Mosiah 28:1-8

3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.

4 And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.

5 And it came to pass that they did plead with their father many days that they might go up to the land of Nephi.

6 And king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he should let his sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word.

7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.

8 And it came to pass that Mosiah granted that they might go and do according to their request.

The date in the heading of Mosiah 27 tells us it occurred around 100-92 BC. In chapter 28, the heading sets the date around 92 BC, so some time has passed since Alma₂ and the sons of Mosiah has repented and became stalwart church members.

The sons of Mosiah took a small group to meet with Mosiah. They wanted him to grant them permission to go up to the land of Nephi and to “impart the word of God to their brethren, the Lamanites” (Mosiah 28:1).

They wanted to bring the word of the Lord to them. They hoped to “convince them of the iniquity of their fathers; and that they might cure them of their hated towards the Nephites” (Mosiah 28:2). Throughout the Book of Mormon, the Lamanites blamed the Nephites for wronging Laman and Lemuel.

During Jacob’s time, attempts were made to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. “And it came to pass that many means were devised to reclaim and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; but it all was vain, for they delighted in wars and bloodshed, and they had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren. And they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually” (Jacob 7:24).

Mormon would explain why the sons of Mosiah wanted to teach the Lamanites.

“Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance.

“Therefore, this was the cause for which the sons of Mosiah had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption” (Alma 17:15-16).

The could not bear the thought that any souls would perish. This caused them pain and torment. The people of Mosiah would feel the same way when Zeniff’s record was read to them. “And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls” (Mosiah 25:11).

They wanted to do all they could to prevent a soul from perishing. “And according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless torment” (Jacob 6:10).

Mormon informs us Alma₂ and the sons of Mosiah “were the very vilest of sinners” (Mosiah 28:4). Ammon, speaking of God’s mercy, told us…

“Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?

“Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church” (Alma 26:17-18).

Apparently, Mosiah was hesitant to let them go. “[T]hey did plead with their father many days” (Mosiah 28:5). Mosiah inquired of the Lord.

The Lord promised Mosiah He would “deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites” (Mosiah 28:7).

When Ammon was watching King Lamoni’s flocks, and stood up to protect his flock from those who wanted to scatter it, Mormon referred to the promise the Lord made to Mosiah and showed how it was fulfilled. ““Therefore [those who attempted to scatter the king’s flocks] did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would deliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king” (Alma 17:35).

Later we read, after a crowd formed after King Lamoni and his wife were overcome by the Spirit we read…

“Now, one of them, whose brother had been slain with the sword of Ammon, being exceedingly angry with Ammon, drew his sword and went forth that he might let it fall upon Ammon, to slay him; and as he lifted the sword to smite him, behold, he fell dead.

“Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the Lord had said unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him according to thy faith—therefore, Mosiah trusted him unto the Lord” (Alma 19:22-23).

With that promise, Mosiah granted his sons’ request.

President Henry B. Eyring discusses the characteristics of those who faithfully share the gospel.