#16. Mosiah 4–6

(All questions from Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual 
[unless otherwise indicated])

4:2) In what sense are we “less than the dust of the earth”? 

(See Helaman 12:8)

President Brigham Young said, “The earth is very good in and of itself, and has abided a celestial law, consequently we should … desire and strive to obey the same law that the earth abides… The animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms … the whole earth and all things pertaining to it, except men, abide the law of their Creator … and will be exalted.” (Journal of Discourses 2:302-303; 9:246). President Kimball said that one of the most important reasons for growing a garden is to “bring human nature closer to nature, as [it] was  in the beginning” (Apr 1978 CR).

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 Elder Boyd K. Packer has said: “Sometimes we harm ourselves and others in ways that we alone cannot repair…. If Christ had not made His Atonement, such injuries would be added one on the other and life would be hopeless. But He willingly sacrificed in order that we may be redeemed.” (See April 2001 CR.)

4:2) What did seeing their dependent state lead King Benjamin’s people to do?

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4:3) What caused King Benjamin’s people to be “filled with joy”?   (See also Galatians 5:22.)

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4:11-12, 26) What did King Benjamin say was necessary to retain a remission of our sins?




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          Elder James E. Talmage said, “Retaining the remission of our sins [requires] continued repentance … unfailing efforts to overcome … doing unto our neighbors as we would have them do unto us” (April 1921 CR).

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “Much emphasis was given by King Benjamin to retaining a remission of our sins [which] clearly depends on the regularity of our repentance. In the church we [rightly] worry… over the retention of new members, but the retention of our remissions is cause for even deeper concern.” (See BMSM, 142.) 
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4:14-15) President Hinckley said, “The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find their roots in the teaching of children by fathers and mothers” (Oct 1993 CR; quoted in BMGDTM, 72).  Why is it so important that parents teach the gospel to their children?

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4:17) According to King Benjamin, why do some people refuse to help the needy?

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4:20-22) In what ways are we all beggars?

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4:26-7) How can we be sure to share with others as God would have us do?

“[T]here is no single right approach to helping the needy. We should remember the principles taught by King Benjamin and seek the guidance of the Spirit in each situation.” (Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 74.)

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4:29-30)   “Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap an eternal destiny” (David O. McKay, Apr 1962 CR).

How are our thoughts, words, and deeds related?

Elder Boyd K. Packer said: “Years ago I put up some signs in my mind…. ‘No trespassing.’ ‘No dumping.’ ….  I’ve had to evict some thoughts a hundred times before they would stay out. I have never been successful until I have put something edifying in their place. I do not want my mind to be a dumping place for shabby ideas or thoughts, bitterness, envy, hatred or jealousy.  If you are [troubled with] such things, it’s time to clean the yard.” (Oct 1977 CR.)   

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Mosiah 5:2) What effect did the Spirit of the Lord have on the people?

Why is it important for us to know that these people were already members of the Church?

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5:7) What does it [take] to become children of Christ?

Elder Bednar has said that “spiritual rebirth … is an ongoing process, not a single event” (Apr 2007 CR). Elder Dallin H. Oakes has said, “Being born again is a gradual thing; except in a few isolated instances that are so miraculous that they get written up in the scriptures [most of us] are born again by degrees” (March 1997 Ensign).  President Benson said, “For every Paul, every Enos, every King Lamoni, there are thousands of people who find the process … much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord …” (Oct 1989 Ensign, 2.)  

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5:8)  Elder D. Todd Christofferson has said: “Uniting ourselves to the body of Christ—the Church—is an important part of taking His name upon us” (April 2016 CR).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said: “We also take upon us his name as we publicly profess our belief in him, as we fulfill our obligations as members of his Church, and as we do the work of His kingdom” (April 1985 CR).

Elder Henry B. Eyring has said that to take His name upon us “we must see ourselves as His, put Him first in our lives, want what He wants rather than what the world teaches us to want. Doing for each other what the Lord would have us do [also] follows naturally from taking His name upon us.” (See Apr 1998 CR). 

What does it mean to [be willing to] “take upon [us] the name of Christ”?

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6:1, 3)   Why was it important to record the names of all those who had entered into the covenant to obey God’s commandments? 

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “Building on this divine model, home teaching and visiting teaching companionships are called ‘to watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen [others].’ …. So when your leaders ask you to serve [as a home or visiting teacher], we hope that you will respond as if the Lord Himself were asking … because He is.” (See Oct 1997 CR.)