Alma 3:19

"Now I would that ye should see that they brought upon themselves the curse; and even so doth every man that is cursed bring upon himself his own condemnation."

We all have agency, which is our ability to make our own choices. Each choice we make has a consequence and we cannot choose our consequences.  If you choose bad things, then you bring upon yourself condemnation.  God does not curse you, but you curse yourself.

Alma 2:13

"And thus they were prepared to meet the Amlicites at the time of their coming..."

Being prepared is huge.  Notice that the Nephites were prepared "at the time of their coming," not after or during.  They prepared and armed themselves before the Amlicites came against them to battle.  This principle can relate to having food storage and other methods of emergency preparedness.  I also think it's important to be prepared for adversity.  You never know when a trial will come, but if you are prepared with faith and trust in Christ you can get through it! Be prepared :)

Alma 1:25

"Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them."

The members of the Church were at this time being persecuted by nonmembers. Even though this was tough, they were strong in their faith and were blessed by the Lord. Trials come with mortality, so it is nice to know that they are easier to get through when keeping the commandments.

Mosiah 29:32

"And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land."

King Mosiah is giving his last speech to the people before judges rule the people. I really like his desires for liberty and equality in the land.  It makes me realize how blessed I am to live in the USA where I have equality and liberty.  I also like how Mosiah says "so long as the Lord sees fit" because the Lord is the boss. If we do not keep His commandments, the Lord may not see fit that we live in equality and liberty.  If we change the definition of equality (such as allowing gay marriage), the Lord may not like that and may take away more of what we have.  This is a blessed land and we need to act like it.

Mosiah 28:3

"Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."

The sons of Mosiah, once the vilest of sinners, knew that they were saved from torment through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As their souls were saved, they grew in desire for all people to accept the gospel and be saved.  They became great missionaries because they cared for the people they taught and truly wanted to save them!

Mosiah 27:14

"And again, that angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith."

Because of prayer and faith an angel came down to convince Alma the younger of his wickedness.  Prayers of faith are always answered.  Angels may not be the messengers of those answers, but they are still answered in whatever means the Lord sees fit.  This miracle happened because a people united in prayer over the welfare of wayward sons.  It is amazing how great things can be brought to pass through prayers of faith!

Mosiah 26:31

"And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor's trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation."

Forgiving others is a hard thing to do sometimes. It is easier to remember all the bad things that people have done and to continually hold that against them.  Though easy, this has bad consequences.  God wants us to forgive others when they have repented.  If we don't do this then we have a greater punishment.

Mosiah 25:24

"And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land."

Many groups of people came together and became Nephites.  Each group experienced some sort of affliction in order to get to this point. They all decided to be baptized and show their devotion to God by organizing churches and living righteously.  As they did this they became the people of God and has the Spirit with them!

Mosiah 24:22

"And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death."

Alma and his people were commanded not to pray. This did not stop them from praying in their hearts however.  They feared God more than the unrighteous laws of man. They had an eternal perspective and realized that it is much more important to pray and continue to worship God than to be put to death.  Gods laws matter so much more.

Mosiah 23:23

"For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob."

Alma and his people fled into the wilderness because the Lord told them to.  After a while the Lamanites found them and put them into bondage. The only way that they could get out of bondage was through the help of God.  I like that God knew that they were in bondage, but He still wanted them to come to Him before saving them.  God knows exactly what we are going through and how to help us out.  We just need to ask Him and have faith that he will help us.

Mosiah 22:14

"And it came to pass that Mosiah received them with joy..."

When the people of Limhi were finally able to escape from Lamanite bondage they went to Mosiah's people.  Mosiah was glad to welcome this people into his land!  He was so glad because they were following the commandments and eager to join the church.  I'm sure Limhi's people were relieved and felt so happy to be in a place where they were welcomed and loved; a place where they could feel at home.

Mosiah 21:35

"They were desirous to be baptized as a witness and a testimony that they were willing to serve God with all their hearts..."

The people of Limhi repented of their iniquities and wanted to be baptized because they love the Lord.  They  realized the joy and protection that comes from serving God. Baptism is a covenant made with God to serve him and is also a way to receive so many blessings.

Mosiah 20:11

"And it came to pass that the people of Limhi began to drive the Lamanites before them; yet they were not half so numerous as the Lamanites. But they fought for their lives, and for their wives, and for their children; therefore they exerted themselves and like dragons did they fight."

Even though the people of Limhi were completely out-numbered in battle they conquered.  They were able to do so well because they had good reasons to fight.  They were protecting their families.  Today there is a huge battle against the family.  Just like these people, we should fight for the sanctity of the family. Families are worth it and must be protected!

Mosiah 18: 23

"And he commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God."

Alma is organizing the church in the forest of Mormon under God's direction.  Here Alma teaches the importance of keeping the sabbath day holy. It is a commandment to do so.  Just as sabbath observance was needed then, it is still needed today.

Mosiah 17:20

"And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death."

Abinadi did what the Lord wanted him to do. King Noah did not like what he said, so he killed him.  Abinadi would rather die than deny the words he preached.  I admire Abinadi's courage and devotion to the Lord and his mighty works.  It does not matter what people think of us or even if we live a long time.  What matters is that we are being true to Heavenly Father, because His judgements determine our eternity.

Mosiah 16:4

"Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state."

When Adam fell from the garden of Eden man became lost and fallen, meaning that they were no longer in the presence of God.  With Christ's atonement, He made it possible to enter into God's presence again. Because of the Fall, Christ came to redeem us from that fall. We are not lost!

Mosiah 15:20

"But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead."

Christ died and 3 says later he was alive again.  Just as he was alive again, we will be alive again.  Resurrection is a gift that we all get. It is through Christ that that is made possible.

Mosiah 14: 4

"Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him as stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."

Jesus Christ suffered our sorrows, our pains, trials, sicknesses, and sins.  He has felt all the hardness in life that we will go through.  He did this so that we would not have to.  If we turn to him we can feel relief, comfort, and joy!

Mosiah 13:28

"And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses."

Jesus Christ was prophesied about long before He came to the earth.  Abinadi is teaching the people that Christ will come and atone for the sins of the people so that they can repent and be saved in the Kingdom of God.  The people lived the law of Moses thinking that it was enough, but Abinadi teaches that the law leads to the atonement.  Christ fulfills the law of Moses with his atonement.

Mosiah 12:1

"...Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying-- Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people..."

Abinadi was called by the Lord to preach the gospel.  I like how the Lord calls the people 'my people.'  Even though they were not keeping the commandments the Lord still called them his.  This shows how much He loves all of us!

Just as Abinadi was called to preach, so many people are called to preach today!  The Lord still calls upon missionaries to preach to His people throughout the world.

Mosiah 11:27

"Now when king Noah had heard of the words which Abinadi had spoken unto the people, he was also wroth; and he said: Who is Abinadi, that I and my people should be judged of him, or who is the Lord, that shall bring upon my people such great affliction?"

King Noah, to me, sounds a lot like Laman and Lemuel as they rebelled against Nephi.  This mind set leads to wickedness and great unhappiness.  Abinadi is a prophet of God and was commanded of God to judge Noah and his people because of their wicked and selfish ways.  There are a lot of people who still think this way; who reject our living prophet Thomas S. Monson and think that he has no right. I know that President Monson is God's prophet today and that, just like Abinadi, he tells us what the Lord wants us to know.  Whether we accept him or not is our choice. I choose to follow him so that I will be on the Lord's side.

Mosiah 9:17

"Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites..."

King Zeniff recounts how his people came to live in the Land of Lehi-Nephi.  He realizes that the Lamanites let them live there because the Lamanites hated them and wanted to destroy them.  After 12 years, King Zeniff realizes this and prepares to battle.  He and his people prayed to God and received strength.  They were able to overcome their enemies because the Lord was on their side.  If you have the Lord with you, you can do anything!

Mosiah 8:18

"Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings."

Here Ammon is explaining to King Limhi about seers. King Limhi desires a record to be translated, so Ammon tells him how a seer can do this. I like this verse because it shows that God provides a way for miracles, even translations of ancient records, to happen.  I know that God provides ways for other things to happen as well. Things both grand and small, personal and universal. We must have faith in order to have these miracles though.

I just read chapter 7 in the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon.  It talks about the people in the land Lehi-Nephi who lived in bondage to the Lamanites.  They were in bondage because they did not follow God.  I love what verse 33 says:

"But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."

It shares the message of hope through Christ.  If we but turn away from our iniquities the Lord will deliver us our of bondage.  Trust in God and He will be with you.