Real People and Real Experiences in the Book of Mormon

It is amazing to think about the day-to-day lives of people thousands of years ago.  Sometimes we forget that the characters in the Book of Mormon were in fact just normal people like you or I.  However, the following examples selected from Mosiah 15 - Mosiah 24, will demonstrate an thought-provoking way that the Book of Mormon can be likened to one’s own life. 

In Mosiah 20: 6-26, a group of people is terrorized by the idea that someone has harmed members of their family.  When this happens, they jump to conclusion and act out harshly against the innocent people they suspect of the crime.  Tori Fawson did not have her daughters kidnapped by wicked priests like the Lamanites did, however, when she expressed her feeling of “anger at the doctors, for doing this to her,” or, “fear as I thought my mom was going to die,” or, “Panic,” and all of the other worries she felt about losing her mom, we can imagine that the Lamanites felt similar fears and worries regarding what was to come of their family, and how their lives would be affected.

Later, a leader, after hearing his people complain and complain, he finally accedes to letting them do what they want (Mos. 21:6).  King Limhi, being the son of the previous king, probably did not climb to his position without warning, like Josh Smith.  However, I am sure that they both, as people in a new position, had those feelings like Josh described when he said that everyone “looked to me as if I was one ‘in charge’.”

Lastly, in Mosiah 21:28-36, the people feel sorrow for the past and make plans for the future.  They were “filled with sorrow because so many of their brethren had been slain.”  Josh Smith shared a similar experience about when the high school students were all strongly impacted by the death of a young girl, and the mourning experience “healed” them.  I am sure that the people of King Limhi also paid their respects and let their hearts pour out to those who were affected by death’s stinging hand.