Mosiah 18:6-10
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 18
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Contents |
Questions
Verse 7
- How could a "goodly number" of people gather to a "thicket of small trees" without being observed?
Verse 8
- What does it mean to "come into the fold of God"
- How are we called the people of God? What does it mean to be his people?
- How do we "bear one another's burdens"?
Verse 9
- What does it mean to mourn with those who mourn? Is this different in some way than comforting those who morn? (We are told that our savior comforts those who mourn in Isa 61:2).
- How can we "stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places"? How can we know how well we are doing at this?
- How much should we desire our own redemption and eternal life? Is it selfish to be motivated by our own eternal rewards?
Verse 10
- What does it mean to covenant to serve the LORD and keep his commandments?
- How can "his Spirit" be poured out "more abundantly" upon us? What does this terminology add to our understanding of the gift of the Holy Ghost?
Lexical notes
- Merriam-Webster defines mourn (verse 9) as "to feel or express grief or sorrow." In the scriptures mourning is usually used in the context of expressing grief over someone's death.
Exegesis
One way to understand the phrase those that mourn (verse 9) is to think about anyone who is experiencing grief or sorrow. In this way we have a responsibility to connect with the people around us in grief and sorrow and share in that sorrow.
Another interpretation is to take those that mourn as a reference to those who mourn for the Savior, his death and suffering. In that case we are asked if we are willing to join the community of people who mourn for the sins of this world and the resulting suffering and death that our Savior went through in order to save us from those sins. A similar invitation is given in the hymn "He Died the Great Redeemer Died." (See the related link below.)
It is also interesting to note the way verse 9 introduces the themes that will then be played out in the narratives of chapters 19-24. If we look at the two main stories of trial and deliverance—the people of Limhi and the people of Alma—we have both an example of a people who mourn and a people who stand in need of comfort.
The people of Limhi will fight battle after battle, both in their defense and in their pursuit of freedom. Their losses are extremely numerous (enough so that in Mosiah 21:17 Limhi has to command the remaining men to help support the widows and their children): throughout this process they are truly a people acquainted with mourning.
The people of Alma will be persecuted by Amulon: they will be in bondage, they will carry impossibly heavy burdens, they will be refused the comfort of vocal prayer. As such, they will truly be a people who stand in need of comfort.
Related links
- He Died! The Great Redeemer Died [1] "Come Saints and drop a tear or two, For him who groaned beneath your load."
Verse 8-9
- H. David Burton, "Tender Hearts and Helping Hands," Ensign, May 2006, pp. 8–11. Bishop Burton speaks of the charitable outpouring of assistance provided by church members in response to natural disasters and civil unrest. "This modern-day humanitarian effort is a wonderful manifestation of the charity that burns within the souls of those whose hearts are tender and whose hands are ready to help. This selfless service truly demonstrates the pure love of Christ."
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