As I began reading, I decided that
I would look at plot, (which, in this section, is highly intertwined with setting
and characters), specifically the recurring pattern of bondage and
freedom.
2. Passage Analyzed:
My assigned section (Mosiah 15-24)
has recurring plot schemes all through it to which I will refer, but I will
focus more on chapters 22-24)
The accounts of the people in the
time of Mosiah includes a series of scenes and characters being enslaved, or fleeing
to liberty:
·
Alma flees into the wilderness with his
followers (Mosiah 18:31-35; Mosiah 23)
·
The people of Noah (later known as the people of
Limhi) were enslaved by the Lamanites (Mosiah 19:9-15)
·
Daughters of the Lamanites are taken captive by
the priests of King Noah (Mosiah 20:1-6)
·
Ammon and his brethren are bound and cast into
prison by the people of Limhi (Mosiah 21:18-23)
·
The people of Limhi escape from the Lamanites
and flee to the land of Zarahemla where they join Mosiah’s people (Mosiah
22:8-15)
·
Alma and his followers are enslaved by the
Lamanite army that was pursuing the people of Limhi (Mosiah 23:25-39)
·
Alma and his people flee from the Lamanites to
the land of Zarahemla where they also join Mosiah’s people (Mosiah 24:18-25)
As I tried to follow the plot, I
realized that there were so many different scenes with so many different
characters, intertwining at the same time, that Mormon had to take side stories
and make flashbacks in order to convey all of the information. Once all of the side stories of captivity and
freedom were resolved, the Nephite people are all reunited in the Land of
Zarahemla, and the general story could therefore proceed. To illustrate this picture, I would note that
Mosiah chapter 7 takes place around 121 B.C. and Mosiah 25 begins around 120
B.C., just one year later. But a lot of plot
development occurs in this short time: The prophet Alma became converted and
the church was started at the Waters of Mormon, and the people of Limhi were
converted as well, which sets up the missionary work chapters that are to
follow.
How often does the pattern of bondage to freedom help characters in the Book of Mormon become converted to the Lord? Was it accident that an army
chasing one group of people stumbled upon and overtook another group of
people? Each group placed under bondage
was forced to be patient and humble before the Lord could deliver them. A recurring theme developed in the plot. Is the pride cycle so apparent in other parts
of the Book of Mormon? And is conversion to the Lord always so linked to liberty?
The pride cycle is definitely apparent throughout the Book of Mormon, one example is the church members in chapter 4 of Alma becoming prideful and materialistic. Random note: I like how you bolded words in your annotations- I want to start doing that!
ReplyDeleteI had never realized that so much had happened (many chapters) in just about one year. I think that the pattern of bondage is EXACTLY what helps people become converted. If we think about it, it is the bondage that led the people to turn to God, and plead for help, and depend on Him. Had it not been for these challenges and hard circumstances...I feel it fair to say, they would've never been required to be humble and turn towards God.
ReplyDeleteSo sometimes, these burdens such as bondage is a blessing.