Mosiah 3

(All of my own thoughts are in red type.5/20Green 3/21 Orange 6/22 Brown 2023)

Chapter 3

King Benjamin continues his address—The Lord Omnipotent will minister among men in a tabernacle of clay—Blood will come from every pore as He atones for the sins of the world—His is the only name whereby salvation comes—Men can put off the natural man and become Saints through the Atonement—The torment of the wicked will be as a lake of fire and brimstone. About 124 B.C.

  1 And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I have somewhat more to speak unto you; for behold, I have things to tell you concerning that which is to come. Love this openess and prophecy about the future. 
  2 And the things which I shall tell you are made known me by an ^aangel from God. I love it when the prophets openly say what words are given to them by the Lord or angels. I wish that happened in our day... And he said unto me: ^bAwake; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me. There is no mistaking what he is told is from God. He is to be a literal witness to the people. Was he sleeping? Sounds like a literal visitation, not a vision while sleeping.  
  3 And he said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the ^aglad tidings of great ^bjoy. This is what the angels said when Christ was born!
  4 For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy ^arighteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy. Is this King Benjamin's "born again" moment?  Being filled with praise and rejoicing is part of the "heavenly gift". Is that why he can then offer this promise to his people that they too can be filled with joy when they receive this heavenly gift? 
  5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, his definition of "not far distant" is 124 years that with power, the ^aLord ^bOmnipotent who ^creigneth, who was, and is from all ^deternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a ^etabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty ^fmiracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the ^gblind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. Oh how we need these gifts in our day! Where are the disciples of Christ that he promised would do the same and greater than He did? 
  6 And he shall cast out ^adevils, or the ^bevil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men. This is an often overlooked teaching. There are devils and there are evil spirits. In the New Testament, Jesus calls them evils spirits and unclean spirits. One are the third part cast out to the earth with Satan who never had bodies. The other are those who die in their sins who did have bodies. Notice they can “dwell” in our hearts and that they need to be “cast out”. We need this teaching “restored”.  
  7 And lo, he shall ^asuffer ^btemptations, and pain of body, ^chunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can ^dsuffer, except it be unto death; for behold, ^eblood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his ^fanguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. He makes it sound like Christ bleeds due to his anguish. This supports the idea that our emotions have a direct impact on our physical bodies. (Read: "Healing Begins with Sanctification of the Heart" by Dr. MK Strydom) Also pondering the Atonement from the view that Christ suffered as the victim of our sins, taking them upon Himself so that he could claim the right to offer forgiveness to us if we repent. Then if we do, we do not have to suffer the literal effects of our sins (though we may be given full witness to the suffering of others...) This is different than the view that the Atonement was about paying the penalty for sin (whatever that really is...) I mean, is there any punishment that would fully satisfy a victim short of the perpetrator literally experiencing the same thing? 
  8 And he shall be called ^aJesus ^bChrist, the ^cSon of God, the ^dFather of heaven and earth, the ^eCreator of all things from the beginning; and his ^fmother shall be called Mary. I think this means Jesus is the creator of OUR heaven and earth and all things known to US from the beginning. We know things existed or were created before Christ was “begotten” of the Father, right?
  9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, What does this mean? Who are "his own"? Does this mean the Jews; some pre-existent category; anyone who has faith in Him? that ^asalvation might come unto the children of men even through ^bfaith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a ^cdevil, and shall ^dscourge him, and shall ^ecrucify him. This is to help us when we are unjustly persecuted or even killed. Jesus suffered that as well. I thinks it so odd that those possessed by the devil accused Jesus of being possessed by the devil. They think it’s a bad thing to be possessed but don’t even recognize it in themselves. Salvation comes when we are born again. That comes through faith on his name.
 10 And he shall ^arise the ^bthird day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to ^cjudge 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 ^ablood ^batoneth for the sins of those who have ^cfallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the ^dwill of God concerning them, or who have ^eignorantly sinned. Many people will experience this earth life without a knowledge of God. Why? Did they only need to come here to get a body? Why was their test not to see if they would choose God, like He told Enoch? Was it something they did in the pre earth life? Is this a reward? A punishment? An advantage or lack of one? Are they still accountable for what they did with the "light of Christ"?
 12 But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he ^arebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the ^bLord Jesus Christ. The rest of us fall in to this category. We know about God and we sin every day. Sin is rebellion, whether it’s from lack of discipline, or laziness, or weakness. We receive salvation only through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. We must take our weakness (natural man) to Christ and only He can make us strong and pure and grant us salvation. We know we've received salvation when we are born again. 
 13 And the Lord God hath sent his holy ^aprophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive ^bremission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even ^cas though he had already come among them. Two thoughts. He just taught that there are those who die without knowing God and ignorantly sin. But here he said prophets are sent to all mankind. How is it both? Second, they were taught to live as though Jesus had already atoned for their sins and had been resurrected. We should live as though Zion were already established and the Lord had already returned. Hear Him now. I think maybe the "prophets" are all those who've received a knowledge of God through the Baptism by Fire. They are then charged to witness to others and receive the gift of prophecy. They declare that all who truly believe in Christ can receive the remission of their sins, as they have and that when they do, they will be filled with this "exceeding great joy". I read one definition of The Spirit of Prophecy to mean that all prophecy ultimately testifies of Christ. That the "spirit" or "purpose" of prophecy is to witness of Christ. Makes sense...not sure if that is what it really is, though...
 14 Yet the Lord God saw that his people the Israelites were a ^astiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a ^blaw, even the ^claw of Moses.  “His” people back then were “stiff-necked”. Are His people today the same? Are we relying on "the law" and our outward performances to save us? 
 15 And many signs, and wonders, and ^atypes, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they ^bhardened their hearts, and understood not that the ^claw of Moses availeth nothing ^dexcept it were through the ^eatonement of his blood. The "law" is of no worth unless it leads us to Christ and a remission of sins and a mighty change.
 16 And even if it were possible that little ^achildren could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are ^bblessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ ^catoneth for their sins.
 17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be ^ano other name given nor any other way nor means whereby ^bsalvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the ^cLord Omnipotent.
 18 For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink ^adamnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and ^bbecome as little children, and believe that ^csalvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the ^datoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
 19 For the ^anatural ^bman is an ^cenemy to God, and has been from the ^dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he ^eyields to the enticings of the ^fHoly Spirit, and ^gputteth off the ^hnatural man and becometh a ⁱsaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a ^jchild, ^ksubmissive, 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.  A Deseret News article actually used the language that we all need to “submit” to this vaccine. Nope. Only submitting to the Lord. Perhaps we "become" a saint after the mighty change. Before that day, we must be as a child - submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, until that blessed day comes.
 20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the ^aknowledge of a ^bSavior shall spread throughout ^cevery nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
 21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found ^ablameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent. When is that “time”? How does this knowledge come? Is it through the testimony of the "end-time servant"? Does he do miraculous things that the media shares with all the world? How is it that no one misses this witness? The footnote goes to Mosiah 16 which has a footnote that goes to the "every knee shall bow - end- of -the world" timeframe. But this suggests a time for repentance, so what if it is before that? Wouldn't the end-time judgments warrant and open rebellion against light received? That is so lacking right now in the world...too much veiled in darkness and false traditions. 
 22 And even at this time, when thou shalt have taught thy people the things which the Lord thy God hath commanded thee, even then are they found no more blameless in the sight of God, only according to the words which I have spoken unto thee.
 23 And now I have spoken the words which the Lord God hath commanded me. see...they don’t have to pray to receive revelation to know if what was said was from God. He straight up told them. Jealous...
 24 And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his ^aworks, whether they be good, or whether they be evil.
 25 And if they be evil they are consigned to an awful ^aview of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of ^bmisery and ^cendless torment, from whence they can no more return; therefore they have drunk damnation to their own souls. No matter how much one is in denial about Satan and evil and their own bad choices, there will come a day when they will truly "see". What is this "awful view" of our own guilt? Are we allowed to see/feel what our victims felt? and the Savior? 
 26 Therefore, they have drunk out of the ^acup of the wrath of God, which justice could no more deny unto them than it could deny that ^bAdam should fall because of his partaking of the forbidden ^cfruit; therefore, ^dmercy could have claim on them no more forever.
 27 And their ^atorment is as a ^blake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up ^cforever and ever. Thus hath the Lord commanded me. Amen. Remember that all the people in the scriptures who experienced this “hell” came out of it with a determination to preach repentance to even their worst enemies...that’s how hard this is to endure. Repentance is the most loving word you could ever speak to anyone. Don’t shun it. Embrace it with love and gratitude. There is a saying popular now condemning the preaching of "scary" things and they call it "fear porn". But I see many examples in the scriptures where they feel a duty to make it clear what the consequences of sin are. If that helps you stay on the right path until you have a better motivation...so be it. At least you are not ignorant of the consequences of sin!

Mosiah 2

(All of my own thoughts are in red type.5/20 Green 3/21 Orange 6/22 Brown 2023.)

Chapter 2

King Benjamin addresses his people—He recounts the equity, fairness, and spirituality of his reign—He counsels them to serve their Heavenly King—Those who rebel against God will suffer anguish like unquenchable fire. About 124 B.C.

  1 And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father had commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the people ^agathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the ^btemple to ^chear the ^dwords which king Benjamin should speak unto them. Think “General Conference”
  2 And there were a great number, even so many that they did not number them; for they had multiplied exceedingly and waxed great in the land. And yet they were in a state of peace. Awesome!z
  3 And they also took of the ^afirstlings of their flocks, that they might offer ^bsacrifice and ^cburnt ^dofferings ^eaccording to the law of Moses; So they did temple rites too, not just listen to King Benjamin. Was this preparatory to their great conversion? They repented and offered sacrifice first? Lesson...I’ll try that this April. (No follow up to that...sorry...) I have often asked if they offered animal sacrifices. Here is one of the few places it is specifically mentioned. 
  4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had ^aappointed just men to be their ^bteachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the ^cland of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to ^dkeep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with ^elove towards God and all men. They were also in a great attitude of gratitude and humility. Part of the heavenly gift of being born again is rejoicing and being filled with love towards God and all men. They had a measure of this before their mighty change. Seems like it's saying that their animal sacrifice was also to give thanks. Do we ever fast out of gratitude or only when we need something? 
  5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his ^afamily, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another. Did every married son go with his father? So if we did this today, would I have all my kids sitting with me except Aubrey's family? When Tanner and Jace's families marry, they would have no children sitting with them because all the girls would go with their husband's families? 
  6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his ^atent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them; shade? campout? 
  7 For the multitude being so great that king Benjamin could not teach them all within does this mean inside the building or inside the gates? the walls of the temple, therefore he caused a ^atower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak unto them. Did he anticipate this before the gathering or was it erected on the spot? How much time would that take? He is now literally the “watchman on the tower”
  8 And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from the tower; and they could not all hear his words because of the greatness of the multitude; therefore he caused that the words which he spake should be written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive his words. Must have had a kind of paper and ink. Did they have to wait until the entire speech was over to get the written version or were their "runners" delivering it in parts?
  9 And these are the words which he ^aspake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to ^btrifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should ^chearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your ^dhearts that ye may understand, and your ^eminds that the ^fmysteries of God may be unfolded to your view. Consider:
  1. Don't trifle with the words of the prophets - trifle: to consider of little value or importance
  2. Hearken - pay attention, remember so you can act
  3. Open your ears- Be willing to hear what God intends, not what you think
  4. Open your hearts to understanding - Believe what you hear so you can act
  5. Open your minds so the mysteries of God can be unfolded to your view - We see with a spiritual eye. Mysteries are what we did not see or understand before
 10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear ^ame, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man. Here the prophet/king establishes that he is like them. He is mortal. They need not fear him because of his position. Remember if he is mortal, he is not perfect and subject to temptation and error and misjudgment, no matter how hard he tries to stay in tune. 
 11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and ^aconsecrated by ^bmy father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.
 12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to ^aspend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought ^bgold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;
 13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—Here is a clear statement against slavery. Notice slavery is listed with the list of murder, plunder, stealing, and adultery - all serious offenses and examples of wickedness. Speaks to the great influence leaders have on the people.
 14 And even I, myself, have ^alabored with mine own ^bhands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be ^claden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
 15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might ^aboast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear ^bconscience before God this day. Our motivation is to be square with God, not to prove anything to others or for their approval.  So he does not say, “look how great I have been” or “I haven’t required anything of you so if you are suffering it’s your own fault”. 
 16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God. We serve others because of our love for God and for man.
 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn ^awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the ^bservice of your ^cfellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. Understand who it is you are serving and why... One person's account of her "mighty change" was that she was so filled with God's love for her that all she did after that was to please him. And she knew serving others pleased him the most. So she served others out of love for God. He also filled her with love for others that made it even easier to serve. 
 18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to ^aserve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?
 19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to ^athank your heavenly ^bKing! Always point others to Christ
 20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the ^athanks and ^bpraise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and ^cpreserved you, and has caused that ye should ^drejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—
 21 I say unto you that if ye should ^aserve him who has created you from the beginning, and is ^bpreserving you from day to day, by lending you ^cbreath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own ^dwill, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your ^ewhole souls yet ye would be ^funprofitable servants.
 22 And behold, all that he ^arequires of you is to ^bkeep his commandments; and he has ^cpromised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth ^dvary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do ^ekeep his ^fcommandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
 23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
 24 And secondly, he doth ^arequire that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately ^bbless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast? Do you recognize the “immediate” blessings from keeping the commandments? 
 25 And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were ^acreated of the ^bdust of the earth; but behold, it ^cbelongeth to him who created you.
 26 And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am ^ano better than ye yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And ye behold that I am old, and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother earth. I love this. We are “of the dust” which belongs to the earth, so we are “of the earth” which makes her the “mother” of our bodies. Respect and care for and love “mother earth”. What a great example of humility. Here is a "king" who considers himself no better than anyone else, but only a servant. He teaches we are all on equal footing, for we will all die.
 27 Therefore, as I said unto you that I had ^aserved you, ^bwalking with a clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and that your ^cblood should not come upon me, when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he hath commanded me concerning you.
 28 I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together that I might ^arid my garments of your blood, at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal ^bspirit may join the ^cchoirs above in singing the praises of a just God. He is happy to just go to heaven and praise God. I’m sure he’ll do much more...Have we ever had a modern day prophet do this? Is it different because he was their king? Does this have anything to do with the Davidic Covenant where the sins of the people are answered by the king? 
 29 And moreover, I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might declare unto you that I can no longer be your teacher, nor your king; He calls himself their "teacher" not their "prophet"
 30 For even at this time, my whole frame doth tremble exceedingly while attempting to speak unto you; but the Lord God doth support me, and hath suffered me that I should speak unto you, and hath commanded me that I should declare unto you clearly telling them that God has commanded him to say these things. I wish we had this kind of clarity today this day, that my son Mosiah is a ^aking and a ruler over you. Again...doesn't call him to be a prophet
 31 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should do as ye have hitherto done. As ye have kept my commandments, and also the commandments of my father, and have prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies, even so if ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God which shall be delivered unto you by him, sounds like a prophet ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you. I think he was clarifying when he said they were to keep the commandments that he would give them...I mean...the commandments that GOD delivers to him BY him. Big difference!
 32 But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise ^acontentions among you, and ye ^blist to ^cobey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah. If there is contention...you are on enemy soil. 
 33 For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to ^aobey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his ^bsins, the same drinketh ^cdamnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an ^deverlasting ^epunishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.
 34 I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not been taught concerning these things, but what knoweth that ye are eternally ^aindebted to your heavenly Father, to render to him ^ball that you have and are; and also have been taught concerning the ^crecords which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our father, Lehi, left Jerusalem; Do we know any less today?
 35 And also, all that has been spoken by our fathers until now. And behold, also, they spake that which was commanded them of the Lord; therefore, they are ^ajust and true.
 36 And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go ^acontrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do ^bwithdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved—Notice that YOU withdraw from the Spirit of the Lord when you rebel. He doesn’t leave you...
 37 I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open ^arebellion against God; therefore he ^blisteth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in ^cunholy temples. We cut ourselves off from God when we rebel against him. It's okay if we cut ourselves off from those who contend against us.
 38 Therefore if that man ^arepenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine ^bjustice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own ^cguilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the ^dpresence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and ^epain, and ^fanguish, which is like an unquenchable ^gfire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.\
 39 And now I say unto you, that ^amercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending ^btorment. For as much mercy as we experience here on earth, there can come a time when that mercy cannot reach you. 
 40 O, all ye ^aold men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a ^bremembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression. This could footnote to Moroni who warns us in our day of awakening to our "awful situation". Maybe this is the "awful situation" that Moroni is talking about. Not just that Secret Combinations have gotten above us, but that we have fallen into transgression and have sinned against our knowledge and staring at the demands of justice.
 41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ^ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are ^bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out ^cfaithful to the end they are received into ^dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. Some people soften the promise of God by saying it is just symbolic that you “prosper” when you keep the commandments. But the Book of Mormon seems to make it clear that it is temporal as well. How can you be “blessed in all things” if it is not literal? "For the Lord God hath spoken it" - how I wish our leaders spoke this clearly. 

Mosiah 1

(All of my own thoughts are in red type.5/20 Green 3/21 Orange 6/22  Brown 2023)

The Book of Mosiah

Chapter 1

King Benjamin teaches his sons the language and prophecies of their fathers—Their religion and civilization have been preserved because of the records kept on the various plates—Mosiah is chosen as king and is given custody of the records and other things. About 130–124 B.C.

  1 And now there was no more contention in all the ^aland of Zarahemla, among all the people who belonged to king Benjamin, so that king Benjamin had continual peace all the remainder of his days. Zion! This is what a "mighty change" brings - no contention because of the love of God that filled their hearts. This statement is made before King Benjamin's preaching that brought the mighty change, so I don't know if this statement includes this event or the people were like this preceding it. Either way, it sounds like they were in a condition to receive the heavenly gift that comes in Chapter 2. Are we as prepared?
  2 And it came to pass that he had three ^asons; and he called their names Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused taught by other teachers? that they should be ^btaught in all the ^clanguage of his fathers, temporal and spiritual that thereby they might become men of understanding; education is important! and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord. Do you know the prophecies delivered by the hand of the Lord - past and present?
  3 And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the ^aplates of brass, this distinction shows that the prophecies of their fathers were from Lehi to their present saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these ^bplates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ^cignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God. Like the Mulekites who brought no records. Their language became corrupted and they lost the teachings of God. In this context he seems to be saying the "mysteries of God" are the teachings revealed in the scriptures. Is it the literal teachings? Or are the scriptures the door to further mysteries?  
  4 For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; hard enough to remember things in your own lifetime, let alone things that happened hundreds of years ago for he having been taught in the ^alanguage of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time. If you rely on memory alone, through each generation you would probably lose more and more information.
  5 I say unto you, my sons, ^awere it not for these things, which have been kept and ^bpreserved by the hand of God, that we might ^cread and understand of his ^dmysteries, and have his ^ecommandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the ^ftraditions of their fathers, which are not correct. The scriptures contain mysteries, which are the truths unknown to others who don't have them. It doesn't have to mean things that we don't know who do have the scriptures... If my own children "know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught to them"...is it because of the "traditions" I have passed on? the traditions of the world they live in? No matter how righteous you are, this seems to be saying, you will "dwindle in unbelief" if you don't read and understand the scriptures and have them "always before your eyes". How many things have we "gradually" become more unbelieving about because we don't have the scriptures "always before our eyes"? What traditions have been passed down that are not correct? 
  6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are ^atrue. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes. They cannot doubt them, for they have them physically with them.
  7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to ^asearch them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should ^bkeep the commandments of God, that ye may ^cprosper in the land according to the ^dpromises which the Lord made unto our fathers . It's not enough to read. You must 'search'. What are you searching for? Also, we must trust that we can prosper in the land if we keep the commandments no matter what is going on in the world otherwise
  8 And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not written in this book. These are adult children, I think. We should never stop teaching our children. I have been guilty of that to some degree.
  9 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of teaching his sons, that he waxed ^aold, and he saw that he must very soon go the way of all the earth; therefore, he thought it expedient that he should confer the kingdom upon one of his sons.
 10 Therefore, he had Mosiah brought before him; and these are the words which he spake unto him, saying: My son, I would that ye should make a proclamation throughout all this land among all this ^apeople, or the people of Zarahemla, and the people of Mosiah who dwell in the land, that thereby they may be gathered together; for on the morrow I shall proclaim unto this my people out of mine own mouth This is one gathering you would not want to miss, for what is about to happen to them. It is also important that the people witness the transfer of authority personally that thou art a ^bking and a ruler over this people, whom the Lord our God hath given us. Is he saying the Lord has given the people to the king? If so, it's a great responsibility for their sins are on their heads if they do not lead them in the paths of righteousness. I think this puts them under the "Davidic Covenant" where the people answer to the king and the king answers to God.
 11 And moreover, I shall give this people a ^aname, that thereby they may be distinguished above all the people which the Lord God hath brought out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I do because they have been a ^bdiligent people in keeping the commandments of the Lord. Whenever we 'ascend' to a different level of progression, we get a new name. Is this one of those times? He could even be saying that he knows they are ready for the "Born Again" experience they are about to have because of their righteousness.
 12 And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through ^atransgression. sounds like it...
 13 Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lord should fall into ^atransgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become ^bweak like unto their brethren; and he will no more ^cpreserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers.
 14 For I say unto you, that if he had not extended his arm in the preservation of our fathers they must have fallen into the hands of the Lamanites, and become victims to their hatred. As we head in to coming persecution, we must remember that the Lord can deliver us from the hatred of others through his matchless and marvelous power IF we keep His commandments. He preserved them first by removing them, and then by helping them win their battles when attacked. \
 15 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of these sayings to his son, that he gave him ^acharge concerning all the affairs of the kingdom.
 16 And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the ^aplates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also, the ^bsword of Laban, and the ^cball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him. Remember the scriptures are our "ball" which was prepared by the hand of the Lord to lead us according to the heed and diligence we give it.  Did they still use the Liahona? Did it still give them "new writings" and direction?
 17 Therefore, as they were ^aunfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were ^bdriven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore ^cafflictions, to stir them up in ^dremembrance of their duty. Clearly we are headed for this divine reminder and opportunity to repent.  Maybe the "broken bow" incident was their "famine" test.
 18 And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the ^atemple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them. Did they just go to the temple, or go inside the temple and worship/serve/sacrifice there? Still not sure if they did animal sacrifice and if they did, who were the Levites that had authority to administer? It may have been allowed because they possessed the Melchizedek Priesthood, which includes all the authority of the Aaronic.

Words of Mormon

 (All of my own thoughts are in red type.5/20 Green 3/21 Orange 6/1 Brown 2023)

The Words of Mormon

Chapter 1

Mormon abridges the large plates of Nephi—He puts the small plates with the other plates—King Benjamin establishes peace in the land. About A.D. 385. 

 1 And now I, Mormon, being about to deliver up the ^arecord which I have been making into the hands of my son Moroni,  behold I have witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites. Sometimes I like to read the end of a book before I start, or read a little of some of the chapters ahead. Here, Mormon kind of does that for us. He’s at the end of the story, but we are only at the beginning. We now get to read the rest of the book with a new context...how it ends. How will that change what we understand about what we read? In this first statement he shares that the end of the story for the Nephites, who began in such favored conditions, was destruction. We need to learn why, so we can avoid the same ending. Don’t think it can’t happen just because you feel “all is well in Zion”. Elder Christofferson  gave a talk Oct 2020 about sustainable societies. There has been some criticism for his talk because he gave a positive nod to the UN 2030 Agenda which I believe is a precursor to a New World Order designed by the adversary. I didn't worry about it too much because he taught that the only truly sustainable society was one founded on Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is the guidebook for what we need to do to pass on the values and beliefs necessary to sustain righteousness. 
   2 And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ that I deliver these records into the hands of my son; and it supposeth me that he will witness the entire destruction of my people.  But may God grant that he may survive them, that he may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them. "Them" seems to refer to the Nephites. I trust that Mormon believes that there are many of his seed that will continue on, either because they joined the Lamanites or they had moved away...(some think to Europe) 
   3 And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the pates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi. I have never thought of this before, but as Mormon is searching these records, he is reading them much like we are.  He is probably 600 years apart from when they were written.  How much of this can he possibly already know? It's probably just an oral history for most people. They might just have the basics like we do about our founding fathers, but not the inner stories. He's choosing what to include form the past to teach the lessons he can see are needed to sustain a righteous society and also anything that testifies of Jesus Christ - the foundation of all true sustainable societies.  Was he calling Enos, Jarom, Omni and those writers prophets?  Certainly Jacob was, and Enos but it doesn't seem the others so much.  Maybe that's why he calls it "small"...
   4 And the things which are upon these plates ^apleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass - this is why it's of value to us!
   5 Wherefore, I chose ^athese things, to finish my ^brecord upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the ^cplates of Nephi; and I cannot write the ^dhundredth part of the things of my people.
   6 But behold, I shall take these plates which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren. In a future day. I hope this study journal will be "choice" to my posterity as well. 
   7 And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me.  And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will. Here is a great example of trusting the "whisperings" of the Spirit, even if we do not understand them completely. Trust in the Lord! I want to be able to say that the Lord works in me or moves me to do according to His will.
   8 And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people.
   9 And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the plates of Nephi; and I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which God has given me.
 10 Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amaleki had ^adelivered up these plates into the hands of king Benjamin, he took them and put them with the ^bother plates, which contained records which had been handed down by the ^ckings, from generation to generation until the days of king Benjamin.
 11 And they were handed down from king Benjamin, from generation to generation until they have fallen into ^amy hands. And I, Mormon, pray to God that they may be preserved from this time henceforth.  And I know that they will be preserved; for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of God which is written.
 12 And now, concerning this king Benjamin—he had somewhat of contentions among his own people.
 13 And it came to pass also that the armies of the Lamanites came down out of the ^aland of Nephi, So the path back to the land of Nephi was known to both peoples to battle against his people. But behold, king Benjamin gathered together his armies, and he did stand against them; and he did fight with the strength of his own arm, with the ^bsword of Laban. When was the last time a governmental ruler went to battle themselves...never!
 14 And in the strength of the Lord they did contend against their enemies, until they had slain many thousands of the Lamanites. And it came to pass that they did contend against the Lamanites until they had driven them out of all the lands of their ^binheritance.
 15 And it came to pass that after there had been false Christs, and their mouths had been shut, and they punished according to their crimes; Did these "false Christs" claim to be Christ? The promised Christ? Or just someone to follow instead of Christ? How were their mouths shut? From being in prison? death? God? 
 16 And after there had been false prophets, and false preachers and teachers today we call that 'mis;- or 'dis'-information.  It comes from media, government, deep state, business, science and is spread via the internet among the people, and all these having been punished according to their crimes; and after there having been much contention and many dissensions away unto the Lamanites, behold, it came to pass that king Benjamin, with the assistance of the holy prophets who were among his people - Again we see references to prophet(s) Who were these people? I think it is all those who had received the baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost. One of the gifts of receiving that is the gift of prophecy. 
 17 For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people - Is “holy man” a calling or a spiritual level of attainment?  Where are the "holy men"  who speak the word of God with "power and authority" today? I don't hear "much sharpness" and we certainly are a "stiff-necked" people! I am praying that we soon see a fulfillment of 1 Nephi 14: And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory. -  where this power descends on many in the church so we can truly be "armed with righteousness and power". We must rend this "veil of unbelief" and cry out for this gift. Is it reserved for the "men" in the church? Or will women be a part of this? This has been quoted several times in GC as if it's being fulfilled, but I see a deeper more observable meaning yet to come...
 18 Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land.  I love how these holy men dedicated their lives to correct the false beliefs and traditions of their people.  And they succeeded!  They were able to speak the word of God with power and with authority and use much sharpness because of stiffneckedness.  I think we need that in our day! Unfortunately I think they wouldn't be accepted in our day.  Too much political correctness and sensitivity training has taken place.  Actually, I think many would respond, if truly taught "with power and authority". Those who receive this heavenly gift do not fear man.  Perhaps when this happens and they being preaching like this, that is what brings on the prophesied persecution of the saints.