Mosiah 4-6 Entering into a Covenant with God

Mosiah 4:7 “This is the man who receiveth salvation.”

Have students read Mosiah 4:5-6 and list the things that King Benjamin said would lead to salvation (see Mosiah 4:7). How can you demonstrate that you believe the doctrines that lead to salvation?

Mosiah 4:12 “If you do this ye shall always rejoice.”

Have students read Mosiah 4:9-11 and list things that persons must believe and remember so that they will always rejoice. What things are on King Benjamin’s list that you are doing? What things are missing from your life that could bring you greater joy?

Mosiah 4:11-30 Remember the greatness of God


King Benjamin taught his people that they should always remember the greatness of God and their own nothingness.

In Mosiah 4:11, King Benjamin said we should always remember the “greatness” of God and our own “nothingness.” Then he listed things people would and would not do if they remembered these two ideas. Have students read Mosiah 4:11-30 and look for things people would and would not do if they remember these ideas. Why would people who remember the greatness of God and their own nothingness act this way?

Mosiah 5:1-5 Willing to Enter into a Covenant

Have students read these verses and explain in their own words the covenant the people of Zarahemla made with God and why they were willing to make it. What covenants have you willingly made with God, and why?

Mosiah 5:6-15 The Right Hand of God or the Left Hand of God

Invite students to find the words “right hand of God” and “left hand of God”. Have them explain what is meant by these expressions and how a person may be found on the right hand or the left hand of God.

Mosiah 6:1-7 No Contention

Mosiah 6:7 says that there was no contention among the people of Zarahemla for three years. Invite students to look for things in Mosiah 6:1-7 that would create an atmosphere of peace in a nation or in a family.

Mosiah 1-3 King Benjamin Addresses His People

Mosiah 1:3-8 The Importance of Records

When King Benjamin spoke to his sons he listed several blessings that had come to his family because of the records that had been preserved. Invite students to read Mosiah 1:3-8 and list the blessings. How have the scriptures been a blessing in your life?

Mosiah 1:9-18 A New King and A New Name

King Benjamin was about to die. He spoke to his son, Mosiah, about the future. Have students list the things King Benjamin told Mosiah in Mosiah 1:9-18. What things did he give Mosiah? What did King Benjamin say about each of those things?

Mosiah 2:9-17 The King Begins His Sermon


King Benjamin told the people to gather to the temple. They offered sacrifices and had their tents facing the king when he spoke to them.

King Benjamin told the people of Zarahelma to gather together at the temple to receive instruction. He began by telling them what he did not expect of them and why. What had he not expected of them as their king? Why would this make him a good king?

Mosiah 2:18-27 Service

Find the words service, serve, served and summarize the things King Benjamin taught about service. How can you apply his words to your own life?

Mosiah 2:36-39 Scripture Analysis

36 And now, I [King Benjamin] say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things [that those who obey the evil spirit, and do not understand that they are eternally indebted to God for all that they are, and reject the words of the holy prophets concerning Christ], if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it [the Spirit of the Lord] may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved--
37 I [King Benjamin] say unto you [King Benjamin’s brethren], that the man that doeth this [withdraws himself from the Spirit of the Lord], the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore [because he comes out in open rebellion against God] he listeth [desires] to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore [because he becomes an enemy to all righteousness], the Lord has no place in him, for he [the Lord] dwelleth not in unholy temples.
38 Therefore [Because the Lord does not dwell in unholy temples] if that man [the man who is cut off from the spirit because of rebellion and desires to obey the evil spirit] repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his [the man who rebels against God and does not repent before he dies] immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.
39 And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore [because mercy can have no claim on the man who rebels against God and desires to follow the evil spirit] his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.

Mosiah 3:5-11 Prophecy about the Lord

Have students find the date at the bottom of the page (About 124 B.C.). Have them read Mosiah 3:5-11 and find all the things King Benjamin knew about the Lord Omnipotent before he was born. Why was it important for King Benjamin and his people to know about the Lord Omnipotent before he was born?

Mosiah 3:12-18 The Lord Helps Us Return to God

King Benjamin told his people all the things the Lord had done for them so that they might return to God. Invite students to read Mosiah 3;12-18 and find what those things are.

Mosiah 3:19-21 Becoming as a Child

Invite students to read Mosiah 3:19-21 and have them explain why it is important for them to become as a child. How do we show God that we have become like little children?

Mosiah 3:24-27 Scripture Analysis

24 And thus saith the Lord: They [the words that King Benjamin was commanded to speak] shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they [King Benjamin’s people] shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they [his works] be good, or whether they be evil.
25 And if they [his works] be evil they [people whose works are evil] are consigned [destined, sealed] to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them [people whose works are evil] to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence [where] they can no more return; therefore [because they see their guilt and withdraw from the presence of the Lord to a place of endless torment] they have drunk damnation to their own souls.
26 Therefore [Because they have drunk damnation to their own souls through their wickedness], they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath [anger] of God, which justice could no more deny unto them [which God’s law of justice could not keep away from them any more than] it [justice] could deny that Adam should fall because of his partaking of the forbidden fruit; therefore [because justice can not be denied to the guilty who have not repented], mercy could have claim on them no more forever.
27 And their [the wicked’s] torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable [cannot be put out], and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever. Thus [These words] hath the Lord commanded me [King Benjamin]. Amen.

Enos, Jarom, Omni, and Words of Mormon

Enos 1:1-27 The Words of the Lord to Enos

Invite students to read Enos 1:5, 8, 10, 15, 18, 27 and examine the words the Lord said to Enos. What did Enos do to receive such wonderful blessings from the Lord? What can we do to be more worthy of the blessings the Lord wants to give us?

Jarom 1:5-12 Prophets Preserve a People

Have students read Jarom 1:5-11 and list all the things the prophets taught the people. Why would blessings come from God when the people did the things the prophets asked them to do? What have the prophets asked you to do that would bring you greater peace in your own life?

Omni 1:1-10 The Plates Are Passed On

Many men had the plates of Nephi. Have students find the names of the men who kept the plates. See 1 Nephi 19:1-6; Jacob 1:1-3; Enos 1:1; Jarom 1:1; Omni 1:1, 4, 9, 10, 12.

Omni 1:11-19 More People from Jerusalem

When Mosiah left with his followers he discovered a group of people in the land of Zerahemla. Have students read Omni 1:12-19 and compare the people who followed Mosiah with the people who followed Nephi in the beginning of the Book of Mormon. How were the people Mosiah discovered like Mosiah’s people? How were they different? What blessings come to you because you have the word of God?

Words of Mormon 1:3-11 A Small Collection of Plates

Mormon took the plates that had been preserved and abridged them. While he did this, he discovered a small collection of plates that he decided to include in the record. But, he did not abridge those records.

Have students read these verses and look for words that Mormon uses to describe his feelings about the plates that have come down to him. What reason does he give for including these plates with his abridgement? What does his example teach us about how we should respond when the Lord asks us to do things and we don’t know why? Cross-reference: D&C 10:section headnote, and verses 41-51.

Words of Mormon 1:12-18 Restoring Peace

King Benjamin inherited a kingdom torn apart by war. Have students read Words of Mormon 1:12-18 and list the things King Benjamin did to restore peace to the land. How are these things like the things we can do to have peace in our own lives?

Jacob 5-7 The Allegory and More

Jacob 5 – The Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees


Jacob compared the House of Israel to an old olive tree.

Before beginning a study of this important chapter, review with students Jacob 4:15-18. These verses explain why Jacob is referring to the allegory written by the prophet Zenos.

Jacob 4:15-18

Scripture Analysis

15 And now I, Jacob, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying; for I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that by the stumbling [apostasy] of the Jews they will reject the stone [Christ; see Jacob 4:12-14] upon which they [the Jews] might build and have safe foundation.
16 But behold [pay attention!], according to the scriptures, this stone [Christ] shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews can build.
17 And now, my beloved [people of Zarahemla], how is it possible that these [the Jews], after having rejected the sure foundation [Christ], can ever build upon it [the sure foundation; Christ], that it may become the head of their corner [the foundation upon which the Jews build]?
18 Behold [pay attention!], my beloved brethren, I [Jacob] will unfold this mystery [how the Jews can reject Christ and still be built upon faith in Christ] unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit [lose faith], and stumble [apostatize] because of my over anxiety for you.

This is Jacob’s purpose, to show how the Jews can reject Christ and still be built upon a foundation of faith in Christ. The allegory of the tame and wild olive trees is designed to show how that can happen. Remind students of this purpose over and over again as you review the allegory with them.

Jacob 5:1-13 The Branches Are Plucked Off

List various elements of the allegory on the board and ask students what they think these elements represent. Jacob tells us that the old, tame olive tree represents the house of Israel (see Jacob 5:3). What do the other elements of the allegory represent?

The Master of the Vineyard
The Servant of the Master of the Vineyard
The Decay of the Olive Tree
The Roots and Branches of the Olive Tree
Pruning, Digging About, and Nourishing the Olive Tree
The Young and Tender Branches
Plucking the Young and Tender Branches and Grafting Them into Other Trees
The Main Branches that Are Beginning to Wither Away
Burning the Main Branches that Are Beginning to Wither Away
The Branches of the Wild Olive Tree that Are Grafted into the Old, Decaying Olive Tree
What do these elements have to do with Jacob’s purpose? (See Jacob 4:15-18.)

Jacob 5:14-28 Inspecting the Vineyard

Have students report on what happened to each group of trees.

The Main Tree (Jacob 5:17-18)
The Groups of Branches
Group 1 (Jacob 5:20)
Group 2 (Jacob 5:23)
Group 3 (Jacob 5:24)
Group 4 (Jacob 5:25-27)

Ask students why they think there were four groups of branches in the allegory.

Jacob 5:29-37 The Progress of the Main Tree

Have students summarize what happened to the main tree. What did the Master of the Vineyard say about the tree, its roots, its branches, the wild branches grafted in? How do these statements relate to Jacob’s purpose (Jacob 4:15-18)?

Jacob 5:38-46 The Corruption of the Vineyard

Have students summarize what happened to the four groups of trees. Why is the Master of the vineyard grieved? (Jacob 5:46.)

Jacob 5:47-48 The Loftiness of the Branches

Review with students the symbolic meaning you established at the first of the lesson. Have them read verse 48 and explain what has happened to the House of Israel. What does the word “loftiness” mean?

Jacob 5:49-70 Purifying the Vineyard

Review these verses with students and have them explain the solution to the problem of corruption in the vineyard.

Step 1 (verse 52) Return to the tame tree the branches that were grafted into wild trees.
Step 2 (verse 54) Take the wild branches that were grafted into the natural tree and return them to their original trees.
Step 3 (verse 61) Call additional servants to return the branches where they belong.
Step 4 (verse 65) Manage the vineyard so that dead branches are taken away and high branches are cut back.

Remind students of Jacob’s purpose (Jacob 4:15-18).

Jacob 5:74-75 Building Upon a Sure Foundation

Have students read Jacob 5:74-75 and compare it to Jacob 4:15-18. Ask them how the Lord will make it possible for the Jews, who rejected Christ, to become a people who have faith in Christ.

Jacob 6:2-4 The Laborers of the Last Time

Have students read these verses and select words that help them understand the important role we all play in proclaiming the gospel in the last days.

Jacob 7:2-5 Sherem, an anti-Christ

Have students compare what Jacob says about himself (verse 5) with what he says about Sherem (verses 2-5). What was Sherem’s purpose? Why could Jacob “not be shaken” in his testimony of the doctrine of Christ? What must we do today to remain firm in our testimony of Christ?

Jacob 7:23-25 Trusting in Power

Compare the power of the Lamanites with the power of the Nephites. Ask students why they think Jacob said that his people “as yet” were conquerors over their enemies. By what power can we have power over our enemies?

Jacob 7:27 Adieu?

The last word in Jacob 7 is “adieu.” Some people have wondered why a French expression would appear in the Book of Mormon. They might ask, “Why would Jacob use a French word, when the French language did not exist?” The easy answer is that Jacob did not use a French word, Joseph Smith did. None of the words in the Book of Mormon existed at the time the book was written. No one spoke English, as it exists in the Book of Mormon, because that language did not exist. All the words found in the Book of Mormon come from the vocabulary of Joseph Smith. He translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God into his own language, 19th Century English. It was the language he spoke. This French word still exists in our language today in the form of the expression, “I bid you adieu.” Incidentally, the word means “goodbye,” in the final sense. A good French expression would be – Jusqu’ à ce que nous soyons à la présence de Dieu. (Until we are in the presence of God.) The short form of that expression would be – a Dieu.