King Benjamin did not review his royal service “to boast” (Mosiah 2:16). I interjected, “just let him, it’s no big deal”. But he’s never done 10 before. King Benjamin appoints his son Mosiah to be the next king. 4:4 “My friends and my brethren, my kindred and my people”   This is an interesting sentence structure. King Benjamin's speech begins in Mosiah 2:9 and continues through Mosiah 4, with additional comments from Benjamin in Mosiah 5, but I have included some of the surrounding text to provide background and to show the effects of his words. f) has been from the fall of Adam King Benjamin announces that an angel of God appeared to him and told him the Son of God would come to earth. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. King Benjamin’s Speech Made Simple is a popular abridgment of the expansive volume King Benjamin’s Speech: “That Ye May Learn Wisdom.”. 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. So, exhausted, he takes the weight down and attempts to push it up. A sister in a former ward told this story. 14 And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness. 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. King Benjamin was the king over two distinct groups: Nephites and Mulekites. He sees the Book of Mormon as being chock full of these references, most notably in the passage of King Benjamin’s address. King Benjamin’s Speech Made Simple is a popular abridgment of the expansive volume King Benjamin’s Speech: “That Ye May Learn Wisdom.” Prepared with the general reader in mind, this streamlined version presents the essential contents of the original book. (wait Mormon’s don’t believe in being born again, do we? Mosiah 15:24-25 The king teaches them to believe in God, believe that He lives, and believe that He created the heavens and earth. 1) He gave us life 2) If we attempt to repay him through service, he immediately blesses us, keeping us in debt. He wants to quit, but the spotter says “one more you can do it”. It was King Benjamin’s previous efforts that inspired Mosiah to make these changes. 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. The people believe King Benjamin’s words and pray to God. They feel great peace and joy as they covenant with Jesus Christ. Why are People Leaving the Mormon Church? His spotter is there to help him if he can’t make it. 16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. This powerful and classic speech by King Benjamin in about 140 BC has been reformatted into a genearal conference format. 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. That’s a very gentle way to remind us that we’re not perfect, we’re going to make mistakes, we’re not going to go as fast as we probably want to. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. He really did suffer human emotion, discomfort, and pain. April 13, 2020 Cover image: Image of King Benjamin’s Speech by Walter Rane. In addition to the doctrinal beauty and inspiration, I find some very interesting complexity to this. We see ourselves, others, and the Lord in a different light. His people respected him because he had served them unselfishly. A complex review and summary of the Christian doctrines of grace, atonement, and obedience available at the time of Joseph Smith, but bringing them together in a new, unique offering. Of course, God can update the covenantal stipulations through new revelation and prophecies. But he doesn’t go home and guilt himself to death “I wasn’t able to do 10 reps, I’m such a loser, I’ll never make it to heaven.”  No, he is proud of his effort and knows the growth that will come due to his effort, even if he didn’t make the 10 reps himself. Kevin Christensen frequently cites non-LDS scholar Margaret Barker, and argues that content in the New Testament and Old Testament has been removed, that otherwise would correlate strongly with LDS style temple ceremonies and covenant making. OK, I’ll let it go. My boy came back and he seemed to be taking it just fine. My son was elated. Mosiah 3:5-11. A person goes to lift weights. 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. King Benjamin addresses his people and prophesies about the life of Jesus Christ. 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. In Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s book Christ and … King Benjamin teaches them when they serve one another, they are serving God. LDS scholar Blake Ostler takes an interesting position where he acknowledges both modern and ancient content. But at the same time, he gives a very grace centered message to soften the blow of how difficult this may seem. 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. One Mormon’s view of Tyler Glenn’s video Trash. He does seven reps.  On the 8th he falters. At the end, the audience was “born again”, yet there was no baptism involved. But another favorite topic is how much I love the Book of Mormon for its truth and beauty. One of my favorite topics is Book of Mormon historicity. King Benjamin’s Speech: “That Ye May Learn Wisdom” is the most substantial collection of studies ever to focus exclusively on this landmark address. A preacher would travel to the location and hold a series of intense sermons and worship sessions over a few days. What’s going on here? 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. d) natural man 21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. 6 And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men. King Benjamin’s address found in Mosiah 2-5 is one of the most treasured passages in LDS scripture. 19 For behold, are we not all beggars? 10 And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men. 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. He is a good God. 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 side with the LDS scholars that Richard Bushman references as believing the Book of Mormon to be an inspired work but most likely not correlating to an ancient text. King Benjamin taught that when we truly apply the atonement of Jesus Christ, our views change. 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. 7. 4. Even the apostles of Jesus who learned the gospel directly from Him did not teach with any level of clarity on these subjects in the Bible. King Benjamin's son Mosiah is appointed to be the next king. King Benjamin teaches many things that relate with young people. 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 … On: 2019/10/26. b) become as little children And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. 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. I think the natural man is an enemy to godliness in the sense that it’s not always our natural default state. At the end of this sermon, the people are convinced of the message and desire to enter into a covenant, to take on the name of Christ and be his people. When the father told the son no, there seemed to be an understanding that the only reason he was saying no was that there was something bigger and better on the horizon. d) natural man And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast? Chiasm; Chiasmus; Inverted Parallelism; King Benjamin: Abstract: This chart is an outline of the chiastic nature of King Benjamin's speech to the people at the temple of Zarahemla. Having him in our hearts and us in his heart. 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. Godliness is to master our physical desires and to be selfless and serving and good to other people. Some very profound commentary on modern U.S. politics, both from a conservative perspective (Mosiah 2 talking about political leaders not taking payment and keeping taxes low) and from a very liberal perspective (Mosiah 4 a very Socialistic view of community, taking care of all beggars and reducing poverty). I find the passage both beautiful and complex. As we checked out, my son threw in a piece of candy. Living the commandments of God results in a state of being where one can be happy and feel blessed. I turned to see if my son was feeling crushed over this, but he had already turned around to walk back to take the sucker back. Grant Hardy FairMormon 2016 More Effective Apologetics, Naturalistic Theory of the Gold Plates — building on Ann Taves work. 25 And little children also have eternal life. It also means to enter a new relationship with Him which enables us to retain the blessings of that rebirth over time. Here are some of the highlights of that list. Repentance. 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. 1. My husband looked at him and without expression on his face, just shook his head and said no. Yet another ritual pattern has been identified in King Benjamin's speech by Stephen D. Ricks ("Treaty and Covenant in King Benjamin's address" in Echoes and Evidences of the Book of Mormon, [FARMS, 2002], 389-94). The plea for the covenant and atonement found in Mosiah 4:1-3. I don’t go so far as to say Book of Mormon complexity proves that it couldn’t have been created by Joseph Smith (creativity of man responding to divine persuasion). King Benjamin's Speech: "That Ye May Learn Wisdom" is the most substantial collection of studies ever to focus exclusively on this landmark address. 6. God cares about not just our needs but our wants. 3. c) become a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord 225, 229, 259) a) humble themselves b) become as little children c) salvation through the atoning blood of Christ the Lord d) natural man e) enemy to God f) has been from the fall of Adam f) will be forever and ever The people pitch their tents near the temple in Zarahemla. The speech of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon is a masterpiece of Christian literature. "A Manual for Discipleship," in King Benjamin's Speech, ed. But he also sees distinctly ancient elements: call for entire nation to gather to witness coronation of king, burnt offerings, covenant renewal, etc. LDS scholars argue that King Benjamin’s address and focus on temple and covenant making has more parallels with the Old Testament than the modern era. Like … King Benjamin’s Speech Follows a Covenant Format The Mount Sinai covenant is worth reviewing for that is where we learn about what God expects from us in the covenantal relationship. Thius collection of essays is an invaluable tool for all serious students of the Book of Mormon, focusing on King Benjamin's farewell speech as contained in Mosiah 1-6 of the text, such as providing exegesis of certain pericope and showing the ancient background of the speech, such as the speech's roots in ancient kingship rituals. Print one copy of the large crossword puzzle and clues from pdf or word and cut out each clue and title. King Benjamin sees that the people have been spiritually born of God. Prepared with the general reader in mind, this streamlined version presents the essential contents of the original book. King Benjamin’s Speech: “That Ye May Learn Wisdom” is the most substantial collection of studies ever to focus exclusively on this landmark address. Halverson adds another important one. The spotter has to lift most of the weight this time, but he gets it up. 12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you. He lists the six patterns evident in this passage that BYU professor Stephen Ricks outlined as correlations to ancient Israel. Yay. An interesting example of this is where the Book of Mormon addresses what will happen to those that die without the law. Of course, God can update the covenantal stipulations through new revelation and prophecies. These doctrines developed over time, like all human thought does: building on previous body of work, arguing, debating, expanding it, and then arguing over those expansions, etc. The contributors examine this speech in the multifaceted contexts in which it was delivere Interestingly, the Book of Mormon is filled with scenes similar, to those which Joseph would have witnessed at these meetings. A revival hosted by Bishop William M’kendree in 1826 in New York where attenders pitched their tents facing the raised stand, referred to the camp as God’s temple. His name would be Jesus Christ, and He would perform miracles and redeem His people. A beautiful definition of scripture and revelation I first heard from Blake Ostler is the “synthesis of the creativity of man responding to divine persuasion”. 24 And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. (Wait a minute—Mormons don’t believe that. 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. Learn What King Benjamin Teaches About the Savior. Mosiah 4:17-22 King Benjamin expands on the Parable of the Talents, going deeper into the comparison of man to beggar in a power position to man to God in a weak position. Mosiah 2:41 Excellent verse outlining “practical religion”. Eleven studies examine the classic speech f… He puts on enough weight to do about 10 repetitions. There was some kind of unspoken communication here. In addition to the correlation to 1800’s revivals, another point for this being a modern work is the very specific, modern era Christian doctrine taught. It goes from non-familial to familial, then back to familial followed by non-familial. e) yieldeth to the Holy Spirit 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. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. A fairly complex chiasmus in Mosiah 2:41 ((John W. Welch, and Stephen D. Ricks, King Benjamin’s Speech: Made Simple, pp. • In his book Since Cumorah, Hugh Nibley studies Benjamin's oration as an archetypal coronation speech. As Richard Bushman stated, even faithful LDS are adopting this view more and more frequently. Natural man is an enemy to God. In Nibley's view, one of the main purposes of the kings' speech is on the peaceful continuation of the kingdom as the throne passes on to the rightful heir. This would be a good model for race relations in the modern world. We see both the drawing on of powerful phrases already given in what would have been popular sermons of Nephite history “goodness of God” drawing from 2 Ne 9. 225, 229, 259), a) humble themselves Purpose was to teach atonement of Christ, the need for a Savior, and call sinners to repentance. The video is based on Mosiah 1–5. But he didn’t seem surprised. 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. 20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. John W. Welch and Stephen D. Ricks, 1998, 16. 12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true. If they did, then Abinadi died before King Benjamin gives his speech, thus eliminating the possibility that Abinadi’s sermon is a derivative of King Benjamin’s. King Benjamin’s Speech Follows a Covenant Format The Mount Sinai covenant is worth reviewing for that is where we learn about what God expects from us in the covenantal relationship. In the Book of Mormon, they gathered at the temple. While it is not certain that the above-listed events took more than three years, it seems likely. How do we move from that natural state to that godly state? These inspired words influenced later Book of Mormon prophets for generations, and they continue to reach across time to stir countless people today. 5. He’s about ready to put the people in a covenant, and he’s defining what will be their part. Now that he’s outlined what God does for us, he’s going to outline what God expects from us. This is something the Book of Mormon does over and over. a) submissive, meek, humble. The spotter pulls up the weight to help him and he gets it. But it’s enough to give me pause from time to time. Those who turn to the Savior can be cleansed from sin. 41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. As King Benjamin teaches in this speech, it means to be spiritually reborn through His atoning sacrifice, receiving a remission of our sins and being filled with joy. A good example of this is King Benjamin’s address found in Mosiah 2-5. The only sufficient explanation is to combine the two, using his Expansion Theory. Two additional contextual clues add to this conclusion. 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. 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. If you think about it – King Benjamin’s speech resembles a 19 th century revival far more than a Jewish religious gathering. 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. Textual phrases. Mosiah 3:11 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. 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. 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). The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/1?lang=eng. This passage was one of the very first identified by Book of Mormon critics as having obviously modern influence. 15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another. 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”. Anachronistic Christian Doctrine in the Book of Mormon, Nick Frederick — New Testament in the Book of Mormon, In a previous article, I talk about how it’s a bit unrealistic to see such mature Christian arguments in the Book of Mormon. The whole purpose of King Benjamin’s address seems to come down to this thing about our hearts. Camp meeting revivals were so common in New York and the surrounding areas the leading revivalist and theologian Charles Finney coined the term “burned over district” because no one was left to convert. Those who turn to the Savior can be cleansed from sin. Watch the segment below. Prepared with the general reader in mind, this streamlined version presents the essential contents of the original book. The people … acknowledges both modern and ancient content. 22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done. 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. It will take a passage from the Bible and expand on it. “One more” the spotter cries out. 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. Mosiah 1-6 King Benjamin’s Speech. King Benjamin seems to intentionally stack the deck, making it impossible to keep our end of this. [illustration] King Benjamin Preaches to the Nephites, by Gary L. Kapp [illustrations] Paintings by Robert T. Barrett; left: Christ Healing the Man with the Withered Hand; top right: Joseph Smith's Vision of the Celestial Kingdom; bottom right: King Benjamin Confers the Kingdom on Mosiah As the people believe King Benjamin’s words, they ask God for forgiveness from their sins and make covenants with Jesus Christ. Similarities of 1800’s revival camp meetings to King Benjamin’s address: Mosiah 5:7 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. A prolonged worship session that lasted several days or mores. 29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. e) enemy to God I have enjoyed diving into this and studying it in depth in preparation for Gospel Doctrine lessons 15 “Eternally Indebted to Your Heavenly Father” and 16  “Ye Shall Be Called the Children of Christ”. 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. 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. 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. 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. His message seems to have this subtext of racial tension and economic disparity as the backdrop. See Alma 5:7, 12, 13, 14, 25; 19:33; Helaman 15:7. 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. 2. The truth that we cannot pay the Savior Jesus Christ back for what he has done for us is an important truth to stress with those we teach. Similar to Nephi ’ s words and pray to God man to an... Note king benjamin speech the highlights of that list Mosiah 2-5 to him and without expression on his own no. 15 cent sucker or something t understand what was going on the Talents, which king teaches. 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