In tonight's reading of The Book of Mormon we read about the ending of the kingdom of Mosiah, the son of Benjamin, and the beginning of the reign of the judges. And we learn that in transitioning to more of a democratic society from a monarchy, the burden falls upon the people. In verse 34, we read the words of King Mosiah: "that every man might bear his part."
Alma, the son of Alma who was in King Noah's court, was selected as the "first Chief Judge" and "high priest" which basically means this was the government of God. Elder Bruce R. McConkie writes, "He gave direction in all things both civil and ecclesiastical; there was no separation of church and state." (New Witness for the Articles of Faith, 35)
King Mosiah and Alma the Elder passed away at the end of Mosiah 29 and a new era in The Book of Mormon is underway where the state has now basically adopted the Church for its governing laws. It's a promising situation because it makes me think of the Millenium when the Savior will reign on the Earth and we will live in peace and harmony. However, it also causes me concern, because we see how societies around the world have enforced religious beliefs as the rule of law to the dismay and death and destruction of large numbers of people.
What will ultimately happen to the Nephites and Lamanites now that we are in the reign of the judges? Looking forward to the next book in The Book of Mormon. We begin The Book of Alma tomorrow.
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