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

Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 9
9:98 From them they learned that their wives and children had been spared and that they were to occupy
the land by paying a tribute of half of their possessions (99). Limhi, a son of Noah and "a just man" (92),
covenanted to pay the tribute (103). He "began to establish the kingdom, and... peace among his people"
(104).
Mos 9:105 And the king of the Lamanites set guards round about the land, that he might keep the
people of Limhi in the land, that they might not depart into the wilderness;
9:105 He did not want Limhi's people to get away. Peace continued for two years (107). Then the priests
of Noah, who had deserted, captured twenty-four Lamanite maidens who had gathered to sing and
dance. Limhi's people were accused of the crime, and a battle ensued. The Lamanites were put to flight
and left their king among the dead. Limhi's people bound up his wounds and brought him to their king,
requesting permission to slay him (121). Limhi had a better idea. He asked the king why they had
broken the truce when "my people have not broken the oath" (124). The king said it was because Limhi's
men "did carry away the daughters of my people" (125).
Gideon offered the explanation that it might have been "the priests of thy father" who did this thing. The
Lamanite king was pacified and promised to intercede so that his army would not destroy them. He
asked Limhi to go with him and go with- out arms to meet the Lamanites (136). This strategy worked,
and peace was again restored to the land (139).
PEOPLE OF LIMHI WAR ON LAMANITES, VER. 140-162
Mos 9:141 And it came to pass that after many days, the Lamanites began again to be stirred up in
anger against the Nephites; and they began to come into the borders of the land round about.
9:141 Because of the oath the Lamanite king had made, "they durst not slay them," but they would
"smite them on their cheeks" .and "put heavy burdens upon their backs" (142). This made life intolerable
for Limhi's people, and they "began to murmur with the king" and were "desirous to go against them to
battle" (144). The king finally gave them permission, and the Nephites were defeated and driven back.
This process was repeated the second and the third times.
Mos 9:153 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of
bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to
the desires of their enemies.
9: 153 In this spirit "they did cry mightily to God... and... the Lord was slow to hear their cry, because of
their iniquities” (154, 155). Nevertheless they began to prosper, and King Limhi commanded every man
to give to the support of the widows of the men who had been slain (158). They kept watch for the
priests who had captured the Lamanite girls, as they were coming by night into the land of Nephi to get
grain and other "precious things" (162).
AMMON BRINGS WORD FROM ZARAHEMLA, VER. 163-181
Mos 9:164 And the king having been without the gates of the city with his guard, discovered Ammon
and his brethren; and supposing them to be priests of Noah, therefore he caused that they should be
taken, and bound, and cast into prison.