Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 28:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 28:1-2

"Now it came to pass that after the sons of Mosiah had done all these things, they took a small number with them and returned to their father, the king, and desired of him that he would grant unto them that they might, with these whom they had selected, go up to the land of Nephi that they might preach the things which they had heard, and that they might impart the word of God to their brethren, the Lamanites -

That perhaps they might bring them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and convince them of the iniquity of their fathers; and that perhaps they might cure them of their hatred towards the Nephites, that they might also be brought to rejoice in the Lord their God, that they might become friendly to one another, and that there should be no more contentions in all the land which the Lord their God had given them."

The ending of the previous chapter tells of the Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah traveling throughout the land, publishing to all people what they have heard and seen, preaching the word of God in much tribulation. They were greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, and smitten by many of them.

In this chapter I see that after all this the sons of Mosiah are desiring to preach the gospel to those once considered their enemies. It says they could not bear the thought that any human soul should perish and endure endless torment.

What I pondered over was how they were prepared first for this assignment from the Lord by preaching the gospel to their own people. What lessons they must have learned from being persecuted by the unbelievers. I don't know why I had never seen this preparatory stage before. In my mind I always jump from their miraculous experience to their wanting to share the gospel to the people considered their enemies. I see now the Lord prepared them for this mission.

The other thing I pondered on was the blessing they knew would come from bringing the gospel to their enemies. But, first they didn't think of them as that anymore, they were their brethren now. They knew the truth would cure them of their hatred towards the Nephites. They would become friending towards one another and there would be no more contention in the land. Even today this same thing applies. The gospel of Jesus Christ will heal wars between nations. It will bring peace when wars never can. Sometimes there are wars first before the missionaries can come into a land. But, the better way is to preach the gospel to them first.

I could not help but think of Jonah, of the Old Testament being called to go to Nineveh. Nineveh was a very wicked city, part of the Assyrian Empire, a cruel and blood thirsty people. They would cut of people's heads and all sorts of unspeakable things. They developed a new military weapon called terror. I can totally understand now Jonah would quake and turn and flee to not go to such a place. It was only after receiving a strong witness, by being swallowed inside a great fish, that Jonah had the strength to do as the Lord commanded and go to Nineveh.

I see in reverse how the Lord prepared the sons of Mosiah for their mission to those that also sought their blood. He born them the undeniable power of God in their conversion story. Then he strengthened them prior to the call by sending them to their own unbelievers first. He gave them love and compassion to call them their enemies brothers. Now they were ready to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. 

I ponder on how the gospel must be preached to every kindred, tongue and people before the Savior will return again. I am sure there are saints that will quake to be sent to some people willing to spill their blood, cut off their heads, and do unthinkable things. I wonder how the Lord will strengthen us for just such a mission.

Day 273 Tami Fitzgerald Harris