Mosiah 5 All

The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 5

Questions

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Lexical notes

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Exegesis

cried with one voice

Verse 2 tells us that the people all cried with one voice. Given that the people did not all hear the words of King Benjamin at the same time (because there were too many too all hear at once--see Mosiah 2:8) the "one voice" in this phrase probably refers to their unity--rather than that they all spoke at the same time.

Verse 5

Enter into a covenant. Compare the terms of this covenant with the promises we make when partaking of the sacrament (see Moroni 4:3). In this verse, the people covenant to be obedient to his commandments. In verse 8, the people take upon themselves the name of Christ, as part of a process of changing their hearts through "faith on his name." Finally, in verse 12, they are asked to "remember to retain the name always" in their hearts.

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The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 5

Questions

Verse 7

• What does it mean to be called the children of Christ?
• What does it mean to be "spiritually begotten"? How is this different from being begotten as spirits by our Heavenly Father?
• How can hearts be changed "through faith on [Christ's] name?
• How does this change of heart constitute a new birth?

Verse 8

• Under his head. What does this phrase mean?
• How are we made free "under [Christ's] head? What does it mean to be "made free"?
• How does salvation come by a given name?
• Could "taking upon you the name of Christ" be the same as receiving an anointing as a high priest--the mark referred to in Jacob 4:14?
• Could this be the same the ordination referred to in Alma 13:2?
• What does it mean to covenant to "be obedient unto the end of your lives"?

Verse 9

• What does it mean to "be found at the right hand of God"? Where does this imagery come from?
• How are we "called by the name of Christ"?

Verse 10

• What does it mean to be found "on the left hand of God"?

Lexical notes

• The phrase "take upon you the Name of Christ" does not appear anywhere in our modern version of the Bible.

Exegesis

Verse 7

Become his sons and daughters. When the people enter into a covenant with God, they "become [Christ's] sons and daughters." Although we enter this world as God's children, we can be spiritually born again when our "hearts are changed through faith on his name." All mankind is required to pass from a fallen (carnal) state to a state of righteousness in order to be redeemed (see Mosiah 27:25). This is the beginning of a transformative process that requires a life-long commitment to be obedient.

Verse 8

To "take upon you the Name of Christ" appears to be a holy priesthood ordinance, appropriately revealed here by King Benjamin in the temple. Since this ordinance and covenent is not clearly revealed in our modern bible, it may be one of the "plain and precious things" that the was taken out of the scriptures by the Dueteronomistic reforms around the time Lehi left Jerusalem, and that the Lord has restored to us through the Book of Mormon.

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• For more information on the Dueteronomistic reforms during the time of Lehi, see article by Kevin Christensen here

The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 5

Questions

Verse 11

• What does it mean for the people to have a new name given unto them?
• What does it mean that the new name "never should be blotted out"? What does "blotted out" mean?
• Why would transgression lead to the new name being blotted out?
• What does transgression mean? Is there a difference between transgression and sin?
• How is it that the name can be possibly "blotted out of your hearts"? Is it written there? What does it even mean for the name to be in your heart?

Verse 12

• How can the name of Christ be written on your heart? What does it mean to retain it written there?
• What does it mean to be on the left hand of God?
• What is the relationship between hearing and knowing the voice of God and having Christ's name written in our hearts?

Verse 13

• How does serving a master lead one to know him?
• What does it mean for Christ to be "far from the thoughts and intents of [our hearts]?
• How can we keep Christ in our thoughts and close to the intents of our hearts?
• What does it mean for us to be called by the name of Christ?

Verse 14

• How does this analogy with the ass relate to what king Benjamin is saying?
• If we do not belong to Christ, who do we belong to that would lead Christ to drive us away?
• Why will Christ drive us away if we do not know the name by which we are called?
• What does it mean to know the name by which we are called? What is that name? How are we called by that name?

Verse 15

• What does it mean to "be steadfast and immovable? What does that have to do with abounding in good works?
• What are the good works that we are supposed to abound in?
• What does it mean for Benjamin to call Christ "the Lord God Omnipotent"?
• How is Christ omnipotent?
• What does it mean for Christ to "seal you his"?
• What does it mean to be "brought to heaven"?
• What is "everlasting salvation and eternal life"? Are these two things equivalent?
• How is everlasting salvation and eternal life brought about "through the wisdom and power, and justice, and mercy" of Christ?
• Who is the "God above all" that "created all t hings, in heaven and in earth"? Is that Christ or His Father?

Lexical notes

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Exegesis

Verse 12

Name written always in your hearts. We are literally expected to come to "hear and know the voice" of Jesus. The act of remembering is crucial to the process of building a personal relationship with the Savior. It is important to remember why we serve, and who we follow.

Verse 15

Seal you his. The final verses of this passage focus on remembering the covenant and name of Christ, to keep it "written in your hearts." Once we have received a knowledge of God, through our conversion and spiritual rebirth, we participate in a relationship with God. If we consistently abound in good works, we may receive a further promise of "everlasting salvation and eternal life" through an additional act of sealing.

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