After declaring in the previous verses that a just king should follow Jehovah’s precepts, Mosiah declares that he has done so. The particular Nephite elaboration of what a just king should be was declared in King Benjamin’s discourse. Mosiah learned from his father, and declares similar evidence that he has ruled righteously. The evidence is that he has labored to teach Jehovah’s commandments, and sought peace in the land. He has not condoned plundering nor murdering. We have seen in other locations that those are terms that are associated with other kings in the Mesoamerican world, and are used as specific ways to differentiate Nephite kings from the other kings in the region.
Most importantly for what follows is that Mosiah has instituted laws that he follows. Kings have the right to execute judgment, and it is possible that they could do so in a case-by-case basis. Mosiah indicates that he has followed laws against which people could be judged, thus assuring that all would be judged equally according to the laws governing all the Nephite nation. He will be pronouncing further laws that are appropriate to the change in the nature of rulership.