Mosiah 28 & 29

A Desire to Share

One area in the Gospel in which I am weak is that of sharing the Gospel … missionary work. I know that I can be a missionary by being a good example and by helping the local missionaries, but when it comes to actively sharing the Gospel such as bearing testimony or giving a Book of Mormon to non-members, I fall short.

The main reason I do not actively share the Gospel in this regard is perhaps out of a perceived respect for others … I feel uncomfortable when others "impose" their beliefs on me and therefore I don't want to be the one imposing my beliefs on others. But that does not excuse me from still sharing the gospel.

I need to gain that same concern for my brothers and sisters as the sons of Mosiah had. So great was their concern and love for others that "they could not bear that any human soul should perish." (Mosiah 28:3)

Sincere concern and love for others should be the driving force behind our desire to share the Gospel. To instill that concern and love within ourselves, we must pray for charity as Mormon instructed us. (see Moroni 7:47-48)

Elder Oaks wisely counsels us, " I hope no person we approach with an invitation to hear the message of the restored gospel feels that we are acting out of any reason other than a genuine love for them and an unselfish desire to share something we know to be precious." (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sharing the Gospel,” Ensign, Nov 2001, 7)

A Seer and Urim and Thummim

"For he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from God. And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them except he be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not and he should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer."

"A seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God."

"But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known." (Mosiah 8:13, 16-17)

"And behold, these two stones will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write."

"I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write." (Ether 3:23-24)

"Also, that there were two stones in silver bows - and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim - deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted "seers" in ancient and former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book." (JS-H 1:35)

"The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim"

"This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ's."

"Then the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known."

"And a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. The new name is the key word." (D&C 130:8-11)

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Revelation 2:17)

"And the Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim … " (Abraham 3:4)

"And now he translated them by the means of those two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow." (Mosiah 28:13)

"And whosoever has these things is called a seer, after the manner of old times." (Mosiah 28:16)

King Mosiah's Legacy of Leadership

As discussed previously, the leadership of King Mosiah is demonstrated through his actions. He delegates where appropriate and retains power where needed.

Given the circumstances, King Mosiah felt that the people were ready to govern themselves via judges as opposed to establishing a king. Mosiah explained to them all the advantages and disadvantages of a king. After explaining this to the people, they were no more desirous to have a king. The accepted the responsibility to govern themselves (Mosiah 29:38).

Therefore, King Mosiah set up the government and Alma the Younger was elected to be the first Chief Judge among the people.

Later, Alma the Elder and King Mosiah die and an era ends.