Life Lessons from the Book of Mormon ~ King Benjamin's Teachings

There are many a sermon that could be preached based on the richness of Benjamin's teachings.  I would invite all of you to read the full text of that speech in Mosiah, chapters two through six.* I am choosing one of my favorite themes for today's life lesson.  We read first Benjamin's humble description of himself.  He is certainly not like any king I have ever studied.

 

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 consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people . . . (Mosiah 2: 11)

 

Then Benjamin continues by reminding his people that he did not impose taxes on them; rather he labored for his own economy, which probably included farming by his own hand and that of his family.

I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you . . . And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne - and all these which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day . . . Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another? (Mosiah 2: 12, 14, 18)
 
This humble king then continued his sermon by reminding the people that there was another King - a Heavenly King - whom they should serve.  He points out that because of the blessing God gives the obedient, they are forever in His debt.  Therefore, what have any of us done that justifies arrogance or pride? 

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 thank your heavenly King! . . . And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.  And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.  And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless 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? (Mosiah 2: 19, 22-24)

 

The scripture tells us that the people at this time were living under the Law of Moses and that Benjamin was such a righteous king that he taught his people to keep the Law and God's commandments.

 



Mayan Stone Altar

And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses;  And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, . . . and [who gave them a king] who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men. (Mosiah 2: 3-4)

 

The summary statement of this part of the sermon is one of my many favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon:

 

After Sandy

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2: 17)

 

When asked: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22: 36-40) 

 

Isn't it great to know that when we are loving and serving our Father's children, we are loving and serving Him?

 

Read Benjamin's sermon @ http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah?lang=eng.

Text copyright July 2013, Gebara Education

 

Pictures:

Benjamin on tower from www.lds.org

Benjamin's people helping one another from www.lds.org

Benjamin from www.lds.org

Mayan stone altar from www.flickr.com

Volunteers cleaning up after Sandy from www.nydailynews.com