Mosiah 26

Mosiah 26

In our lives things often come up that we've never faced before, which sometimes causes us a great deal of concern.  Let us follow Alma’s example as an inspiration when we seek answers to our problems (see verses 13 – 14).  Wanting very much to act properly, Alma went in fervent prayer to Him who understands all things.   Alma poured out his whole soul to God and received the answer to his question.  In verse 33 we read that he wrote the answer down, and followed the instructions.  (Have you ever kept a prayer journal?)  Where there had been dissensions, there grew peace.  And although the Lord may not answer our prayer as directly as he did Alma’s, His answers will lead us and ours to peace.  He is, after all, the Prince of Peace.

Mosiah 25

Mosiah 25

There’s a great phrase in verse 10.  Upon hearing the account of the Lord’s miraculous deliverance of Alma’s people from bondage, the people of king Mosiah were astonished, and they thought of “the immediate goodness of God.”  Have you ever seen or had anything happen to cause you to think of the “immediate goodness of God?”

Mosiah 24

Mosiah 24

As Alma’s people continued in bondage, the priests of Noah were set up as their task masters.  These people could understand the language of Alma’s people where the Lamanites could not.  Finding them praying, Amulon, the head of those priests, made death the penalty for being found praying.  They begin praying silently, and as a result, the Lord strengthened Alma’s people so the burdens felt lighter.  They “did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord” (v. 15).  How did the people of Alma cope under such harsh conditions?  We would do well to follow their example:

1. They prayed without giving up.
2. Instead of their burden changing, the Lord strengthened their ability to cope with it.
3. They didn't complain, but submitted cheerfully. 

In short, they chose to be happy despite their problems.  Prayer and attitude helped them to cope.  That’s the key:  submit cheerfully and patiently to the will of the Lord – period.  Make the best of it.  When we’re cheerful, we’re in a much better frame of mind to make decisions that can improve, or as in these people's case, escape our situation.  And when we’re faithful, the Lord is ready to help.  We should follow His will for us.

Mosiah 23

Mosiah 23

Why does the Lord allow good people to be hurt sometimes?  The people of Alma are a good example of this.  Away from wicked King Noah, Alma had set up a church and his followers were righteous.  Yet, in this goodness, they were tricked by evil men and placed into bondage.  They were protected from death (see verses 28 -29) buy they suffered a terrible bondage at the hands of the Lamanites and the escaped priests of Noah, who had joined the Lamanites.  Why was this allowed?  I see a couple of reasons:

1. The Lord doesn't interfere with the free agency (or freedom of choice) of anyone, not even the wicked.  He gives us all many chances to choose good over wickedness.  Those who choose wickedness eventually bring His harsh judgment upon themselves.
2. It’s very easy to be righteous when everything is going well.  Verse 21 suggests that one way that the Lord tries the faith of His people is by allowing even good people to be hurt sometimes.

Mosiah 22

Mosiah 22

Those who lead seem to feel that it is their responsibility to resolve all problems of a broad nature, but in this chapter, Ammon and King Limhi show us a better way.  The problem: how to deliver King Limhi’s people out of bondage.  How did they arrive at the solution?  In the first verse we read that they caused “that all the people should gather themselves together” so that “they might hear the voice of the people concerning the matter.”  After hearing the recommendations of the people, they chose the option of fleeing into the wilderness in one group.  But how?  Enter (again) Gideon.  The humble language that Gideon uses as he recommends a way in verses 3 and 4 shows that he didn’t feel himself equal to the king.  This was the solution King Limhi approved.  This is a great example of leadership.  Can we use this example to solve problems that affect everyone at our jobs, in our church assignments, in our marriages or in our families?  As leaders, let’s listen.  And as followers, let’s show the proper respect as we support our leaders.

Mosiah 21

Mosiah 21

Finding themselves in bondage to the Lamanites as Abinadi had predicted in some detail (see Mosiah 11:23 – 25), Limhi’s people sought deliverance.  First they tried to defeat the Lamanites in battle, but being on the offensive, they were defeated time and time again.   In their weakened state, matters became worse and worse for them.  At length, they humbled themselves to the depths of humility, and the Lord softened the hearts of the Lamanites, providing enough relief to allow them to prosper in their bondage.  Once they began to prosper, they began to meet the test which all prosperous peoples must meet to truly succeed. 

1. They began to care for the widows and for the fatherless.
2. They entered into a covenant, subjects and king, to serve God and keep His commandments
3. They desired baptism.

All the required righteousness now being in place, the time was right for the Lord to bless them in their greatest desire:  freedom.

Mosiah 20

Mosiah 20

As impressive as it is that the king of the Lamanites reacted so swiftly to the news that 24 Lamanite young women went missing, his haste prevented him from going after the right culprit and cost the lives of many of his warriors.  That he acted appropriately was never in dispute (see verse 16).  The problem was a lack of diplomacy.  Fortunately, the king of the Nephites was more diplomatic in return.  “We have the offender in custody.”  “Let us kill him,” came the cry of Limhi’s people.  But Limhi wasn’t going to do that without answers first.  Thanks to Limhi’s patience, the misunderstanding was clarified, and peace was restored.  How diplomatic are we in a dispute?  Are we tenacious enough to make sure there’s not a simple misunderstanding before we react “in our anger?”  (See verse 15.)  We should strive to be diplomatic and compassionate (v. 26) with each other.  For unless we can learn to pacify ourselves toward each other, we might perish (as Gideon feared in verse 20).