12 October 2008

Mosiah 29
Alma was 19 years older than Mosiah – it makes sense that Mosiah would defer to him in the affairs of the church, especially considering that Alma had probably formed the church before Benjamin had given his speech and Mosiah had started his reign.

The people of Mosiah were called to consider the cause which they were called to consider, namely the form of their government. In the end “they relinquished their desires for a king, and became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal chance throughout all the land; yea, and every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins.”

I think of what Mosiah did, abolishing the position of king. So many kings, such as Saddam Hussein or Noah, try to remain in perpetual power by force. If they wanted perpetual adoration of the people, and power to do as they wish they would find more success by instead establishing a new order that was not centered on the person of the king. Ever after, Mosiah would be referred to as the last king of the Nephites.