What does it mean to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ? Near the end of his life, King Benjamin delivered a final message to his people. As he explained to his son Mosiah, who would succeed him as king, his primary purpose in calling the people together was to give them “a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression” (Mosiah 1:12). An angel had given him the good news that Jesus Christ, the Son of God would come to save His people, and Benjamin wanted his people to be among those that were saved (Mosiah 3:8-9).
Here is an outline of King Benjamin’s sermon with my takeaways.
Here are some blog posts about the main themes in Mosiah 1-3:
Posts about the Importance of Scripture Study
Posts about Gratitude
Posts about Service
- In the Service of Your God – Mosiah 2:16-17
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Serving Others?
Posts about Jesus Christ
- What Is the Significance of the Title “the Lord Omnipotent?”
- What Is the Significance of the Phrase “a Tabernacle of Clay?”
- What Is the Significance of the Names and Titles of Jesus in the Book of Mormon?
Posts about Overcoming the Natural Man
- What Is the “Natural Man?”
- What Is a Saint?
- Why Is It Good to Be Submissive?
- Why Would God “Inflict” Things on Us?
Blog Posts: April 14-19
King Benjamin and Contention
Contention was a major issue for the people of King Benjamin: “And now, concerning this king Benjamin—he had somewhat of contentions among his own people” (Words of Mormon 1:12). “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…
“Grievous to Be Borne” – Mosiah 2:14
The Apostle Paul taught an important principle in his epistle to the Romans: Disciples of Christ must strive to reduce the burdens other people must bear: We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1) And in his epistle to the Galatians, he emphasizes…
“I Have Been Suffered” – Mosiah 2:12
According to Mormon, God “appointed” Benjamin to be king (Mosiah 2:4). But Benjamin himself doesn’t say that. He doesn’t call himself the king, and he doesn’t say that he was chosen by God. What does he say? Three times, he refers to himself as, “I, whom ye call your king,” (Mosiah 2:18, 19, 26), suggesting that…
“That I Might Rid My Garments of Your Blood” – Mosiah 2:27-28
Blood on our clothing is a metaphor for unresolved sins at the Final Judgment. Alma asked the people of Zarahemla, “How will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness?” (Alma 5:22). He urged them to turn to the…
“Glad Tidings of Great Joy” – Mosiah 3:3
The Greek word euaggelion (εὐαγγέλιον) means “good news” or “glad tidings.” It appears 76 times in the New Testament, and it is always translated “gospel” in the King James Version of the Bible. The verb form of the word—euaggelizó (εὐαγγελίζω)—which appears 54 times, is usually translated “preach” or “preach the gospel.” But six times, it…
“As a Child” – Mosiah 3:19
The angel who appeared to King Benjamin had a joyful message for him: The Atonement of Jesus Christ blesses us in two ways: It overcomes the effects of sins we commit in ignorance. It also overcomes the effects of our intentional sins, if we exercise faith in Him and repent. Included in the first category…
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