Wrap it up and put a bow on it, this is the end of the reign of Kings. A new form of government by the people is introduced in the America's 1800 years before the United States went to war with England. Still think this land isn't a land of liberty? Are you worried that the government is gaining too much control? Fret not. God won't let that happen.

The end of the journeys of Alma and Limhi and the beginning of a new story of Alma and the sons of King Mosiah. There is a lesson to be learned when considering the similarities of these two groups of people. They both went through hardships but the righteous followers of Alma had their burdens lifted by the Lord. They were protected and guided by the voice of God until they were led to the Land of Zarahemla. The Limhi group though, endured tremendous hardships until they finally paid for the sins as prophesied by Abinadi. They were burdened with grievous trials and tribulations until they eventually submitted themselves to the Lord. They were not guided by the voice of God but by the leadership and idea of Gideon. Yet their escape and eventual return to Zarahemla was similar.

Origin stories: the conversion of Alma, who is the founder of the Church of Christ/God in America. The chapter is split into two different stories and is tied together by the sub story of wicked king Noah and his evil priests. The latter half being a continuation of the story of King Limhi. Important topics covered in this chapter are: Paid Ministry (it's bad), a checklist for baptism (it's good), and authority of the priesthood (it's important).

Abinadi enters the scene like an old west Sheriff or as the Texas ranger with a 'Big Iron on His Hip' from the Marty Robbins song. I envision him in similar fashion as the character of Wyatt Earp: legendary lawman as portrayed by Kurt Russel in the movie Tombstone. "You called down the thunder? Well, now you got it!" He strolls into town and confronts King Noah with absolute authority; such that can't he be touched and he will not allow himself to be interrupted until he is finished speaking the decrees of God.

The epic roller coaster ride begins. The book of Omni summarizes the events leading up to Mosiah Chapters 5 and 6. Up is South and down is North. King Mosiah is the grandson of King Mosiah. We begin with the end of the story in King Limhi, who speaks of his grandfather King Zeniff. King Zeniff then retells the story that was first eluded to in the Book of Omni. Along the way we read about the destruction of the Jaredites and we discover that King Mosiah (the grandfather) is in possession of two large stones with which he translates ancient records, but he hasn't seen the 24 gold plates that King Limhi has discovered when his people ventured into the valley of bones. Oh and by the way that's just the beginning of the ending. We've only hinted at the story of the Prophet Abinadi. While all this is happening the Lamanites keep going to war with any Nephites they can find because as we read in chapter 6, they taught their children to murder, rob and destroy the Nephites with an eternal hatred.

King Benjamin's Speech and the covenant his people made upon hearing his words. It is in similitude with Baptism and should be included in any Baptism study. Then in chapter three we learn how King Benjamin feels about denying help to anyone who petitions you for aid. Are we to judge the beggar? Have all beggars come to their situation because of their own decisions? Read Matthew chapter 26 verse 39. Is Christ not begging His father to let this cup pass? Add that reference to the margin of your Book of Mormon if it isn't there already. And finally good King Benjamin passes away in chapter 4 and his son leads the people following in the footsteps of his father, the servant king of the Book of Mormon.

King Benjamin's Proclamation. Wouldn't it have been great to have been there for this sermon? We have similar men among us in our locals today who have been "Servant Kings" just like King Benjamin was.  One of the points he drove home in his proclamation is that little children are innocent and cannot commit sin. We are ever and always indebted to our God and all He asks of us is to obey His commandments. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 1:49

I'm going way out on a limb during this episode of the podcast as I compare the Book of Mormon to the Star Wars Saga. The first 200 pages that we just finished studying is like "Star Wars: A New Hope" from 1977. It was directed by George Lucas. It's the classic movie/story that everybody loves. With the beginning of The Words of Mormon we get a new 'feel' to the narrative of the Book of Mormon. It is an abridged version of The Large Plates of Nephi. From here on the story telling is changed and there is a fast paced style that connects multiple stories into one.  The pace of the first 200 pages was generational as the writers wrote about what happened in their time from their perspective. The pace in these next 400 pages is hectic with Moroni telling sometimes three or four stories of different people all happening at the same time. The next 100 pages is more like a JJ Abrams directed movie where the action drives the story forward. At one point in The Book of Mosiah there will be three or four different groups of Nephites and Lamanites chasing each other through the wilderness at the same time. It's going to be fun.

We have come to the end of the "Small Plates of Nephi". This first part of the Book of Mormon is said to be the "more spiritual" history of the Book of Mormon. Everything you need to know for your salvation is covered in the first 200 pages. The generations of writers started with Lehi then his son Nephi, then Nephi gave the records to his brother Jacob, who transferred them to his son Enos, who conferred them upon his son Jarom, who handed the baton to Omni. In the book of Omni the records changed possession quickly through Omni's son Amaron who gave the records to Omni's other son Chemish, who gave them to his son Abinadom, with no writers contributing more than a few verses, until Abinadom bestows upon Amaleki the honor of being the last writer in the "Small Plates of Nephi". Amaleki then gives the records to King Benjamin who combines them with, or at least stores them with the Large Plates of Nephi. Amaleki essentially ends his narrative like the new Star Wars character on 'The Mandalorian' who says, "I have spoken". 

Wrestling with God. What is the secret to a remission of our sins? How is it done? This small book is like a testimony from Enos to the church on any given Wednesday night prayer service. The lesson that is to be learned is to have faith in Christ. Believe in Christ then "go to it", and be a Christian.