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

Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 13
13:42 There is a tendency to blame the misfortunes of a nation on the mistakes of the leader. When he
fails to produce, the people replace him. He can be sent out into the wilderness, like the scapegoat of
ancient Israel, bearing the sins and mistakes which have brought misery to the people. Mosiah said, "I
desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike" (45).
He concluded his instructions by unfolding the disadvantages of having an unrighteous king (51).
THE PEOPLE AGREED WITH AND ADORED MOSIAH, VER. 53-68
Mos 13:57 And they were exceedingly rejoiced, because of the liberty which had been granted unto
them.
13:57 The people lost their desire for a king after hearing Mosiah's reasoning. Then they came together
and elected judges (54, 56). "They did wax strong in love towards Mosiah; yea... more than any other
man" (58). He was not dictatorial, had not "exacted riches of them," and had established peace in the
land (59, 60).
Alma, the younger, was appointed chief judge by Mosiah. His father, the founder of the church, was
eighty-two years old, and had conferred the office of high priest upon him. Therefore Alma became the
political and spiritual leader.
Mos 13:67 And it came to pass that Mosiah died also, in the thirty and third year of his reign, being
sixty and three years old, making in the whole, five hundred and nine years from the time Lehi left
Jerusalem;
13:67 With Mosiah's death an epoch in the political history of the Nephite nation came to an end. Five
hundred and nine years before this, Lehi and his family left Jerusalem. After the passing of Mosiah, a
new epoch began under the rule of judges. Following this there was a short period of anarchy when the
Nephites were divided into independent tribes.
The fourth period might be called the Messianic dispensation, or their golden age. Under the supervision
of the priesthood they enjoyed an unexcelled era of peace and social justice. The fifth and final epoch
was a chaotic state of internecine wars leading to their extinction.