“And Now I Desire That This Inequality Should Be No More in This Land”

Brant Gardner

When Alma the Elder was declining the kingship, one of the principle he mentioned was the equality of mankind:

Mosiah 23:7 “….it is not expedient that we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another; therefore I say unto you it is not expedient that ye should have a king.”

This concept is now made explicit by Mosiah in his declaration of the end of the kings. He specifically says “I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people….” What is “this inequality?”

Grammatically, it would appear to refer to the people suffering for the sins of the king. That is clearly his primary meaning, but it is also quite likely that he has other meanings associated with this particular image. The social structure of kingdoms virtually requires the exaltation of one man above another, with the king at the top. Mosiah is probably attempting to remedy that inequality as well as the unequal punishment of people and king (where the people are punished for the sins of the king).

Social: It is very interesting that Mosiah declares that “this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people.” He appears to make a distinction between this land and my people. It is possible that he is referring to the presence of this mode of kingship in other locations, and that he wishes it were removed from other cities as well as from his own people.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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