................................service to man is service to God
serve one another...............................................follow the King's example
give thanks..........................................................show humility by subjecting self to God
prospering.........................................................contingent on keeping God's commandments

The king starts his speech by reminding the people to show service and humility.

Mosiah 2: 24-41

all men of the dust of earth................................reminder of the mortal realities
rid my garments......................................by teaching others, he absolves self from guilt
stepping down...........................................officially coronates his son Mosiah as new king
beware contentions.......................................put down the animosities and work together
punishment..................................................those who stir up contentions are cursed
render to Him............................................we are expected to live for God, doing His will.
transgressing..................................................leads the Spirit to leave that person
unholy temples.......................................God does not reside with the wicked. We need repentance
mercy......................................................only given to the repentant
remember.....................................................a need to remind about the commandments

The king reminds his people of their need to help others and to work with harmony.  He also exorts all to repent for the transgressions against the law, and that those who do not repent will be unworthy of the Lord's mercy.

2 Mosiah

The great king Benjamin served his people, and he calls on all the others to do the same.  He reminds his people to work together as they keep the commandments.


Friday, March 1, 2013

Mosiah 1

Mosiah 1

Mosiah 1: 1-5

no more contention...................................................political and societal conflicts at a minimum
3 sons....................................................................Mosiah, Helorum, Helaman
teach sons records.....................................................very strong education in the historical records
must teach an ancient language to them.........................not a simple task.  Language changing
danger of dwindling...................................................complicated with changing language and remembering.

Already the Nephite-Mulekite nation has a problem reading a language several hundred years old.  Mosiah must have his sons taught in the old language..

Mosiah 1: 6-10

record of migration...............................................reasserts the arguments as first recorded
keep commandments..............................................reanchors the people in the original statements
king Benjamin waxes old..........................................King Benjamin prepares to leave the office
Mosiah proclaimed king.......................................a new king called and announced to the people
give a name........................................................a formal covenant making assembly
diligent............................................................a commitment to active work

Part of the passage of leadership from father to son requires the subjects of the land to commit themselves to keep the commandments of God and to follow the new leadership.  Benjamin sees a need for people to avoid nuances in religion and government by restudying the past and the written word.

Mosiah 1:  11-18

highly favored....................................................there is a reason for the divine assistance
if....................................................................remember the contingencies for divine help
gave charge.....................................................after formal address Benjamin resigns office
formal transfers.............................................king in possession of the Liahona and other relics
inasmuch........................................................a history of the power behind Liahona
remembrance of duty.................................................one does not simply get the power
Mosiah proclaims..................................................new king kicks off a very strong start
gather to temple......................................................a formal meeting in the temple with his people

This illustrates the formal and ritual passage of national power from one administration to the next.

King Benjamin labors to make certain that all aspects of his personal duty are met in passing the power of his kingdom to his son, Mosiah.  He particularly centers on the message from the distant past to remind his country of the need for studying and teaching the original principles of notables of the past, particularly Nephi.