Mosiah, also known as Mosiah the Second or Mosiah, is a significant figure in the Nephite history, remembered for his wise and benevolent reign as the last monarch of his people. He ascended to the throne around 124 B.C., succeeding his father, King Benjamin, who was renowned for his own righteousness and leadership. Mosiah continued on the path of his predecessors, dedicating himself to God’s commandments and seeking to lead his people, a combination of Nephites and Mulekites, with fairness and according to the Lord’s statutes (Mosiah 6:6).
During his reign, King Mosiah displayed several remarkable qualities and accomplishments. As a seer, he was gifted with the ability to interpret unknown languages and ancient records (Mosiah 8:13-18). This divine gift proved instrumental when he translated the record of the Jaredites, providing his people with crucial knowledge of past civilizations (Mosiah 28:11-19). He is also celebrated for authorizing Alma the Elder to establish congregations of the Church throughout Zarahemla, a move that strengthened the religious foundation of the Nephite society (Mosiah 25:19).
One of Mosiah’s most pivotal actions as king was his decision to propose a significant governmental reform. He initiated a transition from hereditary monarchy to a system of judges, chosen by the voice of the people, thus ensuring that leaders could be held accountable and removed if they failed in their duties. This system aimed to prevent the oppression associated with kings who might govern unjustly, as he acknowledged the potential for a single wicked ruler to lead people astray (Mosiah 29:25-26). Such reforms established a foundation for democratic principles among the Nephites, with Alma the Younger being the first chief judge under the new system.
Mosiah’s tenure as king was marked by peace and his dedication to abolishing bondage and establishing equality among his people. His legacy was one of love and profound respect between ruler and subjects - a testament to his efforts to be seen not as a tyrant, but as a servant-leader (Mosiah 29:40). At the conclusion of a reign that spanned approximately thirty-three years, Mosiah died at the age of sixty-three, leaving behind a people who esteemed him “more than any other man” for his just and equitable rule (Mosiah 29:40). His life and rule set a definitive close to the era of Nephite kings and paved the way for governance by the rule of law through judges.