VOCABULARY TIPS AND REVIEW: MOSIAH

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Chapter 1

A cause is “a reason, a situation, a condition, or a behavior that makes something happen.” 

An effect is, “what happens as a result of the cause. But then the effect can be a cause for future happenings.”

One meaning of mysteries of God is, “things that God has not yet revealed.”  Smith & Sjodahl, p. 141, refer to mysteries of God as a term that means, “truths that cannot be known except through Divine revelation.” The Nephites did have the Brass Plates! Lehi was able to use them to teach the nuancesand symbolic language style of “his fathers” and also the prophecies, revelations, and teaching his children the “shorthand” version of Egyptian script; subsequently, the language of the Egyptians and the manner commandments were given to the Children of Israel. He continued teaching of the Jews (or Reformed Egyptian and what we now call Hebrew) was taught to Nephites throughout the generations.

Waxed old means, “grew old.”

Go the way of all the Earth means, “die.”

Mosiah, Chapter 2 

Trifle means, “to treat as unimportant” or “to talk in a joking or mocking manner or to use with the intent to mislead.”

Render means, “return or give back in goods or services.”

Aught, in the context of verse 25 means, “anything”—Have you done anything by yourselves?

Hitherto means, “up to this time.”

The archaic meaning of list is from, “recruit” or “enlist.” If we list

to obey the devil, we are enlisting in his army rather than in the army of Christ.

Evil spirit refers to, “Satan, the devil, or his evil followers.” In verse 32 it refers to Satan himself.

Mosiah, Chapter 3

Omnipotent refers to, “God’s infinite authority, knowledge, and influence.”

Eternity to Eternity means, “an infinite period of time with no beginning and no end.”

Tabernacle of clay is, “a mortal body made from the elements

of the Earth.”

Mosiah, Chapter 4

To have fear of the Lord in verse 1 means, “to have profound reverential awe and great respect toward God.”

Carnal means, “giving in to the base wants, lusts, and desires of the body over the spirit.”

Less than the dust of the Earth does not mean, “worthless.” Our bodies were created by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and we are spirit children of Heavenly Father.  This expression refers to the fact that, “the body is made from the elements of Earth but, because it is often misused, it is not fulfilling its spiritual destination; however Earth itself obeys the commandments of the Lord!”

Mosiah, Chapter 5

Wrought means, “to create.”

The term heart or hearts is a metaphor used throughout the scriptures to mean, “the fountain of emotion.”  When the people said they were changed, or that their hearts were changed, it meant that they were deeply changed emotionally to desire things of the spirit rather than baser worldly and bodily things.

Disposition means, “to be inclined or have a tendency toward.”

The cup of the wrath of God is a metaphor expressing, “the consequences that come from living wickedly.” Drinking from a cup was also an expression the Savior used in Gethsemane. That was the bitter cup of agony He was to experience when He took upon Himself all the pain and sins of the world.

The word, head, has several meanings. Some of these meanings are, “the source; director; leader; uppermost extremity; the place of leadership, honor, and command.”

The right Hand of God is a symbolic expression. The word, right, has its origin in the Latin word, rectus which means,  “straight,” and the Greek word, oregein, which means, “to stretch out.”  Does this remind you of how the Lord stretches out His Hand to guide us to the straight path?  The directional meaning of right hand comes from the fact that, in most people, it is the strongest.  (In this case, for left handed people, the left hand is the right hand!)  An appropriate scriptural meaning of being on theright Hand of God is, “living just, good, or proper lives.”

Left comes from Old English and Middle English meaning “weak.” The left Hand of God refers to, “the paths chosen by those who do not choose the straight and strong way of the Lord, which is the onlypath leading to Eternal Life.”  Those choosing to be on the left Hand of God get side-tracked and lost by following Satan, as did many of the people in Lehi and Nephi’s dreams (1 Nephi, Chapters 8 & 11).

Mosiah, Chapter 6

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Mosiah, Chapter 7

Teased in this case may have meant, “to obtain an objective by continuous persuasion to stimulate desire or curiosity.”

Effectual means, “to have the desired effect or overcome obstacles.”

Succor means, “go to the assistance of.”

Hedge up their ways is a metaphor comparing, “the fact that the Lord will not give them a way out of the troubles they themselves have created as a consequence of their sins as long as they are living wickedly—to a hedge or fence to stop progress.”

Their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them is

a simile comparing, “their doings, or evil living—to a block they 

will stumble over to stop their progress and prosperity as well

as their physical and spiritual safety.” Note that it is not the

Lord who causes stumbling blocks—it is their own evil doings

To sow filthiness is a metaphor that compares, “committing wicked acts to sowing bad seeds.”

 Reap the chaff is a metaphor that compares, “the harvest or result of sowing filthiness, to chaff, which is the husk of wheat kernel, which is discarded.”

Reap the east wind is a metaphor that compares, “the harvest or result of sowing filthiness, to the east wind which is a destructive wind often mentioned in the Old Testament (and undoubtedly on the Brass Plates). It destroys crops and also creates harsh sandstorms.”

Mosiah, Chapter 8

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Mosiah, Chapter 9

Over-zealous is, “to be more eager than wisdom dictates to pursue a particular course.” Zeniff himself later admitted this impetuous eagerness, and later, king Limhi mentioned his grandfather’s over-zealous attitude when speaking to his people about reasons for their downfall.

Mosiah, Chapter 10

Among other definitions, naïveté means, “deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment.” Although Zeniff had been a spy, watching and probably talking to at least some of the Lamanite people on the first fateful expedition, and then had “negotiated” with king Laman later, he lacked the judgment to realize how intensely the Lamanites hated the Nephites.

Mosiah, Chapter 11

Although we do not know today to what metal ziff referred, we do know the word ziff in Hebrew means, “metallic brightness.”

Gloating means, “to think about something with triumphant and

           malicious satisfaction.”

Appropriate meanings of jealous in verse 22 are, “intolerant of unfaithfulness” and “vigilant in guarding.”  The Lord is absolutely intolerant of all evil.  He is constantly aware, or vigilant, of (1) what we are doing; (2) His position as our Savior; and (3) the necessary steps we must take and the commandments we must live to be saved in His Holy Kingdom. We are rewarded for righteousness—certainly not for evil.

Jealous in verse 22 may have come from the Hebrew root, kanah, which means, “ardour, zeal, jealousy.” Its implication is, “deep feelings” (from Gesenius, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 888, cited in Old Testament;  Genesis—2 Samuel [Religion 301] Student Manuel).

…as Lord and Creator of all the universe, and as One who has all Power, knowledge, and glory, God does not need man’s adoration and worship to add to His state of being.  So, His jealousy is not a protective concern for His own status…He is the only source of Power and knowledge sufficient to save.  

To set anything above Him lessens [our] ability 

to draw on that Power and knowledge for [our] Salvation. 

(from Clark, Bible Commentary 1:402-3)

Derision is, “ridicule or scorn.”

Mosiah, Chapter 12

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To cross him meant, “to make him contradict his own words or make mistakes.”

Wherewith meant, “evidence or reasons” to use to accuse him.

Withstood all their questions meant, “answered the onslaught of questions correctly and without hesitation.”

Confound was, “to put a stop to their evil purposes with his wisdom and understanding.”

Mosiah, Chapter 13

The literary term, foreshadowing (foreshadow), means, “clues that are given in part of a piece of writing that relate to something that will happen later.”  Foreshadowing can also happen in real life. Sometimes we do not realize foreshadowing has occurred until the foreshadowed incident later happens.

Expedient means, “to be necessary, or essential, often governed by self or societal interest,” “to be advantageous or suited with the end in mind,” and also, “to accelerate the process.”  Strictly following the Law of Moses was necessary to accelerate the Israelite society’s understanding of the mission of Jesus Christ.

Mosiah, Chapter 14

The Arm of the Lord (Power of His Arm) is a metaphor representing, “the Lord’s Power, purposes, and plans.”

A paradox can mean, “a statement that seems to be contradictory but is sometimes surprisingly true.”

Travail comes from Old French word, “travaillier,” which means, “torture.”  The Lord experienced infinite torture to His body and soul when He atoned for us.

Mosiah, Chapter 15

One meaning of generation is, “the action of producing offspring.” It is also ‘the offspring themselves.”  Abinadi told the erring Nephites that the offspring or seed or generation of Christ are those who hearken to the words of the prophets concerning Him, and look forward to a remission of their sins.

Bare His holy Arm is personification that means, “the Lord will show His Power and purpose.”

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Eyes of all the nations is personification meaning, “people of all nations will see.”

Ends of the Earth is a metaphor that means, “people in every part of the Earth.”

Mosiah, Chapter 16

See eye to eye is a metaphor that means, “there is an agreement about the truth of how things are.”  Everyone on Earth will know Jesus is the Christ and God and that He judges fairly.

Grave could have no victory is a hypostatization.  Grave, here, is an abstract idea (a synonym for death), that could not literally have the human characteristic of attaining victory. Symbolically it represents the “physical death of the body.” Because of the Resurrection and eventual reuniting of all earthly bodies with their spirits, there is no victory in physical death because, with the gift of Resurrection Christ gave us, physical death is only temporary.

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The sting of death, according to Paul, is “sin.” The Eternal law is that justice punishes sin. Death could have no sting means that, “because Jesus Christ paid for our sins, if we accept His Atonement by repenting, living righteously, and obeying His commandments, there is no Eternal punishment for our sins after we die.” Death having a “sting” also reminds us that, “the body is corruptible and will eventually become worn out and die;” Since Christ brought Resurrection to all people, all will rise again with a renewed incorruptible body and joined with his or her spirit forever joined.

The sting of death is swallowed up in Christ is a very graphic example of hypostatization and metaphor.  “Death, as an abstract idea, is given the characteristic of something being able to be swallowed.”  Because of Christ, the result of our sins—the punishment for them—if we repent, is something that has been symbolically ‘swallowed’ by our Great Lord.”

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Endless is, “a name of God.”

Endless life and happiness is, “life with God.”

Endless damnation is, “the punishment the wicked will bear until they have paid for their own sins,” since they did not accept the Atonement of Christ.  

Damnation means, “being separated from God.”

Mosiah, Chapter 17

Scourged can mean, “flogging, whipping, or punishing severely.”

Faggots are, “bound together bundles of sticks.” 

Mosiah, Chapter 18

One eye is a metaphor, symbolizing, “one goal—to bring the people to Christ and to help them live His commandments.”  If our eye is single to the glory of God, we are working on His goal—which is to bring to pass the immortality and Eternal Life of man (Moses 1:39).

One faith means, “faith in Jesus Christ is the only important faith.”

One baptism means, “baptism by one who has authority from God to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ; being baptized is a witness to the person’s faith in Christ and covenant to live Christ’s holy commandments.”

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Hearts knit together is a metaphor, symbolizing, “the purpose of all the workers in God’s Kingdom is to work together to bring people back to God.”  It is to be done with the love of Jesus Christ and love toward each other.

Mosiah, Chapter 19

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Mosiah, Chapter 20

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Mosiah, Chapter 21

Lamentations comes from the word lament, which means, “sorrowing in open demonstrations.”

Mosiah, Chapter 22

Profitable means, “to be of service or advantage.”  

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Unprofitable, conversely, means, “to not be of service or advantage.”  Gideon was certainly not an unprofitable servant!  (The two negatives in not unprofitable, namely, “not” and “un,” make one positive—or profitable.)

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Mosiah, Chapter 23

A snare is “a trap.”  Caught in a snare is a metaphor meaning here, “trapped into a situation of wickedness.”

Tribulations are “troubles and afflictions.”  We are not told in detail of Alma’s many tribulations, but we do know the king sent his servants to kill him and he had to go into hiding. This speech to his people lets us know that Alma prayed sincerely to the Lord for forgiveness, and also that the Lord called him to be a teacher and missionary to others.

Stand fast seems to be a term of contradiction.  Stand indicates, “not moving,” and one meaning of fast indicates, “rapid movement.”  Fast, in verse 13, is related to the Old Norman word, festr, meaning, “rope or cable,” and the later French word, festr, meaning “firm.”  Therefore, the meaning of stand fastis, “stay firm [in one’s beliefs].”

Mosiah, Chapter 24

Cunning can mean, “using schemes and trickery to attain goals.”

Wise in this context is, “having powers of persuasion to further personal gain.”

Wroth means, “extremely angered.”

Gloat means, “triumphant or malicious satisfaction.”

Substance is, “essential nature or essence—the fundamental (or most important) part.”  

The substance of things hoped for, or the essence—or most important part—of what we hope for is, “Eternal Life.”  Through activated faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we gain Eternal Life with God.  Another meaning of substance in Paul’s definition, according to Joseph Smith (JST) is, “assurance.”  Faith is the assurance that the Eternal Life we hope for is real even though it is not yet seen. 

Evidence is “proof.”  Faith is the proof of what we cannot see.

If we knew everything, and could see and hear everything Eternal, as we did when we were in our pre-mortal lives, we would not need faith.  We would know.  The evidence, or proof, would be the things we could see.  Faith, on the other hand, is proof or evidence of the things we cannot see.  If someone asks, “What is the proof that Jesus Christ is the God of this world and that He suffered and died for us?”  We can answer definitely, “Our faith in Him is the proof.”  

Mosiah, Chapter 25

Tarry means, “to stay.”

Mosiah, Chapter 26

Know means, “to recognize the nature of. . .” 

(The wicked will know they will not be redeemed—because of their choices.)

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Know means, “to have a practical understanding of. . .”

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(The wicked will not know Jesus because they chose not to follow His righteous pathway; at the Resurrection, Jesus said He will not know them; they chose not to learn from Him and chose to learn from Satan.)

Know means, “to have experience of. . .”

 (Everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. They will have the burning surety that they could have been with God and instead they chose to separate themselves from Him.)

Everlasting has different meanings.  “One of God’s names, or titles, is, Everlasting.”  

Everlasting fire means, “God’s fire.”

Diligence comes from the French diligere which means, “to esteem or love.”  The Church leaders steadily, energetically, and earnestly “walked their talk”—or did what they preached.

One meaning of suffered is, “allowed.”  They did not fight back when the unbelievers mocked them and persecuted them.

One meaning of admonish is, “to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement.”

Mosiah, Chapter 27

Haughty here means, “disdainfully proud,” or “despising those they think are lower than themselves.”

Grace of God is, “unmerited Divine assistance given to man for his sanctification.”

Coup d’ etat (pronounced kud a ‘ta) is, “a sudden decisive stroke or act.”

Dispute here means,” argue about the existence.”

Cast off here means, “to be separated from the Presence of God throughout Eternity.”

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Astonish in “astonishment” cited here means, “to strike with sudden fear.”  It is assumed to come from the French extonare, meaning, “to thunder.” 

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Part asunder means, “split apart.”

Gall comes from the Old English gealla which is similar to the Greek, chole, which means, wrath (anger). Meanings of gall include, “bitterness of spirit,” “deep seated ill will,” and “enmity.”  The expression, gall of bitterness conveys, “the horrible condition a spirit is in—when in the clutches of Satan, enemy of all righteousness, who has a deep seated ill will to all of us who chose Christ in the pre-mortal world.”

Bonds of iniquity means, “the devil’s chains, binding people to

           him, with choices they make to follow his evil ways.”

Eternal torment here means, “God’s torment.” Likely Alma was tormented because he was afraid he had lost his chance of being eternally with God.  It could also refer to the torment God, Jesus Christ, suffered; He took upon Himself the same pains that Alma and everyone else that ever lived or will live, suffer, have suffered, or will suffer.

One meaning of abyss is, “a bottomless gulf in existence since (or before) the creation of the universe.”  

Carnal here means, “crude and temporal or worldly bodily pleasures” in contrast to spiritual desires.”

Mosiah, Chapter 28

A seer here means, “gifted with extraordinary spiritual insight to translate languages with sacred writings by means of two stones fastened into two rims of a bow.”

Urim and Thummim is, “the name of the sacred remarkable instrument made of two stones fastened into two rims of a bow which is used to help seers translate.”

Discover to every creature means, “to let everybody find out.”

Iniquities are, “grossly wicked acts.”

Abominations are, “intensely detestable disgusting acts.”

Mosiah, Chapter 29

Implications here means, “a connection showing that one decision made something else happen.”

Interposition is, “to step into position and help, or intervene, with a problem.”

The voice of the people meant, “the vote of the majority of the people—or most of the people.”

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