S3 E45 Hidden Religious Politics, What You Never Knew about Nephite Kingship, Christ and Your Sins

In this episode Daniel Belnap and Kerry discuss elements of Nephite kingship and society that most people don't ever think of. They talk about the merging of Mulekite and Nephite cultures and the role that Davidic kingship played in that merge, and how we see echoes and ramifications of that throughout Nephite history. They also talk about how it impacts what happens in the various stories of the Book of Mosiah, and in the life of King Mosiah. They then tie this into your sins and Christ and forgiveness.
We are grateful for our sponsors, and for our producer BJ Muhlestein, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

[@MichaelRoberts-5418]

This episode was as good as the ones you have with Andrew Skinner and those are the measuring stick! Brother Skinner, Robert Millet, and Brother McConkie’s original Roundtable discussions were great. I personally would love to see Brother Millet and Susan Black on an episode too. This episode was up with those. I’ve listened to this one three times and this round is for notes. Thank you.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I am glad it was helpful to you! I have been planning on reaching out to my other friends that you have mentioned, but they are busy with other things right now. I will work on that!

[@stevemartin6772]

Great discussion...this is actually something I have been pondering lately more specifically, how big of a deal that a descendant of the King of Judah made it to the new world and the Kingly Line was preserved here...I think there is so much more to study about this and its ramifications.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I so agree!!!!

[@trudynorton7473]

Thank you to Dr. Dan Belnap for opening and expanding our minds. We are blessed by your years of study. WE LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON. We learn more each time we study and ponder these great truths.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Dan is great! always a pleasure to have him on the podcast!

[@Drawn-by-Abundance]

The political subtext behind the devotional text of the Nephite Record never ceases to intrigue!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

So much depth to plumb!!!!

[@annsilva1506]

Thank you for sharing your very interesting conversation. So much intrigue with power seeking, which is the opposite to Alma and the sons of Mosiah. I loved that you ended with the Savior as our ultimate King of Kings. Also I loved the reference to the Nephites covenant connection to the Priesthood of God and the written word of God both from the Brass Plates and the Nephite record and its connection to Joseph. It for me is a testament to the power in keeping covenants, following Jesus Christ and as you ended with Christ. It was a great case for the scriptures are real. Thank you

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

There is so much power in really examining this text!

[@Mrrngglory3043]

Thank you. This episode was a bit mind blowing for me. On one hand, as I listened I wondered “have I ever read the Book of Mormon? How could I have missed all these tidbits?” On the other hand, this challenged me to go back and read again, seeking out all those small and nuanced treasures within the stories. Your series is always edifying but this was exceptional.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Nothing makes me happier than to hear that you were back in the scriptures. Mission acomplished!

[@wendylambert6941]

Thank you. What a great discussion! Much to ponder that I have not thought of before!!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

And it just makes their lives so real, doesn't it?

[@gloriahicks1]

Excellent, and so enlightening! Love your poscast! I love the Book of Mormon more and more as I see things and gain insights I never had before. Thank you and your guests, too.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Thank you! It is a true joy to be able to share His word!

[@ScrivenArt]

Finally! One of the missing puzzle pieces. I have asked so many of these questions, “who are the people of the land?” and “The voice of the people….” And how did this new guy all of a sudden become king AND the people accept this?!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

There are so many sub-currents that are bubbling just beneath the surface of the Book of Mormon story. They were a real people with real and complex lives and the snapshot contains just a few clues.

[@annierohrer9553]

wow. This makes so much sense. Mind boggling. Thank you for sharing

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

It is fun to think through when you start thinking of it, isn't it?

[@kylabeckstrand5362]

This was one of my all time favorite episodes! Really helped make these situations feel more real to me.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

That is music to my ears! I am so glad it was helpful, and so glad it is more real! Bless you!

[@evalinavallo5009]

Wow! I love this discussion!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

There is a lot of fun stuff in there to mine! I am glad it was helpful for you.

[@CheriPrayEarl]

Love love love this background on the uneasy blending of peoples in Zarahemla--could we please talk more about this? Thank you for opening my mind to what's going on in the background with the peoples of the Book of Mormon.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

What other questions would you like to see covered?

[@snelson2669]

Love it! 1st 18 yes are messy with the new government changes, yet another parable applicable to our lives and some of the changes we have to make to adjust, always pointing towards Jesus Christ as Our one and only Redemptive King to change is for the better/ best. ❤

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Amen!!!

[@chadpearson1572]

Excellent discussion, wish we applied it more to our current situation.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Amen!

[@tomboyer9571]

Really great insights and doctrinal discussion! Thanks for sharing! One suggestion - would you either list the chapters your covering or the corresponding dates for Come Follow Me so we can select the right podcast for weekly study.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

We can work on something like that. When I have done that my listenership has actually gone down, and the various platforms don't let me list a very long title, but I will work on figuring out some solution. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@star2fire1]

Thank you for this great information and insight about the political world of the Book of Mormon.❤

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

There are so many things just below the surface!

[@cindyparkus3294]

U thank you for your inspired message brother!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

It is just such good stuff to think through!

[@mygreatestdayever]

Such an interesting topic. I enjoyed this very much.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I'm so glad! There is so much more to sift through in the Book of Mormon!

[@UVJ_Scott]

The smarter and the more observant you are the more the Book of Mormon rings true. But it also rings true on every level.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Couldn't agree more!

[@RubyB-hb6hd]

It was great!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Thank you!!

[@dianehamilton1917]

Love the context provided and quite insightful!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Thank You!!

[@merrijanerice]

I really liked this discussion, but I do take issue with a couple of points. First, the scriptural account doesn’t say Gideon ever drew his sword against Nehor-Nehor got angry and attacked him first. That would count as 2nd degree murder today, but murder nonetheless. Second, Alma 1:1 says the people were obliged to abide by the laws king Mosiah made. In Mosiah 27, he specifically made a law that all priests should labor for their own support. Assuming that law was still in effect (essentially a law against priestcraft), then Nehor had broken it by accepting support for his preaching.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

You are right. If we implied that Gideon drew his sword except in defense, then we didn't mean to. It does say he was too old to withstand the blows, which implies Gideon tried to, but it does seem clear that Nehor is the aggressor. Also, I think you are right, Nehor is trying to do something that is against what they were supposed to do. Not only that, he was trying to enforce it. So you have a lot of very good points.

[@jenkohler55]

I’m just now at min 24ish: my brain keeps saying- “This point about the learning in the language of my fathers’ could easily apply if the speaker is a learned scribe speaking to illiterate community members. 🤔🤔🤔

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

That is true too. But they make a point several times of the need to learn Egyptian to be able to read the Brass Plates, and of how the Mulekites didn't have records so they lost that language. So many factors to consider.

[@carlajowebb2537]

Perfect!!!

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

I am glad you found it to be helpful.

[@carlajowebb2537]

@@TheScripturesAreReal We all know that the Book of Mormon was written for us, right now, right here, but this view of political climate is so very is spot on to this very day.

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

@@carlajowebb2537 Kind of scary, isn't it?

[@latterdaycovenantliving]

I assumed that the mulekites were partly Deuteronomists (like the laminates) and that’s where all the no Christ stuff came from

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Well I think that almost everyone in the Old Testament world had lost sight of Christ, and they definitely came from that world.

[@eveelane2806]

👍

[@TheScripturesAreReal]

Glad you liked it!