Mosiah took steps to ensure freedom of worship without fear of persecution or duress on the part of worshippers. An inspired latter-day declaration of beliefs regarding governments and principles of governance supports Mosiah’s actions to “secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience” (D&C 134:2). Indeed, these principles form the foundation of the United States Constitution (D&C 101:77–80). Likewise, the churches of Zarahemla commanded that no one be persecuted, that pride and haughtiness be eradicated, that complete equality prevail—that, basically, the golden rule be practiced. The result: “The Lord did visit them and prosper them, and they became a large and wealthy people.” The kind of equality called for by both civil and ecclesiastical administration in Zarahemla is the backbone of Zion and the environment that will pervade the celestial kingdom (D&C 51:9; 105:3–5; 82:17–21).
It is not hard to see that the Lord desired to move this people to the point where they could be translated, as other communities had been (JST, Genesis 14:32–34). Such was not to be, however, partly due to the children of the very men who possessed this higher vision of the purpose of mortality.