Obtaining a Remission of Sins Through the Birth of the Spirit
READ Mosiah 4:1
Why does it require this message from the angel (see Mosiah 2-3) to produce this result – why is it necessary to tell them of eternal suffering rather than telling them they are God’s chosen and elect?
What was it about King Benjamin’s speech in Mosiah 3 that caused the “fear of the Lord” to come upon the people?
Why do the people fear this message if they “have been diligent people in keeping the commandments of the Lord” (see Mosiah 1:11)?
READ Mosiah 4:2
To what are the people responding when they all cry out?
How does one come to “view themselves in their own carnal state” and what does that mean?
Why would “diligent commandment keepers” see themselves “less than the dust of the earth”?
Why would a loving God ever want His children to experience this kind of devastating, self-esteem destroying insight?
What do the people ask for and how is it related to being diligent in keeping the commandments?
What is the significance in the titles for Christ they use (Son of God, Creator, Anointed One)?
READ Mosiah 4:3
What has to happen to the people before the Spirit comes upon them in power?
What does the Spirit do when it descends upon the people?
What might we call this experience?
READ Mosiah 3:4-5
Why does Benjamin seem to glory in the destruction of the peoples’ “positive self-image” by rubbing it in?
READ Mosiah 4:6-7
What must we know if we are to be the person “who receiveth salvation”?
What does a personal knowledge of these six things enable?
What is the difference between being “diligent in keeping His commandments” post-birth of the Spirit vs prior to this event (see Mosiah 1:11)?
READ Mosiah 4:8
These (v6) are the only conditions for salvation – so what about repentance and baptism?
Retaining a Remission of Sin Through Charity
READ Mosiah 4:9-10
If the people had just received a remission of their sins, why is Benjamin telling them that if they believe in God they should “see that they do” repent, forsake their sins and humbly ask for forgiveness from God?
READ Mosiah 4:11
Why is Mosiah essentially repeating the same thing 3 times?
What is Benjamin teaching us about the mindset in which we must live our daily lives in order to retain a remission of our sins and abide in the covenant we have made?
READ Mosiah 4:12-16
Benjamin lists 7 things that the people will always do – but under what circumstances will they do them?
Is there a difference between “him that standeth in need” and the “beggar” who puts up his “petition” to you?
READ Mosiah 4:17-18
How might one judge the beggar?
What if the man really has brought upon himself his misery and you know it to be true?
READ Mosiah 4:19-22
Why would saying this about any beggar mean that we have no interest in the kingdom of God – what if I pay a generous fast offering every month?
Why must we “impart of our substance”?
Why does the verse say “substance” and not “wealth”?
READ Mosiah 4:23-26
At what point can we deny the beggar because we cannot give to him – how little can we have?
Notice the qualifier on our administrations to the needy – “according to their wants” – what does that mean?
What is the Lord really trying to teach us when we happen upon a beggar?
READ Mosiah 4:27
What is Benjamin talking about doing in wisdom and order?
Why shouldn’t we try to run faster than we have strength – shouldn’t we plan on “sleeping when we’re dead” – we’re here to try and become exalted, right?
When is the battle waged?
When is the “prize” to be won?
READ Mosiah 4:28-30
How many ways are there to get it wrong in life and how many ways are there to get it right?
How do you “watch yourselves” so much that you avoid “perishing”?
A Mighty Change and a New Name
READ Mosiah 5:1-2
How do the people know of the truth of Benjamin’s words with a surety?
Who changed their hearts and what does this imply?
What does a “mighty change of heart” mean?
What is a “disposition to do good continually” and how can you say that you have that if you still sin?
READ Mosiah 5:3
What signs or “fruit” follow the birth of the Spirit?
READ Mosiah 5:4
What is the relationship between what a man can teach you and an experience like the birth of the Spirit which can only come from God?
READ Mosiah 5:5
What covenant have they made?
Who makes the covenant?
READ Mosiah 5:6-8
What does it mean to be spiritually begotten by Christ?
Who is Christ to those who have become His sons and daughters?
When do King Benjamin’s people become Christ’s children and what is implied?
Benjamin’s grammar makes being free and receiving salvation parallel – how do they mean the same thing?
READ Mosiah 5:9-10
What does it mean to be called by the name of Christ or to take upon ourselves Christ’s name?
How do you become an anointed one or “Christ”?
What other names might we be called by?
READ Mosiah 5:11
In the Church we usually hear the phrase “name be not blotted out” in the context of our names from the records of the Church if we transgress and do not repent; what does it mean to have Christ’s name blotted out of our hearts?
READ Mosiah 5:12
What does it mean to retain the name of Christ written always in your hearts?
How does retaining the name in your heart enable you to hear and know Christ’s voice and the name He shall call you?
READ Mosiah 5:13-14
What kind of service brings you to a point that you KNOW your Master?
Who do we belong to?
READ Mosiah 5:15
What does it mean to be steadfast and immovable – steadfast and immovable with respect to what?
What does “abound” mean and how is “abounding in good works” not the same as being saved by your works?
What does it mean that Christ may “seal you His”?
What does it mean for Christ to “bring you to heaven”?
What does Christ bring you to Heaven before He who is “God above all” to do?
When must you be brought to Heaven to be sealed up to eternal life?
