Zeniff's record, Part 2 (Mos. 9 - 10)

In my last post I mentioned that several things popped out at me while reading Zeniff's record (chapter 9 and 10 of Mosiah). 

Knowledge and Learning:  "I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the language of the Nephites, and having had a knowledge of the land of Nephi..." (Mosiah 9:1).  Compare this with the words of Nephi:  "...I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father... having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God... ...I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians." (1 Nephi 1:1-2).  It seems that Zeniff, like Nephi, and probably many Nephites as well, were taught in languages and other important knowledge.  This would have included knowledge of traditions of their ancestors as well as truths relating the branch of Israel that they came from.  It is likely that this included traditions pertaining to the relationship between Nephites and Lamanites (to me, some of what Zeniff writes about the Lamanites sounds like handed-down traditions, peppered with first hand knowledge).

In reading the Book of Mormon, one of the major differences that I can see between the Lamanites and the Nephites is how knowledge is passed on.  The Nephites kept records, they taught each generation from those records; they communicated from a well documented language.  The Lamanites, on the other hand, probably passed down stories from mouth to ear throughout the generations.  In our day, knowledge of the world (science, trades, the arts, professions, etc.) is critical to sustaining comfortable lives.  Knowledge of society and social skills (meaning how to relate to each other, how to have and keep friends, how to fit in social circles) provides a bedrock for creating and maintaining relationships and friendships.  Having spiritual knowledge (meaning knowing how to relate to God, understanding His place in your life, feeling at peace with Him and with yourself) provides a counterbalance to the base nature of being a mortal.  Knowledge is important; Knowledge balanced in all areas is critical to having a happy life.  Most of this important knowledge is taught from documented sources, i.e. books, etc.

The other thing I take from this topic is that keeping records is important.  Writing your thoughts, especially thoughts related to your spirituality, is important for your children and their descendants.  Recording important things keeps them fresh in our minds. Without writing things down, the facts and feelings can be misconstured, dropped, lost or changed.  Record  something about what you think or feel.  Write your testimony.  Write down spiritual experiences and how they made you feel.  Let the future experience some of the things that inspired or moved you.  Let your posterity hear your testimony first-hand.

Protection and Preparation:  Zeniff wrote about two battles his people had with the Lamanites. In the first battle, those Nephites who escaped the initial onslaught fled to the city of Nephi.  Zeniff says: "And it came to pass that I did arm them with bows, and with arrows, with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons which we could invent, and I and my people did go forth against the Lamanites to battle.  Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies" (Mosiah 9:15-17). 

In the second major battle, Zeniff wrote: "...I caused that there should be weapons of war made of every kind, that thereby I might have weapons for my people against the time the Lamanites should come up again to war against my people.  And I set guards round about the land, that the Lamanites might not come upon us again unawares and destroy us...  And it came to pass that they came up upon the north of the land of Shilom, with their numerous hosts... And it came to pass that we did go up to battle against the Lamanites; and I, even I, in my old age, did go up to battle against the Lamanites. And it came to pass that we did go up in the strength of the Lord to battle" (Mos. 10:1,2,8,10)

In both battles, the Lord's hand of protection was upon the people. The Nephites were victorious in the second battle in part because of the preparations they had made for potential war.  In both cases, they had prepared spiritually so that the Lord could bestow his divine protection upon them.  We see that there are different types of preparation; both spiritual preparation and physical preparation.  Today we face many dangers, both physical and spiritual.  Both types of preparation are important in our lives as we face our daily trials.  We shouldn't neglect either type of preparation in our lives.

Time Lines:  The account of Zeniff, Noah and Limhi in these chapters of the book of Mosiah include dates that give us insight of when things happened during this time of the Book of Mormon.  I could give examples but have run out of room in this post, so no specific details are included here.  Suffice it to say, I feel that the time line in one of my previous posts (see my April 30th post ) fits nicely with the details in the records of Zeniff and his successors.

There are more discussions to come which will include Abinadi, Alma, and others.  Stay tuned!  Meanwhile, I have a testimony that these things that we read in the Book of Mormon really did happen and have been accurately written for our benefit.  I testify this in the name of Jesus Christ.

Don