Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 1
religious sanction as a tool for governance. In any case, it would not be unusual at all for
Benjamin’s people.
Mos 1:67 And moreover, I say unto you, that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves
together, that I might declare unto you that I can no longer be your teacher, nor your king;
1:67 Probably, no people were ever ruled by a king who was more gracious and devoted than was
Benjamin. But he knew he could not continue as an active leader. He told the assembly that the
Lord "hath commanded me, that I should declare unto you this day, that my son Mosiah, is a king
and a ruler over you" (69).
A WARNING AGAINST TRANSGRESSION, VER. 70-91
Mos 1:72 Even so if ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God, which
shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power
over you.
1:72 Some have ridiculed this doctrine that "piety brings prosperity." Should one have as his
primary objective for obedience to divine law the desire to prosper, his would be a self centered
life. One should obey God's laws because they are right, and the satisfactions of right doing are
sufficient rewards. The results of group righteousness are social and lose much of their selfish
motivation.
God has made the promise that his obedient people shall be blessed. This can take any form he
chooses. It can be peace or freedom from war. It can be material rewards. He is abundantly able to
bring about his own ends with a people who will keep his laws. But he warned the people of
Zarahemla, "Beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil
spirit" (73). “For he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment" {75).
Mos 1:74 For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit: for if he listeth
to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul;
1:74 Benjamin teaches that there is a "wo" attached to obeying the evil spirit. This should be seen
in direct contrast to the "prosperity" that comes from obeying God. In each case, the human action
has an accompanying response from the extra-human (God or the evil spirit). Benjamin also
describes what that "wo" is. Allowing for repentance, Benjamin notes that the "wo" occurs in a
case where repentance had not occurred (remaineth and dieth in his sins).
Mos 1:81 Therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness;
1:81 Benjamin was addressing himself to those who “withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the
Lord" (79) and come "out in open rebellion against God" (80). "Mercy hath no claim on that man;
therefore, his final doom is to endure a never ending torment" (85).
Mos 1:88 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those
that keep the commandments of God.