What the Book of Mormon Says
For the multitude being so great that king Benjamin could not teach them all within the walls of the temple, therefore he caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak unto them. 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 . . . (Mosiah 2: 7-8)
What Archaeology Says
Sorenson explains that the temples of the Nephites were of a style Babylonians called ziggarut. The temple proper was at the top and, like Solomon's temple, was thought to be the place were God could dwell among his people. Archaeologists call these ziggaruts, pyramids, and temples artificial mountains. Moses spoke with God on the top of Mount Sinai and the temple in Jerusalem was referred to as the mountain of the Lord's house (see Isaiah 2:22.) One of God's names in Hebrew, Sur, means mountain (see 1 Samuel 2:2.)
These temple mountains had both religious and political significance. Sorenson quotes a study by archaeologist, A. Wiercinski, which showed that the largest ziggarut in Babylon, the pyramids in Egypt and the pyramids in Mesoamerica (specifically the two in Teotihuacan, Mexico) are mathematically specific edifices. They turn out to be a kind of coded, numerical representation of time and space relations of sun, moon, and stars and their motions. These "cosmic mountains" of the ancients appear to have been sort of mathematical models of the dimensions of the universe. (p 172)
These ziggarrut/temple structures were called torres (which means towers) by the early Spanish conquistadors.
There are several ways King Benjamin's words could have been written down. The two most likely modes would be scrolls made of animal hide or clay tablets. Benjamin wanted to be sure that everyone in the congregation knew and understood his words because they were important.
Today, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when important information is given by the Prophet, it is usually given verbally at a general conference of the Church - which conferences are held twice a year. However, if something important arises between conference times, it is written in letter form and sent out to all of the Bishops and Stake Presidents, District and Mission Presidents of the Church. The letter is then read aloud to every congregation in the world so that every member of the Church is aware of the important information.
Writing the Words He Spoke
Today, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when important information is given by the Prophet, it is usually given verbally at a general conference of the Church - which conferences are held twice a year. However, if something important arises between conference times, it is written in letter form and sent out to all of the Bishops and Stake Presidents, District and Mission Presidents of the Church. The letter is then read aloud to every congregation in the world so that every member of the Church is aware of the important information.
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| The LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City: A Modern-day tower from whence the word of the Lord goes forth unto all the world. |
Text copyright Gebara Education
Pictures:
King Benjamin's temple tower www.lds.org
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