Mosiah 4-6
I just realized if my website had an acronym it would be LICCJITWW… that's ridiculous.
Well Mosiah 4-6 are great. King Benjamin's speech has a profound impact on his people as they all repent and apply the atonement. Benjamin is super happy for them, he continues to teach but no longer focusing on how to receive remission of their sins, but rather on how to retain remission of their sins. His people then make a covenant with their Lord.
(also if you're new to this blog, use it as a study aid to read along side with your scriptures. It's not meant to be a stand alone kinda thing.)
Something I'm getting better at is noticing the word choice in scripture, and how often it differs from what we use in our day to day speech. One example of this is when we often say we are going to "take out" our endowment in the temple, as if it were a library book we are taking out for a while. A better word choice would be "to receive" our endowment, or even better - "to be endowed with power". Doctrine and Covenants 38:32
In Mosiah 4:2, I'm looking at the atonement. Often we'll hear in church "how do you use the atonement?". To me this makes it seem like it's a tool that can be picked up and used lightly. I like how in verse two they use the words "apply the atonement".
Apply has two meanings:
We apply to Him, that He may apply unto us.
V3. the results follow. They are filled with joy, received a remission of their sins, and have peace of conscience. All this because of their faith.
Faith always proceeds the miracle. Faith is meant to alter our conditions, or at least our attitude towards them.
V5. "if the knowledge of the goodness of God has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state.."
Many religions will try to awaken you to a sense of your nothingness brought on by an angry God. I like that King Benjamin describes a good one, a loving father, a patient Christ.
If you come to see the goodness of God, then not only do you know that you must come unto him, but you know that you can. You'll know that he's welcoming, that he wants you to return to him.
You don't have to be scared into submission by an angry deity. We can be loved into lowliness of heart.
There are two ways to humble a man. Either point out to him the depth of the pit he is in, or point out the height of God's pedestal, per say. I suppose it's all relativity and either way brings about humility. But I am personally more inspired and filled with righteous desires when I realize the height of the platform he stands on, (his goodness and mercy) rather than looking at the pit I have fallen into and must climb out of.
V6. Benjamin raises that pedestal even higher.
"if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world,"
Sometimes I like to switch out words and see if it gives me new meaning or train of thought.
Verse 6 according to me: "if ye have gained a testimony of the goodness of God…"
If you are able to testify of Christ; his goodness, his power, wisdom, patience, and forgiveness… and if you can testify of his atonement, then: "salvation might come to him".
Can you testify of his atonement? If you're unsure, ask yourself this: "Who is Jesus to me?"
You may come up with many different responses like: "He is my shepherd, my teacher, my rock, my guide, my perfect example." All of which are great ways to love and respect Him. But, maybe it's time to start loving Him as your savior and redeemer. Admit you need saving. It's what he came here for!
In the temple recommend questions, there is no shortage of descriptors they could've used, and yet they ask us if we accept Christ as our savior and redeemer. Not have you perfectly followed Him as a teacher. But do you have faith in him, as your savior and redeemer. Can you admit you need saving?
The 2nd temple recommend question used to be:
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as the Savior and Redeemer?
It has since been changed to:
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer?
That subtle difference makes all the difference in the world to an individual.
V8. He puts it black and white. There is no other salvation. This is the plan.
I sometimes hear people leaving the church saying "it just wasn't for me". Granted there may be things in church culture that are difficult, but the idea that the gospel or the plan of salvation isn't for them.. Is simply untrue. It is for everyone.
V9. If you have questions that you're having a hard time answering, this is a good verse to turn to. "believe that man doth not comprehend all things which the Lord can comprehend."
To truly believe this, we must do what proceeds that part of the verse:
V10. repent
V11. remember
As we do this, V12-16 shows the natural consequences that will follow
V12 we will rejoice and be filled with love. Basically, the secret to happiness.
V13 "ye will not have a mind to injure". It doesn't say "ye shall not", this is not a command. But Benjamin is teaching us that if we do these things, (repent and remember) we naturally will not have a mind to injure, and we'll be peaceful.
V14-16 go & highlight every time it says "ye will" to find more natural results of repentance and remembrance.
Remember in Jacob 2:18-19, "after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches.. And ye will seek them for the intent to do good." Seeking to do good charitable things is just a natural result of obtaining hope in Christ, therefore God has no problem at all giving you riches.
V17-19. I've heard it said "Justice is when we get what we deserve. Mercy is when we don't get what we deserve. Grace is when we get what we don't deserve."
Our fellow beggars at least deserve our mercy, but let us practice extending grace as well. "are we not all beggars?"
V18. If you do not extend mercy and grace to others, you will have "no interest in the kingdom of God". I found this verse peculiar because I've been the kind of person as described in verse 17, and yet there was never a point where I was "uninterested" in in the kingdom in heaven. So I wonder if this "interest" could be the economical definition of the word.
Any time I serve, obey, minister, succor, etc., God blesses / pays me immediately, kind of like an interest I receive. So maybe this type of person described here receives no interest from heaven?
V22 Here is the secret to being charitable… It is so much easier to give away what is not ours. If you view something as yours, it is hard to give away. If you view yourself as a steward over it, it's easy to give away God's stuff.
There are some good examples from D&C on this topic.
A fast offering is almost a natural result of the effect fasting has on the heart. After fasting you will find yourself wanting to give to the poor, because for a short time you knew what it felt like to be poor.
V27. There are two types of people in the church…. Those who hold on to Matthew 5:48 (be ye therefore perfect) and those that live by Mosiah 4:27 (slow down, don't run faster than you have strength). Ironically, I think each scripture was meant for the other group of people. Those who are too worried about being perfect need to relax and not run faster than they have the strength to. Those who too relaxed with the gospel, probably need to strive for a little more perfection. There is a happy medium I think Christ wants us to be; run, but at a sustainable rate. Be diligent, and temperate.
Chapter 5: Benjamin is pretty much finished teaching, and wants to know if the people understood and believed what was taught.
V2. They believe because of the "mighty change" in their hearts. So much so that they no longer have "disposition to do evil". This is the righteous desire that King Benjamin was after. It's not committing one sin that is the danger to look out for.. It's letting sin become our disposition.
Not only has their disposition changed from not doing evil, they also want to "do good continually".
Terrestial state of mind: not doing evil.
Celestial state of mind: not doing evil, yet also doing good.
V5. What Benjamin was ultimately after. His people declaring they are willing to enter into a covenant with God. This is something no king can impose. The desire has to come from within.
Well Mosiah 4-6 are great. King Benjamin's speech has a profound impact on his people as they all repent and apply the atonement. Benjamin is super happy for them, he continues to teach but no longer focusing on how to receive remission of their sins, but rather on how to retain remission of their sins. His people then make a covenant with their Lord.
(also if you're new to this blog, use it as a study aid to read along side with your scriptures. It's not meant to be a stand alone kinda thing.)
Let's gooooooooooooooooooo
Mosiah 4
Verse 2. We can plainly see the effects the last few chapters had on the people. They've been humbled to the dust, they are filled with righteous desires, and they exercise faith.
Something I'm getting better at is noticing the word choice in scripture, and how often it differs from what we use in our day to day speech. One example of this is when we often say we are going to "take out" our endowment in the temple, as if it were a library book we are taking out for a while. A better word choice would be "to receive" our endowment, or even better - "to be endowed with power". Doctrine and Covenants 38:32
In Mosiah 4:2, I'm looking at the atonement. Often we'll hear in church "how do you use the atonement?". To me this makes it seem like it's a tool that can be picked up and used lightly. I like how in verse two they use the words "apply the atonement".
Apply has two meanings:
- to administer, such as administering bandages or ointment to a cut. This first meaning is what the Lord is doing.
- to make a formal request, such as applying for a scholarship. This is what we are doing. We ask for something we cannot obtain on our own, someone has to give it to us.
We apply to Him, that He may apply unto us.
V3. the results follow. They are filled with joy, received a remission of their sins, and have peace of conscience. All this because of their faith.
Faith always proceeds the miracle. Faith is meant to alter our conditions, or at least our attitude towards them.
V5. "if the knowledge of the goodness of God has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state.."
Many religions will try to awaken you to a sense of your nothingness brought on by an angry God. I like that King Benjamin describes a good one, a loving father, a patient Christ.
If you come to see the goodness of God, then not only do you know that you must come unto him, but you know that you can. You'll know that he's welcoming, that he wants you to return to him.
You don't have to be scared into submission by an angry deity. We can be loved into lowliness of heart.
There are two ways to humble a man. Either point out to him the depth of the pit he is in, or point out the height of God's pedestal, per say. I suppose it's all relativity and either way brings about humility. But I am personally more inspired and filled with righteous desires when I realize the height of the platform he stands on, (his goodness and mercy) rather than looking at the pit I have fallen into and must climb out of.
V6. Benjamin raises that pedestal even higher.
"if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world,"
Sometimes I like to switch out words and see if it gives me new meaning or train of thought.
Verse 6 according to me: "if ye have gained a testimony of the goodness of God…"
If you are able to testify of Christ; his goodness, his power, wisdom, patience, and forgiveness… and if you can testify of his atonement, then: "salvation might come to him".
Can you testify of his atonement? If you're unsure, ask yourself this: "Who is Jesus to me?"
You may come up with many different responses like: "He is my shepherd, my teacher, my rock, my guide, my perfect example." All of which are great ways to love and respect Him. But, maybe it's time to start loving Him as your savior and redeemer. Admit you need saving. It's what he came here for!
In the temple recommend questions, there is no shortage of descriptors they could've used, and yet they ask us if we accept Christ as our savior and redeemer. Not have you perfectly followed Him as a teacher. But do you have faith in him, as your savior and redeemer. Can you admit you need saving?
The 2nd temple recommend question used to be:
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as the Savior and Redeemer?
It has since been changed to:
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer?
That subtle difference makes all the difference in the world to an individual.
V8. He puts it black and white. There is no other salvation. This is the plan.
I sometimes hear people leaving the church saying "it just wasn't for me". Granted there may be things in church culture that are difficult, but the idea that the gospel or the plan of salvation isn't for them.. Is simply untrue. It is for everyone.
V9. If you have questions that you're having a hard time answering, this is a good verse to turn to. "believe that man doth not comprehend all things which the Lord can comprehend."
To truly believe this, we must do what proceeds that part of the verse:
- Believe in God, believe that he is.
- Believe that he is all-knowing.
- Believe that he is all-powerful.
- Believe that he is all-loving. (V6)
V10. repent
V11. remember
As we do this, V12-16 shows the natural consequences that will follow
V12 we will rejoice and be filled with love. Basically, the secret to happiness.
V13 "ye will not have a mind to injure". It doesn't say "ye shall not", this is not a command. But Benjamin is teaching us that if we do these things, (repent and remember) we naturally will not have a mind to injure, and we'll be peaceful.
V14-16 go & highlight every time it says "ye will" to find more natural results of repentance and remembrance.
Remember in Jacob 2:18-19, "after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches.. And ye will seek them for the intent to do good." Seeking to do good charitable things is just a natural result of obtaining hope in Christ, therefore God has no problem at all giving you riches.
V17-19. I've heard it said "Justice is when we get what we deserve. Mercy is when we don't get what we deserve. Grace is when we get what we don't deserve."
Our fellow beggars at least deserve our mercy, but let us practice extending grace as well. "are we not all beggars?"
V18. If you do not extend mercy and grace to others, you will have "no interest in the kingdom of God". I found this verse peculiar because I've been the kind of person as described in verse 17, and yet there was never a point where I was "uninterested" in in the kingdom in heaven. So I wonder if this "interest" could be the economical definition of the word.
Any time I serve, obey, minister, succor, etc., God blesses / pays me immediately, kind of like an interest I receive. So maybe this type of person described here receives no interest from heaven?
V22 Here is the secret to being charitable… It is so much easier to give away what is not ours. If you view something as yours, it is hard to give away. If you view yourself as a steward over it, it's easy to give away God's stuff.
There are some good examples from D&C on this topic.
- D&C 63:42 God says let Newel K Whitney retain his store, or in other words, the store. Newel K Whitney understood stewardship, what was "his" was not really his. & his store became the first bishops store house soon after.
- D&C 19:26 God speaks to Martin Harris, "though shalt not covet thine own property". I can imagine Martin thinking
- "wait.. I thought you can only covet what is not yours?"
- God: "exactly."
A fast offering is almost a natural result of the effect fasting has on the heart. After fasting you will find yourself wanting to give to the poor, because for a short time you knew what it felt like to be poor.
V27. There are two types of people in the church…. Those who hold on to Matthew 5:48 (be ye therefore perfect) and those that live by Mosiah 4:27 (slow down, don't run faster than you have strength). Ironically, I think each scripture was meant for the other group of people. Those who are too worried about being perfect need to relax and not run faster than they have the strength to. Those who too relaxed with the gospel, probably need to strive for a little more perfection. There is a happy medium I think Christ wants us to be; run, but at a sustainable rate. Be diligent, and temperate.
Chapter 5: Benjamin is pretty much finished teaching, and wants to know if the people understood and believed what was taught.
V2. They believe because of the "mighty change" in their hearts. So much so that they no longer have "disposition to do evil". This is the righteous desire that King Benjamin was after. It's not committing one sin that is the danger to look out for.. It's letting sin become our disposition.
Not only has their disposition changed from not doing evil, they also want to "do good continually".
Terrestial state of mind: not doing evil.
Celestial state of mind: not doing evil, yet also doing good.
V5. What Benjamin was ultimately after. His people declaring they are willing to enter into a covenant with God. This is something no king can impose. The desire has to come from within.
Alright, sorry these are never on time. Maybe one day I'll finish this at the start of the week. Hope you're loving the Book of Mormon!
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