The sons of Mosiah address their request to king Mosiah because he is their father, but why do they not address this religious request to Alma1? Zarahemla had a separation between the political and religious. While Mosiah was religious and righteous enough to be use the interpreters (Mosiah 8:13), he is not the head of the church. However, the request had political ramifications. Preaching to the Lamanites could result in the capture of the king’s sons, attempts to ransom them, even their execution. The Lamanites might interpret it as a spying mission and the tentative relationships between Zarahemla and the Lamanites might be thrown into disarray. These negative scenarios, of course, all had their positive—and they doubtless hoped more likely—counterparts; but the real risks involved explain why a decision from Mosiah was necessary.
As king, Mosiah took a religious approach to his political action, as shown by his immediate decision to seek Yahweh’s will. Once he had reassurance from Yahweh, he knew that the mission would be beneficial.
Variant: Verse 6 began with “It came to pass that King… ” in the printer’s manuscript and the 1830 edition. Joseph Smith crossed it out and it was removed beginning with the 1837 edition.
Verse 6 also saw another change in the 1837 edition that has not been retained. The printer’s manuscript reads: “Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he should let his sons go.… ” The 1837 edition reads: “Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he would let his sons go.… ” This change altered the meaning. In the 1830 reading, Mosiah would be letting the sons go, and in the 1837 reading, it would be the Lord. This was probably an error, and it was returned to the printer’s manuscript reading beginning with the 1920 edition.