Mosiah 26

(March 11, 2015)

                I have to wonder what was lost between the time of King Benjamin and the time of the apostasy of Alma the Younger and others.  After all, presumably they had the words of King Benjamin, and presumably the sons of Mosiah at least would have read them.  So what changed in the intervening years that would preclude them from understanding what King Benjamin said?

                The text seems to indicate it is a form of rebellion that closed off their hearts to the message and thus left them unable to believe.  I have seen similar things in my life with both myself and others – we like to think that our belief follows the evidence, but often our belief follows our behavior.  When we are obedient, the strengthening of our faith comes (beyond confirmation bias), but if we are disobedience cognitive dissonance can cloud our minds such that we become incapable of knowing the truth.