Mosiah 1-3 Beginning with Mosiah, Mormon abridges the books on the large plates of Nephi. The 5...

Mosiah 1-3Mosiah 1-3

Beginning with Mosiah, Mormon abridges the Beginning with Mosiah, Mormon abridges the books on the large plates of Nephi. The 5 books on the large plates of Nephi. The 5 books that follow Alma, Helaman, 3 Nephi, 4 books that follow Alma, Helaman, 3 Nephi, 4 Nephi, and Mormon were abridged or Nephi, and Mormon were abridged or condensed by Mormon and written by Mormon condensed by Mormon and written by Mormon on the plates of Mormon.. on the plates of Mormon..

This is why there is a shift from 1This is why there is a shift from 1stst person to 3 person to 3rdrd personperson..

Mosiah in Hebrew means “Mosiah in Hebrew means “Savior or rescuerSavior or rescuer.”.”

Mosiah 1:3Mosiah 1:3 ““Mysteries of GodMysteries of God””

It denotes the saving principles of the Gospel of Jesus It denotes the saving principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ. They are termed mysteries because they are They are termed mysteries because they are unavailable to the natural manunavailable to the natural man. They are intended to . They are intended to lead God’s children to eternal life.lead God’s children to eternal life.

3 Nephite Kings3 Nephite Kings::

MosiahMosiah BenjaminBenjamin MosiahMosiah

Mosiah 1:11-12Mosiah 1:11-12

The name appears to be “The name appears to be “Children of ChristChildren of Christ.”.”

Mosiah 1:10Mosiah 1:10

Mosiah to Be the New KingMosiah to Be the New King

There is a striking similarity between Mosiah’s There is a striking similarity between Mosiah’s ascendancy to the Nephite throne in the first ascendancy to the Nephite throne in the first chapters of Mosiah and how kings were chapters of Mosiah and how kings were crowned in the Old Testament.crowned in the Old Testament.

Some notable similarities between Book of Some notable similarities between Book of Mormon and Old Testament coronation Mormon and Old Testament coronation ceremonies include:ceremonies include:

1.1. A belief that kings were chosen by heaven A belief that kings were chosen by heaven (Mosiah 1:9-10; 6:3, 5, 1 Kings 2:15).(Mosiah 1:9-10; 6:3, 5, 1 Kings 2:15).

2.2. The Sanctuary as the place of The Sanctuary as the place of coronation coronation (Mosiah 1:18, 1 Kings 1:39-45).(Mosiah 1:18, 1 Kings 1:39-45).

3.3. Bestowal of sacred relics, artifacts, or Bestowal of sacred relics, artifacts, or other objects at the time of coronation other objects at the time of coronation (Mosiah 1:15-16, 2 Kings 11:12).(Mosiah 1:15-16, 2 Kings 11:12).

4.4. Anointing (Mosiah 6:3, 1 Kings 1:33-34).Anointing (Mosiah 6:3, 1 Kings 1:33-34).

““In addition, the ideal was In addition, the ideal was that the new king take office that the new king take office before the death of the old before the death of the old one, and this transfer of one, and this transfer of power was connected with the power was connected with the ceremony where the people ceremony where the people make or renew their covenant make or renew their covenant with God” (Ricks, in with God” (Ricks, in Rediscovering the Book of Rediscovering the Book of MormonMormon, 216)., 216).


3 tokens of Nephite Kingship3 tokens of Nephite Kingship::

1. Plates1. Plates2. Sword of Laban2. Sword of Laban3. The ball or director3. The ball or director

Mosiah 2 is one of the most eloquent and Mosiah 2 is one of the most eloquent and profound chapters of all of holy-writ. profound chapters of all of holy-writ.

It is not for slothful servants, but a dispensation It is not for slothful servants, but a dispensation of the “mysteries of God” to some of the most of the “mysteries of God” to some of the most diligent people whom God had led out of diligent people whom God had led out of Jerusalem.Jerusalem.


““A stewardship ReportA stewardship Report””


This is a sermon about humility, This is a sermon about humility, gratitude, and the Atonement. King gratitude, and the Atonement. King Benjamin seemed to be suggesting Benjamin seemed to be suggesting that they were living the Law of Moses, that they were living the Law of Moses, but maybe not understanding all of it’s but maybe not understanding all of it’s emphasis placed on the Savior.emphasis placed on the Savior.

Isn’t the measure of the level of your Isn’t the measure of the level of your conversion how you treat others?conversion how you treat others?

Service to others is what the gospel and Service to others is what the gospel and exalted life are all about.exalted life are all about.

If our service is to be most efficacious, it If our service is to be most efficacious, it must be accomplished for the love of God must be accomplished for the love of God and the love of his children.and the love of his children.

Is there any greater service rendered Is there any greater service rendered than that of doing work for the dead?than that of doing work for the dead?

A member of the Church in Great Britain said it best. A member of the Church in Great Britain said it best. He had served as stake president. As that period of He had served as stake president. As that period of prominence came to an end, he told Elder Boyd K. prominence came to an end, he told Elder Boyd K. Packer why it did not bother him to be released: “I Packer why it did not bother him to be released: “I served because I am under covenant. And I can keep served because I am under covenant. And I can keep my covenants quite as well as a home teacher as I can my covenants quite as well as a home teacher as I can serving as stake president” (C.R., Apr. 1987, 26).serving as stake president” (C.R., Apr. 1987, 26).

Numberless officers, teachers, advisers, and clerks Numberless officers, teachers, advisers, and clerks keep their covenants in that same way. Their service is keep their covenants in that same way. Their service is almost invisible, except to Him who sees all things and almost invisible, except to Him who sees all things and promises all who do good that they shall “in nowise lose promises all who do good that they shall “in nowise lose their reward.”their reward.”

President David O. McKay said:President David O. McKay said:

““There is no position in the Church that is too There is no position in the Church that is too humble for the greatest man to serve in humble for the greatest man to serve in ((Stepping Stones to an Abundant LifeStepping Stones to an Abundant Life, [1971], , [1971], 166).166).

God does not begin by asking us about our God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability! (Neal A. Maxwell, “capability! (Neal A. Maxwell, “It’s Service, Not It’s Service, Not Status, That CountsStatus, That Counts” 7).” 7).

There are…times when one of the greatest acts There are…times when one of the greatest acts of service we can perform is to stop something. of service we can perform is to stop something. The emotional chain of reaction and overreaction The emotional chain of reaction and overreaction can come at us like electric voltage; it is very can come at us like electric voltage; it is very tempting to simply pass along. But we must say, tempting to simply pass along. But we must say, “Let it stop with me.” Brave battered French “Let it stop with me.” Brave battered French soldiers in World War 1 finally held against an soldiers in World War 1 finally held against an invading enemy at place called Verdun, where invading enemy at place called Verdun, where the solemn password was “They shall not pass.” the solemn password was “They shall not pass.” At times we too should be stern, sweet sentries At times we too should be stern, sweet sentries willing to expose ourselves to misunderstanding willing to expose ourselves to misunderstanding and pain in order to keep undesirable things from and pain in order to keep undesirable things from spreading any farther (Neal A. Maxwell, spreading any farther (Neal A. Maxwell, All These All These Thing Shall Give Thee ExperienceThing Shall Give Thee Experience, 64)., 64).


I don’t know of any, excepting the unpardonable sin, I don’t know of any, excepting the unpardonable sin, that is greater than the sin of _____________ (D&C that is greater than the sin of _____________ (D&C 59:21).59:21).

““I believe that one of the greatest sins of which the I believe that one of the greatest sins of which the inhabitants of the earth are guilty today is the sin of inhabitants of the earth are guilty today is the sin of ingratitude, the want of acknowledgement, on their ingratitude, the want of acknowledgement, on their part, of God and his right to govern and control. We part, of God and his right to govern and control. We see a man raised up with extraordinary gifts, or with see a man raised up with extraordinary gifts, or with great intelligence, and he is instrumental in developing great intelligence, and he is instrumental in developing some great principle. He and the world ascribe his some great principle. He and the world ascribe his great genius and wisdom to himself. He attributes his great genius and wisdom to himself. He attributes his success to his own energies, labor and mental capacity. success to his own energies, labor and mental capacity. He does not acknowledge the hand of God in anything He does not acknowledge the hand of God in anything connected with his success, but ignores him altogether connected with his success, but ignores him altogether and takes the honor unto himself; this will apply to and takes the honor unto himself; this will apply to almost all the world. almost all the world.

In all the great modern discoveries in In all the great modern discoveries in science, in the arts, in mechanics, and in science, in the arts, in mechanics, and in material advancement of the age, the material advancement of the age, the world says, ‘We have done it,’ The world says, ‘We have done it,’ The individual says, ‘I have done it,’ and he individual says, ‘I have done it,’ and he gives no honor or credit to God. Now, I gives no honor or credit to God. Now, I read in the revelations through Joseph read in the revelations through Joseph Smith, the prophet, that because of this, Smith, the prophet, that because of this, God is not pleased with the inhabitants of God is not pleased with the inhabitants of the earth but is angry with them because the earth but is angry with them because they will not acknowledge his hand in all they will not acknowledge his hand in all things” (Joseph F. Smith, things” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel DoctrineGospel Doctrine, , 270-271.270-271.

““We are not our own, we are bought with We are not our own, we are bought with a price, we are the Lord’s; our time, our a price, we are the Lord’s; our time, our talents, our gold and silver, our wheat talents, our gold and silver, our wheat and fine flour, our wine and our oil, our and fine flour, our wine and our oil, our cattle, and all there is on this earth that cattle, and all there is on this earth that we have in our possession is the Lord’s…we have in our possession is the Lord’s…

“…“…There is no man who ever made a There is no man who ever made a sacrifice on this earth for the Kingdom of sacrifice on this earth for the Kingdom of heaven, that I know anything about, heaven, that I know anything about, except the Savior. He drank the bitter except the Savior. He drank the bitter cup to the dregs, and tasted for every cup to the dregs, and tasted for every man and for every woman, and redeemed man and for every woman, and redeemed the earth and all things upon it. the earth and all things upon it.

But he was God in the flesh, or he could But he was God in the flesh, or he could not have endured it. ‘But we suffer, we not have endured it. ‘But we suffer, we sacrifice, we give something, we have sacrifice, we give something, we have preached so long.’ What for? ‘Why, for preached so long.’ What for? ‘Why, for the Lord.’ I would not give the ashes of a the Lord.’ I would not give the ashes of a rye straw for the man who feels that he is rye straw for the man who feels that he is making sacrifice for God. We are doing making sacrifice for God. We are doing this for our own happiness, welfare and this for our own happiness, welfare and exaltation, and for nobody else’s. This is exaltation, and for nobody else’s. This is the fact, and what we do, we do for the the fact, and what we do, we do for the salvation of the inhabitants of the earth, salvation of the inhabitants of the earth, not for the salvation of the heavens, the not for the salvation of the heavens, the angels, or the Gods” (Brigham Young, angels, or the Gods” (Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham YoungDiscourses of Brigham Young, 176-77)., 176-77).

““Every member of this Church who Every member of this Church who violates the Sabbath day, who is not violates the Sabbath day, who is not honest in the paying of his tithing, honest in the paying of his tithing, who will not keep the Word of who will not keep the Word of Wisdom, who willfully violates any of Wisdom, who willfully violates any of the other commandments the Lord the other commandments the Lord has given us, is ungrateful to the Son has given us, is ungrateful to the Son of God, and when ungrateful to the of God, and when ungrateful to the Son of God is ungrateful to the Son of God is ungrateful to the Father who sent himFather who sent him” (” (Discourses of Discourses of SalvationSalvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, comp. Bruce R. McConkie

Mosiah 2:25Mosiah 2:25 (Moses 1:10)(Moses 1:10)

1. God created all things including dust 1. God created all things including dust or the elements. or the elements.

2. We are made of those elements.2. We are made of those elements.3. Therefore our bodies belong to God. 3. Therefore our bodies belong to God.

““For ye are bought with a priceFor ye are bought with a price” (I Cor. ” (I Cor. 6:20). 6:20).

Our bodies therefore belong to God.Our bodies therefore belong to God.

Mosiah 2:36-41Mosiah 2:36-41 We are in debt!We are in debt!

Matthew 18:23-35Matthew 18:23-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful ServantServant

This parable teaches that there are This parable teaches that there are two things we can be really good at two things we can be really good at in this life:in this life:

1. Repenting1. Repenting

2.2. Forgiving others Forgiving others

Mosiah 2:38Mosiah 2:38 ““Eternal PunishmentEternal Punishment””

““Eternal punishment, or endless punishment, Eternal punishment, or endless punishment, does not mean that those who partake of it does not mean that those who partake of it must endure it forever. ‘It is not written that must endure it forever. ‘It is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. Again, it is written written endless torment. Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s gory….Behold, the mystery of my name’s gory….Behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it.godliness, how great is it.

For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless punishment in my punishment, for Endless punishment in my name. Wherefore --- Eternal punishment is name. Wherefore --- Eternal punishment is God’s punishment. Endless punishment is God’s punishment. Endless punishment is God’s punishment’ (D&C 19:6-12).God’s punishment’ (D&C 19:6-12).

““The laws of God are immutable, and from this The laws of God are immutable, and from this explanation we learn that the same punishment explanation we learn that the same punishment always follows the same offense, according to always follows the same offense, according to the laws of God who is eternal and endless, the laws of God who is eternal and endless, hence it is called, endless punishment, and hence it is called, endless punishment, and eternal punishment, because it is the eternal punishment, because it is the punishment which God has fixed according to punishment which God has fixed according to unchangeable law.unchangeable law.

A man may partake of endless A man may partake of endless torment, and when he has torment, and when he has paid the penalty for his paid the penalty for his transgression, he is released, transgression, he is released, but the punishment remains but the punishment remains and awaits the next culprit, and awaits the next culprit, and so on forever” (Joseph and so on forever” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Doctrines of SalvationSalvation, 2:228)., 2:228).


A significant portion of King Benjamin’s sermon A significant portion of King Benjamin’s sermon was given to him by an angel (2 Nephi 32:3).was given to him by an angel (2 Nephi 32:3).


v.7v.7 ““Blood cometh from every poreBlood cometh from every pore!”!”

2 other witnesses2 other witnesses::

1. Luke 22:441. Luke 22:442. D&C 19:182. D&C 19:18

””Elder Maxwell referred to the suffering Elder Maxwell referred to the suffering experienced by Jesus Christ as “experienced by Jesus Christ as “the awful the awful arithmetic of the Atonementarithmetic of the Atonement”:”:

““Imagine, Jehovah, the Creator of this and other Imagine, Jehovah, the Creator of this and other worlds, ‘astonished’! Jesus knew cognitively worlds, ‘astonished’! Jesus knew cognitively what He must do, but not experientially. He what He must do, but not experientially. He had never personally known the exquisite and had never personally known the exquisite and exacting process of an atonement before. exacting process of an atonement before. Thus, when the agony came in its fullness, it Thus, when the agony came in its fullness, it was so much, much worse than even he with was so much, much worse than even he with his unique intellect had ever imagined! No his unique intellect had ever imagined! No wonder an angel (Adam?) appeared to wonder an angel (Adam?) appeared to strengthen him! (Luke 22:43).strengthen him! (Luke 22:43).

““The cumulative weight of all The cumulative weight of all mortal sins --- past, present, and mortal sins --- past, present, and future --- pressed upon that future --- pressed upon that perfect, sinless, and sensitive perfect, sinless, and sensitive Soul! All our infirmities and Soul! All our infirmities and sicknesses were somehow, too, a sicknesses were somehow, too, a part of the awful arithmetic of part of the awful arithmetic of the Atonement (Alma 7:11-12; the Atonement (Alma 7:11-12; Isaiah 53:3-5; Matthew 8;17) Isaiah 53:3-5; Matthew 8;17) (C.R., Apr. 1985, 92).(C.R., Apr. 1985, 92).


““We need the AtonementWe need the Atonement!”!”

The natural man is actually at The natural man is actually at cross purposes with God’s plan. cross purposes with God’s plan. The natural man really has The natural man really has different ends, seeks different different ends, seeks different outcomes, and marches to outcomes, and marches to different drummers (Neal A. different drummers (Neal A. Maxwell, Maxwell, Men and Women of Men and Women of ChristChrist, 8)., 8).

The natural man is the “earthly man” who The natural man is the “earthly man” who has allowed rude animal passions to has allowed rude animal passions to overshadow his spiritual inclinationsovershadow his spiritual inclinations (C.R. (C.R. Oct., 1974, Spencer W. Kimball).Oct., 1974, Spencer W. Kimball).

Are we not wiser to understand our fallen Are we not wiser to understand our fallen nature and then, with equal attention, to nature and then, with equal attention, to be taught about how we can be lifted up? be taught about how we can be lifted up? Indeed, for one to ask “Where do we go Indeed, for one to ask “Where do we go from here?” He must know where “here” from here?” He must know where “here” is (Neal A. Maxwell).is (Neal A. Maxwell).


In the language of President Ezra Taft BensonIn the language of President Ezra Taft Benson: :

The Lord works from the inside out. The world The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ take the take people out of the slums. Christ take the slums out of people, and then they take slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature behavior, but Christ can change human nature ((Born of GodBorn of God, 6)., 6).

Brigham Young seemed to take quite a Brigham Young seemed to take quite a different view of who and what the natural different view of who and what the natural man isman is::

It is fully proved in all the revelations that God has ever It is fully proved in all the revelations that God has ever given to mankind that they naturally love and admire given to mankind that they naturally love and admire righteousness, justice and truth more than they do evilrighteousness, justice and truth more than they do evil. . It is, however, universally received by professors of It is, however, universally received by professors of religion as a scriptural doctrine that man is naturally religion as a scriptural doctrine that man is naturally opposed to God. This is not so, Paul says in his Epistle opposed to God. This is not so, Paul says in his Epistle to the Corinthians. “But the natural man receiveth not to the Corinthians. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of God,” but I say it is the unnatural “man the things of God,” but I say it is the unnatural “man that receiveth not the things of God.”…That which was, that receiveth not the things of God.”…That which was, is, and will continue to endure is more natural than that is, and will continue to endure is more natural than that which will pass away and be no more. which will pass away and be no more. The natural man The natural man is of Godis of God ( (JDJD 9:305). 9:305).

To be submissive “even as a To be submissive “even as a child doth submit to his child doth submit to his Father” is a hard saying, but Father” is a hard saying, but it is more than poetry; it it is more than poetry; it reminds us of our true reminds us of our true genealogy and our true genealogy and our true possibility (Neal A. Maxwell, possibility (Neal A. Maxwell, Even As I AmEven As I Am, 95)., 95).

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