Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 21

Introduction

What do each of the following terms mean?

·         Monarchy: government under the leadership of one ruler, such as a king; sometimes characterized by absolute rule

·         Republic: rule by a group of elected representatives

·         Democracy: government by the people, with majority rule

·         Theocracy: government guided by God through revelation to a prophet

We live in a republic.  Up until now, the Nephites have lived in a monarchy.  When the king was righteous, the monarchy had significant elements of a theocracy too.  When the king was wicked, then it was just a mess.  As Mosiah aged, none of his sons was willing to be the new king.  Drawing on lessons from the recent past and under the inspiration of heaven, Mosiah proposed a new system of government that includes elements of a democracy, a republic, and a theocracy.  Alma the Younger was elected as the first chief judge under this new government.

Mosiah teaches principles of good government

Mosiah gave counsel on having kings, and contrasted the experiences of the people under Benjamin (righteous) and Noah (wicked).  Briefly review the consequences experienced by the people as a result of the leadership of these men:

 

Benjamin	Noah
King Benjamin did not seek riches but worked to serve his people (Mosiah 2:12-14)	Sought for riches (Mosiah 11:2-4)
Taught his people to keep the commandments (Mosiah 2:31)	Did not have the commandments written in his heart (Mosiah 13:11)
Led his people to enter into a righteous covenant with the Lord (Mosiah 5:5-6)	Asked, “Who is God that my people should be judged of him?” (Mosiah 11:27)
His righteous influence extended past his life (Mosiah 29:13)	Noah’s people ended up in captivity as a result of his actions; Noah is later used as an example of a wicked ruler.  (Mosiah 20:21; Mosiah 29:17-18)

 

Because kings are not always righteous, Mosiah proposed a new system of government with judges in place of kings.  Read Mosiah 29:37-38.  Notice that “every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins.”  What are some additional responsibilities that come to those living in a free society?

1.      Responsibility to answer for our own sins (Mosiah 29:38)

2.      Abide by established laws – not out of fear of punishment, but because they have been acknowledged by the people (Alma 1:1)

3.      Choose honest and wise men to be leaders (D&C 98:10).  We have an obligation to seek diligently for good leaders.

The Nephites set up a political system that included elements we would be familiar with in our society.   They had a hierarchy of judges responsible for enforcing laws, and this hierarchy also provided a method to judge judges who were not upholding the law.  Read Mosiah 29:27 for an important warning to all those who live in a free society.

Alma combats priestcraft as the chief judge

The first test of the new political system came in the first year of Alma’s reign.  Nehor began preaching a new doctrine.  Read Alma 1:3-4.  Why is this doctrine so appealing?

Besides the fact that it is doctrinally wrong, there is no civil problem with this preaching, as there was no law against a man’s beliefs (see Alma 1:17).  The problem came a few verses later when Nehor got into an argument with Gideon.  Read Alma 1:7-9.  Gideon didn’t try to use logic to refute Nehor; he bore testimony.

What two crimes was Nehor guilty of?  See Alma 1:12-13.  (He tried to force his beliefs on others, and he murdered Gideon.)  Nehor was executed for his crimes, but this did not solve the problems.  Read Alma 1:21-24.  Compare this bad example with the Lord’s command in D&C 38:41.

By living the gospel, the faithful were blessed greatly.  Read Alma 1:26-31.  How can we follow the examples of preaching, hearing, and serving those who are poor?

Alma leaves the judgment seat

Amlici wanted to be king and began a civil war when he was not elected as king.  He was killed and his people were defeated.  As a result of the battle, flocks and herds were destroyed, and the prosperity evaporated.  How did the people respond?  Read Alma 4:3-5.  Just one year later, the humility evaporated as prosperity returned.  I think the key to the problem is in verse 6 – they wore expensive clothes and were proud that they had more than others.

Alma recognized the consequences this pride was having on those who did not belong to the church in verse 10.  Read Alma 4:19-20. He turned the judgment seat over to another righteous man so he could devote his efforts to the work of the ministry.  Notice in verse 19 that he bore down in pure testimony, just as Nehor had borne down against the church.  Whatever we do, we need to be diligent.

Conclusion

This experience is completely relevant to our day.  What can we learn and apply from today’s lesson?