When King Limhi learned who Ammon was and why he had come, he immediately recognized the significance of Ammon’s arrival. Limhi and his people had been in bondage for years and had made multiple attempts to regain their freedom, with no success. But Limhi saw in Ammon’s arrival a ray of hope, an indication that he and his people were not alone in the world, that they could unite with the people in the land of Zarahemla and free themselves from Lamanite oppression. Limhi’s immediate response was a statement about his emotions and the emotions of his people: “Now, I will rejoice; and on the morrow I will cause that my people shall rejoice also” (Mosiah 7:14).
Limhi shared the good news with his people the following day, and he successfully leveraged that positive emotion to create a collective plan for their escape from their enemies (Mosiah 7:18-20).
About three years earlier, the king of Zarahemla, Benjamin, had responded similarly to the arrival of a messenger. The angel who taught Benjamin about the Atonement of Jesus Christ began by explaining the desired effect of his message on Benjamin and on his people:
The Lord…hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy.
(Mosiah 3:4)
In response to this message, Benjamin’s people sought and received a remission of their sins, were “filled with joy,” and unitedly entered a covenant relationship with God (Mosiah 4:1-3, Mosiah 5:1-5).
I think it’s noteworthy that both Benjamin and Limhi were given a joyful message not only for their own benefit but also for their people. It brought them joy, but it also enabled them to bring joy to others.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminded us that the joy we experience through the gospel can also bring joy to others:
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ—both in past times as well as in ours—have enthusiastically and joyfully shared the gospel with friends and acquaintances. Their hearts are aflame with the testimony of Jesus Christ, and they sincerely want others to experience the same joy they have found in the Savior’s gospel.
(“Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart,” General Conference, April 2019)
Today, I will remember that the gospel can not only bring me joy but can also enable me to bring joy to others. I will look for opportunities to share the gospel with others, hoping that they will feel the same joy I have experienced.
I was surprised to find that King Limhi called his people to the temple to talk to them. It is wonderful to me that his father’s influence on him was much smaller than I expected it to be
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> On 29 Apr 2020, at 1:03 am, Book of Mormon Study Notes wro > >
Yes, it is remarkable that Limhi could rise above the sins of his father and provide the steady, righteous leadership which his people needed during that difficult time. Like Benjamin, Limhi called his people to the temple, and in fact, Ammon taught them the words of King Benjamin at that time.
Thanks for the comment.