May 6-12: Mosiah 7-10
In the Strength of the Lord
José de Faria (Portugese, born 1958)
A Plentitude do Evangelho (The Fullness of the Gospel) (2019) oil on canvas, 100 x 120 cm
Collection of the artist
Used with permission of the artist
In the book of Mosiah, the people of Limhi struggled to learn of Zeniff and his people in Zarahemla. What happened to them? How could their records be read and understood? In response, Ammon taught about seers and translators.
The artist José de Faria’s paintings reference a universe of discovery, as well. He writes, “From the age of twenty, I dedicated myself to painting, focusing particularly on themes linked to the Gospel and the Portuguese Age of Discovery. This work [A Plentitude do Evangelho (The Fullness of the Gospel)] is an example of this, incorporating elements such as the ‘rose of the winds’ [a compass] and the Liahona.” In Europe beginning in 1419, explorers’ discoveries of new continents, peoples, and cultures changed the course of history. De Faria’s works are explorations of distinct universes and the ways that they find overlap. This resonates with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have scriptures from old and new worlds to form a global gospel.
Discussion Questions
1. Ammon and sixteen other "strong men" went to find the people in the city of Lehi-Nephi (Mosiah 7:1-2). After Ammon was captured by King Limhi, they introduced themselves to each other. Upon learning of King Limhi's family history, he was pleased to have found the people he was searching for and King Limhi was also "exceedingly glad" (Mosiah 7:9-14). Have you ever experienced exceeding gladness in either finding someone who was lost, or in being found? What is a spiritual interpretation of this seek-and-find?
2. Ammon taught the people of Limhi and "rehearsed unto them the last words which king Benjamin had taught them, and explained them to the people of King Limhi, so that they might understand all the words which he spake" (Mosiah 8:3). How does this relate to our current curriculum for gospel study in Relief Society and Priesthood quorums?
3. The people of Zeniff were industrious. They built buildings and planted crops (Mosiah 9:8-9). They raised animals and made cloth for their clothing (Mosiah 10:2-5). They were a people of peace (Mosiah 10:5). On the other hand, the Lamanites were "a lazy and an idolatrous people" (Mosiah 9:12) and stirred up war and contention (Mosiah 9:13). How does work lead to peace and idleness lead to unrest?
Questions Children and Youth:
1. King Limhi sent a proclamation to his people to gather at the temple to hear important instructions (Mosiah 7:17). Where does your family gather to hear things that are important?
2. King Limhi wanted to have the 24 plates of gold translated so that he could learn about a group of people who had all died (Mosiah 8:9-12). In our church today, people are called on missions to gather records about people who died long ago, and these records are often translated into other languages so that we can read them. Why do we want to learn about people who lived long ago, including our ancestors? Why are these records important?
3. Zeniff helped his people to protect themselves through advance preparation (Mosiah 10: 1-2). What can you do to protect yourself spiritually and how can you help your family to be spiritually protected against evil?