Mosiah 8

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

The Lord provides prophets, seers, and revelators to benefit mankind.

1-4. Why do you think you have been asked to keep the family records? How can keeping good family records be a blessing to you and your posterity? What was particularly inspiring about the account given by Ammon?

5. What evidence do you find that Limhi's people knew the importance of keeping records? What can you do to keep more complete and inspiring records of your own life so that one day your relatives might be helped and inspired?

6. Why was the king interested in knowing if Ammon could interpret languages?

7.-9. Why did Limhi send 43 men on a journey? What happened to them instead of finding Zarahemla? What evidence was there to show that an awful tragedy had occurred in this land? What can you learn from the fact that Limhi's men went in search of Zarahemla to get help from bondage to the Lamanites but the Lord led them to find a book of scripture instead?

12. What did the people hope to find out from the records on the 24 gold plates?

13, 17.  What is a seer able to do? How has the gift of translation blessed your life?

"A seer is one who sees with spiritual eyes. He perceives the meaning of that which seems obscure to others; therefore he is an interpreter and clarifier of eternal truth. He foresees the future from the past and the present. This he does by the power of the Lord operating through him directly, or indirectly with the aid of divine instruments such as the Urim and Thummum. In short, he is one who sees, who walks in the Lords light open eyes." - John A Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconcilliations, 258

14. Where does a seer get the power to translate from?

15-16. Who do you sustain as a prophet, seer, and revelator? Why do you think it is wise to listen to those who can see things that you cannot? How have you benefited from listening to modern prophets, seers, and revelators? What are some of the ways you can learn from modern prophets, seers, and revelators?

"These 15 men we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators are given divine power to see what [others] sometimes do not see." - Neil L Andersen, GC, April 2005

16.How did Ammon respond to Limhi's thought that a seer is greater than a prophet? How might this explain why we sustain the president of the Church as a prophet, seer, and revelator?

18.Where do prophets get this power? What does it allow them to know? What does it allow them to do?  What miracles have you witnessed in your life?

19. How did King Limhi respond to this knowledge? Why should you rejoice exceedingly and give thanks to God for living in a day when prophets, seers and revelators guide you?

20. Why should you desire to have wisdom rule over you? What is the source of wisdom? How do you get it?

21. What are those who do not act in wisdom compared to? What ultimately happens to those people?

Mosiah 7

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

The Lord can keep you from bondage if you will just follow the profits and keep the Commandments. Recognizing your iniquities and feeling godly sorrow for them can lead you to turn to the Lord for deliverance

1-33. Have you ever wanted to be delivered from bad feelings, a painful situation, a challenging or oppressive circumstance, or guilt from sin? After reading the book of Mosiah return to this question and record the answers you have been inspired with.

1. What people was King Messiah concerned for?

2. Who did Mosiah send to look for Zeniff's colony?

3-4. What challenges did Ammon's group have as they sought to find the people of Lehi-Nephi? How many days did they wander in the wilderness and why?

5-6. What did Ammons group do when they came to the hill?

7-8. Why were Ammon's scouts bound and put in prison?

9. Who did they learned was now the king of Zeniff's people?

10-11. What precautions did king Limhi take and why on the day that Ammon's group came down into the valley?

12-13. When Ammon was permitted to speak, what message did he give to King Limhi?

14-15. Why was the king exceedingly glad to learn that Ammmon and his men were from Zarahemla?

16. What welcome did Limhi give Ammon and his men when he discovered their true identity and the reason for their presence there?

18. What did the arrival of Ammon and his men mean to King Limhi and his people?

19. Why do you suppose that King Limhi encouraged his people to remember the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? How were the Old Testament stories of deliverance an inspiration to these people? How can these same stories inspire you in your day?

20-33. How are Limhi's people like people today who are in bondage to sin? What kinds of things are people overzealous for today that leads them to be deceived by Satan? Although they may not seek to kill them, how do those who want to sin treat modern prophets? How does the cost of sin today compared to the price of bondage for Limhi's people?

20. How does knowing the unchanging and merciful nature of God instill within your heart faith and trust in Him?

21-22. How were the people who descended from a Zeniff now able to look back on the events that transpired and see the ulterior motives of the Lamanite king at that time? What lessons do you learn in hindsight? How can these lessons help you be better prepared to face the challenges that are in your future?

23. How did the people suffer as a result of the wicked desires of the Lamanite king? How did the trials and the bondage that King Limhi and his people endured strengthen them? How did those experiences prepare them to be humble and willing to submit to God's will in their lives? What blessings have you received as a result from your trials and challenges in life?

24. Have you ever mourned or felt sadness or regret because of iniquity? In what ways can consequences for sin be helpful in your life? How can you apply your learning and not repeat the sin? Why is it important to recognize and admit how serious your sins are? Why is it important to feel godly sorrow for them? Why is it important not to delay recognizing and feeling the sorrow for your sins?

"Study and ponder to determine how serious the Lord defines your transgression to be. That will bring healing sorrow and remorse. It will also bring a sincere desire for change and a willingness to submit to every requirement for forgiveness." – Richard G Scott, GC, April 1995

25. How can you be assured that the Lord is always aware of you? How does knowing that the Lord will not remove the natural consequences to your decisions increase your faith in Him and your desire to keep his Commandments?

26-28. What did Abinadi prophesy to the people of Zeniff? What was it about his teachings that they did not like? What did the people choose to do with Abinadi? Knowing that a prophet of God had been killed, how did King Limhi's people view the bondage they lived under?

29. How does the Lord respond to those who choose to transgress his laws? Why are natural consequences of sin and transgression often manifest in trials and challenges? How can choosing to be obedient to the laws of God help you avoid certain trials and challenges?

30-32. Are the words in this verse a curse or a blessing? Why is it important to understand the principle that we reap what we sell? How does this principle affect your choices?

33. What promise do the repentant have? How can you be assured of overcoming your trials and challenges?

"For our turning to the Lord to be complete, it must include nothing less than a covenant of obedience to Him." - D Todd Christofferson, GC, October 2011

"Faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgement that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him. Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him." - Dennis E Simmons, GC, April 2004

"Our earnest prayers are answered when they conform to the will of the Lord. Since we cannot perfectly understand His will, we must walk with faith. He is all-knowing, and His decisions are perfect. The fact that our finite capacity does not let us understand all of His dealings with man does not limit Him from blessing us. His will is our best choice in life, whether or not we fully understand it. When we act using our moral agency wisely, the Lord will act according to His will." - Richard G Scott, GC, October 1991

Mosiah 6

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

1. Why is it important to be recorded as a covenant maker? How much more important is it to be recorded as a covenant keeper?

2. When you fully understand the blessing covenants can be in your life, will you ever deny an opportunity to make and keep covenants with your father in heaven? How can you strengthen your commitment to keep your covenant with God?

3. What did King Benjamin do to help his people remember the covenants they had made?

"If we pay close attention to the uses of the word remember in the holy scriptures, we will recognize that remembering in the way God intends is a fundamental and saving principle of the gospel. This is so because prophetic admonitions to remember are frequently calls to action: to listen, to see, to do, to obey, to repent. When we remember in God’s way, we overcome our human tendency simply to gird for the battle of life and actually engage in the battle itself, doing all in our power to resist temptation and avoid sinning." - Marlin K Jensen, GC, April 2007

4. Who began to rain following King Benjamin?

6-7. What kind of King was Mosiah? How do you know? What would be different in your day if King Mosiah ruled your land? What are some traits that Mosiah possessed that you should try to emulate in your family? How with these traits help you have more peace in your family?

Mosiah 5

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

As we choose to follow the Master, we choose to be changed. As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ and receive the Holy Spirit, we can experience a mighty change of heart. You take upon your self the name of Jesus Christ through sacred covenants. The Lord has the power to change you so that the things you are commanded to do you are also the things you love to do.

1. Why do you think King Benjamin wanted to know if the people believed his words? What opportunities are you given to indicate to your leaders and teachers that you have received the words which they have taught?

2. Have you ever wished you could change something about yourself? What did you do about it? What does it mean to say a person has changed for the better? What might cause a person to change? Do you think it would be easier to notice a change in another person or in your self? Why? What would it be like to be so converted that you have no desire to send? How much easier would it be to live the commandments if you had no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually?

"God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect… The nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evil's of his life and lost every desire for sin." – Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 2:8

"Christ says, Give me All. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down… Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked, the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours." -CS Lewis, Mere Christianity, 167

2. How did the people receive the words of King Benjamin? How did they know without doubt that he had spoken the truth to them? What happened to their hearts? How did the people feel about evil? How did they feel about good works? What do you think it means to experience a mighty change of heart? Has the Spirit wrought a mighty change in your heart? What indications do you have that He has? How often do you seek to do good?

“The essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through our reliance upon ‘the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah’ (2 Nephi 2:8). As we choose to follow the Master, we choose to be changed—to be spiritually reborn” - David A Bednar, GC, April 2007

“The gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses much more than avoiding, overcoming, and being cleansed from sin and the bad influences in our lives; it also essentially entails doing good, being good, and becoming better. … To have our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit such that ‘we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually’ (Mosiah 5:2), as did King Benjamin’s people, is the covenant responsibility we have accepted. This mighty change is not simply the result of working harder or developing greater individual discipline. Rather, it is the consequence of a fundamental change in our desires, our motives, and our natures made possible through the Atonement of Christ the Lord. Our spiritual purpose is to overcome both sin and the desire to sin” - David A Bednar, GC, October 2007

"Heavenly Father… has provided a way to rise higher – almost beyond our limits of imagination – not by our own powers alone, which would not be nearly enough, but through the power of the Atonement of his Son, Jesus Christ."  – Henry B Eyring, CES fireside, September 6, 1996

3. How does the influence of the Holy Ghost heighten your awareness of your surroundings and ideas? How does the Spirit help you and guide you as you make choices and decisions so that the things you do are harmonious with the will of God?

4. How do the words of the prophets and church leaders help you receive great knowledge? In what ways do you think you choose to change when you choose to follow Jesus Christ? When you choose to follow Jesus Christ, why do you need to change your dispositions and not just your behavior? Why do you think that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is necessary for a change to occur within you? What can you do to exercise more faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ? What specific things can you do, starting today, to exercise more faith so that you can encourage and maintain a mighty change of heart in your life?

5. What effect did the change of heart have on the people? What level of commitment did King Benjamin's people feel toward making and keeping a covenant with God? What promises did King Benjamin's people make as they entered into a covenant? How can you submit your will to that of your Father in Heaven? What phrases in this verse remind you of the promises you renew each time you partake of the sacrament?

6-7. What covenant did King Benjamin's people make? How do you become a son or daughter of Christ? Have you taken his name upon you? How do you think making and keeping covenants help you maintain a mighty change of heart?

"When we make covenants with God, he determines the conditions for the covenants, and we agree to the conditions. God then promises are certain blessings for our obedience. Making evidence is one way we show the Lord we are sincere in our desire to serve him." – Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-study Seminary Students, 114

7. Why are we called children of Christ? What blessing did King Benjamin's people of team because of their covenant?

"Christ became a father to us because he gave us in mortality or eternal life through his death and sacrifice upon the cross." – Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:178-79

8-15. What does it mean to take upon you the name of Christ? How often do you take upon yourself the name of Christ? What promises are made to covenant keepers? How do your covenants Johlke you to Jesus Christ? What is the value of being bound to or yoked to Jesus Christ? What kinds of Burtons does Christ help you carry that are too much for you to bear alone? What advantages might this real covenant relationship bring, if you begin to stray away from Christ?

"Through baptism we take on ourselves the name of Christ and promised to do the things that He would do, including obeying God's Commandments. In return, the Lord promises to send His spirit to guide, strengthen, and comfort us. Perhaps most importantly, He also promises to forgive us of our sins for which we truly repent. In a very literal way, those who go down into the waters of baptism  have their sins washed away. They emerge from the baptismal font as sin-free and clean as the day they were born." – M Russell Ballard, Our Search for Happiness 1993, 90

"Some wonder if they were baptized too soon. If only they could be baptized now and have a clean start. But that is not necessary! Through the ordinance of the sacrament, you renew the covenants made at baptism. When you meet all of the conditions of repentance, however difficult, you may be forgiven and your transgressions will trouble your minds no more." – Boyd K Packer, GC, April 1997

8. Through whom do you become free? What are you free from? How does obedience to God's law bring you true freedom? Whose name did King Benjamin's people take upon them as part of their covenant?

9. What reward is in store for the faithful and obedient who indoor in this way throughout their lives? Why do you want to be found on the right hand of God?

9. Why is it more important to find out whose you are rather than who you are? Will you be called by the name of Christ and belong to Him? What can you do to further your progress in becoming His?

10. Where do those who will not take upon themselves the name of God find themselves? Who dwells on the left hand of God?

11. Whose name should you carry in your heart? How does carrying the name of Christ within your heart, everywhere you go, affect your choices and actions? What are some blessings of having the name of Jesus Christ written in your heart? How do you feel when you think about having the name of Jesus Christ written in your heart? Why do you want to keep his name and never lose it?

12. How can you come to hear and know the voice by which you will be called on the day of judgment? How does retaining a remembrance of Christ and seeking to emulate Christlike qualities in your life help you retain that name written upon your heart?

13. Who is your master? How does any leaving the savior who is your master, prevent you from being a stranger to him? As you come to know the Savior what kinds of thoughts and intents will be in your heart?

14. When the neighbors cattle get into a farmers fields, how does the farmer treat them? Why don't those cows being there? Can you belong feeding in the green pastures of Christ if you do not know the name by which you are called?

15. What does it mean to be steadfast and immovable? What does the word abound mean? Why are you to always abound in good works? What does it mean to be sealed to Christ? What is the ultimate blessing to those who choose to be bound to Jesus Christ?

"Why face life's burdens alone, Christ asks, or why face them with temporal support that will quickly falter? To the heavy laden, Christ's yoke gives the power and peace of standing side-by-side with a God who will provide the support, balance, and the strength to meet our challenges and endure our tasks here in the hard-pan field of mortality." – Howard W Hunter, That we Might Have Joy, 13-14

Mosiah 4

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

The power of the Atonement can turn all your fears into joy. As you exercise faith in Jesus Christ and sincerely repent, you receive a remission of your sins. This repentance is an important element in obtaining joy and peace of conscience. If you humble yourself before God and strive to develop Christlike attributes, you can retain a remission of your sins. The Lord has a profound love for you. As you repent of any wrongdoings and do your best to follow the Savior's example, you can retain a remission of your sins. As you learn to control your thoughts, you will reap the blessing of being more Christlike in your words and actions.

1-8. How do you know if you have been forgiven of a particular sin? Do you feel peace of conscience when you think about having repented of your sin? Are you filled with joy?

"When you have fully repented, you feel an inner peace. You know somehow you are forgiven because the burden you have carried for so long, all of a sudden isn't there anymore. It is GONE and YOU KNOW it is gone." -F Burton Howard, GC, April 1983

1. How do you feel about standing before the Lord to be judged? What can you do to stand before Him with greater confidence than you feel now? How will changing your life to emulate Christ bless you not only at the time of judgement, but also each and every day of the rest of your life?

2. How do you apply the atoning blood of Jesus Christ in your life? How is your heart purified? In what way does your faith and testimony of Christ assist you?

1-2. The people of King Benjamin were forgiven because of the 'exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ'. What actions recorded in these verses demonstrated their faith? What attitudes and feelings should you have that would be similar to those of the people of Mosiah?
3. According to this verse, what results from exercising faith in Jesus Christ and repenting of our sins? How valuable are these blessings? What would you be willing to do to have them in your life?

3. By what power were the people cleansed from sin and purified? What effect does the Spirit of the Lord have upon you? What does it feel like to be filled with joy? Why do you suppose that receiving a remission of your sins fills your soul with joy? How can you exercise your faith in Jesus Christ as you seek a remission of your sins?

4. How do you think the response of the people to the words King Benjamin taught, influenced what he said from this point on?

5.Why do you suppose that a knowledge of God's goodness brings you to an awareness of what King Benjamin calls 'your nothingness'? What does King Benjamin mean by the words 'nothingness' and 'worthless'? How does this awareness help you to be humble enough to apply the atonement in your life?

6. What do you need to do, according to King Benjamin, to gain salvation? In what ways are you trying to put your trust in the Lord? How can you be more diligent in keeping the commandments? What commandment can you improve upon at this time in your life? How can you continue in the faith even unto the end of your life?

7-8. How important is the atonement in the attainment of salvation? Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ?  How grateful are you for this great gift?

“A convert is one who has put off the natural man, yielded to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and become ‘a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.’ Such a person has become ‘as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.’ (Mosiah 3:19.) He has become a new creature of the Holy Ghost: the old creature has been converted or changed into a new one. He has been born again: where once he was spiritually dead, he has been regenerated to a state of spiritual life. (Mosiah 27:24–29.) In real conversion, which is essential to salvation (Matt. 18:3), the convert not only changes his beliefs, casting off the false traditions of the past and accepting the beauties of revealed religion, but he changes his whole way of life, and the nature and structure of his very being is quickened and changed by the power of the Holy Ghost.” -Dallin H Oaks, (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 1:770

9-30. How do the actions described by King Benjamin show that someone is striving to retain a remission of his or her sins? Can you list a few other actions that would show someone is striving to retain a remission of sins? What is one or more ways in which you have given succor to those in need?

9. What things do we need to BELIEVE? How do these things help you feel a deeper, more exquisite feeling of gratitude to your Father in Heaven? How might knowing that God created all things and has all power and wisdom help motivate you to repent?

10. Why is it important to BELIEVE that you must repent? What happens to those who do not believe that they need to repent? Why is it important to act on your belief in Christ and your convictions of the truthfulness of His gospel?

11. What is a retainer? What is it's purpose? How can you ensure that you ALWAYS retain a remembrance of the greatness of God? How does remembering God help you to RETAIN a remission of your sins? How does it help you RETAIN a feeling of gratitude toward your Father in Heaven? How does it help you to be humble? How often should you call upon the name of the Lord in prayer? What does the word 'steadfastly' mean? Why do you think it is important to understand and remember God's power, goodness and love? When you remember these things, how do they affect your life?

12. How can doing the things mentioned in verse 11 help you be filled with the love of God even to rejoicing? How does this attitude of rejoicing and praising God help you to RETAIN a remission of your sins?

13. How does RETAINING a remission of your sins bless your life and the lives of those you know and associate with? How does it affect your feelings toward them? What do you think it would be like to have everyone in a community living peaceably together?

14. How does the knowledge of God's goodness affect how parents treat their children? 

14-15. What responsibility do parents have toward their children? What does it mean to you to be taught and teach others to walk in the ways of truth and soberness? How does love and service assist parents in teaching their children? How does engaging children in opportunities to develop and cultivate love and service bless the lives of all?

16-23. In what ways are we all beggars? To whom do you beg or pray for blessings? How does God respond to your petitions? What would your life be like if God withheld His blessings? How might the teachings of King Benjamin change the way you deal with those in need in the future?

16. How does the love of God in your heart help you to feel towards all those who are less fortunate than yourself?

17. What justifications do we sometimes make for withholding our substance from others?

18. Why does one who justifies his selfishness have need of repentance?

19. Who do you depend upon for your sustenance? Who is the source of all your wealth and worldly possessions? Why is it important to recognize God in ALL aspects of your life? How does doing so help you to be more generous with His less fortunate children? What is one blessing you could thank your Heavenly Father for at this moment?

20. What do you petition God for? How does He respond to your petitions? When have you felt your heart filled with joy so great that you were at a loss for the words to express it? Have you thanked your Father in Heaven for that gift?

21. How generous is the Lord with you in your life? What blessings has he bestowed upon your head? When you ask for blessings do you expect to receive them? How does imparting of your substance convey to the Lord your desire to be blessed and supported by Him?

22-23. What reward is given to the man that judges another?

24-25. How should the poor feel toward the beggar? What can you do to cultivate an attitude of selflessness? How can you more effectively avoid coveting your own wealth and blessings?

"Just as we will be accountable for our evil desires, we will also be rewarded for our righteous ones. Our Father in Heaven will receive a truly righteous desire as a substitute for actions that are genuinely impossible. My father-in-law was fond of expressing his version of this principle. When someone wanted to do something for him but was prevented by circumstances, he would say: ‘Thank you. I will take the good will for the deed.’... This principle means that when we have done all that we can, our desires will carry us the rest of the way. It also means that if our desires are right, we can be forgiven for the unintended errors or mistakes we will inevitably make as we try to carry those desires into effect. What a comfort for our feelings of inadequacy!” -Dallin H Oaks, Pure in Heart [1988], 59

26-27. How should you treat those who ask you for help? How can remembering King Benjamin's teavhings help you to be more compassionate to those who are in spiritual or temporal need?

26. What actions does the Lord require of us in order for us to retain a remission of our sins? How do you spiritually impart of your substance? What can you do to uplift and strengthen those you meet as well as close friends and family members who might be discouraged?

27. What does it mean that you should not run faster than you have strength? How is the Kingdom of God a Kingdom of order? In what way can being consistent in doing good daily, fulfill the requisite the Lord places upon you?

28. What should you do when you borrow something from another?

29. If there are diverse ways to commit sin, how do you recognize if you have committed sin? What do you have to guide and help you along?

30. What is the relationship between you thoughts, your words and your deeds? Which of these is the hardest for you to control? What can you do to better control your thoughts, words, and deeds? Why is it vital to watch and guard your thoughts? How does guarding your thoughts help you in guarding your words? In what way does guarding your thoughts and words help you avoid committing regrettable actions? What is so important for you to remember that will keep you from perishing in the last day?

“Think clean thoughts. Those who think clean thoughts do not do dirty deeds. You are not only responsible before God for your acts but also for controlling your thoughts. … The old adage is still true that you sow thoughts and you reap acts, you sow acts and you reap habits, you sow habits and you reap a character, and your character determines your eternal destiny. ‘As a man thinketh, so is he.’ (See Prov. 23:7.)" - Ezra Taft Benson, GC, October 1964

 “Some people have an idea that because they have entered the waters of baptism and repented of their sins then that is an end of it. What a mistake! We need to have this spirit of repentance continually; we need to pray to God to show us our conduct every day. Every night before we retire to rest we should review the thoughts, words and acts of the day and then repent of everything we have done that is wrong or that has grieved the Holy Spirit. Live this way every day and endeavor to progress every day. We may indulge in many things that are not right, indulge in wrong thoughts, be actuated by wrong motives, may have wrong objects in view. … Therefore, we need to repent every day and every hour, every one of us” - George Q Cannon, Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, ed. Jerreld L. Newquist, 2 vols. [1957], 1:164

Mosiah 3

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

Jesus Christ suffered so we can be saved from our sins. As we overcome the natural man, we become Saints through the Savior's Atonement. You can be saved from your sins and rejoice as you exercise faith in Jesus Christ and repent. If you yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, you can overcome the natural man through the Atonement of Christ.

1-27. How does this chapter help you appreciate what happened to the Savior on a personal level?

"Christ's agony in the garden is unfathomable by the finite mind, both as to intensity and cause...it was within His power to lay down His life voluntarily. He struggled and groaned under a burden such as no other being who has lived on earth might even conceive as possible. It was not a physical pain, nor mental anguish alone, that caused Him to suffer such torture as to produce an extrusion of blood from every pore; but a spiritual agony of soul such as only God was capable of experiencing. No other man, however great his powers of physical or mental endurance, could have suffered so; for his human organism would have succumbed, and syncope would have produced unconsciousness and welcome oblivion. In that hour of anguish, Christ met and overcame all the horrors that Satan, "the prince of this world" could inflict... In some manner, actual and terribly real, though to man incomprehensible, the Savior took upon Himself the burden of the sins of mankind from Adam to the end of the world." - James E Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 3rd Ed. [1916], 613

1-5. What was it in the angels message that could fill the Nephites with joy? What in the angels message fills you with joy?

2. How did King Benjamin receive the words that he related to his people? Why is the work 'awake' so important in this narration? Why is it so important to ensure that we awake FULLY from sin?

3. Was the angels message a message of sorrow or joy? What doctrines of the gospel bring you great joy?

4. Why do you suppose that the Lord wants His people to be happy and rejoice? Which of the Savior's gifts of service is the most impressive to you and why?

5-7. How often do you find joy in the knowledge and power of the Atonement of your Savior, Jesus Christ? Could you come to understand the power of the Atonement in your life more fully? What can you do specifically do this week to seek further insights and understanding of the Atonement of Christ?

8-9. What do you know about the Savior that testifies to your soul, that the Savior was more than just a man? How can you strengthen your testimony of the Savior and His ministry on the earth? What experiences have you had that has helped you know that Jesus Christ is the Savior? How does remembering this experience add joy to your life?

10. Did the Savior really live again? How can you strengthen your testimony of the reality of the Savior's resurrection?
11-18. Who enjoys the cleansing benefits of the Atonement?

11. Who does the blood of Christ atone for?
12. How does one who has rebelled against God take advantage of the gift of the Atonement of Christ? What will happen to those who rebel but choose not to repent?
13. How does the presence and teachings of prophets of God convey the great love God has for you? What hope does it communicate to you that God has in you?
14. Why was the law of Moses appointed and practised throughout all the years before the birth of Christ?
15. What are some of the signs, wonders, types and shadows that have been showed to the children of God throughout the dispensations?
16. Are little children (those under the age of 8) able to sin? How does the Atonement affect those who die before they reach the age of 8?
17. What is the only way through which salvation can be given?
18. Why are you admonished to become like a little child? How are little children humble and teachable? What can you do to become more like a little child in these aspects of your life?
19-27. A river is always crooked because water flows or follows a course of least resistance. If water's natural flow is altered by man's efforts, it can be channelled into a straight canal. How could a natural man be compared to a river? Is it the natural man or the Saint that follows in the course of least resistance? How is a Saint like the canal? What are some things you choose to do, because it takes less effort, instead of what you should do? Why would following a course of least resistance make you an enemy to God? What does it mean to yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit? How does the Atonement help you become a Saint? In what ways are you seeking to yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit in your life?

"Personal righteousness, worship, prayer, and scripture study are so crucial in order to '[put] off the natural man'" - Neal A Maxwell, GC, October 2000

19. What is the natural man? How does one overcome the natural man which resides in each and every one of us? How does the Atonement help you overcome the natural man? What childlike characteristics are listed here that help you overcome the natural man? Which characteristic do you need to work harder to develop? How submissive are you to the will of the Lord? How do you feel about your trials and challenges? How can a spirit of submission to God help you overcome your trials and challenges?

"A 'natural man' is a person who chooses to be influenced by the passions, desires, and appetites of the flesh rather than the promptings of the Holy Spirit." - Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home Study Seminary Students [2012], 110

"First of all, the natural man is an 'enemy to God.' This means that such individuals would (whether fully understanding the implications of their own resistance or not) oppose the ultimate purpose of God for mankind, which is, as we know, 'to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.' given our eternal interests, the natural man therefore is not our friend either, even if, at times, we seem quite at home with him... Instead of becoming a saint, being childlike and willing to submit to our Eternal Father, the natural man is rebellious and insists on walking in his own way. He is childish is instead of childlike. The natural man also stubbornly seeks for happiness in iniquity - an incredibly naive notion about the nature of happiness and the universe... Thus it is that the natural man, in attempting to live 'without God in the world' and in catering slavishly to his natural instances, is actually living 'contrary to the nature of happiness.'" - Neal A Maxwell, Notwithstanding My Weakness [1981], 71-2

20. What prophecy concerning the knowledge of God is given for our day? What can you do to assist in bringing the work of the Lord forth in assisting in the spreading of the knowledge of the Savior?
24-27. What will happen to those who choose not to exercise faith in Jesus Christ and repent?

Mosiah 2

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

When we are serving our fellow beings, we are serving God. When we feel indebted to God, we want to serve others and our gratitude increases.

1-2. How many people gathered to hear the last words of King Benjamin? How do you think the people felt about him? Why? When do Church members gather together to listen to the prophet today? How have the words of the prophets in general conference helped you? Read verses 4 and 31. What blessings came to the people who gathered to hear King Benjamin? What similar blessings do we obtain from general conference? What can you do to learn more while listening to or watching general conference?

"If you want to know what the Lord has for this people at the present time, I would admonish you to get and read the discourses that have  been delivered at this conference, for what these brethren have spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost is the mind of the Lord, the will of the Lord, the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto Salvation." -Harold B Lee, Ensign, April 1973

3. What would the people do when they visited the temple? How did the intention of offering sacrifices at the temple help the people prepare to be taught by their King in righteousness? What do you do in preparation to be taught before you attend meetings where you will be taught by the Lord's servants?

4. It is interesting that they still thank God for bringing them out of Jerusalem, after all about 476 years have passed. Do you feel genuine gratitude for your pioneer heritage dating back less than 200 years?

5. How is the importance of family indicated in this verse? What do you do to strengthen and build up your family on a regular basis? On a daily basis?

6. Why did the people pitch their tents with the door facing the temple? Why is it so important to set yourself to continually view the temple? How can keeping your eye on the temple and the standards you must live by help you avoid sin and temptation?

7-8. What did King Benjamin do to ensure that as many people as possible were able to hear his words? By what means do you hear the words of our prophets, leaders and teachers today? How is today's means of electronic communication, satellite and internet similar to King Benjamin's tower? Why is it so important to use the towers of communication wisely? Consider how the Zoramites used the tower of Rameumpton (see Alma 31). How was their use of their tower to their condemnation?

5-8. Why are the messages of general conference important to our family?

"For the next six months, your conference edition of the Ensign should stand next to your standard works and be referred to frequently. As my dear friend and brother Harold B Lee said, we should let these conference addresses by the guide to [our] walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day." - Ezra Taft Benson, GC, April 1988

9. What counsel does King Benjamin offer to the people before he begins speaking to them? In what ways did he desire them to open their ears, hearts and minds? In what ways do you ensure that your ears are able to hear the words of God? What do you do to prepare yourself to be taught by the Lord's servants? How can you open your heart to understand the words which the servants of the Lord deliver to you? What does it mean to you to have a soft, receptive heart? What are the mysteries of God? How is it possible for you to have the mysteries of God unfolded to your view?

10. In what way does King Benjamin convey his humility to the people? Why would he be concerned that the people might fear him? 

10-18. How does King Benjamin's attitude about service make him a good king? 

11. To whom does King Benjamin attribute his talents and strengths? To whom does King Benjamin give credit for his role as the next king?

12-13. What rules and laws does King Benjamin uphold? How does he expect his people to live? Why does he feel it is so important that he as their king, sets the example for upright conduct? What would others determine about you based on your conduct? Is there anything you need to change or do differently? What can you do to set a better example this week?

14. What kind of a king was King Benjamin? How would it be to have a king such as King Benjamin ruling the land? What things would be different? What things would stay the same?

15. Why is it so important to King Benjamin to be able to answer to God with a clear conscience? If you had to stand before God today, what condition would your conscience be in? Is there anything you need to repent of or forgive others for that you might be able to stand with confidence in the presence of God?

16-17. Think about a time when someone blessed your life by serving you. How did you (or how would you) show your appreciation to God for the person who served both you and God in righteousness? How did you show your appreciation to that person?

16. When King Benjamin serves his people, who does he consider himself serving? How do you feel when you have selflessly served another? Why do you suppose that it feels so good to serve others?

"Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made. Knowing that service is what gives our Father in Heaven fulfilment, and knowing that we want to be where He is and as He is, why must we be commanded to serve one another? Oh, for the glorious day when these things all come naturally because of the purity of our hearts. In that day  there will be no need for a commandment because we will have experienced for ourselves that we are truly happy only when we are engaged in unselfish service." Marion G Romney, GC, October 1982

"It is important to be appreciated. But our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status." - Howard W Hunter, GC, October 1992

17. If you wanted to show God the true depth of your gratitude for all the many blessings He has bestowed upon you, how might service be a good avenue to do so?

18. King Benjamin points out that if he, as king can serve the people, then they should be able to serve one another. Why do you think that service was so important to the Savior during his ministry? How does His example of service help you serve others better?

19-26. What kind of attitude are we to have if we are to serve God? 

19. How do you feel towards those who have helped you, assisted you or blessed your life in any way? How should the desire we feel to express heartfelt gratitude to those who have helped us reflect the degree of gratitude we feel and express toward our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ?

20-21. Is it possible to ever convey the complete depth of our gratitude to our Father in Heaven for His bountiful and merciful blessings which He bestows upon us EVERY day of our lives? Why is it so important to try? In what ways do you show your gratitude to your Father in Heaven? How does service convey this feeling of gratitude to the Lord so effectively?

21. Why did King Benjamin say we are 'unprofitable servants'? (See verse 24) 

22. What does the Lord require of you in order for you to receive the many blessings He has promised you? How complicated is His formula for deciding whether you have earned a blessing or not? How does the simplicity of His plan bless your life and bring further heavenly blessings to your attention?

23-24. In what ways has the Lord blessed your life? How often do you receive blessings? Why is it important for us to remember our indebtedness to God?

"The most important of those blessings is, of course, the gift of the Atonement. The price Jesus Christ paid to redeem us from sin and death is infinite, a price we never can repay. We should not, however, think that God compares all he has done for us with what we do for Him. He loves us and is delighted with our every effort to serve and obey." - Book of Mormon Student Study Guide, 74

25. What can we do that the dust never does? While the dust will never disobey God, what may we become that the dust never will? What do we learn in this verse about the principle of humility that can help us achieve our greatest potential? (See D&C 136:32-33)

26. How highly does King Benjamin establish himself in comparison to the people? How does his attitude convey his humility?

27-28. How did King Benjamin's lifestyle of service help him to feel he could stand before God with a clear conscience? What does it mean 'rid my garments of your blood'? Who are you responsible to teach and testify to? How does doing so spiritually speaking, rid your garments of their blood? What must you do to ensure that your garments are not stained with the blood of your fellow men?

29-30. Why was King Benjamin no longer able to serve as their teacher or their king?

31. What promise does King Benjamin give to those who choose to keep the commandments of God? What does this promise mean to you? Is there anything you need to repent of, in order to obtain this blessing?
32-37. What warning is given to those who refuse to repent?

32. What does King Benjamin caution his people against? What does it mean 'list to obey the evil spirit'?

33. What wo is pronounced upon those who choose to obey the evil spirit?Why are the consequences of CHOOSING evil works over good works so serious?

34. What does it mean to be eternally indebted to your Heavenly Father? How grateful do you feel - to what measure is  the gratitude you feel in your heart toward your Father in Heaven and His goodness and blessings toward you? How would you feel toward Him if you could recognize EVERY blessing He has ever bestowed upon you? Would you be surprised at the frequency of His hand in your life? Recognizing this, would your gratitude toward Him increase?

35. Consider a time when you discovered words of comfort and strength in the scriptures? Did you recognize God's hand? Did you offer up thanksgiving  for the blessing of scriptures? For the blessing of righteous examples which they contain?

36. When one willfully chooses to turn from Gods law - what do they also choose to have withdrawn from them? How important is the Spirit of The Lord in your life? How has it blessed you with wisdom beyond your own?

"We should... endeavor to discern when we 'withdraw [ourselves] from the Spirit of the Lord...' The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us. Because we estrange the Spirit of the Lord when we engage in activities we know we should shun, then such things definitely are not for us." - David A Bednar, GC, April 2006

37-38. How can choosing to obey God prevent the pain and anguish outlined in these verses? How can feelings of guilt and remorse feel like an unquenchable fire?
38.How will the unrepentant feel at death?

39. Why does mercy not have any claim on those who willfully rebel against God? How do you feel about the mercy that The Lord extends to you?

"Some people knowingly break God's commandments, planning to repent later, such as before they go to the temple or serve a mission. Such deliberate sin mocks the Savior's Atonement." - For the Strength of Youth [booklet 2011], 29

41. What will happen to those who keep the commandments of God? What must you do to avoid never-ending torment and obtain never-ending happiness?