Zarahemla Under Monarchial Rule

Mulekite Colonization Period

Helaman 8:21, Omni 15–16, Helaman 6:10
The Mulekite colony, having arrived from Jerusalem, settles the land of Zarahemla.
Omni 17
They have many wars, and their lack of records causes their society to corrupt.
Omni 21
Coriantumr stumbles into Zarahemla, where he spends several months with the people.
Omni 20–21
The people record the account of Coriantumr’s visit on a large stone.
Omni 12–13
A group of Nephites, led by Mosiah, arrive in Zarahemla from the land of Nephi.
Omni 14–15
The people of Zarahemla welcome the Nephites and are delighted to see that they have brought with them the brass plates.

Mosiah’s Rise to Power

Omni 18
Mosiah organizes educational programs for the Mulekites, in which he teaches them how to read and write the language of their fathers, and teaches them their history and genealogy.
Omni 19
Mosiah is successful in uniting the two groups, and gains enough political support to become the king of Zarahemla.
Omni 20–23
During Mosiah’s tenure as king, the record of Coriantumr’s visit is found and translated—Amaleki, the record keeper, is born in Zarahemla.
Omni 27
A group of Nephite explorers, including a man named Zeniff, leave Zarahemla to go regain the land of Nephi.

Benjamin’s Reign in Zarahemla

Omni 23
Mosiah dies, his son Benjamin succeeds him as king.
Omni 24, Words of Mormon 12–14
The Lamanites make multiple invasion attempts during Benjamin’s reign, but he is successful in keeping them out.
Mosiah 1:1, Omni 25–26,30, Words of Mormon 10
Zarahemla enjoys a period of peace, and Amaleki invites his readers to come unto Christ—Amaleki then passes the Nephite records on to King Benjamin.
Words of Mormon 15–18
Apostates and detractors harass the people, but Benjamin rules in righteousness, and is able to maintain peace and preach the word of God alongside other prophets.
Mosiah 1:2
Benjamin has three sons: Mosiah, Helorum and Helaman—he educates them well, and teaches them about their progenitors’ prophecies.
Mosiah 1:3–8
Benjamin teaches his sons from the brass plates, and emphasizes how important scriptural records are to the spiritual welfare of a society.
Mosiah 1:9–14
Benjamin grows old, and he asks his son Mosiah to issue a proclamation across the land, requesting the people to gather together, so Benjamin can speak to them about the transfer of kingship.
Mosiah 1:15
Benjamin briefs Mosiah regarding the responsibilities of kingship.
Mosiah 1:16
Benjamin then gives Mosiah the plates of Nephi, the brass plates, the sword of Laban, and the Liahona.
Mosiah 1:18
Mosiah carries out his father’s request and issues the proclamation.
Mosiah 2:1–2
In response to the proclamation, the people of Zarahemla gather at the temple.
Mosiah 2:3–4
People bring sacrifices to offer as a token of gratitude to God.
Mosiah 2:5–7
Families set up their tents outside the temple in order to hear Benjamin.
Mosiah 2:8
Due to the large number of attendees, not everyone could hear, so Benjamin ordered that his words be written and promptly distributed to those present.
Mosiah 6:1–2
Benjamin records the names of all those who entered into the covenant.

Mosiah’s Reign in Zarahemla

Mosiah 6:3
Mosiah is consecrated to be king.
Mosiah 6:4
Mosiah assumes the throne.
Mosiah 6:5
Benjamin dies.
Mosiah 6:6–7
Mosiah reigns righteously and prospers.
Mosiah 7:1–3
Mosiah sends a search party (composed of 16 men, lead by a man named Ammon) out to locate the group of people that left for the land of Nephi some time earlier.

Zarahemla is Joined by More People

Mosiah 22:13–14
About one year later, the search party returns with Limhi’s people, who bring with them twenty four gold plates discovered earlier.
Mosiah 24:25
Alma and his followers arrive in Zarahemla.
Mosiah 25:1–4
King Mosiah orders all his people to gather together.
Mosiah 25:5–6
Mosiah publicizes the histories of both Limhi’s group and Alma’s group.
Mosiah 25:7–11
Their stories have a striking impact on the public.
Mosiah 25:12–13
The families of Noah’s Priests, who had been abandoned during the Lamanite siege, disown their fathers and assume Nephite citizenship.
Mosiah 25:14
Despite the variety of origins of the people of Zarahemla, they all call themselves Nephites.
Mosiah 25:14–16
Mosiah turns the time over to Alma, who gives a sermon about remembering the Lord.
Mosiah 25:17
Limhi and his people express their desire to be baptized by Alma.
Mosiah 25:18
Alma agrees, and baptizes all of the people of Limhi, who in doing so become members of the Church.
Mosiah 26:8, 25:19–23
After receiving a legal sanction from Mosiah, Alma establishes a centralized church with seven branches in Zarahemla.
Mosiah 25:24
The church grows and prospers.

Persecution for the Church

Mosiah 26:1–4
Years later, the rising generation begins to show apathy and unbelief regarding their fathers’ religion, and thus separate themselves from the people of faith.
Mosiah 26:5–7
The number of unbelievers increases, and the church decides to take disciplinary action towards them, and they are summoned to a church court.
Mosiah 26:9
Numerous witnesses testify against the unbelievers.
Mosiah 26:10–11
Alma, not knowing what to do, brings them to King Mosiah.
Mosiah 26:12
Mosiah refuses responsibility to judge them, and returns their fate in the hands of Alma.
Mosiah 26:13–14
Alma, still not knowing what to do, is troubled, and prays for guidance.
Mosiah 26:14–32
The Lord answers Alma’s prayer, and tells him that the unbelievers will have their ultimate reward, and until then, judge them only for the crimes they committed.
Mosiah 26:33
Alma makes note of the revelation he received.
Mosiah 26:34–36
Alma, according to God’s word, provides all the suspects with a chance to repent—all those that do repent are numbered among the church members, and those that do not, are expunged from church records.
Mosiah 26:37–39
Alma continues to regulate the church according to that model, and the church enjoys prosperity, but also endures continued persecution from the unbelievers.
Mosiah 27:1
Increasing persecutions lead the church to file a complaint with the government.
Mosiah 27:2–5
King Mosiah makes any further persecution illegal.
Mosiah 27:6–7
The law is effective, and peace and prosperity follows.

Alma and Mosiah’s Sons’ Rebellion

Mosiah 27:8–9, 34
Alma’s son, Alma, and Mosiah’s sons, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni, are among the unbelievers who cause many problems for the church.
Mosiah 27:10–12, Alma 36:6–7
One day, as they were going about wreaking havoc, an angel appears in a spectacular earth–shaking display.
Mosiah 27:13, Alma 36:8, 38:7
The angel calls Alma by name and asks him why he is persecuting the church.
Mosiah 27:14–16, Alma 36:9
The angel convinces Alma of his wrongs, and commands him to cease his harmful activity.
Alma 36:11, Mosiah 27:17
The angel speaks to the sons of Mosiah, then leaves.
Mosiah 27:18–19, Alma 36:11,10
Alma and the sons of Mosiah are overwhelmed beyond measure, and Alma is traumatized to the point that he overcome with full–body paralysis.
Alma 38:8, 36:12–16
Alma, in an unconscious state, is agonized by his guilty conscience.
Mosiah 27:19–20
Mosiah’s sons carry Alma to his father.
Mosiah 27:21–22
Alma’s father coordinates an effort for the church to fast and pray on behalf of Alma.
Alma 36:17–22, 38:8
Alma calls upon Jesus for relief from his suffering, and his prayer is answered.
Mosiah 27:23–31, Alma 36:23
Alma gets up, and tells the people of the church of his repentance and conversion.

Alma and Mosiah’s Sons Reformed

Mosiah 27:32–33,35–37
Alma and the sons of Mosiah, having repented, become ministers in the church and go about teaching the gospel, strengthening the members, and repairing the damage they have done.
Mosiah 28:1–5
The sons of Mosiah then go to their father, and request permission to travel to the land of Nephi, to teach the gospel to the Lamanites.
Mosiah 28:6
Mosiah prays, and asks God what he should do.
Mosiah 28:7
The Lord instructs Mosiah to allow his sons to go on missions.
Mosiah 28:8
Mosiah grants permission for his sons to go.
Mosiah 28:9
Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni all leave Zarahemla to go to the Lamanites.

Mosiah Manages the Records

Mosiah 28:11–16
In response to public pressure, Mosiah translates the gold plates retrieved by Limhi’s expedition.
Mosiah 28:17
The plates tell the story of a ruined civilization, the Jaredites, who had existed since the “great tower”.
Ether 4:1
Mosiah knows that the contents of the records are not to be published until after the resurrection of Christ, so he apparently only gives an oral summary of the record to his people.
Mosiah 28:18–19
The people were happy to know what was on the plates, yet saddened by the grim story it contained.
Mosiah 28:11,20
Afterwards, Mosiah gathers all his records and entrusts them with Alma, who is designated as the new record keeper.

Government Reform

Mosiah 28:10, 29:1
Mosiah polls his subjects as to who they want to be their next king.
Mosiah 29:2–3
The public expresses their desire for Aaron to be king. Unfortunately, Aaron had already left on his mission.
Mosiah 29:4–36
Considering alternatives, Mosiah drafts and publishes a lengthy essay reminding his people of the danger of kings.
Mosiah 29:37–39
The people agree that kings can be a danger to a society, and instead, they decide they want judges, to give everyone fair treatment.
Mosiah 29:40
Mosiah’s approval ratings soar.
Mosiah 29:41–42
The people appoint judges, and Alma is selected as the chief judge, in addition to his responsibilities as high priest.
Mosiah 29:43–44
Alma is a just judge, and maintains peace.
Mosiah 29:45–47
Alma’s father, Alma, dies at age 82; Mosiah dies at age 63—Zarahemla’s government officially shifts from a monarchy to a judiciary.