Because of all the wars that happened, the Nephites became very humbled. They had lost family members, fields, flocks, and so much more during these wars. This enabled many people to feel the spirit, and 3500 people were baptized and joined the Church. I'd say that's great progress for the size of people that were there.

Over the next couple of years, the Lord blessed the people, but there began to be pride and inequality among the people, to the point where many members of the Church began to become wicked.

"and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress." (Alma 4:10)

I think this is a rather poignant lesson to learn. As members of the Church, we must live the gospel fully. I have seen some examples of the scripture above. I have spoken to people who claim that they don't want to know about the Church because someone who was supposedly a "card-carrying member" had wronged them or at the very least had not been very Christ-like toward them.

This happens for a couple of reasons. One is just plain pride. It could come in the form of "I have more money than you", or even (ironically) "I'm more righteous than you". Another reason is because it's not fully understood. Or perhaps the person is just giving into temptation and being influenced by Satan. Whatever the reason, the wickedness of members of the Church can cause people to fall away or reject it. Thus the Church [begins] to fail in it's progress. That's how it happens overall.

It just underlines the importance of staying true and faithful. When you make covenants, keep them. When you live the gospel, live it fully. Yes, the Lord will bless you. Yes, you will probable even encounter such blessings that you might have the temptation to think you're better than others, or whatever. Just remember, when someone decides not to join or be part of the Church, and you are among the reasons for that decision, you will be held accountable to some degree for that persons choice. 

I want to be on the opposite side of the fence. I want to live my life in such a way that people see me and have desires to join the Church and be blessed the same way I have been blessed, to have the gospel in my life and the direction of the Spirit. I want others to have that too.

We Receive Wages of Whom We List To Obey

"27 For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth. And thus endeth the fifth year of the reign of the judges." (Alma 3:27)

They had just lived through what turned out to be a very destructive year. Tens of thousands of souls died that year, and were sent to the eternal realm, whether they were good or bad. There are consequences to all our actions. We never know when this life will come to an end, so we should live each day in such a way that we can expect good "wages". When we "listeth to obey" God, following His commandments, and living a righteous life, we will become heirs to all that He has. That is a pretty good set of wages, I would say. On the other hand, if we "listeth to obey" the world, or really, Satan, we will get a just reward (punishment) for that. It's really pretty straightforward.

Strengthened By The Lord

Alma hadn't been chief judge all that long before Amlici began to stir up the hearts of some of the Nephites to want a king. Specifically, he spent time convincing them that they wanted HIM to be their king. There were enough people that had been convinced of this that there was a vote among the people. Luckily, the majority of people wanted to stick with the judges being in charge rather than a king.

Not to be dissuaded from this endeavor, people that wanted Amlici to be king just separated themselves from the other Nephites, and made him their king, so they became Amlicites.

For his first order of business, Amlici convinced his people to go to war against the Nephites.

"18 Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them." (Alma 2:18)

The Amlicites ran away, and the Nephites chased them. Unfortunately, the Amlicites joined forces with a very large army of Lamanites, so Alma's army went ahead and started to battle with this huge force of people, for the protection of their families and liberties.

At some point, Alma, who was leading his army, became pitted against Amlici.

"30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.

31 Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword." (Alma 2:30-31)

In both verses, we show that the Lord blesses and strengthens his righteous people.

I believe this to be a very real example of the blessings that come from righteous living. The Lord will protect and strengthen them. We may not be in an actual physical battle with swords and armies, but we are always in a spiritual battle. I think one reason Mormon included this account in the Book of Mormon is to show us that though we may be fighting what appears to be a losing battle, the Lord will strengthen us and help us, if only we are righteous.

Why the Lord Blesses the Righteous People with Wealth

"29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.

30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need." (Alma 1:29-30)

I know that God blesses His righteous people. Sometimes it seems like blessing the people with riches or worldly blessings might be counter intuitive. He wants them to be humble, and being humble when you have worldly things is harder.

But ultimately, these two verses describe why He does it. God's people often prosper financially because of what they will do with their blessings. They don't keep it all for themselves. They look for ways to help others. In this case, they supported the needy.

I have seen wealth be used in this way today. It can help the needy. I have seen families supported this way many times. Seeing the poor circumstances and situations that people have been in, where some help from the bishop and ward make all the difference between a family going hungry versus having something to eat. Or paying the rent versus getting evicted. I have seen many situations where this was the case.

I've also seen wealth used in other righteous ways. It can allow people to serve a mission (or help support others on their mission). I've seen it allow families to spend more time together, and do things together. I've seen the peace that it brings, not even to be wealthy, but to be financially stable.

It is worth mentioning that just being righteous doesn't always bring about prosperous times. In fact, I've seen very righteous people who struggle, who lose their employment, who can't find a job, who can't make ends meet. Sometimes, you are on the receiving end of the help described above. It doesn't make you any less righteous or less worthy. That comes because of your choices.

I believe the Lord wants His people to be a prosperous people. The Church is a wealthy Church. It stays within its means, but it builds temples, churches, and many other things that help God's people worship Him.

God loves His people and wants them to be happy. I know that He has blessed me personally, and I hope that I can do my best to be righteous, and to use my temporal blessings in a way that is pleasing to Him. 

Be Wise

"And now let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people." (Mosiah 29:10)

This last chapter of Mosiah wraps up the reign of the kings. King Mosiah had some sons, and he spoke to them about making them king, but they all turned it down because they had decided to go to the Lamanites to share the gospel.

The verse above is King Mosiah talking to the people about how to proceed with the government when he is no longer able to serve them as king. He recommends to them that since the rightful heir to the throne turned it down, the people change their form of government. He tells them that they need to be thinking of future generations and the effects of the type of government that they choose. As I read that, I couldn't help but think of today's world, and how much better it would be if people who make governing decisions thought this way, looking forward and doing that which will make for the peace of this people, not just what will get them re-elected, or what will help them to push forward their specific agenda.

Mosiah talks to them about all the potential problems with being ruled over by kings. He gave them some examples of wicked kings, like King Noah, and what that has done to the people. So the people are convinced. Mosiah recommends changing to being ruled over by judges, which would be selected by the voice of the people. He tells them that it is common to have some people who would choose evil, but that the majority of the people would usually choose good.

I do wish that more decisions would be made purely on the basis that Mosiah describes in the quoted verse. That people would be wise and look forward, and then just always do that which will make for the peace of the people.

What Repentance Does

"3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.

4 And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever." (Mosiah 28:3-4)

The sons of Mosiah, after experiencing what they did with Alma the younger, being visited by the angel, and realizing the error of their ways, repented. One of the natural responses to conversion and repentance is a desire to share the gospel with others. The sons of Mosiah were no different. They went to King Mosiah and basically begged him to let them go to the Lamanites and teach the gospel. The reason for this as described in verse 3 was because they didn't want anyone to endure endless torment. In other words, they didn't want them to suffer the consequences of leading a sinful life.

As described in verse 4, the sons of Mosiah were the "very vilest of sinners". Keep in mind that we've had the wicked people of Noah's time who were destroyed. They also had the wickedness of King Noah to compare to, along with the wicked Lamanites. Yet these men were the very vilest of sinners. I think the point to make here is that they were able to turn their lives around to the point where they became great missionaries.

I think there are 2 lessons to be had here. First, no matter who you are or how sinful you are, there is always a road back. You can repent, just like the sons of Mosiah. The other lesson is that when you find your way back, you don't want anyone else to go without the gospel. It was dangerous to go the Lamanites, given even the last couple of generations of experience with them. More than one group of Nephites had fallen into bondage to the Lamanites, who either wanted to take advantage of the Nephites, or destroy them. They knew the riskiness of going to the Lamanites, but they were willing to do that anyway, just so they could share the message of the gospel. 

If Thou Wilt of Thyself Be Cast Off

"8 Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.

9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them." (Mosiah 27:8-9)

Alma and Mosiah were very righteous men. Alma led the church and Mosiah was king, and they tried to make sure that the people were fair with one another, and treated each other with respect. There were a number of unbelievers, including some of their children. Alma the Younger (along with the sons of Mosiah) went around specifically with the purpose of trying to hurt the church.

While they were doing this, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and spoke to them, shaking the earth with his voice. Among other things, the angel told them that it was God's church, and that they shouldn't try to overthrow it. Another thing the angel said was that Alma the elder (and many others) had been praying that Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah would be brought to the knowledge of the truth.

"...And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off." (Mosiah 27:16)

One thing that I think is pretty poignant is that the angel doesn't seek to take away Alma's agency. He tells him he needs to stop doing what he's doing. He does say that Alma is free to choose to be cast off himself. I think this is a pretty interesting way of putting it. I like that he lays out the consequences of Alma's choices so clearly.

After the angel left, Alma was struck dumb and couldn't move. His friends took him to his father, and Alma the elder knew that he was overcome by God's power.

"And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him." (Mosiah 27:21)

One thing that jumps out at me here. The way the world is today, a lot of parents wish for their children to receive special treatment, or blame external things if their kids struggle or get in trouble. Teachers get blamed for bad grades, coaches get blamed for lost games or less playing time. Justification is made for children's bad behavior and/or lack of respect. I love the word "for" in this last verse. Alma the elder wanted people to witness what the Lord had done FOR his son. Yet here he was, laying there motionless. How many parents would have that kind of faith that their son is being treated well?

"32 And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about through all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of them.

35 And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them." (Mosiah 27:32,35)

Alma and the sons of Mosiah were converted. They wanted to fix the problems they had caused in the church, and wanted all their brethren to have the truth, and the beauty of the gospel in their lives. They became great missionaries, going around strengthening the church greatly.

Conversion is about choice. They had the choice to be cast off, but they chose to let God into their hearts and it changed the whole course of their life.

Hopefully, we can make the same choice for our own lives.

When We Are Troubled

"And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God." (Mosiah 26:13)

Alma was the leader over the Church that had been established among the people of Mosiah, and as time went on, there were people who fell away from the Church. They were doing some bad stuff, and they were brought before Alma to be judged.

In reading this chapter, I get the feeling that Alma really didn't want to judge these people. He definitely didn't want to judge them incorrectly. In fact, as the scripture says, the spirit of Alma was again troubled.

There are a number of current events in the world, and in the Church, which could very well lead to spirits being troubled. People whisper to their neighbors, or post very public posts on social media. People send out their often hastily-drawn conclusions and opinions. But when our spirits are troubled, what is the right course of action to take? Just as Alma did, the right thing to do is to take the matter to the Lord. God is in charge and He will answer your questions. 

Yes, He will answer your questions, not necessarily with exact answers, but at the very least, peace in your heart to know the right path to take.

We may never know all the reasoning behind things, such as certain policies that get established. Down the road, we may look back and feel justified, because it appears that history has proven that we were right to follow the Lord. This kind of analysis is, in fact, counter-productive in the faith department, because we feel like "So now we know WHY that was done". The Word of Wisdom often is treated that way. We look back and say, "Gee, the health benefits of living the Word of Wisdom have proven themselves with science now! I'm glad we have prophets who can tell us these kinds of things way before they are understood by science!"

I'm grateful for confirmation of faithful behavior. However, the problem with this line of thinking is that it leads one to believe that we ever really know the "why" behind a guideline, policy, or commandment. I suspect that some people (ok, a lot of people) would be more comfortable following the commandments if they understood the "why" behind each one, especially with changes and/or clarifications to church policies or reactions to other current events. The problem with feeling like we need to know the "why" is that it makes us less inclined to follow UNTIL we know the "why". At the very least, that is one subtle way that Satan attempts to deceive us or tempt us from the right path. We may not willfully rebel, but we might be swayed by questions in our minds. When we are on the fence because we don't quite understand the "why" behind those things, we are susceptible to the temptations of the devil.

So we make choices, like "I will follow the prophet". Sometimes, the prophet may say something that troubles our spirits. The course of action to take is to inquire of the Lord, sincerely wanting to know what is right. We may never know the "why", but we can always, ALWAYS, get a confirmation of the truthfulness of it. When something is true, follow and do it.

This seems like a much better method of sorting out a troubled spirit than posting on social media and seeing where the likes and comments take you. This reminds me of a scripture:

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (Ephesians 4:14) 

Don't be tossed to and fro. Get your answers from the source, as Alma did. The Lord told Alma the exact answer that he was looking for that calmed his spirit and helped him continue to carry out God's work. He will do the same for us.

The Gospel Does This to You

"7 And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records, his people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement.

8 For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy.

9 And again, when they thought of their brethren who had been slain by the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even shed many tears of sorrow.

10 And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to God.

11 And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls." (Mosiah 25:7-11)

This is a great depiction of the emotional journey that each of us take in the Gospel.

King Mosiah gathered all the people together and read the records of two separate groups of people who had joined with them: Limhi's people and the people of Alma. These two groups of people had both been in bondage to the Lamanites, and had both escaped with the Lord's help.

I think when we experience the Gospel, it puts us through a range of emotions. We are filled with wonder and amazement, and exceedingly great joy because we have hope for ourselves, that even though we are sinners, we can repent and be forgiven (through the Atonement) and live with God. We experience spiritual guidance and help from God. We recognize blessings coming from a loving Heavenly Father, and we realize that we are His children and have a divine heritage. We still suffer pain and disappointment, but we are strengthened by our faith.

When we experience these things, we desire to share it with others. We want others to have what we have. When we are being like Christ, we truly empathize with those around us, and we not only desire the same blessings for those around us, but when they suffer or have sorrow, we feel their pain. We feel sorrow for their suffering. We mourn with those that mourn. On the other hand, though, we comfort those that stand in need of comfort. We lift others up. We serve others. All of this so they can experience the same joy that we have experienced in the Gospel.

I think the Gospel allows us to experience such wonderful joy and excitement and wonder because that's what this life is about. "Men are that they might have joy." I think God just wants us to be ultimately filled with joy. That's why we came to earth, to spiritually (and physically) progress further than we could have without this mortal experience. Sometimes, short-term sorrow, sadness, discomfort, and pain lead to eternal joy and happiness. But this life isn't a life of negativity with the promise of joy at the end. We can experience that joy during our mortal lives as well. We just have to look for it.

I'm grateful for the joy and love that I experience that is directly related to having the Gospel in my life. I'm not sure who I would be without it.

Easing Our Burdens

"14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

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." (Mosiah 24:14-15)

The people of Alma were righteous, yet they found themselves in bondage to Lamanites and one of the wicked priests of King Noah, Amulon, who had sided with the Lamanites.

One thing to point out here is that these were righteous people. Even righteous people find themselves in bondage, or burdened in some way. It is not caused by sin, or choosing the wrong path. It just is. It usually turns out to be a great learning opportunity.

This life is a test "to see if [we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]". To follow the commandments when our lives are easy and peachy is still hard, but it's not nearly as hard as it is when we are burdened in some way.

I love the concept in the scripture that I quoted today because sometimes, God doesn't deliver us from bondage or remove trials from our path as soon as we would like Him to. Sometimes He just makes it so we can bear them. This reminds me of a quote from our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson: "Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it." I love this. He isn't just saying that the Lord will magically ease our burdens. What he says is that the Lord will make it so we can bear the burden. He will strengthen us. He will mold us. I think this is why the people "did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord". Not because they were happy they had the burden, but they were cheerful because they could see that the Lord was helping them, and they knew it.

In our lives, God does the same thing for us, if we let him. Sometimes, we are so focused on the burdens that we have: their size, their shape. We are certain that nobody ever has been asked to carry a burden of that size before. We want others to know how much of a burden we have. But we spend so much time looking at these things that we don't notice the fact that it really isn't that burdensome, simply because the Lord has made it possible for us to bear, by making the burden light, or by shaping our backs so we can bear it, or both.

How many of us could honestly say that we submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord? I know I can't always say that. This is something I need to work on. And in doing so, I have faith that the Lord will make my burdens lighter.

Reasons for Trials

If you recall, the people of Limhi were wicked. As a consequence of their wickedness, they were brought into bondage. This was one way the Lord chose to show them their wickedness. It took them quite some time to escape from the Lamanites.

One thing to remember, however, is that not all trials come just as a consequence of wickedness.

"21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience  and their faith.

22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.

23 For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob.

24 And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did show forth his mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings." (Mosiah 23:21-24)

This chapter rewinds a little bit to tell what happened to the people of Alma. At the time that Abinadi was killed, Alma was converted, and fled into the wilderness. He taught the gospel and baptized people. King Noah found out what they were doing and sent an army to slay them because he assumed they would rise up in rebellion against him. Alma and his people fled, and the Lamanites didn't catch them at this time.

Alma and his people found a place called Helam and they started to build homes and farm the land, and were happy for quite some time. Fast forward in our story now to the time where Limhi and his people finally escape from the bondage they were in with the Lamanites. The army of the Lamanites tried to catch Limhi's people but couldn't, and as they were wandering about the wilderness trying, they happened across Helam, and took over the city. The people of Alma, who were a righteous, good people, were in bondage.

So they were tried, but eventually they were delivered by the hand of God.

The point is, though, that sometimes we have trials and things happen to us that seem like punishments, even when we are living a pretty good life. The trials don't only come as a punishment, but as the verses say, we have trials to test our patience and faith, and to see if we will put our trust in the Lord. When we do put our trust in Him, we can learn from our trials, and we can grow spiritually during our trials. Nobody wants trials and tribulation, but when it comes, and it will come, approach it as a learning experience and try to make the most out of it that you can.

How Decisions Should be Made

"And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter." (Mosiah 22:1)

Can you imagine King Noah gathering all the people together to consult with the people to solve a problem? No way. King Noah was wicked and vain. There is no way he would accept the voice of the people, or even give the people a voice.

I think it shows humility and brotherhood for Ammon and Limhi to get the voice of the people.

Gideon, one of the people, has shown loyalty and righteousness in the past. He humbly comes forward with an idea:

"Now O king, thou hast hitherto hearkened unto my words many times when we have been contending with our brethren, the Lamanites.

 4 And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree, and they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou wouldst listen to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage." (Mosiah 22:3-4)

"6 Behold the back pass, through the back wall, on the back side of the city. The Lamanites, or the guards of the Lamanites, by night are drunken; therefore let us send a proclamation among all this people that they gather together their flocks and herds, that they may drive them into the wilderness by night.

 7 And I will go according to thy command and pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will bedrunken; and we will pass through the secret pass on the left of their camp when they are drunken and asleep.

 8 Thus we will depart with our women and our children, our flocks, and our herds into the wilderness; and we will travel around the land of Shilom." (Mosiah 22:6-8)

Everyone liked Gideon's plan, and they followed it exactly and were able to escape from bondage and make it back to Zarahemla to join the people of Mosiah.

I think even if one person is in charge of making the final decision, like King Limhi in this situation, it is still helpful to get all the information you can prior to making that decision, so you can be informed and make the best decision possible. It was wisdom to include the people.

One Consequence of Iniquity

The people of Limhi were in bondage to the Lamanites, and they had it pretty bad. They had gone to battle a few more times against the Lamanites and lost, so they were defeated and had lost a lot of people in the battle.

"14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions.

15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage." (Mosiah 21:14-15)

I find this to be true. The people of Limhi started to humble themselves, mostly because they were compelled to be humble because of their circumstances. As they began to pray to God, it almost seems like they were humbled, but not necessarily repenting of their sins. They were more interested in being delivered from the bondage they were in and being delivered from their afflictions.

This doesn't mean that God didn't hear their prayers. He was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities, but He did hear them. While he didn't deliver them 100% out of bondage, He did start to ease their burdens somewhat so they could survive.

It's like this in our own lives. When we are compelled to be humble, and we have not repented, we sometimes come to Him with all our problems and worries, yet feel like He's not there listening. I promise He is. It's just sometimes our approach to Him is more out of our own self interest like the people of Limhi. He will have compassion on us, and ease our burdens, but what He really wants from us is a willingness to submit to Him and His will. And that's when things start to happen as we pray. 

Assumptions Can Be Very Costly

"6 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that their daughters had been missing, they were angry with the people of Limhi, for they thought it was the people of Limhi.

 7 Therefore they sent their armies forth; yea, even the king himself went before his people; and they went up to the land of Nephi to destroy the people of Limhi." (Mosiah 20:6-7)

King Noah's wicked priests, who are still in hiding in the wilderness, kidnapped some of the Lamanites' daughters. When the Lamanites find this out, they assumed it was the people of Limhi, so the went to battle. Luckily, Limhi's people fought with courage, strength, and strategy, and won the battle. Another stroke of luck, the Lamanite king was left for dead on the battlefield, which gave Limhi the chance to find out why they had come to battle.

The king of the Lamanites believed what they said, and he placated his people, so they were no longer trying to come to battle against Limhi's people.

All of this because of some assumptions.

More often than not, our assumptions won't lead two groups of people into battle with one another, but when we just jump to conclusions, there are certainly consequences. Relationships suffer, people get hurt. We should try very hard not to assume things. We should do our best to find out the full story before we take action on something we hear or learn.

Prophecies of Abinadi

When Abinadi was preaching to King Noah, the king got angry at him and decided to put him to death by burning him. Abinadi prophesied a pretty ominous fate for King Noah:

"And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer, the pains of death by fire." (Mosiah 17:18)

After Abinadi's death, the Lamanites came to attack the people of King Noah. The king told everyone to flee into the wilderness, and when the Lamanites started catching up to them, the king told them to leave all the women and children behind because they were slowing them down. Some did and some didn't. Those who stayed, wanted to go back, but the king commanded them not to:

"20 And the king commanded them that they should not return; and they were angry with the king, and caused that he should suffer, even unto death by fire.

21 And they were about to take the priests also and put them to death, and they fled before them." (Mosiah 19:20-21)

So Abinadi's prophecy that King Noah would suffer death by fire, just like he did, came true. Abinadi was a great prophet. He literally gave his life to teach these people the gospel, and they rejected his words. If they had listed to his words, and repented and turned to the Lord, they would have been protected by Him, but they did not.

This comes back to the point where Limhi, Noah's son, is discovered by Ammon and his brethren. He thinks that Ammon is there to rescue them from the bondage that they are now under from the Lamanites. They agreed to pay half of everything they have to the Lamanites, and they will not be attacked by them. However, there were guards placed all around the land so the people of Limhi couldn't just leave. The Lamanites wanted all that extra stuff they were getting from the Nephites.

So how does this apply now? We get ample opportunity to hear from our beloved prophet. That we even have one on the earth is incredible. Do we (I) listen to what he says, and apply the teachings to my life? Do I follow the guidance given, or the pleading words to repent and be prepared?

I certainly could be better.

What the Priests Should Teach

"19 And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.

 20 Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people." (Mosiah 18:19-20)

Alma was one of King Noah's wicked priests. However, hearing Abinadi's words touched Alma, even to the point of Alma sticking up for Abinadi when King Noah commanded that he be put to death. This made Noah mad, and he sent people after Alma, but he was able to escape.

Alma repented, and also wrote down everything he could about what Abinadi talked about. Then he started to preach the gospel. Once he had a following, he eventually baptized them, and organized a church. He appointed priests to help lead and teach the people, and he told them what to teach.

He told them to teach people faith in Christ, as well as repentance. These are the first principles of the gospel. He gave them other directions, such as keeping the Sabbath day holy, and helping the needy, but they were to only teach about faith and repentance.

I think sometimes we get caught up in details when teaching the gospel, and this is a good reminder to stick to the basics. This is great advice, especially since he was teaching people that didn't have a lot of experience in the gospel.

This can be true of what we do today. When we think about what and how to teach, I hope it's always the basic principles.