Book of Mormon 2020 - Mosiah 29; Alma 1-3

I wrote about Mosiah 29 and Alma 1 to 4 in 2016. This post is at: https://gospeldoctrine2016.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-of-mormon-21-alma-did-judge.html

Mosiah 29 is of importance as it marks the start of the Reign of the Judges. Many events in the Book of Mormon record time by referring to the start of the Reign of the Judges. It deals with kingship, governance, and democracy. The following Knowhy video focusses on the purpose of democracy in Book of Mormon history.

In my 2016 post, I wrote a lot about New Zealand’s leadership. I am grateful to be able to say that I am now quite happy with the quality of governance in New Zealand. We have a caring, energetic, sensible leader, who listens and acts in the interests of her people. Quite a change has taken place. And, my 2016 fears for the American people have been well substantiated. Brother John Bytheway in his weekly podcast (OurTurtleHouse), quoted a letter from John Adams (1798), to the Massachusetts Militia. He mentioned that “avarice, ambition, revenge…would break the strongest cords of our constitution”, and that the constitution was made for a “moral and religious people”. In the USA today we can see what happens when the constitution rests in the hands of a narcissist who is totally lacking in morality. In Mosiah 29:22 we read, “…he has his friends in iniquity…and he teareth up the laws…he trampleth under his feet the commandments of God”. Does that sound familiar? It is terrifying to think of the consequences of the choice of the people to elect iniquity over righteousness. In verse 27 we read, “then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.” I am so grateful to live in this little country with caring and competent government.

I listened to a rather lovely Scripture Power video on OurTurtleHouse (Sister Carmen Herbert). It centred on Mosiah 29:20, which states, “But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.” She mentioned how important this scripture was to her when she faced challenges and problems. It is important to remember to be humble and trusting. In all cases, the Lord will work with His power to bring assistance. She quoted Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (see below) who suggested an approach to overcoming challenges. Two statements she made are important to me. I need to face my problems and challenges with the attitude of “I can do it”, and I must look forward to challenges as opportunities.

Nehor is described in only 15 verses of Alma 1, yet his influence is felt in many subsequent chapters of the Book of Mormon. He proposed that lay ministry should be selected by popular vote and they should be paid by the people. In his book, ‘Living with Enthusiasm’, Elder L. Tom Perry said, “Nehor’s words appealed to many of the people; they were easy words because they required neither obedience nor sacrifice” (pp. 108-9). His 'easy' theology (see verse 4) appealed to people as it demanded no commandments and no accountability. He was brought to Alma the Judge as he had murdered Gideon. In verse 12, Alma described Nehor as priestcraft enforced by the sword. We know exactly what priestcraft refers to, as in 2 Nephi 26:29 it mentions, “priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion”. He felt justified in killing Gideon over a disagreement based on his 'easy' theological perspective.

Nehor before Chief Judge Alma

Brother John Bytheway mentioned a lesson he attended. The teacher, Joseph Fielding McConkie, asked them what they saw when he presented a picture of an eclipse. He suggested that a spiritual eclipse occurs when someone tries to block out the light of the Son of God. We know Jesus is the Light and we never want to attempt to eclipse that Light. Nehor did just that.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson (October 2017 General Conference) spoke about ‘Spiritual Eclipse’. (See the quote above). I spent time dwelling on how we can avoid spiritual eclipses, whether they arise in the form of a person such as Nehor, or in the form of media, groups, organisations, or events. We need to stand for the truth as Gideon did. We need to remain prayerful and rely on the promptings of the Spirit. The Prophet Joseph Smith recommended we “stand fast” (see quote below), and President Ezra Taft Benson suggested we “keep on, keeping on” (April 1988 General Conference).

Alma led his people in warfare. Amlici wanted to be king and he also wanted to destroy the church. A large group of people followed Amlici (called Amlicites) and they were joined by Lamanites. Alma and his people were able to defeat repeated attacks because “the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites" (Alma 2:18); “the Lord did hear their cries and did strengthen them” (Alma 2:29). The Lord strengthens those who fight for a righteous cause. If we ‘stand fast’ and ‘keep on’, if we follow the Light of Christ, remain humble and seek the Spirit, the Lord will strengthen us, not just in times of trial but every day.

Alma fighting Amalici (Scott M. Snow)

In Alma 3:19 we read, “every man that is cursed bring[s] upon himself his own condemnation.” Then in Alma 3:26-27 we further learn, “And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one. For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey.” So, we are the ones who choose. We choose the blessings or the curses. If we ‘list to obey’ the Light of Christ, we reap rewards of eternal happiness. If we list to follow the enticing of Satan, we reap curses and eternal misery. I know which choice I want to make. In speaking of ‘wages’, President Ezra Taft Benson (April 1988 General Conference), quoted a poem about God’s pay. The last line is, “Who does God’s work will get God’s pay”. In Romans 6:23 it states, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

There were so many challenges that Alma the Younger faced as the first chef judge of the Nephites. He dealt with Nehor and priestcraft (Alma 1). He led his people into battle against Amalici and the combined Amalacites and Lamanites (Alma 2 and Alma 3). He also faced religious apostasy and huge divisions and inequality within the Nephite people. He realised he needed to hand over the responsibility of Chief Judge, to focus on preaching and teaching the people (Alma 4). These challenges are discussed in the following Knowhy video.

On of the most memorable scriptures from this week’s readings is in Alma 4:18, which reads, “seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.” Alma believed in the power of pure testimony. I can understand this statement. There are numerous times where the General Authorities have closed their General Conference talks with their testimonies. These have touched my spirit and brought tears to my eyes. Who doesn’t feel like they want to strive for perfection when General Conference comes to an end? I have a strong testimony and I know I do not share it often enough. The following YouTube video is called ‘My Testimony’ by Fatai. Fatai is a singer/songwriter who comes from a Tongan lineage. She was born in Melbourne and currently lives in Chicago. This is her testimony and she shares it with the world.