Since the beginning of the Restoration, Latter-day prophets have spoken boldly against fallen and carnal aspects of our society, culture, and personal lives. The 20th century saw a rejection of many of these teachings and, in the words of Ezra Taft Benson, a lesser portion of the word was given. Are we prepared to learn of and remember these forgotten teachings?

The Nephite church also struggled with pride and prophetic rejection. Rather than a dead form of religion, Alma taught the Nephites that we must truly be born again to overcome the effects of the Fall and the natural man. After being born of the Spirit, we must be continually renewed and progressively changed until we become like Jesus Christ and receive His image in our countenance. Regeneration through the Atonement and the Spirit of the Lord is the very heart of the Gospel for active members and all others.

What have prophets taught us to change? Are we ready to accept redemption? The answers are simpler than we think!

As the Nephite Church grew and prospered, a segment of members began struggling with pride, vanity, and contention. Alma abandoned his political office—recognizing that preaching the word of God was the only solution to cause an awakening. Likewise, during the early days of the Church, leaders began to be afraid that many of the pioneers had become spiritually asleep. Learn the story of the "Mormon Reformation" and how Alma and latter-day prophets tackled the challenge of restoring purity among their saints.

The Book of Mormon is the most accurate work on government that we have. It is wonderful to study the words of the Constitution. It is great to read the words of the Founding Fathers as well as John Locke, Blackstone, Montesquieu, and others. But if we want to truly understand the very heart of our Constitutional law, we should study the Book of Mormon. It is the key to restoring liberty and law in our nation today.

Government is fundamental to salvation and individuals will be held accountable for all actions made in this regard (D&C 134: 1). When Christ came here to America, to the Nephites, he gave commentary on the teachings of Isaiah concerning the latter days. One of His major themes was the establishment of the government of the United States, the Constitutional government on this land. The Savior specifically and repeatedly taught that modern Israel would be established as a free people in the promised land. Both the Laws of Mosiah and the Constitutional Law on this land were brought forth by Godly and righteous men through inspiration from Heaven. Both were divinely approved of God.

It is no accident that all of the principles of the Laws of Mosiah can be found in the Constitutional law upon which this nation, the United States of America was established. In addition to the parallels in the establishment of these two governments, the enemies of these governments are also prophetically similar.

To find additional resources, visit the For Our Day website! Lesson 23: Mosiah’s Government of Liberty—Reign of Judges https://josephsmithfoundation.org/for-our-day-lesson-23-divinely-sanctioned-governments-of-liberty/

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Host: L. Hannah Stoddard https://josephsmithfoundation.org/l-hannah-stoddard/