Mosiah 4: 5-10

How is trusting God making a difference in your life?

"5 For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of God at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state—

6 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—

7 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.

8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them." (Mosiah 4: 5-10)

And here's the commentary entitled: "I believe and trust in God." :

"King Benjamin’s invitation to believe in and trust God is as important today as it was in ancient times. As you read Mosiah 4:5–10, look for truths about God that give you reason to trust Him. Note the invitations King Benjamin gives in verse 10. Why would trusting God make it easier to do what King Benjamin invites?"

"The goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord" are the truths about God that gives me reason to trust Him.

These are King Benjamin's invitations.: "Believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them." 

Building relationship of trust is the foundation for any relationship to be built. Acquiring the knowledge of God's qualities build that trust in Him. Knowing that God is the only perfect being in the whole universe, we know that we can give Him all our trust. We cannot trust others the same way because unlike God, others are not perfect. 

It's easier to do what King Benjamin invites us to do when we trust God because when we do trust God, we already have that relationship with Him and we know that we can count on Him. We know that He is true to His promises. We know that He will bless us as we follow the words of his servants like the prophet and king, King Benjamin's invitations.

Trusting God has been a great relief for me. When others fail me, knowing that I can always trust God gives me the comfort and peace that I need to always have hope no matter what I'm going through in this earthly life. 

Mosiah 4: 2; 5: 2, 5

Who are the people you are choosing to listen to and allow to get influenced by their words?

" 2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men." (Mosiah 4: 2)

"2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5: 2)

"5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God." (Mosiah 5: 5)

And here's the introduction commentary for the reading assignment this week, April 29–May 5: “A Mighty Change” Mosiah 4–6

"Have you ever heard someone speak and felt inspired to change your life? Perhaps you decided, because of what you heard, to live a little differently—or even a lot differently. King Benjamin’s sermon was that kind of sermon, and the truths he taught had that kind of effect on the people who heard them. King Benjamin shared with his people what an angel had taught him—that wonderful blessings were possible through “the atoning blood of Christ” (Mosiah 4:2). Because of His message, they changed their view of themselves (see Mosiah 4:2), the Spirit changed their desires (see Mosiah 5:2), and they covenanted with God that they would always do His will (see Mosiah 5:5). This is how King Benjamin’s words affected his people. How will they affect you?"

In 2015, I heard at talk at church by someone on setting goals. It's already his third time to give a similar talk within the past 9 years that I've been attending the Bangkok International Ward. This time I decided to take action myself on what I've been learning from his talks. I wrote my goal particularly on marriage. Then I continued checking the online dating site for church members for potential dates. After around three months, I saw a profile of a person online whose got the same surname that I'm familiar with--been hearing that surname from my father when I was a little kid. And I thought, "If this is the son of that person whom my father is looking up to, my father will approve if I marry this person." So I decided to say hi to this person. He did say hi back to me. And that's where everything started. We developed a friendship and eventually got married a little over a year after meeting each other online. I discovered on his FB account that he is indeed the son of the person whom my father is looking up to. And now after 7 years of being married to him, I've never been happier. My life did change a lot. My husband is such a great support to me. Because of his example, his love and support, I've been able to continue setting my goals and focus on achieving them. And as I strive to achieve my goals I've been transforming--becoming my better version and becoming more like my Savior, Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. . 

King Benjamin's words also had powerful impact on me. His phrase "lending you breath from one moment to another" has become part of my vocabulary. In my daily morning prayer I would thank God for lending me breath from one moment to another. These words remind me that every breath I take is a gift. I want to make the most of this gift--the breath of life. I've been doing what I can to show God that I'm making the most of this life He is lending me. I've been putting Him first in my life because I have the faith that as I do so, everything will fall in its proper order. And I've been seeing this is indeed what's happening. As I make God's work my priority, He's been inspiring me to know what to do to be able to rise above the challenges I'm facing as I strive to achieve the goals I'm setting in other areas of my life. 

Mosiah 2: 10-26, Mosiah 2: 17, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

 

         What difference does it make in our lives when we remember that when we                  serve others, we are also serving God?

"10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man.

11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.

12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;

13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—

14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.

15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.

16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?

19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!

20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—

21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?

25 And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you.

26 And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than ye yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And ye behold that I am old, and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother earth." (Mosiah 2: 10-26)

"17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2: 17)

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

A poor wayfaring Man of grief

Hath often crossed me on my way,

Who sued so humbly for relief

That I could never answer nay.

I had not pow’r to ask his name,

Whereto he went, or whence he came;

Yet there was something in his eye

That won my love; I knew not why.

Once, when my scanty meal was spread,

He entered; not a word he spake,

Just perishing for want of bread.

I gave him all; he blessed it, brake,

And ate, but gave me part again.

Mine was an angel’s portion then,

For while I fed with eager haste,

The crust was manna to my taste.

I spied him where a fountain burst

Clear from the rock; his strength was gone.

The heedless water mocked his thirst;

He heard it, saw it hurrying on.

I ran and raised the suff’rer up;

Thrice from the stream he drained my cup,

Dipped and returned it running o’er;

I drank and never thirsted more.

Twas night; the floods were out; it blew

A winter hurricane aloof.

I heard his voice abroad and flew

To bid him welcome to my roof.

I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest

And laid him on my couch to rest,

Then made the earth my bed and seemed

In Eden’s garden while I dreamed.

Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death,

I found him by the highway side.

I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,

Revived his spirit, and supplied

Wine, oil, refreshment—he was healed.

I had myself a wound concealed,

But from that hour forgot the smart,

And peace bound up my broken heart.

In pris’n I saw him next, condemned

To meet a traitor’s doom at morn.

The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,

And honored him ’mid shame and scorn.

My friendship’s utmost zeal to try,

He asked if I for him would die.

The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill,

But my free spirit cried, “I will!”

Then in a moment to my view

The stranger started from disguise.

The tokens in his hands I knew;

The Savior stood before mine eyes.

He spake, and my poor name he named,

“Of me thou hast not been ashamed.

These deeds shall thy memorial be;

Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”

     And here's of the ending part of the commentary entitled: "When I serve others, I am also serving God." :

"Even when we know we should serve others, we sometimes face challenges. Another way to study Mosiah 2:10–26 is to make a list of truths King Benjamin taught that can help you overcome the challenges that might keep you from serving. What experiences have shown you that what King Benjamin taught is true?

President Joy D. Jones shared a powerful experience that changed the way she looked at serving others. Read about it in “For Him” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 50–52), and think about the opportunities you have to serve others. You might even list a few and ponder how President Jones’s message, along with Mosiah 2:17, might influence the way you approach these opportunities. A hymn such as “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” (Hymns, no. 29) or a video like “The Old Shoemaker” (Gospel Library) might help you think of additional insights."

When I was serving as a Primary teacher in the Bangkok International Ward, my ward here in Thailand for already 18 years now, I did see and feel that I was also serving God. Teaching children who are native English speakers was a challenge for me because my English is my second language, not native. So, I would pray during my preparation for my class and while I'm teaching I would carry a prayer in my heart. And during the class I'm able listen well to what everyone of my primary children is saying and I am able to quickly find say the right words. Even when they would say things that deviate from the topic of the lesson I am able to acknowledge them and so I'm able to connect and then say something to get back to the lesson.. It's amazing how I was able to handle those situations I would encounter in my  class of primary children from mostly western countries. I knew then and I know now that God was there with me. He's helping me know exactly what to say because I'm also serving Him as I was teaching those primary children. 

At the moment putting together our Bangkok Ward Newsletter is my calling. How am I magnifying this calling? Well, ideas have been coming to my mind. I realized that whatever it is, there is always a way or ways to magnify a calling, like starting a newsletter for my own family-we already have our very first one for the first three months of this year 2024. How amazing is this? I've never put together a newsletter before I got called in this calling. God has been inspiring me to know exactly what to do because I am also serving Him as I serve others.