“They Were Desirous Beyond Measure to Know Concerning Those People”

Alan C. Miner

Why were the people of Zarahemla “desirous beyond measure to know concerning those people [the Jaredites]” (Mosiah 28:12)? According to Michael Hobby, the feverish interest of Mulekites in the affairs of the Jaredites stemmed from their history among them! It was not simply an interest in history for history’s sake… . The stela found in the reign of King Mosiah1 (see Omni 1:20), two generations before Mosiah2 translated the gold plates of Ether, apparently provided only basic information concerning the Jaredite king, Coriantumr. In all likelihood, the people of Zarahemla, prior to their migrations (or flight?) from the land northward, had considered Coriantumr to be their king; and they still considered the Jaredites to be their brethren (see Alma 46:22)… . One must bear in mind when studying pre-Columbian cultures that there was no evening news, no radio, no on-the-spot satellite television coverage of the great wars. For those who had fled with Zarahemla, great uncertainties remained which they could only lay to rest once the full outcome of the great struggle was known. [Michael M. Hobby, The Mulekite Connection, pp. 23-24] [See the commentary on Alma 2:1; 2:11]

Mosiah 28:13 Two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow ([Illustration] Various Concepts of the Urim and Thummim and the Breastplate. (1) Various concepts which have been advanced regarding the possible appearance of the Urim and Thummim, and of the Breastplate. (2) Various Mesoamerican sculptures appearing to involve spectacles. [Glenn A. Scott, Voices from the Dust, p. 124]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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