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.

Jacob 1

Jacob 1

Jacob 1: 1-7

small plates................................................................indicative of 2 sets of records being kept
most precious..............................................................the smaller set of records for spiritual messages
larger, secular..................................................................a more secular history of the people, lengthier
Christ's sake.............................................................keep in mind the purpose of the spiritual
come unto Christ.......................................................active spiritual ministry.  Works for God

There is a need for both a careful secular history and a primarily religious and spiritual record.  The small plates have as a purpose the welfare of the people in accepting and working in faith.

Jacob 1: 8-19

anointed...................................................................Nephi's people have a duly installed king
his name................................................................a great fondness for Nephi that becomes legacy
leaders name after him................................................1st Nephi, 2nd, etc
tribal .........................................................................7 major groups come after him
Nephi and Laman......................................................the 7 break into 2 political divisions
hard in hearts....................................................a lessening of faith.  Nephites begin to reject
sin of David..................................................................these people have sexual sins
search for gold and silver..............................................became very materialistic.  Ownership
taught in temple.......................................................Jacob teaches from the temple
consecrated..........................................................Jacob sets up the leadership of the Church
magnify office.................................................the servants of God are diligent in service

Jacob is the prophet.  He sets up the Church firmly, insisting that the gospel of Christ is taught, and he reminds men to follow the gospel.

This chapter quickly moves through Nephi's latter years to the illustrate how with time, the level of faith within the community lessens.  Part of this occurs simultaneously with the establishment of a government with a monarch at the head.  He speaks of the sins of David, especially of plural marriage and of the concubines held by the new kings.  He diligently establishes a strong religious organization and teaches the leaders to be teachers and to counteract the growing wickedness.

2 Nephi 19

2 Nephi 19;  Isaiah 9

2 Nephi 19: 1-5

darkness, light...............................................................the Lord will come to a blinded people
joy......................................................................the end effect, great hope for the people
broke the yoke.....................................................the great cause of the sadness removed
rod of oppressor......................................................the power of Satan eliminated

Christ will come to the earth when many ordinary people will be in a fallen state caused by spiritual depression and oppression

2 Nephi 19: 6-12

He shall be called...................................................Messianic mission of Christ
lighted on Israel..................................................Christ to appear among the Children of Israel
all the people...............................................although Christ comes to Palestine, will affect all
rebuild........................................................Christ's mission will repair the broken pieces of Israel
devour Israel.................................................the Lord will allow the dissolution of nationalism
stretched out still........................................although failing, a chance given for repentance

Christ will come at a time when Israel is destroyed as a political unit.  The work he does will establish the latter-day rebuilding of a political entity, but not until Israel understands the Lord's requirements.

2 Nephi 19: 13-21

do not turn to Christ...........................................Israel's biggest failure, not accepting the Messiah
head and tail.......................................................The Lord does not allow Israel to be a kingdom
cause err.............................................................the leadership of the country to blame
no joy............................................................the population does not prosper with faulty leadership
wickedness burneth.........................................the consequences of wickedness is burning
wrath of the Lord................................................the Lord removes himself from the wicked
eat the flesh of the arm.........................................the curse for evil doers, they destroy themselves
inside attack....................................................House of Judah v House of Joseph

A description of the force that are holding the children of Israel back.  They are not united, and they have rejected the mission of the Messiah

2 Nephi 19

This chapter underscores the importance of the people of Israel to seek for spiritual rather than political strength.  The seeking for power without submitting to the Lord will be overruled, for the covenant and promise of the Lord only occurs when the people do their work within the rules that the Lord himself has set.  When the people do this correctly, the Lord will exert his influence, and nothing can stop the country from prospering at that poi9nt.