These two chapters bring us to the end of not only the Book of Mosiah, but to the end of an order, the end of the Nephite kings. Sobered by the account of the People of Limhi and by the wickedness of his own sons, Mosiah feared for the people if kings continued to rule. Not only that, he’d let his sons go on a mission to the Lamanites, so no one remained to take the kingdom from him. What to do?
With all these forces acting on him, he comes up with, for him I think, a radical idea: no more kings. When you keep in mind the Lord works with us where we’re at, this step away from rule by kings, was a big one. Even though by our standards, it's not that much of a change. Never the less, Mosiah introduces a democratic component to their society. I think it’s why Mormon made mention of it. It was closer to our day than any other form of government he could write about.
On the surface, it may seem similar, but beyond the elections to choose leaders, there’s little in common. Their first chief judge, Alma the Younger is not only the political leader, he’s also the religious leader. The people voted him into office! Can you imagine that happening today? Or even in 1830? This is a different culture.
As Mosiah argues for this move towards a democratic process, he makes an observation, prophetic in nature even which I feel holds true today. He said it is common for the voice of the people, expressed in their votes, to choose what is right. In other words, the opinion and desires of the majority of a righteous people will be the right thing to do. When this voice of the people choose what is not right, then that society is ripening in iniquity and will soon receive the judgements of God if they don’t repent and change.
We read about this in the Book of Mormon and yet it is playing out in real time before us today. The voice of the American people is preparing to make an awful choice for their political leader. Think of it. The democrats offer a flaming socialist and a brazen lying, hypocrite for their standard bearers. The republicans are not much better. They prefer a swaggering, lying, rich bully over the one candidate who offers any hope of redeeming America. Yet most regard him as a nut case who is out of touch with reality though all he is talking about are conservative constitutional principles.
Mosiah got it exactly right. We're in trouble.
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