Seminary
Mosiah 1: “Were It Not for These Plates”

“Mosiah 1: ‘Were It Not for These Plates,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“Mosiah 1,” Book of Mormon Student Manual

Mosiah 1

“Were It Not for These Plates”

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young man reading scriptures

What impact could the scriptures have in maintaining faith in Jesus Christ throughout your life? King Benjamin taught his sons the important role of scriptures to their faith. This lesson can help you increase your desire to study the scriptures.

What is essential to our faith in Jesus Christ?

  • What would our lives be like without the Book of Mormon or other scriptures?

To help you think about this question, you may want to watch the video “Scriptures Legacy,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 0:00 to 5:36.

Ponder the following questions or answer them in your study journal:

  • How do you feel about the scriptures? Why?

  • If you were to continue with your current scripture study habits for the next several years, how do you think it would affect you?

  • If you do not currently have a habit of studying the scriptures, what would you need to understand or feel to start studying them?

Continue to think about these questions as you study this lesson. You will read counsel from King Benjamin to his sons about the scriptures. Seek to learn through the Holy Ghost how the scriptures can bless your life.

Counsel from King Benjamin

King Benjamin’s father, Mosiah, was warned by the Lord that his people should leave their homeland. When they obeyed, they discovered the people of Zarahemla (see Omni 1:12–19). These two groups of people came together under Mosiah, who was appointed king, and eventually Benjamin became king after his father. It can be helpful to know more about King Benjamin before you study what he taught his sons.

Read Words of Mormon 1:12–18 and Mosiah 1:1, looking for the difficulties King Benjamin faced and ways he impresses you.

  • What did you find?

  • Why might you want to listen to counsel from King Benjamin?

Read Mosiah 1:2–7, looking for what King Benjamin taught his sons about the scriptures. It may be helpful to know that “mysteries of God are spiritual truths known only by revelation” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Mysteries of God,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). If you would like to see a video portraying some of King Benjamin’s words, watch “Scriptures Legacy,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 5:40 to 6:20.

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  1. Answer the following question:

    • What did you learn from King Benjamin about the scriptures?

These are some of the principles we can learn from King Benjamin:

  • If we do not study the scriptures consistently and diligently, we can gradually lose our faith.

  • We will profit by searching the scriptures diligently.

  • Why do you think we can gradually lose our faith if we do not study the scriptures?

The Lord has promised to bless us in many ways as we read the scriptures. Study a few of the following passages and find some of these blessings:

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  1. Answer the following questions:

    • Which of these blessings do you most desire in your life?

    • How will these blessings increase our faith in the Lord and His gospel?

Scriptures and our faith

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson

The central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ—faith that They exist; faith in the Father’s plan for our immortality and eternal life; faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which animates this plan of happiness; faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of life; and faith to come to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent” (John 17:3). (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Blessing of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 34)

  1. To help you ponder how scriptures have or could increase your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, do at least two of the following:

    1. Write the scripture references to two or three verses that have had a strong effect on you and your testimony, especially of Jesus Christ or Heavenly Father. How did these scriptures help you? How might your life be different if you had never read those verses?

    2. Study your scriptures for five minutes. Look for any truths that may help you stay faithful to the Lord and His gospel. Pay attention to any feelings that may also help. Write about your experience.

    3. Text or talk to someone you think is extremely faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask that person what role the scriptures play in helping him or her remain faithful.

    4. Watch one of the following videos, looking for examples of how scripture study can bless our lives and increase our faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. All videos are available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Your personal scripture study

Ponder your scripture study. In what ways is your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ growing as you diligently study the word of God? Is there anything you feel the Lord would want you to do to improve your study? Consider writing any goals you may have in your study journal.