Mosiah Flashcards
What books of scripture make up the large plates?
Mosiah - 4 Nephi
BofM study guide p. 105
Who were the people of Zarahemla?
The people of Zarahemla were originally the Mulekites before they were joined by the righteous Nephites under the leadership of King Mosiah.
The Mulekites were another group of people (as well as Lehi and his group) led from Jerusalem at the time that King Zedekiah was carried away captive to Babylon (Omni 1:15) Mulek was one of Zedekiah’s sons and was not slain as the bible records in 2 Kings 25:7. We are not told of this group’s route or means of travel except that they journeyed in the wilderness and were led by The Lord across great waters to America. Over 400 years later, the Mulekites were discovered by Mosiah, a descendant of Nephi. The Mulekites had forgotten their religion and language, while Lehi’s people had maintained theirs because of the records they had brought with them. [Jewish Migrations by Victor L Ludlow. Ensign May 1972]
Omni 1: 12-23
finishThe book of Mosiah does some criss crossing chronologically. It can be confusing because of the different storylines and historical flashbacks. Explain…
(See BofM study guide p149-150 to help)
The first six chapters are King Benjamin speaking to his people.
Mosiah 7-17
“Flashback” to the land of Nephi and Amaleki’s brother and his group who travelled back eighty years(?) before King Benjamin. This is the time of wicked king Noah, Abinadi, and Alma.
Mosiah 17-
We meet Alma for the first time. He escapes from King Noah and secretly teaches and baptizes others who wish to join God’s church.
When Mosiah and his people discover the Mulekites (or the people of Zarahemla), what was their state?
They had become exceedingly numerous. They had had many wars and serious contentions, and their language had become corrupted. They had not brought any records with them. They denied the existence of God. Mosiah, nor the people of Mosiah could understand them.
Omni 1:17
How many King Mosiah’s are there in the Book of Mormon? Are they related and when did each rule?
Yes, they are related. Around 200b.c. King Mosiah I was warned by The Lord to flee out of the land of Nephi. They were led by God until they came to the land of Zarahemla and met the Mulekites. Mosiah was made their King. King Benjamin was King Mosiah’s I son. King Mosiah II was King Benjamin’s son. King Mosiah II ruled around 125 b.c.
King Mosiah I was King Mosiah II’s grandfather.
Omni 1:12-19
BofM made easier, part #1, p. 390-392
Give a breakdown of the chapters on Mosiah and what they cover.
Mosiah 1-King Benjamin speaking to his sons and he turns the kingdom over to his son Mosiah.
Mosiah 2 - 5 King Benjamin speaks to his people. These chapters are known as King Benjamin’s address. It is one of the most often referred to portions of the Book of Mormon.
Mosiah 6- King Benjamin records all of the names of the people (except little children) who covenanted with God to keep His commandments. Mosiah is made King. King Benjamin dies.
Mosiah 7-17
“Flashback” to the land of Nephi and Amaleki’s brother and his group who travelled back eighty years (?)before King Benjamin. This is the time of wicked king Noah, Abinadi, and Alma.
Mosiah 7-8 this is where Ammon and 15 other strong men traveled from Zarahemla to learn what happened to the people whom Zeniff had led to the land of Nephi 80 years earlier. After two days they were brought out of prison and questioned by King Limhi, who was Zeniffs grandson. King Limhi spoke about their bondage to the Lamanites and expressed hope that God would soon deliver them.
Mosiah 9- 10 We are now given “flashback” to when Zeniff led the group of Nephites back to the land of Nephi. Because the king of the Lamanites planned to bring Zeniffs people into bondage, he allowed them to stay. The Lamanites false traditions and hatred of the Nephites eventually led to war. When the Lamanites sought to bring them into bondage, Zeniffs people turned to the Lord who strengthened them and helped them drive the Lamanites from their land.
Mosiah 11-16 King Noah (Zeniff’s son) rules in wickedness. He took great pleasure in riotous living and many of his people were led into wickedness as well. The Lord sent Abinadi to call Noah’s people to repentance and warn them of impending bondage. The people choose not to heed the warning, and Abinadi was imprisoned for his prophecies. When the priests of King Noah questioned Abinadi, the prophet rebuked them for not living or teaching the commandments. God protected Abinadi and gave him power to finish his message to King Noah and his priests. Quoting Isaiah in chapter 14, Abinadi testified of all people’s need to rely on Jesus Christ and His atonement. In chapter 15, Abinadi explains Isaiah’s teachings that he had just quoted. In chapter 16, Abinadi adds his own testimony to the testimony of Isaiah.
Mosiah 17-18 We officially meet Alma for the first time, as he tries to convince King Noah to release Abinadi. King Noah casts Alma out, and sends his servants to kill him. Alma escapes and hides. Abinadi prophesies that many descendants of King Noah’s priests will cause many others to be burned to death because of their faith in Christ as well. Abinadi is put to death by fire and prophecies that King Noah will be put to death in the same manner. Alma teaches secretly and baptizes many followers who wish to join Christ’s church in the waters of Mormon. Chapter 18 gives the baptismal covenants we make and the promises to those who keep their covenants.
Mosiah 19- King Noah’s kingdom has been weakened by wicked excesses and is about to be overtaken by the Lamanites. Gideon seeks King Noah’s life, but ends up sparing it. King Noah commands the men to flee, leaving their women and children to die. Some flee with King Noah but some stay with their families. Those who choose to stay with their families send their beautiful daughters to convince the Lamanites not to kill them. The Lamanites spare their lives but take them captive back to the land of Nephi where they can possess the land but they must pay one half of all they posses. Gideon sends men to find King Noah and the others who left their families and fled. They discover that these men had actually put King Noah to death by fire and the wicked priests had fled. King Noah’s son, Limhi, who was a good man takes over leadership of the Nephites under Lamanite rule.
Mosiah 20- The wicked priests of King Noah who fled when King Noah was killed, kidnap 24 Lamanite daughters. The Lamanites mistakingly think that Limhi’s people kidnapped the daughters and a battle begins. Limhi and his people fight well even though being outnumbered. When the Lamanite King is found wounded and they discover the mistake, the Lamanite King pleads for his people to be pacified towards King Limhi and his people.
Mosiah 21-22 this concludes the account of Limhi and his people. They will go through more misery and bloodshed while in bondage to the Lamanites. They will finally escape and go with Ammon and his 15 men (who came from Zarahemla to find them) back to the land of Zarahemla to join Mosiah and his people. These chapters conclude the “flashback” begun in Mosiah 9 as far as the history of Limhi and his people are concerned (the 79 years of Zeniff, Noah, and Limhi who built up a Nephite colony in Lamanite territory). The “flashback” will come full circle back to Mosiah chapters 7&8, in which Ammon and his small band of men finally discover Limhi and his people.
Mosiah 23-Alma and his people had fled King Noah into the wilderness and eventually settled in a pleasant area which they named Helam. Alma teaches the people. They live in peace for 24 years but “The Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.” The Lamanites came to the borders of their land and the people were very afraid. Alma counseled them that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember God and that he would deliver them. Alma and his brethren surrendered to the Lamanites. The Lamanites had promised to grant the people their lives and their liberty if they showed them the way to the land of Nephi. Even after Alma showed them they did not keep their promise and set guards all over the land. Amulon (the leader of the wicked priests of King Noah who fled their families and who had kidnapped 24 Lamanite daughters) is made ruler over Alma and his people. There will be a good purpose in all of this that we will find out a little later.
Mosiah 24-Amulon rules over Alma and his people. The Lamanites are taught the Nephite language. Amulon puts heavy tasks on Alma and his people. The Lord makes their burdens light and strengthens them so that they can bear their burdens with ease. God causes a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites and Alma and his people escape to the land of Zarahemla where King Mosiah receives them with joy.
Mosiah 25-26 These chapters transition back to the reuniting of the people of Limhi and the people of Alma with the people in the land of Zarahemla. Alma is called to be president of the church. Mormon is tying together several details before we move on to Alma’s ministry. In chapter 26, Alma is trying to decide what to do with people who are involved in serious sin. He turns them over to King Mosiah II, but King Mosiah sends them back to Alma to be judged. This highlights the differences in civil disobedience and religious disobedience. Those who repent are to be received in the church. Those who do not repent are to be excommunicated or have their names blotted out.
Mosiah 27- this is one of the better known chapters in the Book of Mormon. It contains the account of the conversion of Alma the Younger and the four sons of Mosiah. They were very wicked men, and the events in this chapter remind us again of the power of the Atonement. Other things are taught like the power of prayers of righteous parents. These men were going about seeking to destroy the church and lead church members astray. An angel descends from a cloud and and asks Alma “why persesecutest thou the church of God?” The angels voice shakes the ground and Alma and the sons of Mosiah fall to the ground. Alma was so astonished that he becomes dumb. He is carried before his father who rejoices, for he knew that it was the power of God. Alma the elder and his priests fast for two days and two nights and Alma the younger received strength and speaks. He repents of his sins and is redeemed of The Lord. He has experienced true Godly sorrow. Alma and the sons of Mosiah went throughout the land striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing their sins, and publishing all things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and scriptures to all who desired to hear them.
Mosiah 28-29 The sons of Mosiah wish to go on a mission to teach the Lamanites the gospel. King Mosiah prays and The Lord tells him to allow them to go and that He will deliver them out of the hands of the Lamanites. An important lesson is that even when we are doing what God wants, we will still often face difficulties and trials. God did deliver them as promised once their mission was completed. The account of their mission is found in Alma 17-26. King Mosiah states that there should be no more kings because of the damage that they can do (King Noah). Instead he sets up the system referred to as the reign of the judges. Alma (Alma the younger) was appointed first chief judge and also high priest.
In BofM made easier, the author talks about how the Book of Mormon could be broken down in thirds and explains the different people we meet in each third. Explain this.
“For instance, you could, in a general way, divide the Book of Mormon into three parts. In the first third, we see men and women who are righteous when we first meet them in the account and who remain righteous to the end. Examples would include Lehi and Sariah, Nephi, Sam, Jacob, Zoram, etc.
We are introduced to others who tend to be rebellious and wicked when we first meet them and who remove themselves farther and farther from God as the account continues, until they become extremely wicked and depraved. Examples would include Laman and Lemuel, the sons of Ishmael, and their wives.
In summary, in the first third or so of the Book of Mormon, we meet people who are righteous when we are first introduced to them, and we watch as they exercise faith and repentance and thus become stronger and stronger in following God throughout their lives. This is a great example and encouragement to each of us. On the other hand, we see rebellious and wicked souls who never seem to make a one hundred percent commitment to follow God and thus become less and less sensitive to the Spirit and more and more apt to follow Satan’s ways. The righteous become more righteous and the wicked become more wicked. This pattern fits many people today and is both an encouragement and a warning to members of the church.
In the second third of the Book of Mormon, the portion which we are about to study, it seems that The Lord brings another group of people into the picture. The examples in this group are wicked when we first meet them, but they are successful in overcoming evil and rebellion in their lives. By the time we bid farewell to them in our study, they are deeply committed to God and are wonderful examples do faithful saints.
Such people as Alma the Elder, Alma the younger, the three sons of Mosiah, and Zeezrom fall into this category. Yet another example with a bit different background is Amulek. When we first meet him, he is not necessarily wicked, but is inactive in the church. He has been encouraged many times by the Spirit to become a faithful member but has ignored the promptings. As we watch him meet Alma (Alma 8:18-32), the Lords prophet, and minister to his needs, we witness a true conversion take place in his heart and then observe as he is taught and prepared and becomes a mighty servant of the Lord.
Thus, a major “big picture” message comes to us in the first third of the Book of Mormon as The Lord encourages the righteous to remain righteous and warns the wicked to turn away from their evil and rebellious ways. In the second third, the Savior reminds and teaches those who have had times of evil and wickedness in their lives that there is hope for them. Indeed, through the examples of key characters in the Book of Mormon account, The Lord assures such saints that there is not only hope for them, but opportunity for absolute success in becoming righteous through Christ’s atonement.
In the last third of the Book or Mormon, we see the ultimate fate of the wicked as they are destroyed in the Americas at the time of the Savior’s crucifixion, as well as through the wRs which follow their apostasy. We see the strengthening of the righteous as Christ ministers to the Nephites as recorded in third Nephi. We watch the wonderful fruits of personal righteousness during the 200 years of peace. Then we are startled to see how fast a once righteous people, who let their guard down, fall away from God and become ferociously wicked.”
BofM made easier, part #2, p.1-2
Where in Mosiah is the account of the group who went back to the land of Nephi spoken of by Amaleki in Omni 1:29-30?
Mosiah 9-22. This is a “flashback” see BofM made easier, part #2, p. 102.
This is the account of…
King Zeniff>King Noah>Abinadi (and Alma the elder)>King Limhi
King Benjamin speaks about his ancestors and how only through Gods matchless and marvelous power they were preserved. King Benjamin warns his sons that if they ____________?___, they will become weak like their brethren and He will deliver them up (will no longer protect them). King Benjamin also stated that had God not extended His arm in the preservation of their fathers, they would have fallen into the hands of the Lamanites and become victims to their hatred.
How is this applicable to our lives today?
Mosiah 1:13-14
Fall into transgression and become wicked and adulterous.
It is very applicable in that without God to help us we can very easily fall to our adversaries hatred. This has been evidenced many times in my life.
What chapters are known as King Benjamin’s address?
Mosiah 2-5
** spend a lot of time on king Benjamin’s address
Nigh
Where does a shift from first person to third person occur?
There is a shift from the first person accounts of the early books in the Book of Mormon to the third person account in the book of Mosiah. The books of 1 Nephi through Omni were translated from the small plates of Nephi and are the works of the original writers; consequently, they were written in first person. The books of Mosiah through 4 Nephi, however, all come from Mormons abridgment of the large plates of Nephi. These books are Mormon abridgment of the original authors records.
BofM study guide p136
What does the term “mysteries of God” refer to?
It refers to truths that can only be known through divine revelation.
Examples:
Priesthood
Work for the dead
Re-establishment of the church
BofM study guide p136
Which prophet in the Book of Mormon had a tower built so that his people could hear his words?
King Benjamin
Mosiah 2:7
What are some of the main lessons we learn from Mosiah?
In your study of the book of Mosiah, you will read powerful testimonies of the mission of Jesus Christ. You will also learn about people whom the Lord delivered from bondage of sin or from physical oppression. Furthermore, you will learn how the righteous efforts of individuals such as a King Benjamin, Abinadi, and Alma brought tremendous blessings to others. Conversely, you will see how the poor choices of individuals such as Zeniff and his son, King Noah, bright negative consequences upon themselves and their people.
BofM study guide p104
