We are starting a new book today in "The Book of Mormon"; The Book of Alma!
I found this cool reference that lets you visualize the people in the Book of Mormon, their timelines, and ancestry. The website is Book of Mormon Online and it's cool! Go check it out.
In Alma 1, there is an introduction to what was happening in the 1st and 2nd year of Alma the Younger
Alma the Younger, Son of Alma
being the Chief Judge after King Mosiah
King Mosiah, Nephite King, Son of Benjamin
and his father Alma
Alma, Nephite Prophet, Founder of the Church, Alma's father
passed away. A man named Nehor
Nehor, Nephite Apostate
started to preach against The Church of God and started his own church with different doctrines. He had been teaching people that the teachers and priests who spoke and led a church should be financially supported by the church members and not work for their own sustenance. He taught that teachers and priests should be popular and be held to a higher respect than everyone else. It went against everything King Mosiah and Alma taught the People of Nephi. Gideon
Gideon, Nephite Patriot, killed by Nehor
argued with him and Nehor killed him.
Because Nehor did this, he had to be judged by Alma the Younger. Alma sentenced him to death for his crime of killing Gideon, teaching priestcraft, and shedding the blood of a righteous man. They took him up to the Hill of Manti and he was put to death.
The people that followed Nehor did not repent and were continuing to teach the things of Nehor, persecuted the Church of God. Alma the Younger said that even though this was happening, the Church of God was NOT to retaliate or be unkind to unbelievers and they were to be peacemakers.
There were some who followed Nehor's teachings and left the Church of God and had their names "blotted out", but the rest stayed true and faithful. The people worked hard, stayed neat and tidy, helped the poor, fed them, and lived simply.
Because of their goodness and obedience, they began to become wealthy and blessed with abundance so that they could take care of the poor and needy. They stayed humble and lived the commandments of God.
Likening this Chapter to myself
#1 It is important to follow the Prophets and Leaders of my faith so as not to be drawn away by those who teach popular beliefs that may not be true.
#2 Living Simply and serving in love, being patient, not being angry or unkind, and being long suffering and humble are Christ like attributes and something I want to strive for always.
#3 When we are obedient God will bless us in many ways and with those blessings we can further bless others.
#4 Not everyone will follow Heavenly Father. I am not to belittle, judge, or offend someone that doesn't believe as I do but rather show respect and show others that "I am Christian by my love".
Look for the Youtube Video below. It's a good one.
We are on Day 35! We are more than a third of the way done with our 90 day Book of Mormon Reading and I don't know about you, but I am loving it! I have felt inspired every single day and am thankful for this opportunity to study, learn, and grow as I read these chapters and reflect on the meanings and how to apply them to my life.
In Mosiah 27, we learn that Alma shared the concerns that the church had about how they were being persecuted and he brought it to King Mosiah's attention. King Mosiah made a decree that it was forbidden to persecute the Church of God. If you did not believe, you must still show respect, treat others as you would like to be treated (The Golden Rule) and work diligently for what you receive, each person according to their desires and needs. King Mosiah also made a point to say that no one was better than anyone else, everyone needed to be treated as equal, and not more important or more worthy than anyone else.
The sons of King Mosiah and also the son of Alma were among the unbelievers. Alma the Younger was wicked and used flattery and influence to draw many people away from the Church. While Alma and the sons of Mosiah were going about trying to influence people to not follow Alma the Prophet or King Mosiah, an angel came and appeared to them. It is pointed out in these chapters that the sons of Mosiah were "exceedingly wicked".
Alma was addressed by the angel and told that the people in the church prayed and asked God to stop Alma and the sons of Mosiah from their wickedness. The angel told Alma he heard the people's prayers and he was calling on Alma to repent and stop persecuting the church. He was so stricken after the visit from the angel that he couldn't talk or walk and had to be carried to his father Alma.
Alma recovered after 2 days of prayer by the faithful followers of Alma his father. Alma repented and he along with the sons of Mosiah went about mending relationships and trust. They taught about the Savior among the people and Alma shared how he was a changed person and had been born again in the Holy Spirit. The sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger began to speak about peace and good will towards others and practiced this in their treatment of others. Alma also testified that the Lord lives.
Likening Chapter 27 unto Me
I had years of my Alma the Younger moment but instead of it lasting 2 days, it has lasted 2 years. I had lost my testimony of The Church and didn't want anything to do with it. When the Holy Spirit withdrew from me, I was lost and alone. I felt like a ship tossed on the waves of life. I desired at times to literally "crawl in a hole and die" and remember saying this. I cried all of the time. I felt like God turned his head away from me and did not love me, like me, or that I was a mistake, and should have never been born (in fact, this was actually said to me by a family member and so I felt it was reconfirmed to me because it's how I saw myself, too.) I literally remember telling my mother that because she was the product of an unwanted pregnancy (her words) and my father was a "failed Catholic priest" (his words), who if he had stayed a priest, would not have had children, I was not intended, I was not wanted, I was forced upon this earth by choices others made, but that God himself did not desire me. It was the loneliest feeling to feel such a way. When I came to understand the Love my Savior has for me and that I was created "fearfully and wonderfully", that I mattered, that I had purpose, and that "before God formed me in my mother's womb, he knew me" everything changed. Every single thing in my life changed. It did not matter anymore what others thought of me, it did not matter how others spoke of me, and what their experiences in the past had been of me. I was a NEW CREATION in Christ. I AM a new Creation in Christ! The below song brought me to Christ, when I was feeling the way I described above. Christ didn't give up on me even when I wanted to give up on me.
In Mosiah Chapter 28, The sons of Mosiah took a small group of people up to King Mosiah and asked him if they could go to the City of Nephi and teach the Lamanites. King Mosiah prayed and the Lord promised to protect his sons as they sought to teach the Lamanites and bring peace between them and the Nephites. King Mosiah gave all of the records that he translated and the records and plates of brass to Alma the Younger and asked him to keep them safe and pass them down to the people of God. King Mosiah's sons did not want the responsibility so Alma took it on to pass them down "even as Lehi did at the time he left Jerusalem",
In Mosiah Chapter 29, the people want to appoint Mosiah's son Aaron as their king but Aaron is teaching the people in Nephi and refused to be King. Mosiah suggests that instead of Kings, they should call judges. Alma the Younger becomes their first Chief Judge and High Priest. When Alma and King Mosiah passed away that ennded the reign of the Kings.
Likening the Scriptures Unto Me
I want to say something very important about Chapter 29. There is ALOT here. I felt impressed as I read, to judge for myself how I see things going in our country right now. I felt like this chapter could be considered a litmus test of sorts for what we should expect and how we should treat our own country and liberties. Please read Chapter 29 VERY carefully. Take Notes, learn what the Prophets and God want for us here upon this land, this precious land we have been given. This book was written for our day and there are gems in this chapter. I felt the Holy Spirit very strongly testify that when I see and experience things as pertaining to this country and how we are led, we can be sure that if we follow the example of King Mosiah and Alma, we will KNOW what the right way is. We will learn what we should do in our own country.
Please listen to the two YouTube videos I have placed below. They are very special and mean alot to me. I began this blog with one, and ended my post with the other.
Likening Mosiah Chapter 24 unto Me
First off, I wanted to begin this Chapter with the above Youtube Video about Prayer. I believe that in the scriptures many times we have been taught and shown by example how righteous men and women, when in need, reached out to the Lord in Prayer. When I read in Chapter 24 about how Alma and his people were told not to pray or they would be killed, it hit me hard. Alma's people, to prevent their murder, prayed in secret and God heard their hearts.
There have been times in my life where I have needed to keep the things of God private and pray in my heart to preserve myself. It happened specifically once where I knew that I needed to pray, but that if I did so out loud it would make things worse, and so I prayed in my heart. God did hear my prayer and delivered me from EVIL.
I loved the above Music Video and wanted to share it with you as you ponder your own prayer life. Have you had a time in your life where you have needed the Lord and needed to reach out to him in private for something urgent? Ponder this and remember how you felt? Were your prayers answered? Mine were, and there are still a few petitions I have that I am still waiting on answers to, but I know they will come in time. The verses below talk about how Alma and his people were warned not to pray, and what they did. God did answer them!
Mosiah 24:11-12
11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
The people of Alma had great faith and prayed and asked God to deliver them out of the hands of Amulon and their enemies. God told Alma to be of good cheer and fear not. He put a deep sleep upon the Lamanites and helped Alma and his people to escape them. They arrived in the Land of Zarahemla after 12 days and Mosiah welcomed them with Joy. God truly answered their prayers.
In Mosiah 25, King Mosiah shared the stories to both the people of Zarahemla and the people of Limhi about how God brought them out of bondage from the Lamanites and reunited them in Zarahemla. Alma taught repentance and faith in the Lord. Both the people of Limhi and Zarahemla were called Nephites, Alma baptized the people of Limhi and established, "The Church of God".
Alma set up many churches in the land, called priests and teachers, and baptized the people in the Waters of Mormon. He reminded the people of Limhi that it was God that delivered them and that even though there were many churches established in Zarahemla they were all one church because ONLY Faith and Repentance were taught. The Spirit of God was poured out upon them and they were blessed.
In Mosiah Chapter 26, I feel like verses 1-4 could pertain to our day. Some young people are not following the traditions of their grandparents and parents when it comes to attending church, praying, believing in God, believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. or even being morally clean. It is like the days of Noah or Sodom and Gomorrah; sinful, without direction, and lawless. There are others however, who are returning to God, returning to traditional family and church attendance, and desire for the things of God.
Alma noticed many who were not repenting and he went to King Mosiah about it. King Mosiah told Alma to judge them and told him that he was a good judge. Alma went to the Lord. The Lord told Alma that those who repent will be forgiven and those who do not repent can not be numbered among the Church of God and their names were blotted out among those who are called The Church of God. Alma was told that his sins are forgiven and he will obtain eternal life. Alma was told that he is to teach the people that they are to forgive or they could not be forgiven. So Alma did as he was instructed of the Lord.
Likening these Chapters Unto Me
#1 Faith and Repentance are our first two Doctrines in our Faith followed by Baptism, Confirmation, and Enduring to the End. I recognize in these Chapters that our faith, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" is modeled after the Church of God established by Alma. It reconfirms to me the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how God does not change. He established his Church through his servants the Prophets (Amos 3:7) and restored it through Joseph Smith Jr.
#2 I must forgive. It is not a suggestion but a commandment and necessary for me to also be forgiven by God.
#3 God protects those who love him and makes good for them. This includes me. God knows my needs, hears my silent prayers and my vocal prayers and answers them according to my request, his will, and for my good.
#4 It is important for me that I make space and room in my heart, mind, and life for those who desire to find Christ. I know him and I know Christ wants his children to come unto Him. I want to share with those I know and meet, how they can come unto Christ and live with him eternally.
This is the God we Worship. This is why The Book of Mormon matters. This is why Prophets teach, serve, and have died for these truths.
Mosiah 21 was a retelling of Limhi meeting Ammon, Ammon telling him Mosiah could translate the plates his men found with swords in the land with dry bones when they got lost looking for Zarahemla, and about their belief in Ammon's words.
One thing I want to point out about the chapters are that there are flashback chapters. Don't get confused. It's not just in your head. Read slow, make an outline of people, places, dates, etc if it helps. I'm praying for my readers of this blog that you continue to learn and feel the Holy Spirit as you read The Book of Mormon.
The people of Limhi wanted Ammon to baptized them, but he didn't feel worthy yet. They didn't set up their churches, so they waited and stayed faithful.
Likening Chapter 21 unto me
I am going through a time of waiting, patience, and faith in my life right now and am staying utterly faithful. I am not sure of many things, but what I am sure of is that God is Faithful. I have such love for Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and The Sweet Holy Spirit!
"God makes good to those who love Him" and "He makes a way for us, sometimes when there seems to be no way."
Mosiah Chapter 22 talks about Ammon and Gideon helping Limhi and his people escape the Lamanites in the wilderness by night as the guards got drunk. When the guards and the Lamanite King discovered the people fled in the night they searched for 2 days, but could not find them. They had gotten away!
In Chapter 23 of Mosiah, the Lord warned Alma that King Noah's armies were coming for them, so Alma had everyone pack up and move deeper in to the Wilderness. They traveled 8 days and came to a beautiful land with pure water. The people wanted Alma to be King, but he agreed to be their high priest. He explained that they had been oppressed by King Noah and now were free. He expressed his desire for them to stay free from a King. He said the the Lord wanted this for them. The verse that explains this is
Mosiah 23:7-8,
7 But he said unto them: Behold, it is not expedient that we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another; therefore I say unto you it is not expedient that ye should have a king.
8 Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have just men to be your kings it would be well for you to have a king.
Likening these Chapters unto me
#1 Sometimes what I want and when I want is different from what God wills for me, and I must stay true, faithful, and wait upon the Lord.
#2 I need to always listen to the Holy Spirit which testifies of Truth and helps keep me safe emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally, morally, and in every way.
#3 I must love others, be slow to anger, watch over those who Heavenly Father wants me to minister to, love, care about, and positively influence for good.
#4 I want my heart to be clean and always worthy and ready to hear the desires of the Lord for me in my life.
In Mosiah 18, Alma repents of his sins and starts to teach the people about Abinadi's words. He goes among the people teaching privately because he knows King Noah's men seek to take away his life. He taught the people about the resurrection of the dead, the Savior's Redemption of mankind by his suffering, death, and resurrection. The people Alma taught believed him and were baptized at The Waters of Mormon.
In Mosiah 18:8-10, Alma spoke these words,
"Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
When Alma spoke these words the people clapped for Joy and said that what Alma shared is exactly what they desired in their hearts. That day starting with a man named Helam, Alma baptized 204 people at the Waters of Mormon!
They were called "The Church of Christ" from that day on.
Alma instructed the priests he ordained to teach the people to only preach about Repentance and Faith, to not be angry or fight with others, and to love each other.
He went on to instruct the priests not to depend on the people for their support. He told the people to give to each other according to their needs (this reminded me of the Law of Consecration). I also see how our faith in this day was modeled after the description of Alma's teachings for setting up God's Church. We do not have paid clergy, we pay tithing and fast offerings which help others in need, and we try to love and serve one another. Reading Mosiah gives me such love and warmth for the care Alma took to show the people how to be followers of Christ with each other!
When the King caught wind of where Alma and his people were being taught and baptized he went after them but they were warned and left together in to the Wilderness, all 450 of them!
Mosiah 19 goes on to talk about Gideon who wanted to kill Wicked King Noah, war with the Lamanites and the people of King Noah, King Noah being killed by fire, the Lamanites promised not to Kill King Noah's people, Limhi became King and established peace.
In Mosiah 20, Twenty-Four of the daughters of the Lamanites were kidnapped by wicked priests of King Noah, so after 2 years of peace the Lamanites started fighting with Limhi's people thinking it was them and not the wicked priests.
War kept happening until Limhi's people found the Lamanite King and brought him to Limhi. Limhi asked why they were attacking them, the Lamanite King told him about their kidnapped daughters and how they thought it was Limhi's people who did it, when it was really King Noah's priests.
King Limhi and the King of the Lamanites came to an understanding and wars stopped.
Likening the Scriptures Unto Me
I feel like I need to relate this to our lives today. How often do wars and contentions start over misunderstandings and rumors? Miscommunication and misunderstanding leads to contention and fighting. We can learn alot from these Chapters in the Book of Mormon about the importance of communication to resolve conflict. It also goes to show that humans sometimes assume things about others that just aren't true and it can lead to war and contentions even in families, churches, at work, and socially.
We can learn from this!
Below is a 24 minute video to add to Chapter 19-20 if you have time.
In Mosiah 15, Abinadi talks about the Redemption of Man, Christ being both God and man, Christ being a sacrifice for sin, we all become HIS, even the Prophets. There will be a first Resurrection, and those who follow Christ and believe in him will be raised up at that First Resurrection. The wicked who die in their sin without repentance will not dwell with God.
Likening this Chapter unto myself
I know that in my life I have done all I can to put away past transgressions and repent the past 3 years. I had my "Alma the Younger" experience. I know that every single night before I put my head on my pillow, I have a personal interview with Heavenly Father. I recall my faults, ask forgiveness, and hope for improvement in word and deed tomorrow. My faith has made me whole, and I will see my God again! I know this! It is a promise from Christ Jesus.
In Mosiah Chapter 16, Abinadi talks about Christ judgement and how the righteous will be with God, but the wicked who refused to believe and repent will be subject to the devil. This verse really spoke to me in
Mosiah 16:9 "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
Jesus came and lived, died, and Resurrected. He was a sinless sacrifice for man. This knowledge brings me so much joy. I also know that every person who has ever walked this earth will have an opportunity, if not in this life the next, to be taught about Jesus and accept or reject him. This is a beautiful truth and the reason for Temple Work; to redeem the dead and have ordinances done for them that they did not have an opportunity to do for themselves here in this life.
The Mission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to redeem the dead and bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. This was an explanation from AI overview:
"The mission to "redeem the dead" involves performing sacred ordinances in their behalf so they can have the opportunity to accept the gospel in the afterlife. This work is done vicariously through live members who perform ordinances like baptism and temple sealings for those who have died without the opportunity to receive them. This is seen as a vital part of God's plan, allowing for the salvation of all humanity by extending the reach of Jesus Christ's atonement."
In Mosiah 17, King Noah had Abinadi put to death. Alma who was a Nephite heard Abinadi and believed his words. The king sought to kill Alma but he hid and while he was in hiding, he wrote down the things Abinadi had said.
When King Noah called for Abinadi to be burned alive, Abinadi said that the same that would happen to him will happen to the wicked of King Noah. This verse explains what happened to Abinadi:
"...he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death."
Likening these chapters unto me
I know that I am not at this present time being asked to deny my faith or die, and it is probably something that most of us will never encounter in this life. I have read these chapters and have these thoughts:
#1 Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World.
#2 Abinadi told King Noah the truth and suffered for it. I need to always be willing to testify of my belief in Jesus Christ and stand for truth and righteousness. I knlw The Book of Mormon is true, the Gospel is true, and I will always choose The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints over everything else!
#3 Because I know the truth, I have a responsibility to testify of it and live my life in such a way that I will always be ready to defend it. I want to be cleansed and always strive to be worthy of the blessings I receive from Heavenly Father.
#4 I heard in "Come Follow Up" tonight that our mistakes can bring learning and understanding of God's power". I have seen this in my life, and I felt like these chapters solidified why it's important to learn of these truths, because "Through Christ all things are possible".
I type fast and furious as the Holy Spirit dictates to my heart. Most days, I don't spell-check. If you see spelling errors, know that I don't intend to make them, but they will happen!
Okay, so it's day 30! I am a third of the way finished with my 90 day challenge. This means that I am a third of the way done with The Book of Mormon! Time flies when I am in "The Zone". I hope y'all are enjoying this, learning something from this quick journey, and feeling joyful and thankful for "The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ"!
Today I am reading Mosiah 12-14 and today I have YOU in mind. So let's go.
In Mosiah 12, Abinadi warns King Noah of the plagues, punishments, calamities, and disasters to come if the people and King Noah don't become converted to God, stop being wicked, and repent of their wrong doing.
I couldn't help be reminded how Moses warned Pharoah of the same in Exodus, or Noah and the flood. God has brought disasters, plagues, and punishment to the wicked and in 2025 he might do the same. I believe each warned generation tends to say as Pharoah did, The people of Noah, and even Lehi's sons Laman and Lemuel, "oh that won't happen, that is superstition, or that isn't a correct interpretation of what God does. Absolutely, yes it is and yes, God might!
In Mosiah 13:3-4, when I read these verses my heart became so full that I almost cried.
3"Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time.
4 But I must fulfil the commandments wherewith God has commanded me; and because I have told you the truth ye are angry with me. And again, because I have spoken the word of God ye have judged me that I am mad.
Likening these scriptures unto me
#1 When I read these verses I pondered how I would respond if I was faced with someone who needed to know about God? Would I have the faith to know I had work to fulfill, and would I boldly express this knowledge to those who need to hear of Christ? I want to believe I would, and as a Ward Missionary I have tried when allowed. I think about Martyrs who have been faced with the question or command, "do you believe in Christ" knowing a yes was a death sentence, or "Deny The Christ or die".
#2 When I was 24, on April 20, 1999, Cassie Bernall was asked by the boys that shot up their classmates at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, if she believed in God. She said "yes" and was Martyred.
#3 May I always be willing to preach of Christ and stand up for my belief in Jesus Christ. I pray I will always be that firm in my faith.
In Mosiah 14:5, the reminder of the words of Isaiah, that Christ would come and suffer for our iniquities,
5"he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. He knew his fate and drank of that bitter cup for me.
I usually do not refer to other teachers in my reflection videos (first time for everything), but I wanted to share this 7 minute video incase this part of the Book of Mormon gets confusing like it used to for me. Jake Judd is engaging.
Mosiah 9 is where I will start tonight. Here is a verse from this chapter that I want to share
My reflection from this verse is that it is so empowering when I feel the presence of the Lord in my life. I've said this in this blog before, but God has my back. When I feel this way and feel seen and heard, it does give an unexplainable confidence to move forward in life. I know that God walks beside me.
In Chapter 9, there is a flash back of Zeniff entering Lehi-Nephi and meeting King Lamon. Like I said yesterday, he was promised land, started to work with it and repair it, and then was tricked and they became captured by the Lamanites! Zeniff remember is Limhi's Grandfather. King Noah is Zeniff's dad.
Zeniff admits that when he was over zealous to possess Lehi-Nephi he forgot the Lord. How often do we do this? I have, in the past, been so wrapped up in my sorrow, discomfort, and grief, or my desire for what I want that I have forgotten to council with and rely on God. It's part of that "natural man," thing I observe. This chapter reminded me of the trouble I can get into when I don't include the Lord.
Chapter 9 discusses the wars that kept happening between Zeniff's people and the awful, EVIL Lamanites. He had to help bury 279 of his own people.
Chapter 10 explains the Lamanites anger and hatred for the Nephites and where it came from. Lamanites being descendents of Laman and Lemuel, hated the people of Nephi who God favored, and who flourished in farming, and whose families prospered. Lamanites felt their ancestors were unfairly dealt with even while crossing the waters.
Zeniff's people fought the Lamanites and many died. Zeniff passes on his Kingdom to his son Noah.
Liken unto me
One of the things I related to in Chapter 10 was the idea of preparing. Zeniff asked his people to prepare in all things, make weapons, make linens, keep food, women and children hid in the woods, and the men were separated according to age and fought in their own capacity the way they could to best be effective in war; old men with old men, and younger men with younger men. We live in a time where we need to prepare for the wickedness that will come upon our land and this earth before the 2nd Coming of Christ.
In Chapter 11, King Zeniff's son King Noah did not rule like his Father Zeniff. Noah was wicked! Abinadi went about the people of King Noah and told them to repent. King Noah got mad and sent his men to bring him to King Noah to be killed. This was where Chapter 11 ended.
If you read to the end, there is a youtube music video.
In Mosiah 5, King Benjamin preaches to his people and tells them to take upon them the name of Christ. When he asks the people if they believe him, they shout YES! This is verse 2 which I relate to so much in my own faith journey, as it is how I feel,
"2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.
Likening this verse unto me.
I have seen in my own life the past few years how my testimony of Christ has grown, my ability to love has increased, my past tendency to take offense (even when warranted) has been soothed, and I believe Christ. I don't just believe in Him or that he exists, but I believe His words and trust his promises.
In Mosiah 6, King Benjamin writes the names of his people who made an Oath with God and made covenants. Mosiah became King at age 30 and then 3 years later, King Benjamin died. Mosiah was a good King and obedient to The Lord.
In Mosiah 7, Sixteen of Mosiah's men went to the land of Lehi-Nephi to check up on the Nephites that moved there from Zarahemla, because they hadn't heard from them. A strong man named Ammon led them. He was a descendant in Zerahemla.
King Limhi's men put Ammon and 3 others with him in Prison. Basically, Limhi was a descendent of Zarahemla through Zeniff. Zeniff's son Noah was Limhi's father. Ammon also is a descendent of Zarahemla so they started chatting.
Ammon meets King Limhi
Limhi tells Ammon they are all in bondage under the Lamanites, he is happy Ammon has reported that the Nephites in Zarahemla are doing well, and he was happy Ammon came. Limhi offered to make his people slaves to the Nephites rather then stay in bondage to the Lamanites. Yikes!
*The reason I am doing more explaining than usual in these chapters is because these chapters used to confuse me (who is who, and why). Basically, Zeniff was tricked by the King of the Lamanites at the time to trust him, and then he took the men of Zeniff captive, and his people were taken into Bondage.
Ammon said this to Limhi in Mosiah 7:33, " 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."
In Mosiah 8, Ammon starts to teach the people of Limhi. Limhi tells Ammon about the 40 men he sent out to find Zarahemla, but they got lost, found a place where men were killed, and they brought 24 plates of gold and brass color, and some swords back to Limhi in Lehi-Nephi. Noone could interpret the plates, but Ammon said that he knew a King in Zarahemla who could and he deacribed a Prophet and seer to Limhi. That ended Chapter 8.
LIKENING THE SCRIPTURES UNTO ME
1. If I was asked, I would definitely say that I believe the words of King Benjamin in Mosiah in The Book of Mormon. Not just because they did indeed happen, and we know this from reading Isaiah and The New Testament, but because there is no way unless he was a Prophet of God that he could have known, prophesied, and seen what was to come if he wasn't a Prophet, even down to the name of his Mother Mary!
2. I want to make Covenants and keep them with God. I know Jesus is aware of me and my specific circumstances and I know He knows my heart is for Him. I want to make Sacred Covenants with Him and feel that closeness with God.
3. When I hear about the goodness of King Benjamin and Mosiah, I feel confident in their words that I can trust them.
4. I feel like I understood Limhi's anxiety, fatigue in fighting the Lamanites, and his relief in meeting Ammon! I sense Limhi's hope. I want to have that kind of relief and hope in my life with the places in my life I have felt "in bondage" and where I can trust that the Holy Spirit, Father, and Son have my back, know my future, and will lead me away from people and circumstances that would keep me feeling "captive".
This is how I think Limhi felt meeting Ammon. This song is about Moses saving the Israelites in Egypt who were also in bondage like Limhi's people.
In Mosiah 3, King Benjamin prophesies of the coming of Jesus Christ and names him. He tells his people about him, that his mother's name will be Mary, that he will heal the sick, raise the dead, and perform miracles. King Benjamin knew Christ's name and that of his mother! That blows me away. To be a Prophet with such knowledge through the Spirit of God, to be so specific, tells me that he was truly a man of God and Holy. He prophesied that Jesus would cast out Demons, and he said that Jesus would be called "The Father of Heaven and Earth, and The Creator of All things!", he would atone for our sins and raise people from the dead.
My favorite verse in Chapter 3 is Mosiah 3:17
17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent
It is very clear that Jesus is our only way to His Father, Exaltation, and Salvation. Eternal life is a gift given to all men, but Salvation comes only in and through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Our Natural State as fallen individuals is an enemy to God. We are to become as a little child to our Father by being submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things, and to love Him. We must allow the Atonement of Christ to take root in our life like the deepest roots that keep trees planted in soil and allowed to stand, thrive and live.
I must be aware of my thoughts, actions, deeds, and obey the commandments. In this way will I show my Father in Heaven I love, trust, honor, obey, and am faithful to Him. When I do this, I repent and receive a remission of my sins and am reconciled to God the Father, through his only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
Likening the scriptures unto me
Perhaps the greatest lesson taught so far by King Benjamin is the fruitful and pleasant reminder that we are redeemed. We have not been sent to this earth to be left here without a way back to our Heavenly Home.
I was thinking about this on my drive today out to see a woman I know in Tulalip.
God loves me so he sent his son. He loved the people in the Americas as much as those on the other side of the world in Jerusalem. When he died and rose from the dead he went to visit them and teach them of their Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, and himself. He walked among them, blessed their children, and about 125 years before Christ's birth, King Benjamin prophesied about all of it.
Mosiah 4:9-10 says,
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
10 And again, 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.
I want to do this every day for the rest of my days upon this earth. I want to forsake sin, ask forgiveness, strive to be teachable, and have a sincere heart for my Lord.
Today I read Mosiah 1-2. Mosiah 1-5 is the complete "King Benjamin's Speech" and I would encourage you that after I have chatted here about all 5 over the next few days that you go back and read it again in one sitting to be able to read it fluidly and place yourself in his audience. Visualize what it would have been like to be there. King Benjamin was wonderful, as was his son Mosiah, and his words are very good for the soul!
In Mosiah Chapter 1, the verses that stood out to me were Mosiah 1:6-7 which read,
"6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.
7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.
Likening these scriptures unto me
The first thing I thought of when I read these verses was a song I learned in highschool when we studied The Book of Mormon. I posted the video above so you can listen.
#1 I am wanting so much to cultivate and nurture my belief in this book. To hear so many who have seen the plates and know that it is true, testify of it, helps my faith and confidence grow.
#2 I want to read it every day so that I can be taught how to handle life challenges and how to learn from the example of faithful men and women who came before me who relied on the Lord, trusted him, and loved him. To see how their faith preserved and blessed them amidst trials and hardships is so inspiring.
Mosiah Chapter 2
King Benjamin had taught his people goodness and "had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men."
Mosiah 2:13-17 Mosiah defines how he led them and said that as he served his people, he was also serving God. It would have been amazing to live in Zarahemla with a kind, servant hearted man. Verse 17 is a scripture I memorized years ago and I live by this. It says, "17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
I have been blessed with a servant-heart and acknowledge it. All my life, since I was a girl I got so much joy from serving others. Mother Theresa and Terese of Lisieux would say, "I may not do great things, but I can do small things with great love". I live by this and always will. King Benjamin also saw serving as an extension of loving God and in this way I liken this verse unto myself.
Mormon says that it has been hundreds of years since Christ came. He is about to deliver his record to Moroni his son. Mormon prays that even with the fighting and destruction of the Nephites that the records that he has found, collected, written, and now passes to Moroni will be preserved. He says he knows that Moroni will witness the complete destruction of the Nephites, but that he prays Moroni survives to record and preserve the records. Mormon witnesses that the prophesies of the plates did come to pass. He collected his writings, the writings he found from Jacob down to King Benjamin and collected them and saved them together to pass down.
Mormon recorded from King Benjamin's time that the Lamanites set to kill all the Nephites so they fought back and that even King Benjamin used the sword of Laban to fight. King Benjamin was a Holy man who did bring peace in the Lord.
Likening the Scriptures Unto Me
1. Mormon had a love for The Records that he preserved, read, added to, and delivered to Moroni. Because they were precious to Him and he prayed to Ask God to preserve them for us, it means more to me now. I know that not only were the men that saved the records, wrote upon them, and passed them down valiant and worthy, righteous, and Holy men but that they new the value in them, loved Christ, knew that the words were transformative, brought peace, and would change lifes for generations and in 2025 I am among those who will now benefit from their efforts. I have a testimony of the Truthfulness of The Book of Mormon and know that it changes lives, too. It makes me want to share it with other people, to write my testimony in it, and help others come unto Christ "by abiding by" it's admonitions and words. It makes me treasure this book more knowing the efforts the prophets took to get it to us today.
2. I am thankful that Joseph Smith said Yes to Heavenly Father and didn't give up when it got hard and even dangerous. He found a way to keep the plates safe, took the time and effort to translate them, and have them published. He then sealed his testimony of the gospel with his blood when he was martyred. He will be the 3rd person I will run to after this life. First Christ, Second Jon, and Third, Brother Joseph. I need to hug that man!
3. What I learned from these good and Holy Prophets was how to persevere through trials and hardship to accomplish what the Lord commands and have the faith that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it to "accomplish the things that he commands".
4. I remember once telling someone in a church I attended when I was away from our faith, that I couldn't understand why there wasn't more of a desire for holiness? I was told that Holiness is not required of God because God's grace saves and that we can't work our way to Heaven. Maybe not, but I love what Brad Wilcox taught, "we are not Earning Heaven, we are Learning Heaven" and what I know to be true, that "the outer works of holiness are a manifestation of the inner workings of our Love of God and indwelling of the Holy Spirit working in and through us".
5. I want to be Holy, and reflect on the outside the trust, love, faith, and belief I have in Christ. I want people to know I am Christ's disciple. I want them to see Him because they know me. If I am able to accomplish even a small portion of this in this life, I know I will "see the face of God and live" in the next life
I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. I believe in him, that he came, lived a spotless life, conquered death, and rose from the grave. I know that having this belief in Christ and always being mindful of my sins, I can be forgiven when I ask God in faith.
I love how Enos shared about how his father taught him truth and how he grew to have a relationship with God because of the example of his father.
In my life, I want to be an example, too. I want to live my life in such a way that others will come unto Christ. I always want to have unshaken faith for the rest of my life and help others to have it, also. I know what it feels like to receive forgiveness after repentance, to have a pure heart, love of God, and all mankind. I want that for everyone!
There will be times when I will be tried and there will be times of distress. I am thankful for my Savior who will comfort me. I learn so much from the scriptures.
Jarom
Likening the Book of Jarom unto me
"And in as much as I keep the commandments of God, I shall prosper in the land. I don't take this to mean financially, although maybe that will be the case someday. Prospering to me is succeeding in what the Lord places in my path and being successful in my accomplishments, being blessed by the Lord with health and strength, and being abundant in my testimony!
Omni
Likening the Book of Omni unto me
The plates were given to King Benjamin, the son of Mosiah, when the descendents of Lehi and Nephi had all died.
The verse I love in Omni is "And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole soul as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."
I know that learning the stories in The Book of Mormon makes the story of Jesus Christ's birth, death, and resurrection richer. He loves all of his children and visited them in America, too. The Prophets testified of it from Isaiah to Nephi to Mosiah, and King Benjamin! I am thankful for this knowledge and love The Book of Mormon.
Tonight in Chapter 6 of Jacob, Jacob continues to encourage repentance. He encourages the Nephites to live right and be wise. In Chapter 7, I read about the Anti-Christ Sherem and his forceful attempt to lead The Nephite people away from the teachings of Jacob about the coming of Christ.
This man, Sherem, sought out Jacob and approached him about his disbelief and called Jacob a blasphemer. He said that he, Sherem, believed in the scriptures but not Jacob's teachings. Jacob tells Sherem that he must not believe because all of rhe Prophets taught of Christ. Sherem wanted a sign if Jacob was teaching truth.
Sherem at his death told the people that he, Sherem, was wrong, and that he believed in Christ. Sherem then died. Jacob was happy that peace, for a time, came back to the people of Nephi.
The Nephites and Lamanites continued to fight and Jacob died.
Likening Scriptures unto me
Tonight was a tough night for me. Satan attempted every situation in order for me not to publish before midnight! I will explain later. I will publish and add to this after midnight. I wanted to post and I have 2 minutes.
Okay, I'm back. I have to get up at 630AM to get ready for church, which is in 6 hours, but I want to write what my heart feels about these Chapters.
#1 Being prayerful and repenting is good for my soul and should be a daily occurance.
#2 I can lead others to read The Book of Mormon, pray, and ask for the Spirit to be with people, but everyone has agency and their choices are between them and God. Just as the Nephites could not make the Lamanites hearts soft, neither can I. I can encourage and lead, but I can not force anyone to "Come Unto Christ".
#3 Being a peacemaker in my home is important to me. I need to keep my heart and spirit soft at all times. I will be rewarded, and if not in this life, then in the next. I have endured much.
Jacob chastised Nephites for practicing Polygamy without permission from Heavenly Father and for mistreating their wives and children.
The skin color reference sign of the Lamanites, I still don't understand completely, but my understanding is that the Lamanites dark skin was a mark or sign of their disobedience to God at one point before they became righteous. Their skin color was NOT the curse! The curse was separation from God for disobedience. It bugs me that it was a revelation or teaching that people of color didn't hold the Priesthood until 1978 and I'm not sure why it was relevant because I know Christ loves all of us. I don't have to agree in order to be a faithful Latter Day Saint! I empathize with those who learn of this topic and feel hurt. I get it.
I don't question God or his Prophet, so I'll ask when I get to Heaven for a clearer explanation and I have faith that in the next life it will be explained.
Here is a video that I appreciate.
I think about these 3 Chapters and am reminded of my own life when I was belligerent and disobedient. I also look at how I repented, found joy, healed and am obedient to the Lord in my life.
My sign of not trusting Jesus was leaving my faith. A sign is not the curse and all I can say is that I don't understand why color was the sign but it was.
I believe in Christ. I know he loved the Lamanites. I know He loves me and you!
Chapter 5 described the allegory of the Olive tree. I am so happy for the knowledge of "good fruits".
Likening the scriptures unto me
1. Having faith is not to have a perfect knowledge or understanding of things.
2. God loves ALL of us, including me.
3. Sometimes I practice my faith and have hope that my lack of understanding will be revealed in God's time.
4. Obedience will produce good fruits.
5. I love Jesus Christ and know that I will see him again. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true! ❤️
We are now in the book of Jacob, brother of Nephi. Nephi dies. Jacob reminds Nephites they can have joy amidst trials. He tells the Nephites that unless otherwise commanded, men are to have only one wife.
Jacob chastises the Nephites for mistreating their wives and children. He reminds the husbands how precious their wives and children are to Him. That they are tender of heart and good. That the husbands have a responsibility to take care of them, treat them with care, and protect them, not hit them, abuse them verbally, or otherwise violate them.
I liken these verses unto me. I used to be a Domestic Violence Advocate and would go to court with women when they needed to file a protection order. I helped women find a shelter for their kids and themselves when they were in danger. I was also a foster kid and came from a past where I had been hit with a closed fist by a man as well as other harmful things. Reading Jacob 1-2 reminded me of God's love for me and how He saw everything. I know He was with me and I was a treasured child of his.
Jacob being bold enough to talk to the Nephites about not practicing polygamy, and caring for and loving the tender women and children, was a very brave and loving thing to do. He warned them that God would punish abusive husbands. He also said that those who obeyed God would be blessed even with wealth if they were willing to sacrifice and accept less. That God in turn would bless them as they used their wealth to clothe the naked, feed the poor, etc.
Likening these Chapters Unto Me
1. I am valued and cherished by God as a Woman and daughter of Heavenly Parents.
2. I deserve to be respected and treated with kindness. I should never have to feel abused physically, violated, be verbally assaulted, or physically harmed by any man.
3. I will be blessed with certain blessings when I choose to use my increase to love and take care of those who have less than me.
4. God sees me and is mindful of me.
This song is a beautiful reminder of Heavenly Fathers love for children.
