Commentary for the Book of Mormon: Mosiah 4-6

Chapters 4 and 5 

For this chapter, I'm going to break my commentary into the following five categories:

1) Recognizing One's State Before God;
2) Receiving a Remission of Sin
3) Retaining of Remission of Sins
4) Entering into A Covenant With God

1. Recognizing One's State Before God

After King Benjamin spoke, we read in verse 1 that "the multitude...had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them." The fear of the Lord refers to awareness of one's fallen state. To be struck by the fear of the Lord is to recognize that without receiving a remission of sins, one will be cut off from the Lord. It is also to recognize his greatness and our own nothingness.

As we learned from the last post, there are three required elements for understanding and receiving the word--hear, opening the heart, and opening one's mind. It appears that the audience did these things as they listened to King Benjamin's message. And as they did, they came to a realization of their real state before God. And the truth was frightening.

And in this state of fear, they knew that only one thing could be done. It was to beg and plead for the remission of their sins. Earlier, I explained in depth what the gospel of Jesus Christ and how to fully apply it in our lives. We read 2 Nephi 31-32, which gives us a set of conditions. I tired to explain what they mean to illustrate what precisely is required. However, Mosiah 4 reveals the heart of the person who desires to receive a remission of his/her sins.

Notice that the Mormon records that the people "cried aloud" instead of prayed or called aloud. The use of the word suggests that the people felt deep pain and were torn. Their hearts were pierced, and just like many of cry when emotional or physically hurt, these people cried out in response to their salvation.

Having a Godly Sorrow

To truly receive a remission of sins, which comes from receiving the Holy Ghost which sanctifies one's soul, requires a pleading and crying out the the Lord. Paul explains this type of sorrow as a godly sorrow to the Corinthians. He explains,

9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief (sorrow), so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (2 Corinthians 7) (ESV) 

 Paul distinguishes between two types of griefs/sorrows. One type is godly grief/sorrow. The other is a worldly grief. The former leads to salvation. The later does not.

Worldly Sorrow

Many of us, when we intend to repent, fall in to second type of sorrow. We repent because we feel external pressure from others. Or we repent because our actions have lead to negative consequences and we wish for the consequence to be removed. As Paul explains, this type of sorrow won't lead to salvation because we are sorrowing over the wrong thing. We are sorrowful because of how others view us or because we've ended up with a consequence we don't like. If either of those two things didn't occur (people didn't care or we didn't experience a consequence from our sinful action), then we likely wouldn't feel the sorrow. Thus our intentions are not sincere.

The reason why this type of sorrow leads to death is because we are not sorrowing over what matters. We are spending our time and energy sorrowing over how other perceive or the consequence, instead of sorrowing over the face that we are fallen and our action are offending a just and holy God.  Under a worldly sorrow, we don't recognize that the true problem is ourselves. We don't recognize that we are, in many ways, a wretched person.

This is not to vindicate John Calvin, who argued that men were depraved and hopeless people, but it is to point out that until we reconcile ourselves with Christ, we act in ways that hurt us and others. If we don't reconcile ourselves with Christ, then we are the problem not the solution. Humans are wonderful people. We are so wonderful that the God of Heaven spends his entire existence focused on brining us back to Him, endowing us with His knowledge and glory. God loves us. He knows our potential and works effortlessly to help us reach it. But he can't join with us, if our actions are contrary to us. To join with him in partnership, we have to recognize our true nature and turn from it.

Godly Sorrow

Since a worldly sorrow is more concerned with the consequences instead of the person, it won't yield anything. Instead, spending our time in worldly sorrow will be spending our time sorrowing overt things that don't matter or what change.

Instead, we need to have a godly sorrow. What exactly is a godly sorrow? As staters, we know that it's not a worldly sorrow. Thus it's not a sorrow based on how others views us. Nor is is based on facing consequences. What makes this expression harder to define is that this is the only time such expression is used in the scriptures.

Nevertheless, the scriptures do tell us how God expects us to repent. They also inform us what is required. Consider the following verse from Joel:

12 ¶ Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Pay attention to the language used.

• Turn with all heart (with all 
• Turn with fasting 
• Turn with weeping
• Turn with mourning 
• Rend your heart

These words convey a deep pain and anguish. Moreover, the sorrow comes from within. Rending garments in the Bible is a sign of grief and pain. It's used as an outward expression one's inner pain. Yet the Lord doesn't care about making signs of outward grief if the heart (the soul, essence, entire being) of the person is not torn. 

To get further sense, consider the words of a person describing his coming to receive forgiveness from God. 

...[I]n my weaknesses, I sought to do good continually; I remained chaste and sought not to satisfy the flesh but instead sought to fill myself with the spirit. I literally cut myself off from the things of this world, I did not partake and refused to join in the pleasures whether wicked or not, that are carnal nonetheless. I stayed home and only went outdoors as I needed. In a sense, I went into a cave to dwell and refused to leave it until I had accomplished to do that which I had set out to do. My house became my cave and it became a place, a temple, that could be holy and set apart from the world... While my house became my cave, I was not an isolationist but where I could, I cut out the world from my life and I did. Though I did stumble and sin, I repented and kept going in faith, nothing wavering.

 ...[T]hough I am weak, I was continually repenting and I sought the Lord with all of my heart and being, though I feared and trembled before Him, and though I was sorely chastised I wanted to please Him and knew that it pleased Him to bruise me when and in those times that He did and according to His own will. And He did it so He could show me His great strength and also His mercy and that He is mighty to save. For the Lord chastises those whom He loves. Which chastisement, and trial, was sore to bear.
I wanted to keep His commandments, not because it was a commandment but I desired to please Him because I loved Him...I made to Him an offering of my own life in the depths of pain, physical agony and despair, for my soul was wretched and tormented for all my sins and for fighting against Him and yet He loved me anyway and He did fill me with His love and did sustain me from day to day, none else could bring relief, only He could and He intended it to be that way, to teach me and show me that He was not only capable of preserving my life but also that He was mightier than death and sin and that I could rely upon Him for my salvation. 

I did offer to Him in all humility a broken man and unafraid, that should He if he desired to take my life, He could, and I would not withhold it from Him for I was guilty and His judgments just. I offered my life to Him freely, but I swore to Him in that same breath with an oath from my lips with all that is me and all the courage that I could muster with my whole heart and my whole soul and crying out to the Lord for His mercy and deliverance, that if He preserved my life, for it was always and is always in His hands, that I would serve Him all the days of my life, and He did hear my cry and pleadings, and was sorely proven in all things before He accepted the offering of a broken heart and contrite spirit, and made all the offerings and sacrifices He appointed unto me, that I should make to Him and when He accepted them I heard the Lord speak and He spoke and said in His own voice: I have accepted of you, your sacrifice and offerings made unto to me in righteousness... 

2. Receiving a Remission of Sins

Once one has fully humbled themselves before the Lord, acknowledging their state and sins, and asking for forgiveness, then one receives a remission of sins.

Mosiah 4 and 5 breaks down receiving a remission of sin into three categories: First, is receiving peace of conscience. Second, is the knowledge gained. Third, it is the change from within.

Receiving a Peace of Conscience 

In Mosiah 4, Mormon records what occurred to the people once they received a remission of their sins. It says,

3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.

The Holy Spirit entered into their souls causing them to receive a remission of sins, which filled them with joy and gave them a peace of conscience.

This is one blessing that comes from receiving a remission of sins. It's also one sign. When one's sins are remitted, one is now blameless before God. Being blameless, the person knows that although they do not know all things, they know that they are fully obedient to all of God's commands they are aware of. As we learned from King Benjamin's speech, people are held accountable for what they know, not for what they don't know. God only expects us to be fully obedient to what we know.

When one has fully obedient to God, then one knows that their previous sins have been forgiven and that they are now walking in life without erring towards God. This knowledge brings peace. Because this person knows that no matter what happens, if they should die, that they will be brought into paradise because their lives were reconciled to God.

One major cause of fear is guilt. If not handled in this life, we will face it in the next, which guilt will cause us to shrink from the presence of God, not wanting to be in his presence. However, even before this period, our daily lives are can be filled with guilt. For some of us, we know that we ought to behave better than we are. We know that we can be better people. For others, this guilt has been suppressed either through distraction or of reassuring oneself of their standing before God.

But no matter how we try to handle our guilt, if we do it without God, our conscience will convict us. This is often manifested in the way we respond the challenges and trials.

This is what Enos experienced when he prayed for remission of sins. He recognized that his life was not fully reconciled with God, and it caused him to hunger for reassurance.

Knowledge Gained 

Knowledge of God's Character 

Besides feeling at peace, another fruit of receiving a remission of sins is gaining knowledge about God. When we receive a remission of sins, the Holy Ghost, the comforter and record of heaven, takes his abode in us. When he does, he bears witness to our souls of God's "goodness", "matchless power", "wisdom", "his patience", "his long-suffering towards" us, and the power of the atonement. Having this knowledge is a witness to ourselves of a power beyond our full comprehension.

Although we may not have a perfect knowledge of God's existence, the effect of the Holy Ghost upon our spirits causes us to have a strong witness of his existence. From receiving a remission of sins, we gain a knowledge, that deep down, within our souls, that God exists. Does this mean that we can say with 100% surety that God exists. No. But it does mean that we know have the assurance and confidence to exercise greater faith in God. And by connecting with the Holy Ghost, we gain a better understanding of God's character. Further notice that King Benjamin doesn't say they will know God, but rather he says that they will have knowledge of his character. This begins with receiving the Holy Spirit through the remission of sins.

Knowledge of Future Events 

In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of God's character, a common occurrence of receiving a remission of sins through the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, is the ability to prophesy. Yes, you don't have to hold the office of a prophet in the LDS church to prophesy. Although a person can't receive revelations for those above him, any person given the Spirit can prophesy.

Moses explained this principle to the Israelites who were surprised to see another person in the camp prophesying. They asked Moses to put a stop to it. He replied

And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! (Numbers 11:29) 

Moses statement reveals a underlying truth to the gospel. God seeks for all people prophesy through his spirit. This is why Paul encouraged the Saints of the New Testament church to seek for the gift of prophecy:

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. (1 Corinthians 14) (ESV)

When one receives a remission of sins through the Holy Ghost, one is often able to prophesy. This happened with the people hearing King Benjamin's speech who remarked:

we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things.

Endowed with the Spirit due to their remission of sins, the people received knowledge of future events and if it were necessary could prophesy of all things.

Change From Within 

Like Enos, whose heart changed to feel after his brethren, the Nephites, as well as his enemies, the Lamanites, the remission of sins leads to a change of heart.

In chapter 5, King Benjamin inquires as to whether the people believed his words. They respond as follows:

2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

Receiving a remission of sins will produce a mighty change in one's heart. Many people struggle with sins that are hard to overcome. Many struggle their entire lives, unable to overcome them. These sins range the gambit from drugs to pornography, to anger, to lust, jealousy, envy, greed etc. All of us who have not received a remission of sins. Who have not been baptized of fire. We all struggle with a weakness. Some character flaw that prevents us from growing.

Modern psychology and therapy generally focus on treatment instead of curing. Instead of getting down to the cause, therapy focus on the symptoms. If one is angry, therapy seeks to help them person to control his anger. Instead of fixing exactly what is making him angry in the first place. And as result the changes made are not lasting. This is evidenced by the fact once a person stops seeing their therapist, the revert back to their original self.

However, as any good doctor knows, the best way treat someone is to cure the cause of the problem. For us, the scriptures are clear why we, as humans, sin. We sin because our hearts are turned from God, thinking we know better. As a result the Spirit leaves us, leaving us exposed to temptation. The only way to correct this is to bring the Spirit in our lives to change our hearts. This happens through receiving a remission of sins through the baptism of fire.

Notice that in verse 2, the people remark that the Spirit brought such a change that "they had no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." This is what is meant by receiving God's grace. God's spirit, given to us, will change us. It's not on our own account, but the Spirit's -- God's gift to us for desiring him with all our hearts, might, mind, and strength. Having His Spirit within us will change us. As long as we are able to retain a remission of sins, the Spirit will abide in us, growing in power as we further sanctify ourselves. Each growth will lead to more changes until one's love is perfect in Christ.

Peter outlined this progression in his letter

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1) 

Jospeh Smith clarified what this meant

Repent of all your sins, and be baptized in water for the remission of them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and receive the ordinance of the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power, that ye may receive the Holy Spirit of God; and this is according to the Holy Scriptures, and the Book of Mormon; and the only way that man can enter into the celestial kingdom...and then [after receiving a remission of sins] “Add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity [or love]; for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful, in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." -- Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 16

Having exercised faith to receive a remission of sin, one then seek to develop virtue, and with virtue knowledge, until one has developed charity fo all.

3. Retaining of Remission of Sins

After having received a remission of sins, the next phase is to retain a remission of sins so that one can be found spotless before God and to grow and improve. King Benjamin explains how:

• Always remember: 
• God's greatness
• Our own nothingness 
• God's goodness
• God's long-suffering  
• Humble ourselves in the depths of humility

If one does these things, they will always retain a remission of sins.

4. Entering Into A Covenant With God 

The act receiving a remission of sins through the baptism of fire is a covenant before God. When one receives a remission of sins, they then covenant with God to 1) do his will and 2) to be obedient to his commandments in all things until the end.

Chapter 6

6:1 -- Take the Names.

Why does Mormon note that King Benjamin took the names of the people who entered into the covenant?

Hugh Nibley Explains:

The cultural point of this scene has to do with the fact that you weren't a member of the kingdom unless your name was on the list. So you had to be registered in the books--the books that were open from the foundation of the world. Remember, when the world was founded, the books were opened. The Book of Life was one of those books, and there were many other books. The Book of Life, as the formula goes in the New Testament, which was open at the foundation of the world, containing the names of all those who would come down to this earth in the various dispensations. That's what the Book of Life was as understood by the Jews and the Christians in the early days. So all this falls into the pattern of reality, of the real social organization. And there's the fact that it bears this amazing stamp of authenticity--that everything takes place here exactly according to the pattern of the ancient year assembly and the like. 

So their names were taken and put on the list which is the Book of Life, which is opened at the new year. It is a register of all the people who have a right to live in the kingdom and pay taxes during that year. That's what the Book of Life is. . . . Everyone who signed agreed to keep the covenants. "You are this day reborn" (see Mosiah 5:7). Remember, he gave them a new name (Mosiah 5:7-8). It was their birthday, it was the beginning of a new age. Everything began anew on that day. Everything was renewed. He had them all registered and took their names down, so they were all set for the new age now. . . . So now they could vote. Notice, that king Benjamin did all this [this ritual covenant ceremony] before he anointed or crowned his son because these people had to be registered voters in order to give the acclamation. That's the acclamation of the king -- Hugh W. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Sem 1, p. 481-482; Sem 2, pp. 11-12

For more information on the Book of Life, see these verses:
1. Luke 10:20
2. Hebrews 12:22-23
3. Revelation 20:15
4. Revelation 3:5
5. Revelation 13:8
6. Revelation 17:8
7. Daniel 12:1
8. Philippians 4:3
9. Pslam 56:8
10. Malabi 3:16

6:3 -- Appointed Priests. Mosiah, King Benjamin's son, appointed priests to teach the people [in order that] the people might "hear and know the commandments of God, and to stir them up in the remembrance of the oath which they made." 

6:6 -- Did Observe His Judgements and Statutes 

Addition insight from Hugh Nibley 

"...here in this verse we find a good old Dead Sea Scrolls formula: The judgments, the statutes, and the commandments. They are the big three; they always go together here. In the Serekh Scroll, for example, the one is never mentioned without the other. It's always the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments. The king is the judge, after all. Remember, King Solomon was the judge. The judgments are the laws that are laid down, and the commandments are those which have come from God. The statutes are written down by men, discussed in the council, and decided on. So we have the judgments, the statutes, and the commandments. [Hugh W. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 2, p. 14]