As Hezekiah lay dying, Isaiah reassured him that the Lord had heard his prayer. An angel provided the same assurance to King Benjamin. We may not receive an immediate response, but all who pray will eventually receive assurances that God has heard us.
My Name Shall Be There
God told Solomon that His name would be in the temple forever. He also warned that if Israel turned away from Him, the temple would be destroyed. How can both be true? The story of King Benjamin clarifies that those who worship in the temple can receive God's name in their hearts forever.
Holiness to the Lord
Through Moses, the Lord gave the children of Israel a law. It's a wondrous set of objects, activities, and sacred times all intended to point their hearts to the salvation He would provide them. The Nephites lived this law, recognizing that it pointed their minds forward to Jesus Christ.
Into Thy Hands
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is not only the mechanism through which He saves us but also emblematic of the process by which we receive that salvation. As He suffered on our behalf, He quoted from a psalm, reaffirming His commitment to submit fully to the will of His Father.
Jesus Christ is the Way
The builders of the Tower of Babel hoped to make a name for themselves and ascend to heaven through their own efforts. In contrast, King Benjamin taught that salvation comes only through the name of Jesus Christ. As we grow closer to Him, He unites us and lifts us to our Father in Heaven.
King Benjamin: The Natural Man
Part of mortality is being subject to improper inclinations. An angel explained to King Benjamin that when we err in ignorance, Jesus Christ eliminates our culpability. But when we know right from wrong, we become agents. We can choose to "put off the natural man," and become saints through the atonement of Christ.
The Fall of Adam and Eve
The Fall of Adam and Eve was important to Book of Mormon prophets. Lehi, Benjamin, Alma, Samuel,and Moroni all elaborated on this important event, explaining how it informs our decision-making, our perception of mortality, and our understanding of God's plan for His children.
The Heaven and the Earth
Faith in God can begin with a sense of wonder at His creations. Nephi, Benjamin, Ammon and Aaron, Jesus, and Moroni all emphasized the Creation as a basis for belief in God.
Degrees of Difficulty: Controlling What We Can
God taught Joseph Smith that He judges us according to "the desire of [our] hearts." He is perfectly aware of the unique "degree of difficulty" we individually face, and He factors that in to His assessment of us. We should therefore focus our efforts on what we can control and leave the rest to Him.
“Thus Shall My Church Be Called”
Jesus revealed the name of His church in 1838. He declared, "Thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." We honor Him and affirm our discipleship by using the full name of the Church.