Mosiah 7-10
Stories are like the spoon full of sugar that helps the medicine go down. But it's the medicine that saves us, not the sugar.
We are starting to leave the plain teachings of Nephi and Jacob, are entering into the large plates filled with stories. So you may have to dig a little deeper for the lesson, as they won't come out and hit you in the face like they did at the end of 2nd Nephi.
Step 1: Ask yourself on every page, "what is the moral of this story?"
Step 2: Liken it unto yourself
Mosiah 7-10 is a great place to practice this. Extrapolate the principles.
As we read, you'll realize we are jumping around a bit from place to place and time to time.
The Book of Mosiah is mostly centered on 2 different places, and spans across 3 generations.
So how about a quick story to help us understand the story?? :)
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2003/04/a-prayer-for-the-children?lang=eng
Elder Holland talked about a time he met a boy who had been traveling the world seeking out his faith and religion. The boy's father was agnostic, but it turns out his grandfather was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Though, the boy says his grandfather was always cynical of the church and didn't do much with it.
From a grandfather who is cynical to a son who is agnostic to a grandson who is now looking desperately for what God had already once given his family...
We are starting to leave the plain teachings of Nephi and Jacob, are entering into the large plates filled with stories. So you may have to dig a little deeper for the lesson, as they won't come out and hit you in the face like they did at the end of 2nd Nephi.
Step 1: Ask yourself on every page, "what is the moral of this story?"
Step 2: Liken it unto yourself
Mosiah 7-10 is a great place to practice this. Extrapolate the principles.
As we read, you'll realize we are jumping around a bit from place to place and time to time.
The Book of Mosiah is mostly centered on 2 different places, and spans across 3 generations.
|
|
Land of Zarahemla |
Land of Nephi |
|
1st Generation |
Mosiah I |
Zeniff |
|
2nd Generation |
Benjamin |
Noah |
|
3rd Generation |
Mosiah II |
Limhi |
So how about a quick story to help us understand the story?? :)
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2003/04/a-prayer-for-the-children?lang=eng
Elder Holland talked about a time he met a boy who had been traveling the world seeking out his faith and religion. The boy's father was agnostic, but it turns out his grandfather was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Though, the boy says his grandfather was always cynical of the church and didn't do much with it.
From a grandfather who is cynical to a son who is agnostic to a grandson who is now looking desperately for what God had already once given his family...
This illustrates the story of Limhi perfectly.
Zenif was the Grandfather, he left the church in Zarahemla to find his own way.
Noah went as far off the path as you can.
Limhi seeks what was lost.
This follows modern ideology. Hansen's law of 3 generations is summed up as "what the son wishes to forget, the grandson wishes to remember."
1st generation: Immigration and preservation
2nd generation: Assimilation (into new) and rejection (of old)
3rd generation: Reintegration (of old into new)
Zenif was the Grandfather, he left the church in Zarahemla to find his own way.
Noah went as far off the path as you can.
Limhi seeks what was lost.
This follows modern ideology. Hansen's law of 3 generations is summed up as "what the son wishes to forget, the grandson wishes to remember."
1st generation: Immigration and preservation
2nd generation: Assimilation (into new) and rejection (of old)
3rd generation: Reintegration (of old into new)
Ch 7
We begin in Zarahemla, 3rd generation
V1. Mosiah II is king, and his people are wondering what ever happened to their brothers who left to the land of Nephi, 2 generations back.
(To Tease means to persuade to acquiesce, especially by persistent small efforts)
Do we ponder on how our brothers and sisters are doing? What do we do about it?
V2. Mosiah II sent strong men.
To seek after the lost sheep we must be strong spiritually. And funny enough we should also be strong socially, as you'll have to overcome uncomfortable situations when all they want to do is stiff arm you to go away.
Notice all these men were to do was inquire of them, not ask why are you so inactive, etc.
V4. Ammon leads his men, on a journey of 40 days.
40 is often used in the scripture to purify.
Noah: 40 days and 40 nights to purify the world.
Moses: 40 years to Purify his people before getting to their promised land.
V10. After Ammon and crew were caught, King Limhi inquires why they were so bold in coming here.
BOLDNESS often leads others to curiosity.
V12. Ammon has a strong character. He emerges from a prison after 3 days and is thankful. I'm sure he was asked to speak on every thanksgiving Sunday.
V14. Limhi says he is glad that his brothers are still alive. He had never met Ammon's people, they were probably just stories that his Grandfather told him about.
Like the story from Elder Holland, Limhi is the grandson who has been curious about what his grandfather had lost.
Sometimes when we reach out to people, we'll be surprised to know they think of us as brothers and are very happy to see us.
V17. They still have a temple in the city!
V18-19. Limhi asks his people to trust in God and he will save them, but know that there will still be tough times ahead.
V21. This is the first time we get to learn about King Zeniff. It says he was over-zealous in trying to inherit the land of their fathers, but was deceived by Laman, king of the Lamanites.
Not everyone falls away because they are under-committed to the gospel, some get over zealous and try to out do the prophets and apostles.
V25-26. We see the 3 Main reasons for inactivity:
Faith Hope and Charity.. sounds familiar.
Doctrine & Covenants 4:5. "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work."
V33. Help them to turn to the lord with FULL purpose of heart. With ALL diligence.
No half measures will do. Go all in on the gospel. It is so worth it!!!
V2 He catches them up to speed on all the things they missed
V5 He catches up on their life and their struggles.
V7 He finds out that they have tried to find their way back.
V12 It seems like anytime "Idolatrous" is mentioned in the scriptures, "lazy" is right there with it.
I think idolatry leads to idleness/laziness because you are worshipping a god who requires nothing from you.
True worship leads to hard work because our God requires much from us. (Luke 12:48)
V12-16 Note each time it says Wronged and Wroth. Another set of words that often appear near each other.
V17 A great example of why families are "the fundamental unit of society" (THE FAMILY : A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD)
If you look at countries, cultures or any group of people who have hated each other for centuries, they will only ever have peace when their parents teach their young to not hate.
Alright that's what I got out of these chapters. Message me if you got something else you'd like to share!
V1. Mosiah II is king, and his people are wondering what ever happened to their brothers who left to the land of Nephi, 2 generations back.
(To Tease means to persuade to acquiesce, especially by persistent small efforts)
Do we ponder on how our brothers and sisters are doing? What do we do about it?
V2. Mosiah II sent strong men.
To seek after the lost sheep we must be strong spiritually. And funny enough we should also be strong socially, as you'll have to overcome uncomfortable situations when all they want to do is stiff arm you to go away.
Notice all these men were to do was inquire of them, not ask why are you so inactive, etc.
V4. Ammon leads his men, on a journey of 40 days.
40 is often used in the scripture to purify.
Noah: 40 days and 40 nights to purify the world.
Moses: 40 years to Purify his people before getting to their promised land.
V10. After Ammon and crew were caught, King Limhi inquires why they were so bold in coming here.
BOLDNESS often leads others to curiosity.
V12. Ammon has a strong character. He emerges from a prison after 3 days and is thankful. I'm sure he was asked to speak on every thanksgiving Sunday.
V14. Limhi says he is glad that his brothers are still alive. He had never met Ammon's people, they were probably just stories that his Grandfather told him about.
Like the story from Elder Holland, Limhi is the grandson who has been curious about what his grandfather had lost.
Sometimes when we reach out to people, we'll be surprised to know they think of us as brothers and are very happy to see us.
V17. They still have a temple in the city!
V18-19. Limhi asks his people to trust in God and he will save them, but know that there will still be tough times ahead.
V21. This is the first time we get to learn about King Zeniff. It says he was over-zealous in trying to inherit the land of their fathers, but was deceived by Laman, king of the Lamanites.
Not everyone falls away because they are under-committed to the gospel, some get over zealous and try to out do the prophets and apostles.
V25-26. We see the 3 Main reasons for inactivity:
- Sin. No longer living the gospel so they want to distance themselves from the feeling of guilt. (don't jump to this conclusion before you inquire of them)
- Offense. Someone at church said something, causing friction to fray relationships
- Lack of faith or testimony.
|
Sin |
Spiritual |
Crisis of hope |
|
Offense |
Social |
Crisis of charity |
|
Loss of testimony |
Intellectual |
Crisis of faith |
Faith Hope and Charity.. sounds familiar.
Doctrine & Covenants 4:5. "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work."
V33. Help them to turn to the lord with FULL purpose of heart. With ALL diligence.
No half measures will do. Go all in on the gospel. It is so worth it!!!
CH 8
Ammon is a great home teacher / minister.V2 He catches them up to speed on all the things they missed
V5 He catches up on their life and their struggles.
V7 He finds out that they have tried to find their way back.
CH 9
We're going backwards in time to read the story of Zeniff when he left Zarahemla for the land of Nephi.V12 It seems like anytime "Idolatrous" is mentioned in the scriptures, "lazy" is right there with it.
I think idolatry leads to idleness/laziness because you are worshipping a god who requires nothing from you.
True worship leads to hard work because our God requires much from us. (Luke 12:48)
V12-16 Note each time it says Wronged and Wroth. Another set of words that often appear near each other.
V17 A great example of why families are "the fundamental unit of society" (THE FAMILY : A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD)
If you look at countries, cultures or any group of people who have hated each other for centuries, they will only ever have peace when their parents teach their young to not hate.
Alright that's what I got out of these chapters. Message me if you got something else you'd like to share!
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