Jeffersonian Mosiah the 1st

The Book of Mosiah the 1st

An account of the reigns of Kings Benjamin, Mosiah, the expedition of Ammon, and the discovery of the people of Shilom.

Traditionally composing of Mosiah chapters 1-8

--------------------Chapter 1--------------------

1 Now there was no more contention in all the Kingdom of Zarahemla among all the people who were ruled by King Benjamin. King Benjamin reigned in peace the rest of his life.

2 And it came to pass that he had three sons; and he called their names Mosiah (after King Benjamin's father), and Helorum, and Helaman.

3 He taught them, so that they would become men of understanding, and that they might know concerning the lessons which had been taught their fathers.

4 He also taught them about the records which were engraved on the plates of brass, saying:

	5 "My sons, I want you to remember that if it weren't for these plates which contain these records and these lessons, we would have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the lessons on morality.

	6 It wouldn't have been possible that our ancestor Lehi could have remembered all these things and taught them to his children, except for the help of these plates.

	7 Lehi could read the plates and teach what was written on them to his children, who would then teach their children, all the way down to today's generation.

	8 My sons, if it weren't for the preservation of our history, we might not understand the lessons learned, our ancestors would have forgotten them.

	9 We would be like the Lamanites who have forgotten their history.

	10 My sons, I want you to remember what I have taught you regarding our history. I want you to remember what I have spoken and what our history teaches.

	11 The plates of Nephi contain the records of our ancestors from the time that they left The Great City until now.

	12 My sons, I want you to diligently read our history. If you do, you will find great benefit from it.

	13 I want you to live moral lives, so that you may live a good life."

14 King Benjamin taught his sons many more things which are not written here.

15 After King Benjamin finished teaching his sons, he became old. He knew that he would very soon go the way of all the earth. He thought it was a good idea to give the kingdom to one of his sons.

16 He had Mosiah brought before him, and he spoke these words to him:

	17 “My son, I want you to make a proclamation to the whole Kingdom of Zarahemla, telling them to gather together.

	18 I want you to do this, because tomorrow I am making you the king and ruler over the land.

	19 Our land has been a moral one.

	20 Our land can always remain one, but we have to live moral lives.

	21 If we do not live moral lives, we will become an immoral people and fall.

	22 The promise of our ancestor Lehi will no longer apply to us."

23 After King Benjamin had finished speaking to his son Mosiah, he turned over all the affairs of the land to him.

24 He also turned over the plates of brass and plates of Nephi to him and gave him the instructions regarding them.

25 He also gave him the sword of Laban and Lehi's compass which he used to find this land.

26 Mosiah did as his father had instructed him and proclaimed to all the people who were in the Kingdom of Zarahemla that they should gather together near the temple where we meditated and taught lessons of morality so they could hear the lessons that my father wanted to teach them.

--------------------Chapter 2--------------------

1 After Mosiah had followed his father's instructions and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, the people gathered together so that they could hear the words which King Benjamin wanted to speak to them.

2 There were many people who came; too many to count. The people of the land were able to have large families because of their successes.

3 They celebrated together, remembered their history, and were thankful they had a good king to rule over them.

4 He had established peace in the Kingdom of Zarahemla and taught lessons of morality, so that his people could live good lives.

5 The people came to where the king would speak and pitched their tents around the temple. The oldest of the families were the ones closest to the temple.

6 They all had the door of their tent facing the temple so they could stay in their tents as they listened to King Benjamin.

7 The crowd was so big that King Benjamin had a tower built so that people might be able to more easily hear him.

8 Regardless, many people could still not hear him because of how large the crowd was.

9 King Benjamin had what he spoke written down and sent among the people who were not able to hear him, so that they could also learn.

10 This is what King Benjamin spoke to his people:

	11 My brothers and sisters, I did not ask you lightly to come here today. I asked you so that you would listen and understand me.

	12 I did not ask you to come here against your will, using fear as a motivator.

	13 I did not want you to think that I am anything more than a mortal man.

	14 I am just like you. I am subject to the infirmities of the body and mind.

	15 Regardless, I have been chosen by you to be your leader. I served you with all the might, mind, and strength that I could muster.

	16 I have not wanted any gold, silver, or any other riches in return for my service that I have given you.

	17 I have not unfairly thrown you in prison. I have not instituted or encouraged slavery. I have not encouraged murder, thievery, or cheating on your spouse.

	18 I have not encouraged any immorality but have taught you to live moral lives.

	19 I have labored with my own hands to serve you. I have worked so that you are not burdened by taxes. I have worked so that you have been treated fairly. You have seen my work for yourselves.

	20 I don't say these things to boast or accuse you of laziness. I tell you these things so that I can have a clear conscience.

	21 I tell you these things so that you may learn wisdom. So that you can learn that when you serve your fellow man, you are living a happy life.

	22 You have called me your king. If I am a king and I work to serve you, shouldn't you serve each other?

	23 You should give thanks and praise to those who have preserved you and allowed you to live in peace with each other.

	24 We have seen that when we work together as a people, we prosper together.

	25 We have seen that when our people don't work together, we don't prosper.

	26 This people have raised you and helped you. You are indebted to help them in return.

	27 We are all like dust. I am your king, and I am also like dust.

	28 I am old and will soon give my mortal frame back to the mother earth.

	29 I have spoken these things so that our descendants will look back on me and remember me as a moral man.

	30 I wanted to see my people one last time, so that I may see their morality before I die.

	31 Since I am old, I am no longer able to be your king or your teacher.

	32 Even speaking to you now is difficult for me.

	33 It was very important for me to do this, so I have done so.

	34 I declare to you today that I want my son, Mosiah the 2nd , to be your king and ruler.

	35 I want you to love him as your king as you have loved me.

	36 As you have listened to my instructions and teachings as a teacher, I want you to listen to him.

	37 If you do this, you will be a happy and prosperous people. Your enemies will have no power over you.

	38 Oh, my people, be aware about contentions that will arise among you, which my father Mosiah the 1st warned you about.

	39 There is misery when you seek to destroy our people's harmony.

	40 Those that do this are remembered unfavorably.

	41 The only ones among you who have not been taught these things are the little children.

	42 Again, you are indebted to your people for helping you throughout your life. You have been taught to help one another, which were the lessons of our ancestors. It has been taught by all of our ancestors from Lehi till now.

	43 These things are just and true.

	44 If you do not do these things, life's path will be much harder for you.

	45 We all get what we deserve.

	46 When we act with morality, we are remembered for our morality and treated with morality by others.

	47 When we do not, we are remembered as immoral and unfavorably.

	48 To the old, young, and children, I have spoken plainly so that you can understand me.

	49 I hope that you remember to lead moral lives your whole life.

	50 I hope you remember the happiness that leading a moral life brings.

	51 If you do these things, you will be remembered favorably by your descendants.

	52 Oh, remember these things, because they are true!

--------------------Chapter 3--------------------

	1 Again, my brothers and sisters, I ask for your attention, because I have more to speak to you.

	2 I have predictions about our direction as a people in this land.

	3 The things I predict fill me with overwhelming joy.

	4 The time is not distant that there will come a ruler that is a healer.

	5 He will help all with all of their illnesses and hardships.

	6 He will be just like any other man.

	7 He will be a great teacher and ruler.

	8 Humans are naturally inclined to be stubborn, selfish, and immoral, but he will teach how to combat these qualities.

	9 He will reign with just judgement and continue to heal.

	10 He will teach how to be humble, patient, and full of love.

	11 He will be seen as a great ruler by everyone.

	12 He will teach that people are remembered by how they live in this life. Their actions will be remembered forever by their descendants.

	13 If they live immoral lives, they will be remembered as an immoral person. That will be their eternal legacy.

	14 This is what I had to speak to you, my people."

--------------------Chapter 4--------------------

1 When King Benjamin finished speaking to his people, he looked at them and found them bowing to him in honor.

2 They had understood his words and saw that their lives were limited.

3 They wanted to be remembered as a moral people.

4 They were filled with joy.

5 They gave up their immoral ways, which were few, and had a sense of equanimity because of their future.

6 King Benjamin spoke again to them, saying:

	7 "My friends, my brothers, my sisters, my family, my people; I want to listen to me again as I speak to you.

	8 If you have realized the benefits of morality, awakened to your sense of impermanence, seen wisdom and patience, practiced love and are humble, and committed to working together, you will live a good life and be remembered by your descendants as living a moral life.

	9 There is nothing more to it than this.

	10 I implore you to remember these things.

	11 If you do this, your life will be filled with joy and love.

	12 If you do this, you will not want to fight, but to live peacefully and treat everyone fairly.

	13 You will not let children go hungry or naked.

	14 You will be a peacemaker.

	15 You will teach the truth, love, and the joys of helping one another.

	16 You will help those who are in need.

	17 You will not let the homeless needlessly suffer.

	18 There are people who say 'this man has put himself in this situation, and therefore I cannot help him. He needs to get his own food and clothes, because he has what he deserves'.

	19 I am here to tell you that whoever does this has committed a great immorality in his heart.

	20 Aren't we all beggars? Do we not depend on others for everything in our lives?

	21 Do you do everything for yourself? Do you grow all your own food, make your own clothes, and mine your own metal?

	22 No, many others have helped you with everything that you have.

	23 If you depend on others for everything in your life, why would you not help someone that is relying on you?

	24 Why would you not help the beggar who has asked you for help in a time of need? Why would you condemn him?

	25 I am here to tell you that those who selfishly do not help others will be remembered for their selfishness.

	26 Those who do not have the means to give to the beggar, but want to, know that you remain guiltless.

	27 But if you have the means to give to the beggar, but do not want to, know that you are guilty of immorality.

	28 If we take care of our poor, we will be remembered as a moral people.

	29 I want you to give to the poor if you have the means. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and administer relief.

	30 Do these things with wisdom and order; it is not necessary for you to run faster than you are able to.

	31 I also want you to remember that whoever borrows from their neighbor should return what was borrowed as agreed.

	32 I cannot list out every immoral act, because they are extremely numerous. There are too many to count.

	33 But this much I can tell you: if you do not watch yourselves, your thoughts, your words, and your deeds, and strive to live a moral life your whole life, you will not be remembered as being a moral people.

	34 Remember to be moral, my people."

--------------------Chapter 5--------------------

1 When King Benjamin had spoken these things to his people, he wanted to see what his people thought of his words.

2 His people all agreed by saying:

	3 "We understand and agree with what you have told to us.

	4 We know they are true and moral lessons. They teach us how to bring a mighty change in ourselves so that we have no more desire to be immoral, but to live purely moral lives.

	5 Your good teachings are why we have had you as a king. It has brought us joy throughout our lives.

	6 We promise to live more lives all of our days, so that we will be remembered as a moral people."

7 King Benjamin said to them:

	8 "I had hoped that my people would say such a thing and make such a promise.

	9 Because of this promise, you will be remembered as a moral people.

	10 By living this life, you are truly free.

	11 By living this life, you are truly happy.

	12 Whoever does what my people have done today will also have such a life.

	13 Whoever does not do this, will struggle in life.

	14 Remember, my people, that you must always live moral lives. If you do not, you will have the blessings that this life brings.

	15 I want you to be unwavering and inflexible in this goal, and always seek to good, so that you may forever be remembered favorably."

--------------------Chapter 6--------------------

1 After King Benjamin had finished speaking to his people, he suitable to take the names of all the citizens of the land who had promised to live moral lives.

2 There was not one person, except little children, who had not made this promise.

3 After King Benjamin was finished, he consecrated his son Mosiah the 2nd to be the king and ruler over the Kingdom of Zarahemla and gave him all the instructions and training necessary.

4 He also appointed people to teach the lessons of morality from their history, and to help remind them of their goal and promise.

5 King Mosiah the 2nd began to reign in his father's stead.

6 He began to reign when he was 30, which marked 476 years since Lehi had left The Great City.

7 King Benjamin lived 3 more years before he passed away.

8 King Mosiah the 2nd lived his life and served in his reign as king with morality.

9 King Mosiah the 2nd encouraged his people to become farmers and till the earth.

10 He himself also tilled the earth so that he would not become a burden to his people, and so he could live a life like his father's.

11 There was no contention among all the Kingdom of Zarahemla for 3 whole years.

--------------------Chapter 7--------------------

1 After King Mosiah the 2nd had had peace for 3 years, he wanted to how what had happened to the people who lived in the land of Nephi.

2 The people of Zarahemla had heard nothing from them since the time they had left the Kingdom of Zarahemla. The king worried about them.

3 King Mosiah the 2nd authorized 16 of Zarahemla's strongest to go to the land of Nephi to inquire about their brothers and sisters.

4 Their leader was named Ammon, who was a strong and mighty man and a descendant of Zarahemla. He had them start in the morning towards their destination.

5 They didn't know which way they should start their trek in the wilderness to find the missing people, and they wandered for 40 days.

6 After they had wandered for 40 days, they came to Hill Shilom, which was in the north of the land of Shilom, and pitched their tents.

7 Ammon took 3 of his men, whose names were Amaleki, Helem, and Hem, and they went down into the land of Nephi.

8 They met the king of the people who were in the land of Nephi and in the land of Shilom.

9 They were surrounded by the king's guards. They were taken, restrained, and put into prison.

10 After they had been in prison for 2 days, they were brought to the king again, and their restrained were untied.

11 They were commanded by the king to answer his questions.

12 The king said:

	13 "I am Limhi, the son of Noah, who was the son of Zeniff, who came out of the Kingdom of Zarahemla to inherit this land which was the land of their ancestors. I was made king by the voice of the people.

	14 Now I want to know why you dared to come near the walls of the city when I was outside of the gate!

	15 I have spared your life for this reason alone. Now speak!"

16 When Ammon saw that he was permitted to speak, he went and bowed before the king, and said to him:

	17 "Oh king, I am thankful that you have spared my life and allowed me to speak.

	18 I will speak with boldness. I am sure that if you had known who I am, you would not have restrained me.

	19 I am Ammon, a descendant of Zarahemla. I have come up out of the Kingdom of Zarahemla to inquire concerning our brothers and sisters whom Zeniff lead out of that land.”

18 After Limhi had heard these words, he was exceedingly glad, and said:

	19 “Now I have assurance that my brothers and sisters who were in the Kingdom of Zarahemla are alive.

	20 We will celebrate! All of us and my people will celebrate as well with this joyous news!

	21 However, my people and I are unwillingly a territory of the Lamanites and are taxed heavily.

	22 We would like you to help us out of this bondage so much that we are willing to be your slaves.

	23 It would be better to be slaves to the Nephites than to pay taxes to and support the Laman, king of the Lamanites."

24 King Limhi ordered his guards not to restrain or imprison Ammon or crew. He had Ammon, Amaleki, Helem, and Hem go to Hill Shilom and bring the rest of their expedition team into the city. They ate, drank, and rested from their difficult journey.

25 The next morning, King Limhi sent out a proclamation to his land to gather together at the temple to listen to him teach.

26 When they had gathered together, this is how he spoke to them:

	27 "Oh, my people! Lift up your heads and be comforted! The time is nearly here that we will no longer be subjected to the rule of our enemies, the Lamanites! In spite of our struggles, they have not been in vain. Our efforts will soon pay off!

	28 Lift up your heads and rejoice! Put your trust in our brothers and sisters, for our ancestors have endured many things, and our brothers and sisters will endure with us now.

	29 It is because we failed to work together that we have been taken over by the Lamanites.

	30 You are all witnesses today that Zeniff, who was made king over this people, was overzealous to inherit the land of his ancestors.

	31 He was deceived by the cunning and craftiness of King Laman, who entered into a treaty with King Zeniff. Zeniff made the all the land around them territories of the Lamanite kingdom.

	32 He was willing to bring him people into this subjection to meet his goals.

	33 We are now taxed half of all of our crops, herds, flocks by the Lamanites.

	34 Isn't this outrageously unbearable?

	35 Isn't this a great hardship?

	36 We have a great reason to complain!

	37 Many of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and children have been killed in vain because of our ancestor's immorality.

	38 Those who spoke out against the treaty signed by Zeniff were killed.

	39 Is it any wonder why we still subject ourselves to the cruel Lamanite rule?

	40 Our ancestors planted immorality, and we harvested poison.

	41 Our ancestors planted immorality, and we harvested destruction.

	42 We have been killed and experienced hardships.

	43 However, if we will live moral lives and diligently serve one another, we will free ourselves from this tyranny!"

--------------------Chapter 8--------------------

1 After King Limhi had finished speaking to his people (he spoke many things, but only a few of them are written), he told his people about their brothers and sisters who lived in the Kingdom of Zarahemla.

2 He had Ammon speak to the people of Shilom to recite their history from the time that Zeniff left Zarahemla till that time.

3 He also spoke the last words that King Benjamin had taught, so that they may learn the lessons as well.

4 After this, King Limhi dismissed his people and had them return to their homes.

5 He gave Ammon the record of his people from the time they left the Kingdom of Zarahemla so that he could read them.

6 As soon as Ammon had read the record, the king asked him if he could interpret languages.

7 Ammon told him he could not.

8 Then the king said to him:

	9 "I was weighed down by the hardships my people were experiencing, so I had 43 of my people start an expedition to find the Kingdom of Zarahemla, so that we could ask for help.

	10 They were lost in the wilderness for many days, but were determined to find Zarahemla. After many, many days, and traveling from coast-to-coast, they had not found it and so returned to the land of Nephi.

	11 They had, however, discovered a land which was covered with bones of people and animals, and found many ruins of buildings.

	12 The land had once been populated by many people.

	13 To prove that their story was true, they brought back 24 plates which were filled with writings.

	14 They also brought back large breastplates made of brass and copper which were very strong.

	15 They also brought back swords, but the blades were very rusted and the hilts had rusted completely.

	16 There was no one in the land that is able to interpret the written language that were engraved on the plates.

	17 That is why I asked if you are a translator.

	18 Do you know of anyone that is able to translate these writings? I want these writings translated into our language.

	19 They may give us the history of the people who were destroyed.

	20 They may even tell us why they were destroyed. I am very curious why they were destroyed."

21 Ammon said to him:

	22 "I can assure you that I know of a man that can translate these records. He has been able to translate all the ancient records that we have found.

	23 This man is the king of Zarahemla."

24 The king then asked:

	25 "Is a translator greater than a king?"

26 Ammon told him:

	27 "A translator is a teacher and a king is as well.

	28 Translators and historians learn and know the past and make predictions about the future.

	29 They teach many things that would be secret if it were not for them. They shine a light on these hidden things.

	30 These people are very important and a great benefit to our society."

31 When Ammon had finished saying these things, the king was very happy, and said:

	32 "Undoubtedly there is a great mystery written on these plates, and these translators seem capable of unfolding this mystery."