1 AND now king Mosiah caused that all the people should be gathered together. [ What purposes could there be for king Mosiah to bring everyone together? 1) To hear what has happened to the two groups of people that have recently rejoined them when they were separated 2) To read the records to everyone 3) Could be that Mosiah wanted to explain to everyone what was happening - cut down on the rumor mill maybe. Could be lots of spurious speculation going on about what was going to happen. So he gets everyone together to apprize them what wa happening, in order to smooth their adoption into the population at large. He may have also seen it as a proselytizing opportunity as there were clearly people among them who were not particularly religious (cf. v. 23 and 26:1-4). King Mosiah has a big job here - he has to basically unite 4 different cultures and groups into one. What 4 groups of people do we have here? Nephites - who were living in the land of Zarahemla under King Mosiah
Alma and his group of people that flee for their lives from king Noah
People of Zarahemla - Mulekites - brought here at the time Zedekiah was carried away captive into Babylon
People of Limhi - the son of King Noah and the grandson of Zeniff who originally led the expedition to go and inherit the land of their fathers. ]

2 Now there were not so many of the children of Nephi, [ Less Nephites than Mulekites. ] or so many of those who were descendants of Nephi, as there were of the people of Zarahemla, [ More Mulekites than Nephites - even though the mulekites were considered Nephites vs 13. ] who was a descendant of Mulek,and those who came with him into the wilderness. [ Can you think of any problems that might arise from a city that has immigrants move in and the immigrants are the majority? Does this provide any clues for us in why Mosiah might have chosen a system of government formed of judges as an answer to government when his sons did not wish to be King? Different representation from different groups provides voice in the process of government - keeping unity ]

3 And there were not so many of the people of Nephi and of the people of Zarahemla as there were of the Lamanites; yea, they [ The Nephites and the Mulekites (the people of Zarahemla). ] were not half so numerous. [ Nephites and the Mulekites added together do not add up to 1/2 as many people as there are Lamanites.Why is the population of the Nephites not prospered as much as the Lamanites? Implicit message is the various Nephite apostasies and rebellions have caused them great destruction at the hands of the Lamanites. Its not that the Lamanites are so prosperous, its that the Nephites are being cursed for their iniquities. Another factor would obviously be Nephite desertions to the Lamanites, cf. WofM 1:16. ]

4 And now all the people of Nephi were assembled together, and also all the people of Zarahemla, [ Are the Laminites not present? It would appear that they were not part of the gathering. ] and they were gathered together in two bodies. [ Possibly suggesting the Nephites and Mulekites are still keeping a somewhat separate sociality, but are united politically. Do you think the message might have been a little different for each group and What might have been taught to each group? Nephites taught to welcome the people of Zarahemla - great missionary opportunity The people of Zarahemla maybe welcomed instructed on some of the rules of the land... ]

5 And it came to pass that Mosiah did read, [ Interesting that there is no mention of a tower being built here like there was for King Benjamins remarks Mosiah 2:7 When he spoke to a large audience - What are some possible explanations for that?It is possible that he was speaking in the temple courtyard of a temple that was being built, but which had not yet been finished, thus the tower was necessary to lift him higher than the congregation. In Mosiah's case, the "temple" would have been built. If we assume it to have been a Meso american style temple,it would easily have provided the elevation for such a public discourse. ] and caused to be read, [ Most likely everyone could not hear him as he read the words - soin an effort to insure that everyone could hear and learn from the experiences of the people of Zeniff he had others read them as well. ]the records of Zeniff [Including the Jaredite records that were found by the people of Limhi while the were looking for the city of Zarahemla (Mosiah 28:11-17) ] to his people; yea, he read the records of the people of Zeniff, [ So not only is it important to keep records of your history, but it is important that those of the younger generation know their history as well. What kind of things can we learn form our history? The lessons of history are manifold in it. Nothing happens in isolation, and everything that happens has consequences. We are all part of a larger stream of events, past, present, and future. Our history gives us a sense of proportion, in the grand story we'll tell our children. It's our story and the story of how God deals with his children. General George Marshall in 1947 said, "In order to take a full part in the life which is before you, I think you must in effect relive the past." And it's like Mosiah recognizes that. If we're going to take full part in this life, we have to hear the history that has gone before us. A deep understanding of history is necessary, not merely recent history which concerns itself with trivia surrounding conspicuous men and events, but an understanding of that history which records the past activities of men, and leads to an understanding of what has created you and what has destroyed great civilizations. ] from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until they returned again.

6 And he also read the account of Alma and his brethren,and all their afflictions, [ Brought low humbled in body~ mind~ or spirit  including tribulation~ adversity~ calamity~ distress~grief~ trouble~ trial or sorrow- evidence of divine chastisement] from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time they returned again.

7 And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records, his people who tarried in the land [ i.e., the descendants of those who did not go with Zeniff down to the land of Nephi. ] were struck with wonder and amazement. [ Wonder and amazement of what? They could plainly see the hand of the Lord in their deliverence. vs 16. ]

8 For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage [ (Alma 36:29) ] they were filled with exceedingly great joy.

9 And again, when they thought of their brethren who had been slain by the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even shed many tears of sorrow.

10 And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage,they did raise their voices and give thanks to God. [Is staying out of bondage something that we can learn from reading about it and not having to experience first hand? Jacobsaid Jacob 4:3 "They may learn with joy and not with sorrow," Mormon will latter write in his editorial in Helaman 12:3 - "except he doth visidt them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him." The earth and elements respond to Gods will - but man does not - hence he is less than dust of the earth. ]

11 And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, [ Or they were among the vilest of sinners. ] they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls.

12 And it came to pass that those who were the children of Amulon and his brethren, who had taken to wife the daughters of the Lamanites, were displeased with the conduct of their fathers, and they would no longer be called by the names of their fathers, therefore they took upon themselves the name of Nephi, [ The children of Noah's priests are disgusted over what their fathers did, so their reject their namesake and adopt the name "Nephites". This is surprising since they were taught as children to hate Alma and the others (Mosiah 24:8) ] that they might be called the children of Nephi and be numbered among those who were called Nephites.

13 And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the Nephites, [ They became as one - united as brothers and sisters. ] and this because the kingdom had been conferred upon none but those who were descendants of Nephi. [ The Mulekites also adopt the name "Nephites" since all of their kings have been of the lineage of Nephi. ]

14 And now it came to pass that when Mosiah had made an end of speaking and reading to the people, he [ King Mosiah. ] desired that Alma should also speak to the people. [ While the people are gathered together Mosiah has Alma preach to all the people, reminding them it is the Lord who has ever delivered them (v. 14, cp.11:23, 21:5, 24:16). ]

15 And Alma did speak unto them, when they were assembled together in large bodies, and he went from one body to another, preaching unto the people repentance and faith on the Lord. [ The word of the ministry is on a one to one basis, so even though Alma speaks to the entire group he knows that the real work of conversion is done one to one. ]

16 And he did exhort the people of Limhi and his brethren, all those [ The people of Limhi and his brethren. Now the text doesn't say this, but Limhi is the son of Noah. Assuming that Limhi was alive for a lot of his father's ministry. That means he might have seen Alma as one of the wicked priests. So the question that arises, What does Limhi think of Alma, after what he has seen of him? Would he have thought man that is not the Alma that I saw, he is so different. ] that had been delivered out of bondage, that they should remember that it was the Lord that did deliver them. [ Why does Alma want to make sure that the people understand that it was the Lord that delivered them? If they can begin to see and understand that the Lord has shown them mercy then they will desire to learn more about him and desire to be like him - and be baptized. Alma uses this message of deliverance over and over again. What is the significance of deliverence to Alma individually? (Alma 36, Mos. 27:16 ) ]

[ The rest of chapter 25 shows the response and changes in the church brought on by the reunion of all these groups of people. What are those changes and additions to the church are made? First back in Mosiah 21:33 the people wanted to be baptized and Ammon declined - here in verse 17 they are baptized. ]

17 And it came to pass that after Alma had taught the people many things, and had made an end of speaking to them, that king Limhi was desirous that he might be baptized; and all his people were desirous that they might be baptized also.

18 Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize them; [ The promise made by the author in Mosiah 21:35 is fulfilled. Where Mormon as the editor made a note that we would see how they were baptized later. So as the editor of the Book Of Mormon he had read it and knew what was going to happen, and put the structure in place. This would have been extremely difficult without some text in front of him to make sure that this happened. It would have been almost impossible for Joseph Smith to have done in the manner or way that he was translating. It is difficult for a writer today to make a promise that we will learn more then to keep that promise weaving it into the story in a natural manner. How could Joseph Smith have done this without the help of a computer, notes or the fact that he was indeed translating? ]yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his brethren in the waters of Mormon; [ What does he mean after the manner that they baptized in the waters of Mormon? 1) Mosiah 18:13-14 Baptized thru burial(immersion) in the water 2) Then they made the same covenants that Alma and his people made back in chapter 18 of Mosiah. ] yea, and as many as he did baptize did belong to the church of God; and this because of their belief [ They had gained testimonies for themselves. ]on the words of Alma.

19 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma that he might establish churches throughout all the land [ Set up a Stake perhaps? see vs 23. ] of Zarahemla; and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers [ What did Alma teach them to preach to the people? "they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught...they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord."(Mosiah 18:18-20) Alma was the acting high Priest - which separates church from state so to speak. Mosiah remains king and Alma acts as high priest. Prior to this Benjamin appears to have been both king and high priest, with a three year hiatus from being king when he turned over the kingdom to Mosiah, but apparently still retained the Urim and Thummim until his death. With Benjamin's death Mosiah appears to have taken over the role of both king and high priest until Alma is made high priest. However, from 28:11-17 it appears Mosiah did not turn the Urim and Thummim over to Alma as one might have thought he would do. Mosiah is wise in the establishment of church and state. The state can do some things that the church cannot or maybe should not, while the church has access to covenant relationships that the state does not. ] over every church.

20 Now this was done because there were so many people that they could not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they all hear the word of God in one assembly;

21 Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different bodies, being called churches; [ They had become organized so to speak into what would call them today wards. ] every church having their priests and their teachers, and every priest preaching the word according as it was delivered to him [ What is this part emphasizing? Thta they would have had a lot of different traditions with all of the various groups getting together, however the priests were diligent to only teach the word of God, salvation, repentance, the gospel as it had been taught them by Alma. Which kept them on the covenant path as we would say today. We might make mention that these priests were also called an set apart as priests(gave them priesthood keys) , they were given the authority to administer the ordinances. ] by the mouth of Alma. [ Note who is taking the lead here, look where he has come, testament that the Lord does forgive and forget. ]

22 And thus, not withstanding there being many churches they were all one church, [ Just like today - seven wards but all in the same stake ... many churches all the same church. ]yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God.

23 And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. [ With all of these people coming into the land and then all being baptized they have grown rather quickly. They were not seven different churches - so it kind of sounds like a stake doesn't it? Typical stake is 5 to 11 wards Why does the Lord divide us into smaller groups? To insure that the one does not get lost - emphasizing the importance of every individual to him. Do you think there is a little bit of change going on here in the church? What is causing a lot of the change? see verse 17 &18 Where is the growth coming from? What does new growth of converts do to members of the church?] And it came to pass that whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of God; [ The doctrine of Christ, is that as you establish a relationship with Christ you begin to change, and as that change takes place you want to eneter into a covenant relationship with him by taking upon themselves His name. The size of this growth would indicate that it was not only the new people people that were being baptized but many of the Nephites as well, conversion becomes contagious as the spirit becomes more prevalent. Not that the Nephites we not good people before but many had not been baptized. Perhaps some of the desire of the people of Limhi to get baptized and could not made it seem more importnat now see Mosiah 21:33. ]

24 And they [ Those who took upon themselves his name. ] were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, [ The Lord anointed them with his spirit to the point that they literally became different people. ] and they were blessed, and prospered in the land. [ The definition of what it means to prosper in the land to be called his people, to have his spirit and receive his blessings. It simply means to have God's presence with them. ]