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Mosiah 7-10: “In the Strength of the Lord” (May 6-12)
“Record of the Jaredites,” by Minerva Teichert
Zeniff had good desires. He wanted to connect with his ancestors by moving back to the land of Nephi. He wanted to live in peace with the Lamanites. When he realized that the king of the Lamanites had not negotiated in good faith, that he had ulterior motives, Zeniff was disillusioned, but he did not lose his faith in God. He encouraged his people to have faith, and they were able to defend themselves against Lamanite aggressions.
Zeniff’s grandson, Limhi, inherited his grandfather’s optimism and hope. Limhi and his people were now in bondage to the Lamanites, and all of their efforts to free themselves had failed. But when a search party led by Ammon arrived from the land of Zarahemla, Limhi encouraged his people, “Lift up your heads and be comforted; for behold, the time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many strugglings, which have been in vain; yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made” (Mosiah 7:18).
We can learn a lot from Zeniff and Limhi about trusting God, even in difficult circumstances. Here are some things I’ve learned from this week’s reading:
Outline
- Mosiah 7 – Ammon Finds Limhi and His People – The search party arrives in Shilom. Ammon and Limhi share the stories of their people.
- Mosiah 8 – Ammon Teaches Limhi About Prophets and Seers – Ammon assures Limhi that King Mosiah can translate an ancient record Limhi’s people have found.
- Mosiah 9 – Zeniff, Part 1: “To Inherit the Land of Our Fathers” – Rewind two generations. Limhi’s father Zeniff leads a group of people to settle in the land of Nephi.
- Mosiah 10 – Zeniff, Part 2: Peace and War Again – The Lamanites attack Zeniff’s people, but they are prepared, physically and spiritually, to defend themsevles.
Key Themes
- Great leaders inspire people by speaking with confidence and hope.
- We can change our circumstances by making better decisions.
- A person who receives revelation (a seer) and is authorized to communicate that revelation to others (a revelator) is also acting as a spokesman for God (a prophet). The three roles go together.
- Being spiritually prepared is as important as being physically prepared.
- Anger can distort your perception and impair your judgment.
Connections
- The apostle Paul testified, “A great door and effectual is opened unto me” (1 Corinthians 16:9). Limhi similarly assured his people that they would yet make an “effectual struggle” to be free (Mosiah 7:18).
- Limhi quoted three scriptures to explain that his people were experiencing the consequences of their sins. Similar metaphors of sowing and reaping appear in Galatians 6:7-9 and Hosea 8:7.
- God called Enoch to be a seer, to help people “see afar off” (Moses 6:27). Ammon explained to Limhi that seers can broaden our perspectives. (See Mosiah 8:13-17.)
Applications
- Even when things haven’t gone well, keep watching for the opportunities God will provide.
- Adjust your mental models as you encounter new information.
- It’s good to pursue worthy goals, but don’t let your enthusiasm override your reason. Don’t become “over-zealous” (Mosiah 9:3).
- Watch for stereotypes and generalizations in your thinking, and remember that they are likely inaccurate.
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