Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 19:7-8, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 19:7-8, 11
"And now the king cried out in the anguish of his soul, saying: Gideon, spare me, for the Lamanites are upon us, and they will destroy us; yea, they will destroy my people.
And now the king was not so much concerned about his people as he was about his own life; nevertheless, Gideon did spare his life.
Now it came to pass that the king commanded them that all the men should leave their wives and their children, and flee before the Lamanites."

I pondered on how the example of a wicked leader is shown us with king Noah. When first introduced to him we are told he did not keep the commandments of God, and walked in the desire of his own heart. He was morally bankrupt, spending time with his wives and concubines. He was vain, and spoke flattering words. He was a wine-bibber. He built many elegant and spacious buildings and covered them in gold and other precious things. He also encouraged his people to sin. He removed priests consecrated by his father and setup new ones lifted up in the pride of their hearts. They became idolatrous. King Noah's heart was so hardened he would not listen to a prophet and instead killed him.

This chapter shows how he only cared about preserving his life and not his people. He cared nothing about the women and children and commanded the men to leave and flee without them. Some men, like his son Limhi, loved their wives and children and would not abandon them to the Lamanites. The love of family preserved all of their lives. However, the men that at first fled with king Noah and his priests became angry when commanded not to return to their families. In that anger they fulfilled Abinadi's prophesy and king Noah suffered death by fire. Sadly, justice did not come to the priests because they had escaped. There are many important lessons from watching a king Limhi. It's best that they are never supported to begin with.

"For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!
And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood. "
(Mosiah 29:17, 21)

Day 3434