Note: The Lord made the load light by strengthening their backs.

Mosiah 24:15
And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

Note: Between Mosiah 8 and Mosiah 9, the story goes back in time approximately 80 years. The story in Mosiah 9 begins around 200 B.C., with Zeniff recounting the events previously recorded in Omni 1:27–30. Mosiah chapters 9–24 recount events during the reigns of three kings: Zeniff, Noah, and Limhi. These records document the people’s success when they turned to God. When the people chose not to turn to God, they struggled —outwardly against the Lamanites and inwardly against pride.

Mosiah 9:1
I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the language of the Nephites, and having had a knowledge of the land of Nephi, or of the land of our fathers' first inheritance, *and having been sent as a spy among the Lamanites that I might spy out their forces, that our army might come upon them and destroy them—but when I saw that which was good among them I was desirous that they should not be destroyed.

Note: I asked Adri what she remembered about her baptism. She answered : the snacks and the way the water felt- it felt funny. I was nervous baptizing her, as I had invited a coworker. Above all I felt proud of how happy Adri was to be baptized.

Mosiah 18:15
And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized him according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water.

Note: President Joseph Fielding Smith explained: “When Alma baptized himself with Helam that was not a case of Alma baptizing himself, but merely as a token [sign] to the Lord of his humility and full repentance”

Mosiah 18:14
And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.

Note: The “first resurrection” Abinadi referred to began with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. At that time many of those who died before Him, who were deserving of a celestial glory, were resurrected. When the Savior comes again He will usher in what is called the morning of the first resurrection, when others who have died and are deserving of a celestial glory will be resurrected (see D&C 88:96–98). The first resurrection will continue until the end of the Millennium.

Mosiah 15:21
And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called.

Note: We are not saved by works alone, no matter how good; we are saved because God sent his Son to shed his blood in Gethsemane and on Calvary that all through him might ransomed be. We are saved by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20). “To paraphrase Abinadi: ‘Salvation doth not come by the Church alone; and were it not for the atonement, given by the grace of God as a free gift, all men must unavoidably perish, and this notwithstanding the Church and all that appertains to it’”

Mosiah 13:27
And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of Moses. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses.

Note: When the Lord gives us an assignment, He also gives us the power to complete it (see 1 Nephi 3:7). Abinadi’s assignment was to call King Noah and his people to repentance.

Mosiah 13:3
Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time.

Note: It is helpful to notice that only David and Solomon were condemned for taking many wives and concubines. Abraham, Jacob, and Moses, who also had wives and concubines, were not. In modern revelation the Lord explained that David and Solomon sinned when they took wives that God had not given them (see D&C 132:34–39). Jacob also indicated that one reason the Lord has authorized plural marriage at times is to raise up seed unto Him, but if He does not command it, plural marriage is forbidden. See Jacob

Mosiah 11:2
For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness.

Note: To understand Jacob’s comments here it is helpful to notice that only David and Solomon were condemned for taking many wives and concubines. Abraham, Jacob, and Moses, who also had wives and concubines, were not. In modern revelation the Lord explained that David and Solomon sinned when they took wives that God had not given them (see D&C 132:34–39). Jacob also indicated that one reason the Lord has authorized plural marriage at times is to raise up seed unto Him, but if He does not command it, plural marriage is forbidden.

Jacob 2:23
But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.

Note: Mosiah I was followed by his son, Benjamin, and grandson, Mosiah II.Sometime after Mosiah I arrived in Zarahemla, Zeniff led a group of Nephites back to the land of Nephi (see Omni 1:27–30; Mosiah 7:21). There he established a colony among the Lamanites and became their king. Mosiah 9–22 is taken from the record of Zeniff. The account covers over 50 years and includes accounts of Zeniff’s successors: his son Noah and grandson Limhi.

Mosiah 9:3
And yet, I being over-zealous to inherit the land of our fathers, collected as many as were desirous to go up to possess the land, and started again on our journey into the wilderness to go up to the land; but we were smitten with famine and sore afflictions; for we were slow to remember the Lord our God.

Note: Remember that Mosiah I was warned by the Lord to take the righteous who would follow him and “flee out of the land of Nephi” (Omni 1:12). He and his people discovered another group of people living in a land they called Zarahemla. He eventually became king over the combined group of Nephites and people of Zarahemla.

Mosiah 9:4
Nevertheless, after many days' wandering in the wilderness we pitched our tents in the place where our brethren were slain, which was near to the land of our fathers.

Note: From Ammon’s description in Mosiah 8:13–18, we learn that while a prophet and a seer both declare the word of God, a seer has means of receiving revelation from God not available to every prophet (see v. 13). He not only can see the future, but also the past and hidden things with divine clarity (see v. 17). A seer “sees” by the power of God that which cannot be seen with the natural eye (see Moses 6:35–36). Each time we sustain the leaders of the Church at a general conference, we recognize the First Presidency of the Church and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Mosiah 8:13
Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records; 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.

Note: Sometime after King Mosiah I (the father of King Benjamin) arrived in Zarahemla, a group of people wanted to go back to the land of Nephi. The first group that went failed because of contention. A second group, led by Zeniff, succeeded in establishing a settlement in the land of Lehi-Nephi. About 50 years later, King Mosiah II sent a group under the leadership of Ammon to find out what happened to Zeniff’s people.

Mosiah 7:1
And now, it came to pass that after king Mosiah had had continual peace for the space of three years, he was desirous to know concerning the people who went up to dwell in the land of Lehi-Nephi, or in the city of Lehi-Nephi; for his people had heard nothing from them from the time they left the land of Zarahemla; therefore, they wearied him with their teasings.

Note: President Ezra Taft Benson said:“We must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road to Damascus, Enos praying far into the night, King Lamoni. Such astonishing examples of the power to change even those steeped in sin give confidence that the Atonement can reach even those deepest in despair.“But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life”

Enos 1:1
Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—

Note: When lifting weights (squats), its natural to look down with great weighs upon your shoulders. However, proper form is to look up. With out looking up, bearing such weight results only in injury - not growth.

It Is Better to Look Up
But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, "It is better to look up!" As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, "Now, remember, it is better to look up."

Note: "these plates = small plates and other plates = large plates."

1 Nephi 9:1
And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.

Note: The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another. “God said, ‘thou shalt not kill’ [ Exodus 20:13 ]; at another time He said, ‘thou shalt utterly destroy’ [ Deuteronomy 20:17 ]. This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire. If we seek first the kingdom of God, all good things will be added”

1 Nephi 4:10
And it came to pass that I was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him.

Note: “We learn in passing that he commanded a garrison of fifty, that he met in full ceremonial armor with ‘the elders of the Jews’ ( 1Nephi 4:22 ) for secret consultations by night, that he had control of a treasury, that he was of the old aristocracy, being a distant relative to Lehi himself, that he probably held his job because of his ancestors, since he hardly received it by merit, that his house was the storing place of very old records, that he was a large man, short-tempered, crafty, and dangerous, and to the bargain cruel, greedy, unscrupulous, weak, and given to drink”

1 Nephi 3:13
And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his presence; and he would not that he should have the records. Wherefore, he said unto him: Behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee.

Note: Casting lots was used as a way of making a choice. The exact method is not known, but the modern practice of drawing straws or flipping coins are examples of the same idea. Anciently, however, it was believed the Lord determined the outcome.

1 Nephi 3:11
And we cast lots—who of us should go in unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman; and Laman went in unto the house of Laban, and he talked with him as he sat in his house.

Note: Lehi led his family from Jerusalem to the Red Sea near the Gulf of Aqaba. The distance is about 180 miles (290 kilometers). It was a hot and barren country, known for thieves who waited to rob unprepared travelers. After reaching the Red Sea, Lehi turned south and traveled three more days before camping in a river valley. It could have taken Lehi’s family about fourteen days to travel from the city of Jerusalem to this point. Remember the time and distances involved as you read about their trips back to Jerusalem.

1 Nephi 2:2
And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness.

Note: The Book of Mormon, the record of Joseph, verifies and clarifies the Bible. It removes stumbling blocks, it restores many plain and precious things. We testify that when used together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon confound false doctrines, lay down, contentions, and establish peace. We do not have to prove the Book of Mormon is true. The book is its own proof. All we need to do is read it and declare it! The Book of Mormon is not on trial, the people of the world, including the members of the Church, are on trial as to what they will do with this second witness for Christ.

1 Nephi 1:1
I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

Note: The events in 1Nephi begin 600 years before the birth of Christ. At that time, the Jews, because of their wickedness, had fallen under the control of the powerful Babylonian empire. The prophet Jeremiah warned the Jews to submit to Babylon or be destroyed (see Jeremiah 27:12–13 ). The prophet Lehi was also called to warn them to repent (see 1Nephi 1:18–19 ). The Jews, however, chose to listen to the counsel of false prophets who prophesied that Babylon, not Judah, would be destroyed (see Jeremiah 28:1–4 ). They rebelled against Babylon and about 586 B.C. the kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem, were destroyed and many Jews were taken captive into Babylon.

1 Nephi 1:13
And he read, saying: Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations! Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem—that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon.

Note: Nephi lived near Jerusalem, in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, about 600 years before the birth of Christ. The powerful nations of Babylon and Egypt were competing for control of that part of the world, and that small kingdom of the Jews was caught in the middle. Because of wickedness, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had been conquered and its people carried away captive by the Assyrians more than 100 years before. At the time of Nephi, wickedness was widespread, and the Jews were subject first to one foreign power and then another. Prophets such as Jeremiah and Nephi’s father, Lehi, prophesied that the kingdom of Judah would also be destroyed if the people did not repent. The prophets Ezekiel and Daniel also lived about this same time.

1 Nephi 1:4
For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

Note: “If we would avoid adopting the evils of the world, we must pursue a course which will daily feed our minds with and call them back to the things of the spirit. I know of no better way to do this than by daily reading the Book of Mormon”

Title Page

THE BOOK OF MORMON

AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY

THE HAND OF MORMON

UPON PLATES

TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI

Note: Jacob, the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham, was given the name Israel by the Lord. “The house of Israel” refers to his descendants. “Jew” referred originally to a person belonging to the tribe of Judah, but has also come to mean anyone from the kingdom of Judah, even if he or she is not actually of the tribe of Judah. “Gentile” means “nations,” and refers to those who are not of the house of Israel or those who do not believe in the God of Israel. In the Book of Mormon the word Gentiles can also refer to those who lived in or came from nations outside the land of Israel, regardless of their lineage.

Title Page
An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITH, Jun.

First English edition published in 1830

Note: The title page of the Book of Mormon was written by Moroni, the son of Mormon. The Prophet Joseph Smith explained: “The title-page of the Book of Mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated, the language of the whole running the same as all Hebrew writing in general; and that said title page is not by any means a modern composition, either of mine or of any other man who has lived or does live in this generation”

Title Page
Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

Note: JST : Yea, a man may say, I will show thee I have faith without works; but I say, Show me thy faith without works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

James 2:15
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

Note: Therefore wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead and cannot save you?

James 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Note: Even so faith, if it have not works is dead, being alone.

James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Note: JST : For if a brother or sister be naked and destitute, and one of you say, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; not withstanding he give not those things which are needful to the body; what profit is your faith unto such?

James 2:16
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Note: JST James 2:14: What profit is it, my brethren, for a man to say he hath faith, and hath not works? Can faith save him?

James 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Matthew 3:9
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Note: I love my old Bishops advice - some occupations are also preordained callings. Bishops never rest on the seventh day. Fire fighters are called to be servants at all times.

Matthew 12:11
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

Note: Christ does not say: just forget about it, He says do my work. It is a work but it heals. It lifts your spirit and cures the stress of sin.

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Note: Will you be worthy to know firsthand the miracles of the Gospel or will you have to hear about it from others.

Matthew 2:7
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Note: and he shall save HIS people

Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Note: Hope

Mosiah 4:13
And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.

Note: Man cannot serve God & MasterCard Faith vs Greed Remember to also put savings as a priority. When an item is paid off, save for its replacement.

Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Note: