Mosiah 26-27 to be discussed November 8

Mosiah 26-27 Study Guide – to be discussed November 8
Day 1: Read Mosiah 26:1-12; D&C 42:79-89
1. What three things are we told the rising generation of Nephites did not believe? List the results of their unbelief.



2.How were members of the church deceived? What did this lead to?



3. Why do you think Mosiah refused to judge the accused of Zarahemla? (see also D&C 42:79-89)



Day 2: Read Mosiah 26:13-32
4. What motivated Alma to pray with his “whole soul”? What do you think that means?



5. Underline the word “blessed” in the Lord’s response to Alma’s prayer. According to the Lord, who is blessed and why? Why do you think the Lord began his response with these declarations of favor?



6. From Mosiah 26:22-32, list the phrases in which the Lord specifically answers Alma’s prayerful question about how to handle dissenters and sinners in the church.



BONUS: Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “election.” Why do you think Alma was given the promise recorded in Mosiah 26:20?


Day 3: Read Mosiah 26:33-39; Revelation 20:12
7. What was the first thing Alma did after he received his answer?


8. Whose names did Alma blot out? Use Revelation 20:12 to tell the fate of those individuals if they did not repent.



9. What effect did Alma’s actions have on the church?



Day 4: Read Mosiah 27:1-9
10. Can equality be legislated? Why or why not?



11. What seems to have been the cause of peace and prosperity among the Nephites?

12. How did Alma the Younger gain so much power among the people?



Day 5: Read Mosiah 27:10-19; Acts 9:1-9
13. Why do you think Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah wanted to destroy the church? Compare the angel’s visit to Alma and his brethren with the experience Paul had on the road to Damascus as recorded in Acts 9:1-9.




14. For what two purposes did the angle say he had come?



15. List what the angel commanded Alma to do.



Day 6: Read Mosiah 27:20-31, with footnote 24d; John 3:3-6; D&C 19:10-11
16. What was Alma the Senior’s reaction when he learned of his son’s condition? Why?



17. How does Alma the Younger define being “born of the Spirit”? Use also Alma 5:14. Do you think he had been born of the water earlier in his life? Cross-reference John 3:3-6.



18. Alma reported having been “racked with eternal torment” – but was only unconscious for two days. Use D&C 19:10-11 to explain how this is possible.



BONUS: Read 2 Corinthians 7:10-11. How did “Godly sorrow” help Alma become a “new creature”?



Day 7: Read Mosiah 27:32-37
19. Why did Alma want to share his experience with everyone throughout all the land?



20. Why do you think the testimonies of the sons of Mosiah were so powerful?



21. Re-read Mosiah 12:21 with Mosiah 27:37. Did Alma Jr. and the sons of Mosiah have beautiful feet?

Mosiah 23-25

Mosiah 23-25 Study Guide: To be discussed November 1 (with Mosiah 19-22)

NOTE: Mosiah 23-24 contain the second flashback in Mosiah, describing the history of the group of people who fled the Waters of Mormon with Alma and began a new colony at Helam.
Day 1: Read Mosiah 23:1-15, with headnote to ch. 23
1. Why were Alma’s people able to stay ahead of Noah’s army?



2. Find three things Alma taught about kings and the reasons he taught those things.



3. What was Alma’s counsel to his people, now that they were delivered from the “bonds of iniquity”?



BONUS: Can you think of a time when you were “warned of the Lord” and strengthened by Him?


Day 2: Read Mosiah 23:16-28; D&C 20:46-59
4. How did priests and teachers receive authority? What were their duties? Cross-reference D&C 20:46-49.



5. How is our faith and patience sometimes tested? What promise from Mosiah 23:22 gives hope during those times?



6. How did Alma prepare his people to face the Lamanite army?



Day 3: Read Mosiah 23:29-39; Review Mosiah 22:11-16, 19:18-24, 20:1-5
7. Why do you think the Lord allowed Alma and his people to be placed in bondage to the Lamanites when they had repented and were righteous? (See also Mosiah 11:23, 12:1-2.)



8. Who was Amulon and how did he get an army?



9. How did Amulon demonstrate his lack of integrity? What did Alma and Amulon have in common? How were they different?




Day 4: Read Mosiah 24:1-12; 2 Nephi 32:8-9
10. Why did King Laman appoint teachers from among the wicked priests? What did they teach? What did they NOT teach? Why?

11. Why did Amulon persecute Alma? Why did Amulon’s children persecute Alma’s children?



12. What basic right did Amulon attempt to deny Alma and his people? Why do you think this was forbidden? Can it effectively be forbidden? (See also 2 Nephi 32:8-9.)



Day 5: Read Mosiah 24:13-25; 3 Nephi 1:10-15
13. Compare Mosiah 24:13-16 with 3 Nephi 1:10-15. List the similarities.





14. In what ways were Alma’s people strengthened in their adversity? List the blessings.



15. How did faith and patience help Alma’s people?



Day 6: Read Mosiah 25:1-12; footnotes for Mosiah 9:1, 24:25
16. Order these groups according to their relative sizes of population, least to greatest: Lamanites, Nephites, Mulekites, combined Nephites and Mulekites. How much more numerous was the most populous group compared to the second most populous?



17. Name the four distinct groups living in Zarahemla who gathered for General Conference. Use footnotes for Mosiah 9:1 and 24:25 to calculate how long it had been since the people of Zarahemla had been united with the party who left with Zeniff.



18. What were the reactions of the people as Mosiah read aloud the record we now have as Mosiah 9-24? How does reading and pondering the scriptures make you feel?



Day 7: Read Mosiah 25:13-24
19. What was Mosiah’s title among the people of Zarahemla? What was Alma’s role?


20. What kind of correlation program did the church have during this time? What were the people called?


21. What was preached in the church and why?

Mosiah 19-22

Mosiah 19-22 study guide – to be discussed October 25
Day 1: Read Mosiah 19:1-14; Bible Dictionary entry, “Gideon”
1. Why was there so much contention and unrest among Noah’s people? Compare them to Alma’s people.



2. Look up the name “Gideon” in the Bible Dictionary. What does the name mean? Who was the Gideon of the Old Testament (brass plates)? How did Noah stop Gideon from killing him?



3. What was Noah’s strategy for escaping death at the hands of the Lamanites?


Day 2: Read Mosiah 19:15-29
4. What were the conditions of the treaty between the Lamanites and the people of Noah?



5. When Gideon and his search party came upon those who had abandoned their families and fled with Noah, what had they finally realized about their allegiance to Noah?


6. In what ways were Limhi’s people in bondage? Whose fault was it?




Day 3: Read Mosiah 20:1-11
7. Why didn’t the wicked priests return to their families in Nephi?


8. In what way did the Lamanites feel Limhi’s people had broken their part of the peace treaty? Do you think the wicked priests knew their actions would lead to war?



9. Why do you think the people of Limhi were able to stand against the Lamanites even though they were out-numbered?



Day 4: Read Mosiah 20:12-26
10. What do you learn about Limhi from his decision regarding the Lamanite king? What would likely have been the outcome had he executed King Laman as advised?


11. How do you think Gideon knew how to counsel the king?



12. What kinds of bondage do we face today? How do we usually get into bondage? How do we get out?
Day 5: Read Mosiah 21:1-16
13. Why did the people begin to rebel against Limhi? What was the result?



14. How many times did the people of Limhi face defeat before they began to humble themselves?


15. Underline the words “humble” and “humility” in Mosiah 21:13-14. What did humility lead to?



Day 6: Read Mosiah 21:17-36
16. Why did Limhi want to capture the wicked priests?



17. Review Mosiah 7:7. We have now caught up with where we left off before the flashback began in Mosiah 9. What do we learn here about why Limhi had Ammon and his companions bound and imprisoned?



18. The record tells us Limhi and many of his people had entered into a covenant to serve God and keep his commandments (see Mosiah 21:32), but they were unable to be baptized. Why did they feel the need to be baptized? How did this desire impact their plans for escape from bondage?




Day 7: Read Mosiah 22; Review Mosiah 21:13-17, Mosiah 7:2-3
19. Did Limhi and his people show a lack of faith in their determination that a military victory against the Lamanites was impossible? Why or why not?



20. Review Mosiah 21:13-14 and 17. How did Limhi’s people prepare themselves to gain their freedom?




21. Review Mosiah 21:15-16; Mosiah 7:2-3; Mosiah 22:9. After they had prepared, in what ways did the Lord deliver the people of Limhi from bondage?




Bonus: Read D&C 58:26-28 and DD&C 1:19-28
Relate the principles set forth in these passages from the Doctrine and Covenants to how Limhi’s people gained freedom from bondage. What is the pattern for us today?

Arnold Friberg's Abinadi painting

A link to the entire article from which this post is taken is at right. Here is a clip from the article, giving the details we discussed in class as well as additional information on the subject after whom Abinadi is modeled in Friberg's famous painting. Following the information from the article is detail from my files, labeled, "Taped interview with Arnold Friberg, June 3, 1986." If anyone can find a link to the entire interview, please let me know.

Abinadi before King Noah (Mosiah 11–13). "I composed it the opposite of the well-known principle in art, the 'principle of the Jewel.' . . . It is like a jewel setting—the central figure is the most interesting part. You use the strongest color and the strongest and most vibrant contrast around the center of interest, and then it goes into surrounding neutrals. I reversed it here for the purposes of this picture. Against the simplicity of Abinadi in his grey prison garb was the opulence of the court. The richness of the colors set off this simple, humble man.

"And the jaguars—I spent days studying them at the zoo. There were several reasons for putting them in. One thing, it gives a royal touch to have the animals chained to the throne. They are not leopards; they are jaguars, which are more compact animals than leopards. Jaguars are found only in Central and South America, so they sort of help define the geographical setting. Animals are very sensitive to supernatural power. . . . The jaguars are snarling because they sense the awesome power that is surrounding Abinadi.

"Then there are the priests of King Noah. I had somewhat in mind the man back here at the right might be young Alma. He was mightily impressed by the courageous testimony of Abinadi, so much so that he became a prophet."

This is the artist's favorite painting of the entire set. The figure of Abinadi held special meaning for Arnold Friberg. When his family was converted in 1921 in Arizona through the missionary efforts of a Brother Altop, Arnold was seven years old. He was baptized the next year and remembers fondly the missionary teaching his family received from Brother Altop. As Friberg was at work painting this picture, Brother Altop visited him in Salt Lake City. Lean and muscular from years of working as a carpenter, the revered friend was immediately put to work posing as Abinadi.

Additional information from my files:

"I show the guards being thrown back by this great power surrounding Abinadi. They couldn't touch him. In John 18:6 it says,'As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.' This is commonly forgotten. People usually treat Christ as though he were a victim. I think that is why there are so many pictures of him looking gaunt and cadaver-looking, because 'this poor fellow was dragged through the streets - a victim.' But actually he was the one in charge at all times in Gethsemane. They didn't know who he was. The guards came to get him, and he said, 'Who are you looking for?'
"They said 'Jesus of Nazareth.'
"He said 'I am he.' And the force of his words hurled the guards to the ground. That is commonly forgotten. People act as if the guards just came out and took him. They couldn't have taken him. I think it is a tremendous story. This is where I got the idea. This same force surrounded Abinadi, that they could not touch him until he finished his message that he had to give.

"The elements of design (the steps, etc.) are all based on ancient American design.

"One detail you might be interested in is the green feathers on Kind Noah's crown. They are from the Quetzl bird. They have these long green feathers. They are the nationial bird of Guatemala. The reason they are the national bird is that they cannot live in captivity. You cannot keep a Quetzl bird in the zoo, he will die. It is the symbol of liberty. He dies if he is not free. Often in the ancient American sculptures you will see the Quetzl feathers used in the head-dress, so I used them in the king's head-dress.

"It is a very powerful subject and I tried to show the dignity of this siimple man. He has no jewelry compared to the court which is filled with opulence. He stands up in his simple dignity with a certain emanation of light showing the power that is in him."

Mosiah 15-18

Mosiah 15-18 Study Guide – to be discussed October 18
Day 1: Read Mosiah 15:1-19
1.. In what way(s) is Jesus Christ the “Son”? In what way(s) is He the “Father”? In what way(s) are the Father (Elohim) and the Son (Jesus Christ) one God?




2. In Mosiah 15:5-9, Abinadi explains the verses just quoted in Mosiah 14:2-7 (Isaiah 53:2-7). How might this description of Christ’s life and ministry have been a test of faith for the wicked priests?



3. In Mosiah 15:14-18, having given sufficient background, Abinadi returns to the subject of the question Noah’s priests posed in Mosiah 12:20-24. According to Abinadi, who has published peace? Who is still publishing peace? Who shall hereafter publish peace, from this time henceforth and forever?



Day 2: Read Mosiah 15:20-31; D&C 137:7-9; Psalm 67:1-4; Alma 6:1
4. Who will be included in the first resurrection? (be sure to use D&C 137:7-9 for clarification) Who will not? Why not?




5. Is it that God will not forgive unrepentant sinners, or that He cannot?



6. Who are the “watchmen” and why are they singing together? (see also Ps. 67:1-4; Alma 6:1)



Day 3: Read Mosiah 16; D&C 88:4-13
7. Why will the wicked gnash their teeth instead of make excuses when “all shall see the salvation of the Lord”?



8. Read D&C 88:4-13 with Mosiah 16:6-9. Using these passages together, describe how Christ is the light of the world.



9.What three verbs does Abinadi use in Mosiah 16:15 to explain what the wicked priests should do?


Day 4: Read Mosiah 17:1-10
10. List three things we know about Alma from Mosiah 17:2.


11. What were Noah’s charges against Abinadi? (see also Mosiah 7:26-27) Under what circumstances would he be acquitted?
12. What were Abinadi’s charges against Noah and his priests?



Day 5: Read Mosiah 17:11-20; Alma 25:1-12; Mosiah 19:20
13. Why didn’t Noah release Abinadi?



14. Using Alma 25:1-12 and Mosiah 19:20, which of Abinadi’s dying prophecies came to pass?



15. Considering all you know about Abinadi, list similarities between Abinadi and Christ.







Day 6: Read Mosiah 18:1-16; Mosiah 23:9
16. Why do you think the people believed Alma when they had rejected Abinadi?



17. Make a list of what Alma taught the people regarding our part of the baptismal covenant. In other words, what do we covenant to do at baptism?




18. Make a list of what the Lord promises as His part of the covenant. What was the reaction of the people to these teachings?



Day 7: Read Mosiah 18:7-35
19. After the saints were baptized at Mormon, how did Alma organize the church?





20. How did Alma’s people become the “children of God”?



21. Of what did King Noah accuse Alma? Use Mosiah 23:1 to further explain how Alma’s people were “apprised of the coming of the king’s army.”

Mosiah 12-14

Mosiah 12-14 Study Guide – to be discussed October 11
Day 1: Read Mosiah 12:1-8; review Mosiah 11:20-25
1. [Note: Although the record states that Abinadi had lived among the people of Noah in disguise, when he began to bear witness in chapter 12 he identified himself by name (v.1).] After reviewing Abinadi’s previous warning in Mosiah 11:20-25, compare his speech in Mosiah 12:1-8, two years later. Are the warnings the same? What detail is added?




2. Abinadi gave a specific warning regarding the worth of King Noah’s life if he didn’t repent. At this point in the narrative, how do the people value King Noah? (see also Mosiah 12:13-14)



3. Why do you think the Lord was willing to give Noah’s people another chance at repentance? What does this teach you about the nature of God? Note also how the Lord refers to the people in verse 4.



Day 2: Read Mosiah 12:9-18; Isaiah 5:20
4. Of what crime was Abinadi accused? Was this a capital offense?



5. Who was Noah’s father? Do you think he had been taught regarding the nature of God and the plan of salvation? How might peer pressure have played a part in Noah’s reaction to Abinadi’s message?



6. Can you find a “pattern” for avoiding repentance in these verses (similar to the pattern in Mosiah 11:26-29)?




Day 3: Read Mosiah 12:19-37; 2 Nephi 28:7-8, 21
7. According to Mosiah 12:19, why did the wicked priests want to question Abinadi? In quoting Isaiah 52:7-10, the priests seem to imply Abinadi cannot be sent from God, as he was certainly not publishing “peace.” Read 2 Nephi 28:7-8 and 21 to identify the kind of peaceful sayings Noah’s priests wanted to hear.



8. In Mosiah 12:27, Abinadi identified the root of the problem, or why the wicked priests were clueless – what had they failed to do?



9. What false doctrine did the priests believe regarding the Law of Moses?



BONUS: As the trial of Abinadi progressed, who was in charge of the questioning?
Day 4: Read Mosiah 13:1-10
10. By what power did Abinadi rebuke the destroyers in his midst? What reason(s) did he give for stopping them?



11. Why do you think the wicked priests were afraid to lay hands on Abinadi? Were they ready to listen?



12. In Mosiah 3:10, Abinadi prophesied concerning his own earthly fate and the eternal fate of King Noah – and ultimately, all who do not repent. Why didn’t Abinadi care what they did to him physically?



Day 5: Read Mosiah 13:11-24
13. Abinadi began reviewing the Ten Commandments in Mosiah 12:33-36. In Mosiah 13:11-24 he continued that discussion. Why do you think Abinadi taught the Ten Commandments to the wicked priests?



14. For whom does keeping the first four commandments show respect?


15. For whom does keeping the last six commandments show respect?


Day 6: Read Mosiah 13:25-35
16. Why was the Law of Moses necessary?



17. Why didn’t the children of Israel understand that the outward performances of the law were merely types of greater things? Do we sometimes have the same problem?



18. Did Moses teach his people regarding the coming of Christ and his atonement? Did Noah’s priests have the words of Isaiah?


Day 7: Read Mosiah 14
19. Read Mosiah 14:1-5. What do you learn about the Savior from these verses?


20. Read Mosiah 14:6-8 with Mosiah 15:10-13. In what way(s) are we like sheep? (see also Romans 3:23) According to Abinadi’s explanation in Mosiah 15:10-13, who shall declare Christ’s “generation” or posterity?



21. Read Mosiah 14:9-12 and Romans 8:16-17. Substitute the word “although” for “because” in verse 9 (cf: Isaiah 53:9c). What is Christ willing to share with his “seed”?