King Benjamin taught that when we truly apply the atonement of Jesus Christ, our views change. 18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God. To me the great lesson of this portion of King Benjamin’s speech is that often we best fulfill the First and Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37) “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” when we keep the second (Matthew 22:39) “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” and put that love into action through service. Regardless of whether you believe this passage is 100% ancient, 100% modern, or somewhere in between, believing Mormons agree that King Benjamin’s address ranks as one of the most important sermons in all of scripture. 13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/1?lang=eng. But at the same time, he gives a very grace centered message to soften the blow of how difficult this may seem. 17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just— Mosiah 2:21 expanding on the unprofitable servant from the Parable of the Talents, which King Benjamin will come back to later. God cares about not just our needs but our wants. King Benjamin teaches many things that relate with young people. In addition to the doctrinal beauty and inspiration, I find some very interesting complexity to this. King Benjamin's Speech: "That Ye May Learn Wisdom" is the most substantial collection of studies ever to focus exclusively on this landmark address. Purpose was to teach atonement of Christ, the need for a Savior, and call sinners to repentance. The people pitch their tents near the temple in Zarahemla. Ostler sees modern elements of Joseph’s environment, such as 19th century revival meeting similarities, camping in tents for several days, call to repent and accept Christ, attenders would experience change of heart, etc. 11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel. 12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts. c) salvation through the atoning blood of Christ the Lord (Or print one copy of the smaller Crossword Puzzle and Clues per child and one copy of the section titles pdf or word.).) I wrote about this in a prior blog article on Book of Mormon anachronisms. 11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. Without exerting discipline over our natural state, our bodies tend to want to sleep too much, be a little lazy, have sexual desires that are not the best for us, crave food that’s not best for us, we’re naturally selfish and jealous and gossipy and, we’re prone to anger. I believe it’s very likely the 1800’s camp meeting revivals were in Joseph’s subconscious mind as he responded to divine persuasion and produced this beautiful passage of scripture. My husband looked at him and without expression on his face, just shook his head and said no. 41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. One of my favorite topics is Book of Mormon historicity. He sees the Book of Mormon as being chock full of these references, most notably in the passage of King Benjamin’s address. How do we move from that natural state to that godly state? Grant Hardy FairMormon 2016 More Effective Apologetics, Naturalistic Theory of the Gold Plates — building on Ann Taves work. As mentioned already, the expansion of the Bible in a way to show doctrinal emphasis: Jeremiah 31:33, Parable of Talents, Parable of Sheep and Goats. This is something the Book of Mormon does over and over. Mosiah 1-6 King Benjamin’s Speech part 2. BYU Professor of Law John W. Welch argued that King Benjamin’s speech “may be the best royal and religious text to be found anywhere in world literature” that demonstrates this democratizing disbursement of royal duties and privileges to the people. These inspired words influenced later Book of Mormon prophets for generations, and they continue to reach across time to stir countless people today. 26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. He believes traditional LDS apologists are unable to sufficiently explain the modern elements, but critics are unable to explain for the complexity and ancient elements in ways that are “above Joseph”. Stephen Robinson in Believing Christ gives the Parable of the Weightlifting Spotter to give insight into this idea of how we seem to have so many commandments that it’s impossible to obey them all, seemingly driving some into guilt and fear. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. 20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. 13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? Mosiah 15:24-25 I didn’t understand what was going on. 9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him. The only sufficient explanation is to combine the two, using his Expansion Theory. Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy. These arguments sound exactly like they did in Joseph Smith’s era, after Christianity had matured through the early Christian period, Pelagianism, Catholic period, the Protestant Revolution, and the debates of Calvinism and Arminianism that led to the state of American Protestant Christianity in Joseph’s day. 2. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. The whole purpose of King Benjamin’s address seems to come down to this thing about our hearts. Prepared with the general reader in mind, this streamlined version presents the essential contents of the original book. He stated, “I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom,” which he defined by saying, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). Stephen D. Ricks For readers of the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin’s speech is a treasure trove of inspiration, wisdom, eloquence, and spiritual insight. Of course, God can update the covenantal stipulations through new revelation and prophecies. The people believe King Benjamin’s words and pray to God. Learn What King Benjamin Teaches About the Savior. Repentance. King Benjamin encourages the people to remember how they feel, to believe in God and His Son Jesus Christ, and to care for the poor and the needy. It is for King Benjamin’s people to have Christ in their hearts. d) natural man Additionally, there are many aspects of camp meetings that don’t correlate with King Benjamin’s address, especially the singing of hymns which were primary in importance in camp meetings and don’t make an appearance in the BOM account. 5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. The community does nothing until their leader asks them to, at which point they declare their repentance in terms of turning away from God, but without even mentioning the people who have been … A good example of this is King Benjamin’s address found in Mosiah 2-5. 21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another. f) has been from the fall of Adam 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. He didn’t answer, just shook his head. The plea for the covenant and atonement found in Mosiah 4:1-3. Interestingly, the Book of Mormon is filled with scenes similar, to those which Joseph would have witnessed at these meetings. b) become as a child Now that he’s outlined what God does for us, he’s going to outline what God expects from us. 4:4 “My friends and my brethren, my kindred and my people”   This is an interesting sentence structure. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order. a) submissive, meek, humble. But another favorite topic is how much I love the Book of Mormon for its truth and beauty. The people … Krispy Kreme donuts for everyone. (Wait a minute—Mormons don’t believe that. His spotter is there to help him if he can’t make it. Beautiful passage talking about the condescension of God, similar to Nephi’s view of it 1 Ne 11. e) yieldeth to the Holy Spirit The king teaches them to believe in God, believe that He lives, and believe that He created the heavens and earth. I interjected, “just let him, it’s no big deal”. Camp meetings were popular in early 1800’s America, especially in frontier areas (ie western New York) that were not heavily populated with many churches and preachers. A sister in a former ward told this story. Reading the text in a new format can sometimes offer new insights into the teachings and gives you a fresh copy to highlight and write notes on. f) will be forever and ever It goes from non-familial to familial, then back to familial followed by non-familial. So, we get in the car and we’re driving, and I ask him again, “I don’t understand what just happened, that was so weird.”  It was right then, my husband turned the car into Krispy Kreme donuts. 7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters. I find the passage both beautiful and complex. The Book of Mormon takes the Arminian view that due to the nature of the atonement being infinite, that they will receive salvation, similar to little children who die before reaching age of accountability. 7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. King Benjamin was the king over two distinct groups: Nephites and Mulekites. Also, important in camp meetings and absent in King Benjamin’s address were exotic spiritual manifestations like speaking in tongues, faintings, erratic head movements, etc. OK, I’ll let it go. 6 And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant. King Benjamin sees that the people have been spiritually born of God. In the spaces around King Benjamin’s speech I see a community torn by some form of bigotry and a denial that those without status deserve to have their humanity honored by the larger community. ), nature of grace: irresistible, prevenient, etc. The spotter says “push it, you can do it, one more”. Michael Barker also makes note of the use of other poetic structures, for example. When the Book of Mormon was first published, this passage stuck out to people in Joseph Smith’s day as resembling a Protestant revival camp meeting. King Benjamin’s Speech: “That Ye May Learn Wisdom” is the most substantial collection of studies ever to focus exclusively on this landmark address. 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