Mosiah 3:11-15
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 3
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Contents |
Questions
- Where are the records of the prophets who have been sent "among all the children of men...to every kindred, nation, and tongue" (verse 13)? Should we expect to have their records revealed to us in time? Might we expect that portions of their teachings may have survived in other religious traditions around the world?
- How do verses 14-15 help us better understand the Law of Moses? Since the Law of Moses came down through several traditions in the Bible (early E material, later Deuteronomist and Priestly traditions, etc.), which understanding of the Law of Moses is the angel discussing?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
Verse 11-12
King Benjamin explains here that Christ's blood atones for the sins of those who "fall by the transgression of Adam" (more on this below) and die without knowing the will of God. King Benjamin describes this same group of people in another way when he says these are those who "have ignorantly sinned."
In the next verse King Benjamin contrasts the ignorant sinners (those whose sins are atoned for through the blood of Christ) with those who rebel against God. The point King Benjamin seems to be making is that, unlike the ignorant, those who know the will of God and don't obey it cannot receive salvation without repenting.
Now, back to verse 11. We can get stuck on what it means to "ignorantly sin." Generally when we talk about sin, we are talking about someone responsible for their actions, but if someone is truly ignorant that what they are doing is wrong, then they can't be responsible for doing it. But King Benjamin seems to ascribe both guilt (saying they have fallen by the transgression of Adam) and innocence (saying they didn't know the will of God). This makes the concept of ignorant sinning seem like some sort of contradiction.
But to put verse 11 back in context, we must remember that the point of this verse is not to define the status of those who don't receive the gospel and explain the steps that must be taken to receive salvation. Rather, King Benjamin is using those "who have died not knowing the will of God" as a foil for his pointed discussion aimed at those who do know the will of God in verse 12. Or, to put it within the history of this people, he is pointing out that these people (for many of whom the gospel seems new) have a different responsibility than their Zarahemla parents who didn't know the gospel at all.
Compare these verses to Mosiah 3:20-21, "the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God..."
Verse 13
As though he had already come -- Preaching the gospel is as central to the Plan of Salvation as free choice and repentance (see Romans 10:14-15). It was important for King Benjamin to receive a glimpse of the Savior's earthly mission to prepare his people to gain eternal life. That he was able to do this 124 years before Christ's birth is not as miraculous as it might seem. "Is not a soul at this time as precious as a soul will be at the time of his coming? (see Alma 39:16-19)." The important theme of foreknowledge recurs throughout the Book of Mormon, and is perhaps one of the most curious aspects of this ancient record.
Related links
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