Mosiah 22
People in this chapter
Mosiah 21 ended with a single goal: to deliver themselves out of the hands of the Lamanites and from bondage (Mosiah 21:36). This chapter shows how. Limhi and Ammon gather all the people to hear their voice (v. 1). Fighting is out of the question, so the only way out is to take everything they can carry and go into the wilderness (v. 2).
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Mosiah 22:1-9Gideon's Counsel
1And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter. 2And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.
Limhi and Ammon gathered all the people to decide together. They agreed they could not fight their way free, so the only option was to leave with everything they could carry.
3Now it came to pass that Gideon went forth and stood before the king, and said unto him: Now O king, thou hast hitherto hearkened unto my words many times when we have been contending with our brethren, the Lamanites. 4And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree, and they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou wouldst listen to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage. 5And the king granted unto him that he might speak. And Gideon said unto him:
Gideon reminds Limhi that his counsel has helped before, and he humbly offers to serve and help deliver the people.
6Behold the back pass, through the back wall, on the back side of the city. The Lamanites, or the guards of the Lamanites, by night are drunken; therefore let us send a proclamation among all this people that they gather together their flocks and herds, that they may drive them into the wilderness by night. 7And I will go according to thy command and pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken; and we will pass through the secret pass on the left of their camp when they are drunken and asleep. 8Thus we will depart with our women and our children, our flocks, and our herds into the wilderness; and we will travel around the land of Shilom. 9And it came to pass that the king hearkened unto the words of Gideon.
Gideon's plan: send the last tribute of wine to the Lamanite guards, wait until they are drunk and asleep, and slip out through the back pass with the flocks and herds.
Mosiah 22:10-12They Did Depart by Night
10And king Limhi caused that his people should gather their flocks together; and he sent the tribute of wine to the Lamanites; and he also sent more wine, as a present unto them; and they did drink freely of the wine which king Limhi did send unto them. 11And it came to pass that the people of king Limhi did depart by night into the wilderness with their flocks and their herds, and they went round about the land of Shilom in the wilderness, and bent their course towards the land of Zarahemla, being led by Ammon and his brethren. 12And they had taken all their gold, and silver, and their precious things, which they could carry, and also their provisions with them, into the wilderness; and they pursued their journey.
Limhi sent the wine tribute and some extra. While the guards drank, the whole people left by night with their flocks, herds, gold, silver, and provisions, led by Ammon.
Mosiah 22:13-16Received with Joy
13And after being many days in the wilderness they arrived in the land of Zarahemla, and joined Mosiah's people, and became his subjects. 14And it came to pass that Mosiah received them with joy; and he also received their records, and also the records which had been found by the people of Limhi. 15And now it came to pass when the Lamanites had found that the people of Limhi had departed out of the land by night, that they sent an army into the wilderness to pursue them; 16And after they had pursued them two days, they could no longer follow their tracks; therefore they were lost in the wilderness.
After many days the people reached Zarahemla. King Mosiah welcomed them with joy and received their records, including the plates found by Limhi's explorers.
The Lamanite army chased them for two days, lost the trail, and became lost in the wilderness themselves. The next chapter shows where they ended up.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- Why Did King Limhi Think Gideon's Escape Plan Would Work?Looks at why Limhi trusted Gideon's plan, including Gideon's record of good counsel, the people's covenant, and the careful preparation in verses 1-10.
- Gideon (Book of Mormon)Scripture references for Gideon, who Alma 1:8 says was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Limhi.
- Ammon, Descendant of ZarahemlaThe explorer who found Limhi's people and led them back. He is distinct from Ammon, the son of Mosiah.
- DelivererScriptures that speak of Jesus Christ as the Deliverer of His people from bondage, sin, and death.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Gideon's Counsel
- Alma 1:8It was he who was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Limhi out of bondage.Mormon's summary of Gideon.
- Mosiah 29:25-26Do your business by the voice of the people.The principle Limhi follows in verse 1 becomes Nephite law.
- Proverbs 11:14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
- D&C 107:27Every decision made by either of these quorums must be by the unanimous voice of the same.Counseling together is still the Lord's pattern.
They Did Depart by Night
- Luke 4:18He hath sent me... to preach deliverance to the captives... to set at liberty them that are bruised.
- Exodus 12:31-33Rise up, and get you forth from among my people... take your flocks and your herds.Another people leave bondage by night with their flocks and herds.
- Mosiah 7:33He will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.Limhi's promise, now fulfilled.
Received with Joy
- Luke 15:20When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.Another homecoming received with joy.
- Mosiah 25:5Mosiah did read, and caused to be read, the records of Zeniff to his people.What happened to the records Mosiah received.
- Mosiah 23:30-31The armies of the Lamanites, which had followed after the people of king Limhi, had been lost in the wilderness for many days.Where the lost army ends up.