When we last spoke of the Nephite's history, they were living in the Land of Zarahemla. The City of Zarahemla as an area that could have been located at La Rosa or Chiapa de Corzo, but the entire Grijalva River basin encompassed the Land of Zarahemla. The last of Jacob's line, Amaleki, when he was about to die, gave King Mosiah the care of the precious plates of the Nephites.King Mosiah died and his son, Benjamin ruled in his stead. There had been a great deal of warfare involving marauding Lamanites, but under Benjamin, they were triumphant and peace reigned in the land.
King Benjamin had three sons whose names were Mosiah, Helorum, and Helaman. He knew that it was important that his sons should be taught the traditional language and writing of their ancestors so that they could be the stewards of the precious plates; the Nephite history on golden plates (at least two sets) and the brass plates brought by Lehi from Jerusalem.
When Benjamin was growing older, he chose his son, Mosiah (named after Benjamin's father) to be king in his stead. As was the custom in ancient Israel, the king wanted to announce the coronation publicly so that there would be no question in anyone's mind as to whom his heir and rightful king would be. He also wanted to speak to the people, so he asked that they assemble at the temple in Zarahemla.
And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father had commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them. And there were a great number, even so many that they did not number them; for they had multiplied exceedingly and waxed great in the land . . . For the multitude being so great that king Benjamin could not teach them all within the walls of the temple, therefore he caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak unto them. And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from the tower; and they could not all hear his words because of the greatness of the multitude; therefore he caused that the words which he spake should be written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive his words. (Mosiah 2: 1, 2, 7, 8)
What Archaeology Says:
Did the ancient Mayans build tall towers such as this? According to Sorensen, they did. He spoke of one hill in Guatemala in particular. I quote: Just northwest of the valley of Guatemala lies a prominent by gently sloping hill elevated a few hundred yards above the pass adjacent to it. . . . on the top of that hill are the remains of an archaeological site, including a pyramid structure, named Alux by archaeologist Edwin Shook who first reported it. (See picture to the left of E. Shook; quote from Sorensen, p. 167) The site was never officially studied and Shook died in 2000, so I was unable to find any pictures, but I would have loved to have seen it. Sorensen compares Alux it to another Book of Mormon report on a King called Noah who built a tower just such as Alux to look out for enemies who might be coming. (We will talk more about Noah next week.)
The Law of Common Consent
The precedent for making a transfer of authority a public affair is found throughout the Middle East as well as in Mesoamerica. In that way everyone over whom this person will exercise authority knows that the authority is legitimate. It was to discourage those who would usurp that authority for their own purposes.
In the LDS Church today, we practice the Law of Common Consent. When a new leader is called whether it be the prophet, a bishop, or the nursery leader in the Primary, that person is presented before the congregation assembled. Those who are willing to accept that person's legitimate authority and support him or her will raise their hands in affirming support. Anyone who has a problem with the person in the position can raise their hands in opposition and be given the opportunity to be heard in private before the transfer of authority is made. I think even some Latter-day Saints think they are voting the person into office. This is not the case. People are called to positions by revelation and inspiration from God and only God's vote counts; but Common Consent does give us the right to be heard on the issue if we have a legitimate problem and to pledge a vote of our individual support to the person in his or her new calling. In that way, everyone present knows who the prophet is, who the bishop is, and who the primary nursery leader is. I find it to be a good practice.
Text from the Book of Mormon and Sorensen's An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon.
Additional text copyright July 2013, Gebara Eduation
Pictures:
Zarahemla www.bigboardgames.com
King Benjamin in his tower www.lds.org
Edwin Shook www.wikipedia.com
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