Govenment - how should we be ruled? Mosiah 29, Alma 1-4 : Next Week: Alma 5-7
Alma the Judge
Section 88:76-80 Commandment to teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom
All things in heaven and in earth - nations, perplexities, judgments, kingdoms countries, to magnify our callings
Anarchy - lawlessness political disorder
Democracy - Govenment by the people for the people - Majority rule
Republic - Govenment by representatives elected by people
Theocracy - Govenment guided by God through revelation
Section 88:76-80 Commandment to teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom
All things in heaven and in earth - nations, perplexities, judgments, kingdoms countries, to magnify our callings
Attention activity - Govenments:
Anarchy - lawlessness political disorder
Democracy - Govenment by the people for the people - Majority rule
Republic - Govenment by representatives elected by people
Theocracy - Govenment guided by God through revelation
Caliphate - area ruled by Islamic law under a successor of Muhammad
Vatican - rule of govenment via Pope - representative of God
Egyptian - Pharaoh dynasties - Ruling Monarch considered as God
City of Enoch - rule of prophet authorized by God
Vatican - rule of govenment via Pope - representative of God
Egyptian - Pharaoh dynasties - Ruling Monarch considered as God
City of Enoch - rule of prophet authorized by God
Dictatorship - ruler or small clique wields absolute power
Communist - authoritative party holds power as a group
Parliamentary - some parliaments are not elected etc.
Parliamentary - some parliaments are not elected etc.
Confederacy - compact treaty between states - EU
Monarchy - supreme power in hands of a monarch
There are many others...
Mosiah 29:12-13 God is always just - if it were possible to have just men be your kings - then you should have kings rule over you
Today we are going to discuss the changes in the govenment of the Nephites during the time of Mosiah.
Mosiah 28:17-20
Mosiah translates the Jaradite Records
gives an account of the people destroyed - from tower of babel
commanded to keep a record of the people
Mosiah 29:1-3
Mosiah seeks to determine who should be the next king
Voice of people desire that Aaron should be their next king
They were in the land of the Lamanites on a mission!
They refused to take upon themselves the kingdom - and had gone on a mission.
Mosiah 28:2-4 They sought to teach the Lamanites - they could not bear that any should perish
Monarchy - supreme power in hands of a monarch
There are many others...
What is the best form of Govenment? Why?
Theocracy:
Mosiah 29:12-13 God is always just - if it were possible to have just men be your kings - then you should have kings rule over you
Introduction:
Today we are going to discuss the changes in the govenment of the Nephites during the time of Mosiah.
Background:
Mosiah 28:17-20
Mosiah translates the Jaradite Records
gives an account of the people destroyed - from tower of babel
Alma
given plates of brass, all other records, interpreters,commanded to keep a record of the people
Alma confired them to the high priest of the church - Alma.
Mosiah 29:1-3
Mosiah seeks to determine who should be the next king
Voice of people desire that Aaron should be their next king
None of the sons of Mosiah willing to take upon them the kingdom - why?
They were in the land of the Lamanites on a mission!
They refused to take upon themselves the kingdom - and had gone on a mission.
Mosiah 28:2-4 They sought to teach the Lamanites - they could not bear that any should perish
they were once the vilest of sinners!
The Problem:
Mosiah 29:5-8If Another is appointed - and contentions occur Aaron may seek kingdom - this is bad
Let us look forward to these things - and choose a better path
The suggested solution:
Mosiah 29:11I will be your king the remainder of my days - but let us appoint Judges to judge this people according to established law
Is this a new concept? Nope - Israel was ruled by judges in the past.
Rule of Judges not considered a good time in Israel - it was a time of anarchy and lawlessness!
The people had rebelled against God - and their govenment was lost.
Judges 17:6, 21:25 - no king every man did what was right in his own eyes
Interestingly this was considered a bad time because of this...
What made this suggestion different?
During the time of judges in Israel it was a time of anarchy - this was not the suggestion.
Mosiah's suggestion was that men should do according to law of God established among them already! Mosiah 29:11,39
Mosiah's suggestion was that men should do according to law of God established among them already! Mosiah 29:11,39
What's the problem with a Monarchy anyway:
Mosiah 29:17,23,35-36 - he sends laws after the manner of his own wickedness causing evil
Mosiah 29:21 - you cannot dethrone an evil king without fighting and blood
Mosiah 29:31-32 - sins caused by kings answered upon kings - this isn't fair!
How should judges be chosen:
Mosiah 29:11 choose wise men to be judges
Mosiah 29:25-26 choose by the voice of this people - uncommon to choose evil
Mosiah 29:27 if the time comes that they choose evil - then is the judgments of God upon them!
Does this waning apply to us... if so why?
How can we avoid having unwise/unjust men be chosen as our rulers?
Mosiah 29:42
What is ironic about this verse?
Although kings are bad lets choose one man to be both high priest and chief judge... lol
This means that he is the official ruler of both the govenment and the church - about as close to a king as you can get :)
It sounds like they didn't fully get the idea of separation of powers... and Mosiah didn't say anything about it either.
Problems among the Nephites:
Pride/Power/Priest craft/Persecution/Prosperity
Alma's first recorded issue: Priest craft/pride in the church
Classroom Study Activity: (groups)
Nehor - Pride/Priest craft
Nehor - who was he what was his doctrine?
Alma 1:3-4
priest/teachers ought to become popular - and not labor with their own hands
all mankind should be saved - they need not fear or tremble
lift up their heads and rejoice - all man are redeemed and saved
all mankind should be saved - they need not fear or tremble
lift up their heads and rejoice - all man are redeemed and saved
Nehor contends with Gideon - Gideon withstands him with word of God
Nehor is angry draws his sword and slays Gideon
He is taken by the people and brought before Alma
Nehor is angry draws his sword and slays Gideon
He is taken by the people and brought before Alma
Nehor Killed
First time priest craft introduced - and enforced with the sword
you are condemned to die - taken to top of hill and killed
you are condemned to die - taken to top of hill and killed
Sample Discussion Questions:
What do we lean from the story of Nehor?
Why was what he was doing bad?
How can anger destroy a person?
Is popularity bad? How can the fame/popularity of a person affect us?
Did Nehors influence end with his death? Nope priest craft spread.
Amlici - cunning man - wise as to world - after order of Nehor
drawn away many people after him - very popular
attempted to become king
drawn away many people after him - very popular
attempted to become king
Alarming to people of the church - if voice of people chose him he would be king
He would deprive them of their rights and privileges of the church
People assembled and voted - wonderful contentions
He would deprive them of their rights and privileges of the church
People assembled and voted - wonderful contentions
They assembled themselves and voted
vote of the people against Amlici - he is not made king
vote of the people against Amlici - he is not made king
Amlici gathered people together and made him king
he commands them to take up arms against their brothers
he commands them to take up arms against their brothers
Sample Discussion Questions:
What can we lean from the story of Amlici?
How can a single evil person affect the tide/fate of a country?
What is the result of being angry when making decisions?
Alma leaves the chief judge responsibility with another.
There is a terrible war with the Amalicites every person had cause to moun.
Alma 4:3Alma 4:6,8-10 One year later - people of the church waxed proud - lifted up in riches persecute those not in church
great stumbling block to those not in church!
How can church members behavior be a stumbling block to others?
Alma leaves to be high priest - bearing testimony to others
Alma 4:19-20 Alma leaves to preach, pull down pride, stop contentions, bear down in pure testimony