“Unit 12: Day 2, Mosiah 9–10,” Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students (2012), 118–20
“Unit 12: Day 2,” Book of Mormon Study Guide, 118–20
Unit 12: Day 2
Mosiah 9–10
Introduction
During the reign of King Benjamin, Zeniff led a group of Nephites from Zarahemla to settle among the Lamanites in the land of Nephi. Because the king of the Lamanites planned to bring Zeniff’s people into bondage, he allowed them to stay. The Lamanites’ false traditions and hatred of the Nephites eventually led to war. When the Lamanites sought to bring them into bondage, Zeniff’s people turned to the Lord, who strengthened them and helped them drive the Lamanites from their land.
Mosiah 9:1–13
Zeniff leads a group of Nephites to return to the land of Nephi
Have you ever wanted something very intensely? Today you will learn about a man who wanted something intensely and the consequences of his acting on his desires.
Look at the map of journeys from the last lesson. Do you remember Ammon’s journey when he found Limhi and his people? Open your scriptures to Mosiah 7–8, and look at the date when the events in these chapters took place (found either at the bottom of the page or in the chapter heading). Compare it with the date associated with Mosiah 9:1. How many years do we go back in time between Mosiah 8 and Mosiah 9?
Read Mormon’s preface to the record of Zeniff just before Mosiah 9.
Zeniff, Limhi’s grandfather, led a group of Nephites to return to the land of Nephi. He wanted something so intensely that he may have failed to consider where his desires would lead. Read in Mosiah 9:1–4 about what Zeniff did to gain what he wanted. (To be “over–zealous” means to be overly eager or overly interested in something.)
Zeniff’s overzealousness led him to be deceived by the Lamanite king. Read Mosiah 9:5–7, 10 to see the result of Zeniff’s overzealousness.
-
Write answers to the following questions in your scripture journal:
-
What did Zeniff fail to recognize because of his overzealous desires to obtain the land of Nephi?
-
What are some modern examples of what some young people might be overzealous to attain?
-
What do you think are the dangers of being slow to remember the Lord as you make choices in your life?
-
After 12 years, Zeniff’s people had become very prosperous. The Lamanite king grew nervous that he would not be able to bring them into bondage according to his original design, so the king prepared his people to go to war against them (see Mosiah 9:11–13).
Mosiah 9:14–10:22
The Lamanites attempt to bring Zeniff’s people into bondage
Circle any of the following areas in your life in which you would like to have more support or strength: school work, withstanding temptation, relationships with friends, leadership, work, relationships with family members, developing skills, talents, and abilities.
As you study Mosiah 9–10, watch for a principle that will help you understand what to do to receive more strength in these areas of your life. Mosiah 9–10 contains a record of two different times when the Lamanites came to battle against Zeniff and his people.
-
|
What did the people do to prepare? |
What did they do to put their trust in the Lord? |
What was the result? | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zeniff and his people | |||
|
The Lamanites |
-
What similarities can you see between how Zeniff’s people and the Lamanites approached the battle?
-
What differences can you see between how Zeniff’s people and the Lamanites approached the battle?
One lesson we learn from Mosiah 9:17–18 is that the Lord will strengthen us as we do all we can and put our trust in Him.
-
-
Have you ever been angry with someone and held a grudge—felt like you could not forgive or forget what the person did? Have you ever known someone who seemed to hate you? Before Zeniff and his people went to battle the second time, Zeniff taught his people why the Lamanites were filled with hatred toward the Nephites. As you study Zeniff’s words in Mosiah 10:11–18, it might be helpful to know that to be “wronged” is to feel offended or dealt with unfairly or in an unjust manner and to be “wroth” is to be intensely angry. Study Mosiah 10:11–18, and look for why the descendants of Laman and Lemuel continued to hate the descendants of Nephi. Mark the words wronged and wroth as you read.
Ponder the following questions:
-
Why did the Lamanites hate the Nephites so intensely?
-
Whom does it hurt when you are angry or refuse to forgive?
-
How could anger and holding grudges affect your family or your future children?
Read the following experiences from Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy, and look for what he recommended we do when we feel offended or angry with someone:
“Many years ago, I observed a heartbreak—which became a tragedy. A young couple was nearing the delivery of their first child. Their lives were filled with the anticipation and excitement of this monumental experience. During the delivery, complications arose and the baby died. Heartbreak turned to grief, grief turned to anger, anger turned to blame, and blame turned to revenge toward the doctor, whom they held fully responsible. Parents and other family members became heavily involved, together seeking to ruin the reputation and the career of the physician. As weeks and then months of acrimony [sharp, bitter language] consumed the family, their bitterness was extended to the Lord. ‘How could He allow this horrible thing to occur?’ They rejected the repeated efforts of Church leaders and members to spiritually and emotionally comfort them and, in time, disassociated themselves from the Church. Four generations of the family have now been affected. Where once there were faith and devotion to the Lord and His Church, there has been no spiritual activity by any family member for decades. …
“My paternal grandparents had two children, a son (my father) and a daughter. … [Their daughter] married in 1946 and four years later was expecting a child. … No one knew that she was carrying twins. Sadly, she and the twins all died during childbirth.
“My grandparents were heartbroken. Their grief, however, immediately turned them to the Lord and His Atonement. Without dwelling on why this could happen and who might be to blame, they focused on living a righteous life. …
“The faithfulness of [these grandparents], especially when faced with difficulty, has now influenced four generations that have followed. Directly and profoundly, it affected their son (my father) and my mother when my parents’ own daughter, their youngest child, died due to complications caused by giving birth. … With the example that they had seen in the previous generation, my parents—without hesitation—turned to the Lord for solace. …
“If you feel you have been wronged—by anyone (a family member, a friend, another member of the Church, a Church leader, a business associate) or by anything (the death of a loved one, health problems, a financial reversal, abuse, addictions)—deal with the matter directly and with all the strength you have. … And, without delay, turn to the Lord. Exercise all of the faith you have in Him. Let Him share your burden. Allow His grace to lighten your load. … Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually” (“Turn to the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 78–80).
Notice that in both the example of the Lamanites and the family of the young couple who lost their first child, the anger and offense affected generations of people.
-
-
How could I receive help in my efforts to forgive?
-
How can I follow the example of Elder Hallstrom’s grandparents and apply his counsel in the last paragraph of the quotation in my life today?
-
-
I have studied Mosiah 9–10 and completed this lesson on (date).
Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like to share with my teacher: