Mosiah 2:31-35

Questions

Listeth to obey. The word list in Webster's 1828 dictionary means "to hearken; to attend." The KJV of John 3:8 and James 3:4 also use the word "listeth" with basically the same connotation. In the Book of Mormon, see Alma 3:27 and Alma 26:6. Interestingly, each of these other passages uses the word listeth—except for Alma 3:37—in a way that is related to the winds (esp. in a storm). The scriptural connotation then seems to be one that emphasizes differing directions that an object can be pulled in, as in a windstorm. While the doubled phrase "listeth to obey" seems almost tautological, it may be that the "listeth" is there to emphasize that there is a choice in the matter. When a force such as the wind acts on an object and the object responds to that force according to the laws of physics, it might be said that the object is obeying (the directio of) the force, but we would not normally think of the object choosing to obey that force. To "listeth to obey" implies that one willfully submits to and allows oneself to be influenced by the external force. List can also mean "to enroll; to register in a list or catalogue; to enlist." In this sense, when one lists to obey, he or she places themselves (or their name) on a roster of servants--in this case either the roster of "the evil spirit" or God.