Unit 13: Day 3

Mosiah 21–24

Introduction

Limhi’s people came into Lamanite bondage as a result of their wickedness (see Mosiah 20:21); they were humbled and turned to God as a result of their bondage. Alma’s people were brought into bondage as a trial of their faith (see Mosiah 23:21). Both groups prayed mightily to be released from bondage. While both groups of people were eventually delivered and arrived in Zarahemla, the Lord helped each group in different ways. From studying the trials and deliverance of Limhi’s group, you can see the Lord will answer our prayers in His own way and time as we humble ourselves. From studying the trials and deliverance of Alma’s people, you can learn how to rely on the Lord for strength amid your own struggles and challenges.

Mosiah 21–24

The Nephites in the land of Lehi-Nephi experience the fulfillment of Abinadi’s prophecies

Imagine that you lived in the land of Lehi-Nephi during the reign of King Noah and had rejected the teachings of Abinadi. Now you and your people are in bondage to the Lamanites, just as Abinadi had prophesied. What do you think you would do?

Now think of any trials or adversity that you are currently experiencing. Read the following verses in your scriptures, and mark what they teach about seeking and receiving deliverance: Mosiah 21:5, 14; 22:1–2; 23:23; and 24:21. To be delivered usually means to be set free, helped, or brought through something.

As you read the following statement by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, underline the two sources he gives of trials and suffering we experience in our lives: “No one wants adversity. Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache come to us from two basically different sources. Those who transgress the laws of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord’s own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing. It is vitally important for each of us to identify from which of these two sources come our trials and challenges, for the corrective action is very different” (”Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 16).

Limhi’s people were brought into bondage because of their disobedience, while Alma’s righteous people experienced adversity that would refine them. Limhi’s people were humbled and brought to God as a result of their bondage. Studying these two accounts of divine deliverance can help you increase your faith to call upon the Lord for deliverance from whatever afflictions you are experiencing.

1. In the chart below, the first question—How did they come into bondage?—is answered for you. In your scripture study journal, answer the second question: How were they delivered?

	Limhi’s people	Alma’s people
How did they come into bondage?	(Mosiah 20:21–22; 21:1–4) Because the people did not repent, the Lord gave the Lamanites power to bring the people into bondage.	(Mosiah 23:1–4, 19–20, 25–38; 24:8–9) The people kept their covenants, but they were betrayed, captured, and persecuted by wicked people.
How were they delivered?	(Mosiah 22:1–9, 13–14)	(Mosiah 24:17–25)

Ponder answers to the following questions about Limhi’s people:

• According to Mosiah 21:6, what evidences were there that Limhi’s group had not yet humbled themselves and turned to the Lord? How does this contrast with how Alma’s people responded to their bondage? Reflecting on the experience of Limhi’s group, what do you learn that might help you respond appropriately to your own trials?

• Even though Limhi’s people were not immediately delivered from their afflictions, how did the Lord bless them? (You may want to mark the phrase “prosper by degrees” in Mosiah 21:16.) Have you ever felt that the Lord helped you get through a trial a little at a time?

• How do you think the attitude of the people, described in Mosiah 21:30–33, contributed to their eventual deliverance?

2. Choose one of the following truths drawn from what you have studied about the trials and deliverance of Limhi’s people. In your scripture study journal, write a paragraph that explains how you can apply that truth in your own life.

   1. When we humble ourselves, call upon the Lord, and repent of our sins, He will hear our prayers and ease the burdens of our sins in His own time.

   2. When we covenant to serve God and keep His commandments, the Lord will provide a way for our deliverance.

Think about the afflictions and deliverance of Alma’s group as you read the following statement by Elder Richard G. Scott: “Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain” (”Trust in the Lord,” 16–17).

Mark words and phrases in Mosiah 23:21–22 that show that the Lord will try our patience and faith to help us increase our trust in Him (see also D&C 122:5–7).

Write short answers to the following questions in your manual:

• What do you think would have been the hardest trial to endure if you were among Alma’s people during the events recorded in Mosiah 23–24? Why?

• What can you learn from the way Alma and his people responded to their trials? (See Mosiah 24:1–12, 15–16.)

• Though the Lord did not immediately deliver Alma’s people, what did He initially do for them? (See Mosiah 24:15.)

One principle we can learn from the experience of Alma’s group is that when we submit patiently to the will of the Lord, He will strengthen us and deliver us from our trials in His time.

3. In your scripture study journal, explain what you think it means to submit patiently to the will of the Lord during a time of trial and how doing so can prepare you to receive the strength and blessings He will provide to help you through that difficult time.

At the beginning of this lesson, you were asked to think of trials or adversities you are currently facing. As you recall them, consider writing answers to the following questions in your personal journal or on a separate piece of paper:

• What trials am I currently dealing with in my life?

• What do I need to do to prepare myself to receive the Lord’s power of deliverance in my life?

4. Write the following at the bottom of today’s assignments in your scripture study journal:

   I have studied Mosiah 21–24 and completed the lesson on (date).

   Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like to share with my teacher: