“Mosiah 4: ‘Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)
“Mosiah 4,” Book of Mormon Student Manual
Mosiah 4
“Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins”
How might your life be different if you felt an increase of joy and peace of conscience? The Nephites, moved by King Benjamin’s teachings, were “filled with joy” and felt “peace of conscience” as they repented and received a remission of their sins (Mosiah 4:3). King Benjamin then taught them how to retain this remission of their sins. This lesson can help you understand what you can do to receive and retain a remission of your sins.
Remaining spiritually strong
Look at the following image and consider what someone would need to do to keep this plant healthy and growing.
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What would happen to this plant if it were kept in a dark room or never watered?
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How might this relate to our spiritual health and needs?
Like caring for a plant, keeping ourselves spiritually healthy requires consistent effort. In Mosiah 4, King Benjamin taught his people what they needed to do to remain spiritually strong. As you study, ponder teachings that will help you in your efforts to remain spiritually strong throughout your life and grow to become more like the Savior.
Retaining a remission of our sins
Recall that as part of King Benjamin’s address, he shared a message he had received from an angel about the coming of Jesus Christ and the importance of overcoming our fallen nature through the Savior’s Atonement (see Mosiah 3).
Read Mosiah 4:1–3, looking for the blessings and feelings King Benjamin’s people experienced.
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What stands out to you from these verses?
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What do you think the people might need to do to remain in this purified and joyful state?
Imagine what it might have been like to have been one of King Benjamin’s people on that day. Contemplate how you think this would have influenced your feelings about Jesus Christ and what, from this experience, you would have wanted to retain with you forever.
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What difference might it make in your life if you felt a remission of your sins more often?
The remainder of King Benjamin’s teachings in Mosiah 4 help us understand that after we have received forgiveness from Jesus Christ, we must make efforts to retain a remission of our sins.
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What do you think is the difference between receiving and retaining a remission of our sins?
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Why do you think it is important for us to strive to retain a remission of our sins throughout our lives?
Consider how this truth applies to your own life. How well do you feel you are retaining a remission of your sins? As you continue to study, look for truths that can help you understand what you can do to retain a remission of your sins.
In your study journal, consider writing a heading titled, “What we can do to retain a remission of our sins.”
Read Mosiah 4:9–16 and look for King Benjamin’s teachings that help us understand how we can retain a remission of our sins.
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Answer the following questions:
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What are at least three things King Benjamin taught we must do to retain a remission of our sins that stand out most to you?
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What do you think it would look like for you to apply these invitations from King Benjamin in your life?
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How could doing these things help you retain a remission of your sins?
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My next steps
Reflect on how well you are doing at applying King Benjamin’s teachings from these verses. You could do this by focusing on the three or four behaviors you just identified and asking yourself questions such as:
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How much effort do I put into this?
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How regularly do I do this?
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What feelings and impressions have I felt today that might suggest areas I could improve in?
Prayerfully make a specific plan to improve in one area. Contemplate any obstacles you might face as you try to improve in this area and what you might do to receive the Lord’s help to overcome these challenges. It may be helpful to share your goal with a family member or loved one who can support you in this. You may also want to incorporate this goal into your Children and Youth goals.