Mosiah 25
People in this chapter
For sixteen chapters the record has followed people far from Zarahemla: Zeniff's colony, King Noah, Abinadi, Limhi in bondage, Alma and his converts in the wilderness. In this chapter they are all home, and King Mosiah gathers everyone together to hear the story read aloud (vv. 1-6).
Tap any highlighted phrase to jump to the commentary that unpacks it.
Mosiah 25:1-11The Immediate Goodness of God
1And now king Mosiah caused that all the people should be gathered together. 2Now there were not so many of the children of Nephi, or so many of those who were descendants of Nephi, as there were of the people of Zarahemla, who was a descendant of Mulek, and those who came with him into the wilderness. 3And there were not so many of the people of Nephi and of the people of Zarahemla as there were of the Lamanites; yea, they were not half so numerous. 4And now all the people of Nephi were assembled together, and also all the people of Zarahemla, and they were gathered together in two bodies.
Mosiah gathers everyone. Two peoples live in Zarahemla: descendants of Nephi and the larger group descended from Mulek. Together they are still not half as many as the Lamanites.
5And it came to pass that Mosiah did read, and caused to be read, the records of Zeniff to his people; yea, he read the records of the people of Zeniff, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until they returned again. 6And he also read the account of Alma and his brethren, and all their afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time they returned again. 7And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records, his people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement.
Mosiah reads aloud the records of Zeniff's people and of Alma's people. Everyone hears the story of what God did for their brothers and sisters.
8For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy. 9And again, when they thought of their brethren who had been slain by the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even shed many tears of sorrow. 10And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to God. 11And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls.
The people feel joy for those who came home and sorrow for those who were killed. Both feelings are honest. Remembering God's work in the past can hold joy and grief together.
The third response is thanks. The people remember the immediate goodness of God to Alma's people and give thanks out loud.
The fourth response is concern for the Lamanites, the people who had enslaved their brothers. The Nephites call them their brethren and ache for their souls.
Mosiah 25:12-18It Was the Lord That Did Deliver Them
12And it came to pass that those who were the children of Amulon and his brethren, who had taken to wife the daughters of the Lamanites, were displeased with the conduct of their fathers, and they would no longer be called by the names of their fathers, therefore they took upon themselves the name of Nephi, that they might be called the children of Nephi and be numbered among those who were called Nephites. 13And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the Nephites, and this because the kingdom had been conferred upon none but those who were descendants of Nephi.
The children of Amulon and the other wicked priests reject their fathers' ways and choose to be called Nephites. A name can mark a choice about who you will follow.
14And now it came to pass that when Mosiah had made an end of speaking and reading to the people, he desired that Alma should also speak to the people. 15And Alma did speak unto them, when they were assembled together in large bodies, and he went from one body to another, preaching unto the people repentance and faith on the Lord. 16And he did exhort the people of Limhi and his brethren, all those that had been delivered out of bondage, that they should remember that it was the Lord that did deliver them.
Alma goes from group to group preaching repentance and faith on the Lord, the same message he had taught at the waters of Mormon.
Alma tells the freed captives to remember that it was the Lord who delivered them. They escaped by a plan and a dark night, but the Lord was behind it.
17And it came to pass that after Alma had taught the people many things, and had made an end of speaking to them, that king Limhi was desirous that he might be baptized; and all his people were desirous that they might be baptized also. 18Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize them; yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his brethren in the waters of Mormon; yea, and as many as he did baptize did belong to the church of God; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma.
Limhi and his people had wanted to be baptized for a long time, but no one in their land had authority. Now Alma, who holds that authority, baptizes them.
Mosiah 25:19-24They Were All One Church
19And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma that he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every church. 20Now this was done because there were so many people that they could not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they all hear the word of God in one assembly; 21Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different bodies, being called churches; every church having their priests and their teachers, and every priest preaching the word according as it was delivered to him by the mouth of Alma.
There are too many believers for one meeting, so Alma organizes local congregations, each with its own priests and teachers, all teaching what Alma taught.
22And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God. 23And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of God; 24And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land.
Seven congregations, one church. What made them one was the message: repentance and faith in God. And the Lord poured out His Spirit on them.
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 Should Readers Pay Close Attention to the Mulekites?Scholars trace the people of Zarahemla, descendants of Mulek (v. 2), who came without records and lost much of their faith before uniting with Mosiah's people (Omni 1:14-19).
- Church of Jesus ChristScriptures on the Lord's Church, called in His name and built on His gospel, the pattern behind verses 18-23.
- Repent, RepentanceThe message preached in every one of the seven churches (vv. 15, 22).
Where this echoes in Scripture
The Immediate Goodness of God
- Mosiah 24:14-15I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs.The goodness the people of Zarahemla hear about in verse 10.
- Mosiah 24:21-22They poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them.Alma's people gave thanks first, in the wilderness.
- Omni 1:14-19The people of Zarahemla, and of Mosiah, did unite together; and Mosiah was appointed to be their king.How the two peoples of verse 2 first came together.
- Romans 12:15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
- Alma 23:5Thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord.The concern of verse 11 bears fruit among the Lamanites.
It Was the Lord That Did Deliver Them
- Mosiah 21:33-34There was none in the land that had authority from God.Why Limhi's people had waited to be baptized.
- Mosiah 18:20Preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.The message Alma brings with him to Zarahemla.
- Mosiah 21:14-15They did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God.What came before Limhi's deliverance.
- Deuteronomy 8:2Thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee.Moses asks Israel to remember in the same way.
They Were All One Church
- Mosiah 5:8I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ.Benjamin's invitation, now fulfilled across the land.
- Mosiah 18:17They were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward.
- 3 Nephi 27:7-8Ye shall call the church in my name... if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.The Savior names His Church.
- Ephesians 4:4-5There is one body, and one Spirit... One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
- D&C 18:21Take upon you the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness.