Mosiah 7:9-11 Limhi introduces himself to Ammon, Amaleki, Helem, and Hem. He asks why Ammon and his friends approached him.
Mosiah 7:12-13 dialogue: Ammon introduces himself
Mosiah 7:14-15 dialogue from Limhi
Mosiah 7:18-33 sermon from King Limhi to his people
Mosiah 8:7-12 dialogue from Limhi to Ammon
Mosiah 8:13-14 dialogue from Ammon
Mosiah 8:19-21 Limhi praises God and quotes Abinadi (see footnote)
Mosiah 11:20-25 Abinadi prophesies
Mosiah 11:27-28 King Noah's dialogue
Mosiah 12:1-8 Abinadi prophecies
Mosiah 12:9-6 The people of King Noah speak to him
Mosiah 12:18 Noah commands to speak to Abinadi
Mosiah 12:20-Mosiah 14:12 is the priests, the King, and Abinadi all having a conversation where Abinadi prophesies to them about their wickedness.
I chose to focus on Mosiah 8:18-33 in my section.
Here King Limhi has called all of his people together so he can talk to them about their afflictions and how their bondage is the consequences of their fathers' wickedness.
King Limhi establishes his ethos talking about "the God of Abraham and Isaac, etc." and he also talks about the God who sent the Jews through the Red Sea on dry ground. By doing this, he shows his knowledge of the past and of the scriptures(which he quotes at the end), and how he knows what he is talking about. Then he hits their emotions with pathos when he talks about how many souls have died fighting for their freedom, how much they have to give, and how hard it is to be in bondage.
The arrangement of this sermon is interesting. He starts by telling them that they need to put their trust in God and he will deliver them from bondage if they keep the commandments. Then he explains how their fathers got in bondage, and how transgression got them into bondage, and then he ends with reminding them to put their trust in God and He will deliver them. He did this to establish hope for his people because they love him.
The kairos of this passage is important because Ammon has come and brought hope to the people who are in bondage.
Beginning with the end in mind. King Limhi tells them that the Lord will deliver them from bondage right of the bat, so long as they are faithful. Then he gives example that further this happening before which brings it full circle for his people, that if they will simply repent, they can be free from captivity. He gives them hope and a reason to listen, backs it up with examples and testimony, and then promises them again. This is a powerful pattern that is used in Mormon speaking.
ReplyDeleteIt is also important to note that his ethos was established by being going through the repentance process himself. He learned of the truthfulness and went about to teach others as a result. This theme of sinning, gaining truth and then teaching others is also seen throughout scripture and adds much validity to what prophets say.
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