February | 2018 | Zach's Scripture Study

Mosiah 3

The Book of Mosiah is the eighth book in the Book of Mormon…

Mosiah is most likely linked to the Hebrew term; “Moshia”, which represents a Champion of Justice against oppression, appointed by God, whose Mission is to liberate a chosen people from oppression, especially by non-violent means.

Chapters 2-5 encompasses the speech given by King Benjamin to his people.

King Benjamin explains that an angel came to him to “…declare unto [him] the glad tidings of great joy.” (Mosiah 3:3) The angel instructed him to share this message with his people.

King Benjamin shares what the angel had shared with him, about the coming of a Savior.

“For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay (a body of flesh and bones), and shall fo forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and during all manner of diseases. And he shall cast out devil’s, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men. And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary” (Mosiah 3:5-8)

King Benjamin goes on to explain that Salvation of men, comes only through Jesus Christ. Unfortunately he also explains that when Jesus Christ comes, the people will reject him and they will crucify him. This address happens roughly 124 years before the coming of Christ. King Benjamin explains that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ “…the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.” (Mosiah 3:11)

For Salvation “…cometh to none such except be through repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Mosiah 3:12)

Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, no one else. But we have our part, we must repent and have faith in Jesus, and continue to live a faithful, Christ centered life. Remember, faith without works is dead.

Because the people were stiffnecked, the Lord appointed the Law of Moses, and through this many signs and wonders were given to the people, He even sent Prophets to teach them. Yet, they still hardened their hearts and did not follow the Law of Moses. They began to rebel against the Lord.

King Benjamin introduces an important piece of the Gospel, children cannot sin, and if they were to sin, they are “…blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for theirs sins.” (Mosiah 3:16)

King Benjamin reiterates that ONLY THROUGH JESUS, CAN ONE BE SAVED, “…there shall be no 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.” (Mosiah 3:17) Many believe, falsely, that Mormons do not believe in Jesus Christ, nor do they believe that Salvation can only come through Him. No, it does not come through Joseph Smith.

King Benjamin goes on to explain the the “natural man”, is an enemy of God.

“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord Seth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child dieth submit to his father.” (Mosiah 3:19)

King Benjamin explains the a time will come in the future that the “…knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nations, hundreds, tongues, and people.” (Mosiah 3:20)

King Benjamin explains that when our time comes, and we stand before God, we will be judged “…every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil.” (Mosiah 3:24)

Those who choose to work in evil, shall be “…consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which shall Roth cause them to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and endless torment… And their torment is like of fire and brimstone, whose flame are unquenchable…” (Mosiah 3:24-27)

When we choose to sin, we are only trapping ourselves in torment. Our he’ll in the next life will be to re-live our own guilt and sufferings that has been caused by our sins and the pain and anguish we caused others in our sins.

Mosiah 2

The Book of Mosiah is the eighth book in the Book of Mormon…

Chapters 2-5 encompasses the speech given by King Benjamin to his people.

Mosiah sends a message throughout the land to all the people to gather near the temple to hear the words of King Benjamin. The people also brought “…the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses.” (Mosiah 2:3)

Everyone throughout the land pitched their tents round about the temple, so that the door of the tent was facing the temple, so that they might hear the words of King Benjamin.

“…the multitude being so great that King Benjamin could not teach then all within the walls of the temple, therefore he caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak unto them.” (Mosiah 2:7)

After the tower was erected, King Benjamin began to speak to the people, however because the multitude of the people was so great, not everyone could hear his words. So, King Benjamin ordered that his words being written down and spread to those who were not in the sound of his voice.

King Benjamin addresses his people:

King Benjamin begins by inviting those listening to his words to “…open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.” (Mosiah 2:9) How important is this? We should not lean solely on our own understanding, we should listen with our minds and our hearts so that we can hear the words and accept them into our hearts with a clear mind. Then, and only then can we hear the still small voice whisper the truths of what is being taught. When we do this, the mysteries of God will be revealed unto us.
“…I am like as yourselves, subject to all chosen by this people… I have been suffered to spend my days in your service… and have not sought gold nor silver, nor any manner of riches of you; Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves of on another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or committ adultery… I myself have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes…” (Mosiah 2:11-14) we learn so many important things from this. First, King Benjamin explains multiple times that he is a servant of his people, not the other way around. He was appointed to serve, just like any leader. Leaders need to lead by setting examples, as he explained he labored with his own hands and set an example by not participating in wickedness. Second, King Benjamin explains that he os human, and thereore not perfect, or in anyway superior to his peopke. Thirds, King Benjamin explains that we should not be taxed, or become slaves to him or to any one else. Societies should work to help one another and reduce the amount of tax that everyone should pay. We as humans beings only have one true master, Jesus Christ. Our rulers, kings, presidents, etc of today work to serve and guide us to do good. Unfortunately we know this is not true in today’s world. But King Benjamin testifies that it is how it should be.
King Benjamin explains that he does not say these things to boast, but rather to share his wisdom and his life experiences with his people, that they may learn wisdom and know that “…when ye are in the service of your fellow beings he are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17) King Benjamin then explains that if his people call him King and he still serves: “… ought not he to labor to serve one another?” (Mosiah 2:18)
King Benjamin explains that “…all that he [God] requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he promises you that if ye would keep his commandments that ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if he do keep his commandments he with bless you and prosper you.” (Mosiah 2:22) How great is that promise? If we follow God’s commandments we will be blessed! How simple, yet amazing is this doctrine?
“…beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and he list to obey the evil spirit… For behold there is a wo pronounced upon him that listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins…” (Mosiah 2:32-33) We need to avoid contentions and strive to love one another and avoid sin.
King Benjamin warns his people and us as readers that from a young age we have been taught good from evil and that we will be held accountable for that knowledge; “…after ye have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord… I say unto you that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God…” (Mosiah 2:36-37)
If we do stray away from God, we can always repent. However, King Benjamin warns us that “…if that man repententh not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy of God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which with cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and with fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.” (Mosiah 2:38) Sin is so dangerous, because if we wait to repent it may be too late. It is interesting that King Benjamin explains the punishment, which one could attribute to a “hell” like torment as simply guilt. Is there a physical hell with fire and brimstone? The scriptures refer to one in many occasions throughout the Book of Mormon and the Bible, however, I personally believe that it is in reality more like King Benjamin describes, as a person torment that feels our bodies with guilt, like a fire. Have you ever done something wrong, and felt bad about it? I sure have, and it does feel like a fire burning on the insight, and the guilt tears you apart. Would you want that feeling forever? I sure wouldn’t.
On a positive note, King Benjamin asks his people to think about the “…blessed and happy state of those thst keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true: for the Lord God hath spoken it.” (Mosiah 2:41) Remember, wickedness never was happiness. Having a clean conscience helps anyone to sleep well at night. We should all strive to live a life free from guilt, and torment. This life is meant to be lived and the best way to do that is to follow God’s commandments.