“Unit 13: Day 4, Mosiah 25,” Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students (2012), 133–36
“Unit 13: Day 4,” Book of Mormon Study Guide, 133–36
Unit 13: Day 4
Mosiah 25
Introduction
As recorded in Mosiah 25, Limhi’s people and Alma’s followers journeyed to Zarahemla to be united safely under King Mosiah’s rule. As these groups of Nephites came together, they recognized the goodness of God and His power to deliver them. They also established a unified Church. As you study this lesson, you may benefit from thinking about how you have seen the goodness of God in your life and the blessings of belonging to the true Church of Jesus Christ.
Mosiah 25:1–13
Those gathered in Zarahemla unite and become known as Nephites
Read the following story about a young woman who was protected by listening to the Spirit while on a hike with her Young Women group:
“On the way back, I was in a slower group, five girls and our leader. They were busy taking pictures, so I decided to go ahead. As I walked down the hill I heard a cow [that sounded like it was dying]. A warning voice, firm yet silent, said ‘Turn back.’ I almost ignored it, but it came again. This time I listened and returned to the group. As we started down, we saw two enormous black bulls walking fast and angrily up the hill. The biggest one started pawing the ground as he stared at us. … We were scared out of our minds, but our priesthood leader distracted it, and we were able to climb over a fence to safety.
“As we entered camp again, I realized that if I hadn’t listened to the warning from the Spirit, I could have been badly hurt or even killed. I knew that Heavenly Father cared about me personally and had kept me safe. I am so thankful to the Lord for that warning. This experience strengthened my testimony and gave me a greater love for the Lord” (Marissa W., “Turn Back,” New Era, Nov. 2010, 47).
How does hearing or reading about other people’s experiences that illustrate the goodness and power of God in their lives help strengthen you?
As Limhi’s people and Alma’s people united with the people in Zarahemla, King Mosiah had their records read to all of the people (see Mosiah 25:1–6). Search Mosiah 25:7 for how King Mosiah’s people responded as they listened to the accounts of God’s dealings with these peoples.
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For each of the four verses in Mosiah 25:8–11, record in your scripture study journal the people’s response when they heard the account of their brethren. For example, in Mosiah 25:8, when they saw those who were delivered from Lamanite bondage, the people “were filled with exceedingly great joy.”
Consider writing the following principle in the margin of your scriptures by Mosiah 25:8–11: By studying the records of God’s dealings with others, we can feel joy and gratitude for the goodness of God.
Think of possible sources from which you could learn of others who have experienced the goodness of God. These might include the scriptures, Church history, Church magazines, general conference addresses, your own family history records, testimony meetings, and Sunday School and priesthood or Young Women classes. Think of a time when you learned of God’s goodness from these sources. Then ponder your answers to the following questions:
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Have I had an experience where learning of God’s goodness to others helped me feel joy or gratitude?
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What might be some long-term effects if I regularly studied experiences of God’s goodness in His dealings with others—whether in the scriptures or other sources?
During the coming week, consider searching one of the sources you thought of for a story of God’s goodness that fills you with wonder, amazement, joy, or thanks. You could write about what you learned and how it affected you in your own personal journal. You could also use this story in a family home evening to teach your family about the goodness of God, or you could share the story with your seminary class or with a friend.
Mosiah 25:14–24
Alma establishes churches of God in all the land of the Nephites
After Mosiah finished speaking and reading the records to the people, Alma spoke to them. Read Mosiah 25:14–16, and identify what Alma taught. Write answers to the following questions in the manual:
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How is what Alma taught an appropriate summary of the experiences of Limhi’s people as well as Alma’s followers?
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Why do you think Alma’s words would have been important for the people to hear after they heard the history of Zeniff’s people?
Before reading further in Mosiah 25, think about a time when you attended a Latter-day Saint ward or branch other than your home ward or branch. Think about the similarities you noticed between your home ward or branch and the one you visited.
Read Mosiah 25:17–22, and look for how the Church was governed among the Nephites in Alma’s day. Reference to “churches” in Mosiah 25:21 is similar to the way we refer to wards and branches in the Church today. Just as in Alma’s day, God calls leaders to direct His Church today.
In Mosiah 23:16 you learned that Alma “was their high priest” and “the founder of their Church” (Mosiah 23:16). President Joseph Fielding Smith explained: “The main body of the Nephites, under the second King Mosiah, was still intact in the land of Zarahemla. The reference stating that Alma was the founder of their church has reference only to the refugees who were fleeing from the land of the Nephites’ first inheritance. In course of time they found their way back to the main body of the Church and Alma was consecrated as the high priest over the Church in all of the lands occupied by the Nephites” (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., 5 vols. [1957–66], 3:39-40).
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In what ways did the Nephite Church resemble the Church today?
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Why do you think it is important that the leaders were called by Alma, who had authority from God?
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Why is it important for leaders to teach the same truths to all members of the Church throughout the world?
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As you read Mosiah 25:23–24, look for phrases that describe those who joined the Church of Christ that also describe members of the Lord’s Church today. One principle we learn from these verses is: As we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and live accordingly, the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon us.
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How do the phrases in Mosiah 25:23–24 that describe Nephite members of the Church also apply to members of the Church today?
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How can remembering that you have taken upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ make a difference in your thoughts and the daily choices you make?
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Notice in Mosiah 25:24 that “the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon” His people. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized the value of the gift of the Holy Ghost for members of the Church:
“The gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the right to receive the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, is obtained only on condition of faith in Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands by authorized servants endowed with the Melchizedek Priesthood. It is a most precious gift available only to worthy members of the Lord’s Church.
“… It is the source of testimony and spiritual gifts. It enlightens minds, fills our souls with joy, teaches us all things, and brings forgotten knowledge to our remembrance. The Holy Ghost also ‘will show unto [us] all things what [we] should do’ [2 Nephi 32:5]” (“The Unspeakable Gift,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 26).
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In what ways does your participation in the Church of Jesus Christ help you to feel the Spirit?
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What can you do to increase your faithfulness and righteous actions so that you can feel even closer to the Spirit?
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Seek for an opportunity to share with someone how the gift of the Holy Ghost has blessed your life. The blessings you have experienced through the Holy Ghost can increase as you strive to be worthy of His companionship.
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I have studied Mosiah 25 and completed the lesson on (date).
Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like to share with my teacher: