Mosiah 4:6-7

I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.

Salvation comes through Christ who has worked out the atonement for each and every person. It is a gift, but we qualify for it by knowing Christ and his perfect attributes, believing in Christ, trusting in him, keeping the commandments and enduring faithfully to the end of mortality.

Mosiah 4:3

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.

Forgiveness can come in an instant to a sincere heart. God does not make us beg and plead forever for his forgiveness. He is ready at any moment to apply the atonement to us if we turn to him, not just as our last hope, but as our only hope.

Mosiah 3:16

And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins.

As s truly magnanimous gift, Christ atoned for the transgressions of all who sin in ignorance or who lack the capacity to comprehend the commandments and repent. Thus are little children free in Christ from any lasting guilt for wrong doing. Until they reach the age of accountability, children are not guilty for acts that knowing adults would consider sins. Christ simply wipes their slates clean. Could there be a sweeter doctrine for untold billions of bereft parents?

Mosiah 3:13

And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them.

We can do the same thing today regarding the Second Coming. We do not have to wait for Christ to arrive to live like he is already present.

Mosiah 3:9

And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.

Salvation, which is redemption from our sins, which separate us from God, is guaranteed to no one. We must each qualify for it.  Qualifying is not the same as earning. We do not buy salvation with good works, for no good work can negate the guilt of sin. Only Christ's atonement can wash away sin, and he will wash us freely,  without charge or price. We must nevertheless qualify. We must accept the gift of our own free will, which acceptance we demonstrate through faith or faithfulness. Now, faithfulness leads to obedience, and so it may appear that salvation is a reward for good works. But faith, as evidenced in our willingness to accept and follow God's will, is the real qualification. Faith in Christ testifies to us from whom salvation truly comes. Faith pleases God because it puts us in proper relationship to him.

Mosiah 3:7

And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

Note that the angel focuses on the events in Gethsemane more than on the cross as the most intense and powerful experience of the atonement. It was in the garden of the "Olive Press" that blood came from every pore of Jesus' body. Many today do not recognize or understand the significance of Christ's Gethsemane experience. The Book of Mormon makes clear what has been obscured in the Bible. And how appropriate that Adam introduced sin into world while in a garden, and so the Savior paid for the sins of the world while in a garden.

Mosiah 2:37

I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples.

There is a distinct and obvious difference between a person who desires to follow evil and rebels openly and persistently against God and a person who makes mistakes and falls into temptation from time to time but whose genuine desires are for righteousness. The first is lost unless he changes his character. The second is within reach of salvation and eternal life through the atonement.

Mosiah 2:34

I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not been taught concerning these things, but what knoweth that ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have and are; and also have been taught concerning the records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our father, Lehi, left Jerusalem;

Where is there room for pride when we recognize our true relationship to God? We are nothing, and he is everything, and yet he is still willing to raise us up to his level. To give anything less than 100 percent of our effort, our agency, and our heart to such a generous and magnanimous Creator is the height of ingratitude and a complete effrontery to God.

Mosiah 2:33

For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.

Many seem to have an innate fear they will be cast off and forsaken by the Lord. But listen to the prerequisites for examination: we must want to obey Satan, live our lives following him, make no attempt at repentance, knowingly and intentionally rebel against God, and die in this state. If that describes us, then the atonement will have no effect on us. The atonement will not rob us of our agency. If, however, we want to obey God but are too weak, try to keep the commandments but make mistakes, repent as best we can when we know we have fallen short, and miss the mark because we don't know any better, the atonement is our salvation. Christ will redeem us and enable us to realize our fondest true desires. Whatever we are willing to receive, he will give us.

Mosiah 2:22

And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

Because God always keeps his promises, and because he has promised to bless us when we keep his commandments, we can be assured that whatever comes our way when we are being obedient is a blessing. We may not recognize it or appreciate it, but the blessing is always there. God gives bread and not stones.

Mosiah 2:11

But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.

Prophets are human. They are not infallible. Nevertheless, if they serve God with all their heart, might, mind and strength, as did King Benjamin, the Lord will not let them lead us astray.

Mosiah 2:9

And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.

In two weeks, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will suspend their normal Sunday worship services to focus on the semi-annual General Conference. Prophets and leaders will speak to the general membership and to the world. We will, in a very real sense, gather at the feet of our prophet as did the people of King Benjamin. This verse explains how we should approach General Conference, with open ears, open hearts, and open minds, and with a determination to hearken.

Mosiah 2:5

And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another.

Living in tents is always significant when it is mentioned in the scriptures. It is not an incidental detail, but an important statement about the condition of people's hearts. King Benjamin's people are recreating the Lehi exodus experience, much in the same way that our youth today recreate the pioneer trek. They have left the comforts of their homes and worldly possessions to concentrate on the more important things of the Spirit. They are intentionally setting themselves up for a spiritual experience. They want something wonderful to happen to them. If we want an experience with the Spirit, we have to simplify and remove the worldly distractions, which crowd our lives.

Mosiah 2:4

And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.

The result of keeping the commandments is rejoicing and an outpouring of love. True happiness can be found in no other way.

Mosiah 1:17

Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty.

Afflictions play many roles in our lives. Sometimes they humble us and wrench us so that, of necessity, we feel after the Lord. Sometimes they stretch and strengthen us like a muscle lifting weights. Sometimes they test our patience and teach us endurance. Sometimes they stir our empathy and deepen our ability to lift others. Afflictions are always gifts from God because he loves us and wants to save and exalt us.

Mosiah 1:7

And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.

The Nephites are promised over and over that they will prosper in the land if they keep the commandments. To prosper is to grow materially and succeed. It does not always mean financial growth. We can grow in righteousness, in peace, in love, in charity. We can succeed in raising righteous families, in coming unto Christ, and in receiving the grace of the atonement in our lives. "In the land" means in mortality. It is true that financial means often find their way into the hands of righteous individuals, but riches are a byproduct. Faith and salvation are the true prosperity.

Mosiah 1:6

O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.

King Benjamin's testimony of the scriptures of his day echoes my testimony of the Book of Mormon today. We have it before our eyes. We do not have to take anyone's word for it. We can handle the book, turn its pages, and read its words for ourselves. It is tangible evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that God speaks, and that the fullness of Christ's gospel has been restored. The Book of Mormon is either true or it is not. It is the acid test. If it is true, we are duty bound to learn what God wants us to do about it. If it is false, we don't need to spend another second worrying about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and all the weird things the Mormons say and do. The third option, of course, is to simply ignore it. We can pretend like it doesn't exist and go about our daily business in comfortable ignorance. Willful ignorance is not comforting, however, to the honest in heart when knowledge is within reach. The promise of the Book of Mormon is that we can read it and then ask God to know for ourselves whether it is true. If it is s fraud, he will not let us believe a lie. But if it is true, it is the greatest news since the resurrection of Christ. People who want to know God should want to know about the Book of Mormon.

Mosiah 1:2

And it came to pass that he had three sons; and he called their names Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord.

Education is not only valuable but critical, not only to gain secular knowledge, but more importantly to be able to read and understand the scriptures. Adam started the process by writing his book of remembrance for his children. Since that earliest beginning, God has depended on his prophets' ability to write and the rest of us to read. The Dark Ages were dark because the masses forgot how to read. True religion cannot prosper among an illiterate and ignorant people.

Words of Mormon 1:17

For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people.

To act with power requires righteousness and holiness. God will not grant power to unworthy servants who do not represent him well. To speak or act with the power of the Lord is to receive his endorsement. He cannot endorse those who do not follow him and obey him. When we see one who acts and speaks with power,  such as a prophet, we naturally assume that God is pleased with that person.  He stands as an example.  The Lord will not grant power to a wicked man lest we feel justified in following him into wickedness. Now, no one is perfect. If God gave power only to perfect people, no one would ever have power, and the Lord could get no work done on earth unless he did it himself.  To be righteous and holy, as were King Benjamin and the prophets who assisted him, we need not be sinless, but humble, repentant, faithful, and ever striving to be obedient.  When we have the right desires, attitudes,  and efforts, the power of the atonement will justify us and enable us to seek and receive power to fulfill God's will and do his work.

Words of Mormon 1:9

And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the plates of Nephi; and I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which God has given me.

God works with us the way we are. He knows our strengths and weaknesses, our capabilities and our limitations, our knowledge and our ignorance. He knows exactly how to get the best out of us. He works wonders despite all our shortcomings. He fits our tasks and trials to our abilities, and his grace is sufficient.

Words of Mormon 1:7

And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.

We do not have to know the purpose behind everything God asks of us. If we are willing to be obedient, he can do great things with us and through us. When do our best to follow the Spirit, God will direct us, and we can be instruments in the Master's hands.

Omni 1:26

And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

Note to self: this life is not about collecting things, having a fabulous house, looking good, writing a best seller, creating the coolest app, increasing my FB following, getting a raise, or earning praise. It is about being saved and helping others towards salvation. Christ does not want just some of my time, my possessions, my money, my talents, my thoughts, my energy, my obedience. He wants it all, and then some. He wants my soul so he can fix it, heal it, and give it back to me ready to be presented to the Father. I have to live in this world, but I do not have to dedicate myself to worldliness. I am first and foremost God's child. Everything else is incidental.

Omni 1:11

And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end.

Abinadom's conclusion sounds very modern. God has stopped sending prophets and revelation, so he must not have anything more to say. What has already been written is enough. It did not occur to him that maybe God was through talking because his people had stopped listening.

Jarom 1:4

And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith.

Humility is the seedbed of faith.  The two virtues go hand in hand. Humility and faith yield obedience, which coupled with repentance invites the Holy Ghost. Through the Holy Ghost we receive knowledge by revelation. Greater knowledge of God engenders greater humility and faith, which spawns greater obedience. And so the cycle goes toward perfection. God is the finisher of our faith, but we choose to start it.

Jarom 1:2

And as these plates are small, and as these things are written for the intent of the benefit of our brethren the Lamanites, wherefore, it must needs be that I write a little; but I shall not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations. For what could I write more than my fathers have written? For have not they revealed the plan of salvation? I say unto you, Yea; and this sufficeth me.

Jarom didn't think he had anything new or interesting to write. Nevertheless, I think everyone should write his testimony for his children. It doesn't have to be new doctrine or an amazing vision or revelation. If it is authenticate, every testimony is valuable. It doesn't matter that it is the same as everyone else's. A testimony, like love, is deeply personal and unique for each individual. A million love songs have been written, and there is still room for one more. The same is true of testimonies.