What does Mosiah's words teach about the kind of leaders who will help "make peace for the people"?
A king with absolute power can be a great blessing for the people, but a kind who is wicked could bring down the whole kingdom. Mosiah taught the people that it is better to have a system of judges so that if the leaders became wicked they could be removed from power without a revolution.
Therefore, if it were possible that you could have just men to be your kings, who would establish the laws of God, and judge this people according to his commandments, yea, if ye could have men for your kings who would do even as my father Benjamin did for this people--I say unto you, if this would be xpedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you.What had Nehor been teaching the people?
Mosiah 29:13
Now, I say unto you, that because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you. For behold, how much inquity doth one wicked king cause to be comitted, yea, and what great destruction!
Mosiah 29:17
That every priest or teacher ought to become opular; and they ought not to labor with theirhands, but that they ought to be supported by the people. And he also testitifed unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and they need not fear nor termble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice.What was the effect of his teachings?
Alma 1:3-4
The people gave him money and he, himself, became very prideful about his church. When he started arguing with an old man about his teachings, and losing the argument, he became so angry he killed him. (Alma 1:5-9) He was put to death.
His teachings remained popular among the people. Preachers liked it because they could get money. The people who followed those teachings became increasingly prideful and fought more and more with others who did not agree with them.
The tension got so great that Amlici led an attempted coup d'etat against the Nephite government. There was a great war, and then another war when the defeated Amlicites joined forces with the Nephites. Many people died.
Why do you think Nehor's teachings were appealing to so many people?
They were appealing because Nehor taught that everyone would be saved no matter what they did. This allowed people to do whatever they wanted without feeling guilty. They were able to deal with their guilt by justifying that the were giving money to Nehor.
Which of these same teachings have you heard in our day?
Priestcraft is the rule among the churches today. The preacher is always supported by the congregation. Our church is actually considered different from the average religion because only the people at the very highest levels are compensated for their work, and that because they are so busy they cannot support their families without money from the church.
It is also a popular teaching that all you have to do is "accept" Christ to be saved. When people believe that salvation comes without sacrifice, they stop working on the things they really do need to do to be happy.
What did Alma do in response to the increasing pride and iniquity of the people?
He left his job as chief judge an went on a mission so he could preach directly to the people.
How can preaching the word of God "stir [people] up in rememberance of their duty"?
It helps people to change their lives when they learn about the gospel. President Packer says that true doctrine understood, changes behavior and that learning doctrine will change behavior faster than a study of behavior will change behavior.
How can preaching the word of God "pull down" pride, craftiness, and contention?
As people change they are humbled, and humble people do not suffer from pride, and without pride you won't have much contention.
Why do you think there was no way for Alma to help the people other than by "bearing down in pure testimony against them"?
In Alma's day he could not reach out through a television screen and talk to everyone at once. In order to really get their attention he had to come to them. The only way for him to reach the people in their hearts was to go and talk to them directly.
What problems in the world today could be solved by preaching and living the gospel?
Preaching and truly living the gospel will bring peace to the world. A lot of people use their religion as a way to fight with the other people. Even members of the church can sometimes bring sorrow to other people through false commitment to their religion. If we are truly living the gospel we will love everyone and we will do whatever it takes to help others.
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