King Benjamin

King Benjamin

In the Service of Your God

Susan Easton Black

When King Benjamin finished his speech, he desired to know whether his people believed the words he had spoken. Did they believe the great mysteries he had shared? The people cried with one voice, saying, “Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us” (Mosiah 5:2). They had followed the admonition of King Benjamin and had opened their ears that they might hear, their hearts that they might understand, and their minds that they might accept the mysteries of God.

Through the confirmation of the Holy Ghost they attested to the truthfulness of Benjamin’s words. Because of their receptivity, each had experienced a mighty change of heart. All who read or heard Benjamin’s words were changed. “We have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually,” proclaimed the people (Mosiah 5:2). They “could prophecy of all things” if it were expedient (Mosiah 5:3).

A nation changed. All of the people, excepting their little children, expressed their commitment and willingness to enter into a covenant. They had partaken of the “infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit” and were willing to make a binding promise between themselves and God (Mosiah 5:3). This covenant was “to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command [them], all the remainder of [their] days” (Mosiah 5:5). Benjamin achieved his desire to unite his people in purpose by uniting them in Christian service.

Because they were united in purpose, they could now be united in name. They would be known throughout the land and throughout centuries to come as the children of Christ (see Mosiah 5:7). This name would distinguish them from all other people. It would be a sign to the Lamanites, the Zoramites, and every other “-ite” that this people in 124 B.C. served the Lord and kept His commandments.

In conclusion, Benjamin warned that transgression was the only way to lose the bonding name. Benjamin did not want his people to be divided again. He counseled, “Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life” (Mosiah 5:15).

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The Book of Mormon - Isaiah

Finding Doctrine and Meaning in Book of Mormon Isaiah

RoseAnn Benson and Shon D. Hopkin

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Since Nephi clearly states that he loves “plainness” (2 Nephi 25:4), many readers are somewhat perplexed by the inclusion of the Isaiah chapters in his writings. What these readers fail to understand is that Nephi included the writings of Isaiah not as a test or advanced course for scripture readers but because they formed the foundation of his own scriptural understanding, which he then communicated in plainness in his writings. In other words, the simplicity in Nephi’s writings reflects a depth of understanding that can only be grasped after fully absorbing the meaning of Isaiah’s words. Therefore, the reader who absorbs and plumbs the depths of Isaiah’s writings, as Nephi did, will more fully understand the profound insights contained in the clarity of Nephi’s words. The plain and more accessible writings of Nephi, Abinadi, Christ, Mormon, and Moroni act as keys to illuminate Isaiah, and the writings of Isaiah in turn act as a key to fully unlock the profound nature of Book of Mormon prophetic thought.

McConkie - Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah

Bruce R. McConkie

Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah

Ensign - October 1973

1. Gain an Over-All Knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and of God’s Dealings with His Earthly Children.

2. Learn the Position and Destiny of the House of Israel in the Lord’s Eternal Scheme of Things.

3. Know the Chief Doctrines about Which Isaiah Chose to Write.

4. Use the Book of Mormon.

5. Use Latter-Day Revelation.

6. Learn How the New Testament Interprets Isaiah.

7. Study Isaiah in Its Old Testament Context.

8. Learn the Manner of Prophesying Used among the Jews in Isaiah’s Day.

9. Have the Spirit of Prophecy.

10. Devote Yourself to Hard, Conscientious Study.

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Act and Not Being Acted Upon - Elder David A. Bednar

Acting and Not Being Acted Upon

Elder Bednar says that the best teachers invite their students to act upon what they're learning. (5:00)

Father Lehi

From the Book: The Book of Mormon: First Nephi, the Doctrinal Foundation

"Father Lehi" H. Donl Peterson

Lehi the Man
Lehi the Prophet
Lehi Man of Faith
A Father of Nations
Lehi the Seer
Lehi the Explorer
Lehi the Family Man
Lehi Blesses Joseph

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Possible Locations of Lehi’s Journey

Archaeological Evidence for 7 Locations

on Lehi’s Journey to the Promised Land

See them HERE

By what authority did Lehi... offer sacrifices?

From: Book of Mormon Central

Thus, from the days of Moses until the coming of Christ in the meridian of time, the inhabitants of Israel were not generally given the Melchizedek Priesthood, and only the Levites held the Aaronic Priesthood and administered the obligations and duties of the law of Moses.

The Lord, however, did not leave his people, the Israelites, without the guidance of Melchizedek Priesthood leadership. All the prophets held the higher priesthood, having been ordained by the hand of God (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 180–81). It was by right of this higher priesthood that the Old Testament prophets performed their labors in the name of the God of Israel and could officiate in the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood, just as today bishops in the Church officiate in an Aaronic Priesthood office by right of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

About 600 B.C., Lehi was called as one of these prophets to preach repentance to the inhabitants of Israel, a people who generally did not hold the priesthood. When he left Jerusalem at God’s command, Lehi was aware that he and his family were forming a separate branch of the house of Israel (see 1 Ne. 15:12). Though the Book of Mormon does not explicitly state so, Lehi, like all other prophets in Old Testament times, held the Melchizedek Priesthood.

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See Book of Mormon Central on the same discussion HERE

The Fall of Adam

From the Book Evidences and Reconciliations

by John A. Widtsoe:

Read the Full Chapter HERE

"And I, the Lord God, commanded the man, saying: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Moses 3:16-17)

Though a command had been given, Adam was permitted to exercise his free agency. "Thou mayest choose for thyself." The eternal power of choice was respected by the Lord himself. That throws a flood of light on the "Fall." It really converts the command into a warning, as much as if to say, if you do this thing, you will bring upon yourself a certain punishment; but do it if you choose.

Such was the problem before our first parents: to remain forever at selfish ease in the Garden of Eden, or to face unselfishly tribulation and death, in bringing to pass the purposes of the Lord for a host of waiting spirit children. They chose the latter.

1 Nephi Chapter 13 and America's History

Why Did Nephi Prophesy of Christopher Columbus?

Read the full article HERE

From the Book The Book of Mormon Study Guide

by Thomas R. Valletta

Who were the “mother Gentiles” gathered to battle? (13:17) The American Revolutionists were the target of the mother Gentiles. “We are not talking about righteousness here. We are not talking about just the English . . . either. Remember, there were the French and the Spanish—the French and Indian War and the Spanish wars. All the wars of succession in Europe had their reflections on this continent. Remember, George Washington had to fight both the French and the British” (Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, 1:198).

How was the power of God manifest in American Independence? (13:18) Benjamin Franklin described the crucial role prayer played in the formative days of the American nation: “In the beginning of the Contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard—and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor. . . . I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God Governs in the affairs of men” (“Motion for Prayers in the Convention,” 1138).

How were the early colonists delivered from all other nations? (13:19) “Nephi saw in vision also the coming of the Pilgrims, who came to escape religious persecution. He foresaw the coming to America of peoples from many nations, their wars and contentions. . . . Thus the American colonies attained their independence and set up the government of the United States, all under the divine intervention of God in preparing this land for its divine destiny” (Tanner, “If They Will But Serve the God of the Land,” 49).

Was Sam to Nephi What Hyrum Was to Joseph Smith?

From the Book: Book of Mormon: Who's Who

By Ed J. Pinegar and Richard J. Allen

"Sam was Nephi’s next older brother. Nephi offered insight into Sam’s character when he testified of Lehi’s message from God. “And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words” (1 Ne. 2:17). Laman and Lemuel, however, were angered that their father had caused the family to abandon “the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart” (1 Ne. 2:11). This division of belief between Laman and Lemuel, on the one hand, and Nephi and Sam, on the other, was to endure from that time forth. It was confirmed to Lehi in his vision of the tree of life, for Sariah, Nephi, and Sam all partook of the fruit of the tree, but Laman and Lemuel refused to do so. Lehi declared, “And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved. But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you” (1 Ne. 8:3–4). In the patriarchal blessing that Lehi gave his family at the end of his lifetime, he issued a warning.