King Mosiah, always seeking the righteous course to direct his people, warned them of the iniquity which follows the reign of a wicked monarch. He reminded them of King Noah and his profligate priests-how through unrestrained debauchery and lewdness Noah had led his people into committing sins which in turn brought them into bondage. "And were it not for the interposition of their all-wise Creator, and this because of their sincere repentance, they must unavoidably remain in bondage until now."
Mosiah paid great tribute to his father, King Benjamin, saying that if kings like unto him could be had that ruled in righteousness, "then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you." He also drew to the attention of his people, a fact which they well knew, because that with their own eyes they had seen it-Mosiah had brought peace to his people, they had greatly prospered; no wars nor contentions marred their happiness. He had labored with his whole heart and soul to teach them the commandments of God. Few crimes were committed among them, and, besides, he had not arbitrarily punished any man but had meted out just judgments according to the "law which had been given to us by our fathers." In justice, he had administered the laws of the land, which in most cases were the laws of God.
But, King Mosiah explained many other reasons why kings are sometimes not desirable rulers, therefore, he suggested a different form of government be set up to guide the people aright and also to protect them in the new liberty he proposed should be theirs.