Gospel Doctrine Commentary
Lesson No. Eighteen

Mosiah 18 - A Priesthood Handbook

Similarities between the Nephite Church and our Church today – For the first 450 years of Nephite history the gospel was administered through patriarchs and/or kings.  Then in Mosiah 18, Alma the Elder was authorized to formally establish “the Church of God or the church of Christ” by which name it was known “from that time forward” (Vs 17). 

Alma Baptizes in the Waters of Mormon  -  Arnold Friberg

Mosiah 18 could well be described as a Priesthood Handbook of Instruction.  The Nephite Church was much smaller in numbers and geography when compared to the worldwide Church today, nevertheless there are several important similarities that should be considered:  

  • Priesthood authority – Alma “having authority from the Almighty God” (Vs 13) baptized people into “the church of God, or the church of Christ” (Vs 17).  The Prophet Joseph also baptized people into the Church with the same authority.
  • Priesthood organization – “Alma having authority from God ordained priest; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Vs 18).  Joseph ordained men to priesthood offices with authority from God.  Even though the priesthood was organized differently by Alma and Joseph both were directed by the Lord to meet the needs of his people at that time.
  • Administrative uniformity and direction – “And [Alma] commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.  Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people” (Vs 19-20).  Like our Church today the Nephite Church was led by a prophet who provided strong central authority and direction.
  • Priesthood unity – Specific instruction was given to the priesthood on how they should be united.  “And [Alma] commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.  And thus he commanded them to preach.  And thus they became the children of God” (Vs 21-22).  This is what our leaders teach and what the Lord would have in our priesthood quorums today.
  • Sabbath observance – “And [Alma] commanded them that they should observe the Sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God” (Vs 23).  Our leaders today also give great emphasis to Sabbath observance. 
  • A lay priesthood ministry – “And [Alma] also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support.  And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together” (Vs 24-25).  A lay ministry is a very important distinction which is always found in the true Church.  Today fathers have occupations and professions and work to support their family during the week, then on the Sabbath and on other days as necessary, they minister to those to whom they have priesthood responsibility, which includes their families.
  • Grace is celestial currency given to faithful priesthood holders – “And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God” (Vs 26, emphasis added).  Today men are often given important priesthood callings at the same time they have considerable family and career responsibilities.  As they strive to fulfill these various responsibilities they are promised “the grace God” (Vs 26).  It is the grace of God that enables them to fulfill their many responsibilities.  They could not do this “if left to their own means” (LDS Bible Dictionary, Grace). 
  • Priesthood principles in providing for the temporal and spiritual needs of the people – “And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.  And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul” (Vs 27-28).  The Lord expects his people in the latter days to live these same principles.  (See D&C 104:13-18)
  • The Lord protects his people and removes them from harm’s way – “And now the king said that Alma was stirring up the people to rebellion against him; therefore he sent his army to destroy them.  And it came to pass that Alma and the people of the Lord were apprised of the coming of the king’s army; therefore they took their tents and their families and departed into the wilderness” (Vs 33-34).  In our dispensation Joseph Smith and other leaders were charged by their enemies with rebellion and treason.   The early saints of this dispensation also “took their tents and their families and departed into the wilderness” (Vs 34) eventually coming to the Salt Lake Valley where they were protected from the civil war that nearly destroyed our nation.

Conclusion and Testimony – The journey into the wilderness proved to be an important and necessary experience for both the Nephite Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Both the Nephite Church and the Church today were blessed and prospered in the wilderness.       

The most significant difference between what finally happened to the Nephite Church and the Lord's Church today is that the Nephites eventually fell in to total apostasy.  We can be certain that this will not happen to the Church today.  There will be individual defections, but the Church as an organization will be in place when the Lord comes again.  Therefore, our safety and protection depends on each of us staying in the main stream of the Church by following those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators.