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MOST RECENT QUESTIONARIES
mosiah 3.5-6 (questionary 10 in "king benjamin's final words" series)
thursday, june 26, 2025
5For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. 6And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 10th reading in the series.
Mosiah 3 can be divided into two sections. Verses 1-4 contain private words that an angel spoke to King Benjamin. Verses 5-27 contain doctrines and principles that an angel personally taught King Benjamin and that he was to publicly teach his people. This is our 1st of 8 readings in which we explore the angel’s teachings.
1. In delivering his message to king Benjamin, the angel calls Jesus, the one who comes “down from heaven among the children of men” and “the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity.”
? What do you think and feel about Jesus when you read that he is the “Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity”?
? What do you think and feel about Jesus when you read that he came "down from heaven among the children of men and… [dwelt] in a tabernacle of clay”?
? Even if Jesus had lived a normal or even privileged life, life on earth would have served as a shock to his spiritual sensibilities. What do you think and feel when you consider the sacrifice it was for him to leave his glory behind and come to earth, no matter his earthly circumstances?
2. The angel testifies of several “mighty miracles” that were part of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
? What “mighty miracles” does the angel mention?
? What examples of each of these wonders come most readily and impressively to your mind when you consider those reported in the New Testament Gospels?
? What miracles has Jesus performed as he has ministered to you in your life?
3. Among, and right alongside the other miracles Jesus performed is the miracle of “cast[ing] out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.”
? What comes to your mind immediately and most impressively when you consider this miracle?
? What, if any, are the implications of the angel speaking not simply of “devils,” but of “evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men”?
? In considering this miracle, we most often think of the exorcisms of alien life-forms from human bodies. In what way, other than the exorcism of alien life-forms, can we understand Jesus’ casing out “evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men”?
? In what way do we all have “evil spirits” and overwhelming influences which we are unable to abandon without Jesus’ powerful intervention?
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 10th reading in the series.
Mosiah 3 can be divided into two sections. Verses 1-4 contain private words that an angel spoke to King Benjamin. Verses 5-27 contain doctrines and principles that an angel personally taught King Benjamin and that he was to publicly teach his people. This is our 1st of 8 readings in which we explore the angel’s teachings.
1. In delivering his message to king Benjamin, the angel calls Jesus, the one who comes “down from heaven among the children of men” and “the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity.”
? What do you think and feel about Jesus when you read that he is the “Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity”?
? What do you think and feel about Jesus when you read that he came "down from heaven among the children of men and… [dwelt] in a tabernacle of clay”?
? Even if Jesus had lived a normal or even privileged life, life on earth would have served as a shock to his spiritual sensibilities. What do you think and feel when you consider the sacrifice it was for him to leave his glory behind and come to earth, no matter his earthly circumstances?
2. The angel testifies of several “mighty miracles” that were part of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
? What “mighty miracles” does the angel mention?
? What examples of each of these wonders come most readily and impressively to your mind when you consider those reported in the New Testament Gospels?
? What miracles has Jesus performed as he has ministered to you in your life?
3. Among, and right alongside the other miracles Jesus performed is the miracle of “cast[ing] out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.”
? What comes to your mind immediately and most impressively when you consider this miracle?
? What, if any, are the implications of the angel speaking not simply of “devils,” but of “evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men”?
? In considering this miracle, we most often think of the exorcisms of alien life-forms from human bodies. In what way, other than the exorcism of alien life-forms, can we understand Jesus’ casing out “evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men”?
? In what way do we all have “evil spirits” and overwhelming influences which we are unable to abandon without Jesus’ powerful intervention?
mosiah 3.1-4 (questionary 9 in "king benjamin's final words" series)
thursday, june 5, 2025
1And 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. 2And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God. And he said unto me: “Awake.” And I awoke, and behold he stood before me. 3And he said unto me:
“Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy. 4For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, 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.”
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 9th reading in the series.
Mosiah 3 can be divided into two sections. Verses 1-4 contain private words that an angel spoke to King Benjamin. Verses 5-27 contain doctrines and principles that an angel personally taught King Benjamin and that he was to publicly teach his people.
1. In our initial questionaries, we identified several purposes that King Benjamin had in mind in gathering his people. In this reading, the angel shares specific purposes he has in coming to King King Benjamin.
? What are those purposes?
? As you consider what follows in chapters 4 and 5, were the angel’s hopes realized? Where and how were they realized?
? What other examples can you identify in which angels delivered happy and welcome news that resulted in individuals rejoicing and being “filled with joy”?
? The hopes of the angel might also be realized in the lives of all those who read his message. Has the angel’s message caused you to “rejoice” and “be filled with joy” because its “glad tidings of great joy”?
? What is it specifically about the angel’s message that has caused you to rejoice and be filled with joy?
“Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy. 4For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, 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.”
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 9th reading in the series.
Mosiah 3 can be divided into two sections. Verses 1-4 contain private words that an angel spoke to King Benjamin. Verses 5-27 contain doctrines and principles that an angel personally taught King Benjamin and that he was to publicly teach his people.
1. In our initial questionaries, we identified several purposes that King Benjamin had in mind in gathering his people. In this reading, the angel shares specific purposes he has in coming to King King Benjamin.
? What are those purposes?
? As you consider what follows in chapters 4 and 5, were the angel’s hopes realized? Where and how were they realized?
? What other examples can you identify in which angels delivered happy and welcome news that resulted in individuals rejoicing and being “filled with joy”?
? The hopes of the angel might also be realized in the lives of all those who read his message. Has the angel’s message caused you to “rejoice” and “be filled with joy” because its “glad tidings of great joy”?
? What is it specifically about the angel’s message that has caused you to rejoice and be filled with joy?
mosiah 2.40-41 (questionary 8 in "king benjamin's final words" series)
thursday, june 5, 2025
40O, all ye old 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 remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression. 41And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, 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.
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 8th reading in the series.
1. In this reading, King Benjamin asks his people to remember/ consider two opposite things.
? What are those two things?
? What thoughts and feelings do yo have when you consider these two opposite life outcomes?
2. After warning of “the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression,” King Benjamin continues, “moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.?
? What is the meaning and significance of his “moreover”?
? How is it different than if he had said, “Additionally, I would desire…”?
? What do you think and feel when we suggest that King Benjamin’s “moreover” indicates that he would have his people give more consideration to the state of the obedient than to the awfulness awaiting the disobedient?
? Which do you find more motivating: 1) warning of punishment or 2) promise of blessedness? Why do you answer as you do?
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 8th reading in the series.
1. In this reading, King Benjamin asks his people to remember/ consider two opposite things.
? What are those two things?
? What thoughts and feelings do yo have when you consider these two opposite life outcomes?
2. After warning of “the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression,” King Benjamin continues, “moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.?
? What is the meaning and significance of his “moreover”?
? How is it different than if he had said, “Additionally, I would desire…”?
? What do you think and feel when we suggest that King Benjamin’s “moreover” indicates that he would have his people give more consideration to the state of the obedient than to the awfulness awaiting the disobedient?
? Which do you find more motivating: 1) warning of punishment or 2) promise of blessedness? Why do you answer as you do?
mosiah 2.34-39 (questionary 7 in "king benjamin's final words" series)
saturday, may 31, 2025
34I 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 indebted to your heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have and are; and also have been taught concerning the records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our father, Lehi, left Jerusalem; 35and 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 just and true.
36And 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 contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw 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—37I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth 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 unholy temples.
38Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever. 39And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 7th reading in the series.
1. King Benjamin reminds his people that “there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not been taught concerning… the records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets.” He then speaks of knowing and willful “transgression,” “contrary to that which has been spoken” in the scriptures. Then, King Benjamin describes things that are associated with transgression.
? After reading verses 36-37, make a list of evils that are associated with transgression.
Consider the following list.
- Those who knowingly and wilfully transgress “withdraw… 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.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “cometh out in open rebellion against God.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “listeth to obey the evil spirit.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “becometh an enemy to all righteousness.”
? What do you feel when you read these elements of transgression?
2. After describing these elements of transgression, King Benjamin describes the consequences of transgression.
? After reading verses 38-39, list the consequences of transgression.
Consider the following list.
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “remaineth and dieth an enemy to God.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress find that “the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “shrink from the presence of the Lord.”
- The guilt of those who knowingly and willfully transgress “doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress find that “hath no claim on that man.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress find that their “final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.”
? What do you think and feel when you contemplate these consequences of knowing and willful transgression?
? How do they jibe with the doctrines you have been taught as you understand them?
3. We sometimes approach “transgression” as if it were in some manner less than sin. We are particular to speak of “Adam’s transgression” rather than “Adam’s sin,” as if what Adam did was something less serious than sin. But in King Benjamin’s address, transgression is a very, very serious matter, indicative of serious character flaws and with very, very serious consequences. The fact is, when the Book of Mormon uses the words “transgress” and “transgression” it is usually in the context of serious, knowing, willful, ripened, and destructive rebellion.
Note the equivalences and consequences of transgression in the following passages. This is but a very, very tiny selection from dozens of passages we might have selected.
“The prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land” (Jarom 1.10).
equivalence: not keeping commandments = falling into transgression
consequence: destroyed from off the face of the land
“And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression.Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; and he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers” (Mos. 1.12-13).
equivalence: Falling into transgression = becoming a wicked and an adulterous people
consequence: name blotted out; become weak, no more preserved
“Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also” (Mos. 26.29).
equivalence: transgression = sin
“For behold, the promises of the Lord are extended to the Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has not the Lord expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will rebel against him that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth” (Al. 9.24).
equivalence: trangression = rebelling against God
consequence: utterly destroyed
“Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices—yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction” (Al. 10.19).
equivalence: transgression = choosing iniquity
consequence: ripe for destruction
“For they said unto us: Do ye suppose that ye can bring the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers, as stiffnecked a people as they are; whose hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of a transgressor from the beginning? Now my brethren, ye remember that this was their language” (Al. 26.24).
equivalence: transgression = grossest iniquity
“And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind” (Al. 37.15).
consequence: delivered up unto Satan
? After reading this small sampling of passages that speak of transgression, how serious is it, do you think, to transgress?
? How much sense does it make to insist on using the word “transgress” rather than “sin” in relation to Adam and Eve’s disobedience of God?
36And 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 contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw 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—37I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth 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 unholy temples.
38Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever. 39And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 7th reading in the series.
1. King Benjamin reminds his people that “there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not been taught concerning… the records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets.” He then speaks of knowing and willful “transgression,” “contrary to that which has been spoken” in the scriptures. Then, King Benjamin describes things that are associated with transgression.
? After reading verses 36-37, make a list of evils that are associated with transgression.
Consider the following list.
- Those who knowingly and wilfully transgress “withdraw… 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.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “cometh out in open rebellion against God.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “listeth to obey the evil spirit.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “becometh an enemy to all righteousness.”
? What do you feel when you read these elements of transgression?
2. After describing these elements of transgression, King Benjamin describes the consequences of transgression.
? After reading verses 38-39, list the consequences of transgression.
Consider the following list.
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “remaineth and dieth an enemy to God.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress find that “the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress “shrink from the presence of the Lord.”
- The guilt of those who knowingly and willfully transgress “doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress find that “hath no claim on that man.”
- Those who knowingly and willfully transgress find that their “final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.”
? What do you think and feel when you contemplate these consequences of knowing and willful transgression?
? How do they jibe with the doctrines you have been taught as you understand them?
3. We sometimes approach “transgression” as if it were in some manner less than sin. We are particular to speak of “Adam’s transgression” rather than “Adam’s sin,” as if what Adam did was something less serious than sin. But in King Benjamin’s address, transgression is a very, very serious matter, indicative of serious character flaws and with very, very serious consequences. The fact is, when the Book of Mormon uses the words “transgress” and “transgression” it is usually in the context of serious, knowing, willful, ripened, and destructive rebellion.
Note the equivalences and consequences of transgression in the following passages. This is but a very, very tiny selection from dozens of passages we might have selected.
“The prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land” (Jarom 1.10).
equivalence: not keeping commandments = falling into transgression
consequence: destroyed from off the face of the land
“And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression.Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; and he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers” (Mos. 1.12-13).
equivalence: Falling into transgression = becoming a wicked and an adulterous people
consequence: name blotted out; become weak, no more preserved
“Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also” (Mos. 26.29).
equivalence: transgression = sin
“For behold, the promises of the Lord are extended to the Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has not the Lord expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will rebel against him that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth” (Al. 9.24).
equivalence: trangression = rebelling against God
consequence: utterly destroyed
“Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices—yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction” (Al. 10.19).
equivalence: transgression = choosing iniquity
consequence: ripe for destruction
“For they said unto us: Do ye suppose that ye can bring the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers, as stiffnecked a people as they are; whose hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of a transgressor from the beginning? Now my brethren, ye remember that this was their language” (Al. 26.24).
equivalence: transgression = grossest iniquity
“And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind” (Al. 37.15).
consequence: delivered up unto Satan
? After reading this small sampling of passages that speak of transgression, how serious is it, do you think, to transgress?
? How much sense does it make to insist on using the word “transgress” rather than “sin” in relation to Adam and Eve’s disobedience of God?
mosiah 2.29-33 (questionary 6 in "king benjamin's final words" series)
tuesday, may 27, 2025
29And 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; 30for 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 this day, that my son Mosiah is a king and a ruler over you.
31And 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, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you. 32But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah. 33For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 6th reading in the series.
1. In his speech, King Benjamin informs his people of several purposes and hopes he has in gathering them together. This reading contains additional purposes and hopes for the gathering.
? What purposes and hopes in gathering his people does King Benjamin offer in this reading?
2. While traveling from Jerusalem to a new homeland, Nephi was promised that “inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands” (1 Ne. 2.20). I have called this “the prosperity promise.” This promise had a tremendous influence through the Book of Mormon, popping up over and over again.
King Benjamin seems to allude to this prosperity promise when he reminded his people, “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,” and in promising, “even so if ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God which shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you.” We note the following statements King Benjamin makes about keeping the commandments:
“[ye have] prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies.”
“ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you.”
? What is the nature of prospering and prosperity as King Benjamin understands it in both the past and the future?
We usually associate prosperity with one’s financial, economic, and materialistic well-being. But in King Benjamin’s view, it has more to do with political/ national security, especially in light of one’s enemies.
? How do you feel about this observation?
? What is its implications for how we should think of God’s blessing of “prosperity”?
Consider the following additional observations.
In the original prosperity promise that God made to Nephi, He promised, “inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise.” Here, to prosper means to have a successful journey to the promised land. In its original statement, then, the promise that one prospers by keeping commandments has nothing to do with economic resources or materialistic well-being.
In the original prosperity promise, the Lord promised, “inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren” (1 Ne. 2.22). Again, the focus of prosperity is “political.”
In the next statement associated with the original prosperity promise, God declares that if Nephi’s people stop keeping the commandments, “I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they [the Lamanites] shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also” (1 Ne. 2.23). Here, the focus of prosperity is on political/ national security.
There are dozens of passages that allude directly or indirectly to the original prosperity promise issued in 1 Nephi 2. The dominate focus of such allusions involves political/ national security. Here are two great examples.
“And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: ‘Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land’” (Jarom 1.9).
“Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever” (2 Ne. 1.9).
“For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not suffer that the words should not be verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall not prosper in the land” (Omni 1.6).
Of the dozens of passages that allude directly and indirectly to the original prosperity promise issued in 1 Nephi 2, less that a handful speak of materialistic/ financial/ economic wellbeing.
? How do you feel about these observations?
? How do you feel about the prosperity promise so often being used 1) at the individualistic level and 2) in reference to personal materialistic blessings?
? What does all of this suggest about the future prosperity (the political/ national security) of your nation? How sure can it be that it will be “prospered” against its enemies?
31And 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, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you. 32But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah. 33For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.
After a long and trying reign, and sensing that his end is nearing, King Benjamin instructed his oldest son, Mosiah, to gather his people so that he could transfer rule of the kingdom to Mosiah. In transferring power to his son, King Benjamin offer his people his final counsel. King Benjamin’s final counsel to his people is found in Mosiah 2.9-5.15.
This gathering and the counsel King Benjamin delivered is certainly one of the great highlights of the Book of Mormon. In this series of readings, we examine King Benajmin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 6th reading in the series.
1. In his speech, King Benjamin informs his people of several purposes and hopes he has in gathering them together. This reading contains additional purposes and hopes for the gathering.
? What purposes and hopes in gathering his people does King Benjamin offer in this reading?
2. While traveling from Jerusalem to a new homeland, Nephi was promised that “inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands” (1 Ne. 2.20). I have called this “the prosperity promise.” This promise had a tremendous influence through the Book of Mormon, popping up over and over again.
King Benjamin seems to allude to this prosperity promise when he reminded his people, “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,” and in promising, “even so if ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God which shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you.” We note the following statements King Benjamin makes about keeping the commandments:
“[ye have] prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies.”
“ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you.”
? What is the nature of prospering and prosperity as King Benjamin understands it in both the past and the future?
We usually associate prosperity with one’s financial, economic, and materialistic well-being. But in King Benjamin’s view, it has more to do with political/ national security, especially in light of one’s enemies.
? How do you feel about this observation?
? What is its implications for how we should think of God’s blessing of “prosperity”?
Consider the following additional observations.
In the original prosperity promise that God made to Nephi, He promised, “inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise.” Here, to prosper means to have a successful journey to the promised land. In its original statement, then, the promise that one prospers by keeping commandments has nothing to do with economic resources or materialistic well-being.
In the original prosperity promise, the Lord promised, “inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren” (1 Ne. 2.22). Again, the focus of prosperity is “political.”
In the next statement associated with the original prosperity promise, God declares that if Nephi’s people stop keeping the commandments, “I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they [the Lamanites] shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also” (1 Ne. 2.23). Here, the focus of prosperity is on political/ national security.
There are dozens of passages that allude directly or indirectly to the original prosperity promise issued in 1 Nephi 2. The dominate focus of such allusions involves political/ national security. Here are two great examples.
“And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: ‘Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land’” (Jarom 1.9).
“Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever” (2 Ne. 1.9).
“For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not suffer that the words should not be verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall not prosper in the land” (Omni 1.6).
Of the dozens of passages that allude directly and indirectly to the original prosperity promise issued in 1 Nephi 2, less that a handful speak of materialistic/ financial/ economic wellbeing.
? How do you feel about these observations?
? How do you feel about the prosperity promise so often being used 1) at the individualistic level and 2) in reference to personal materialistic blessings?
? What does all of this suggest about the future prosperity (the political/ national security) of your nation? How sure can it be that it will be “prospered” against its enemies?
ARCHIVE OF PAST QUESTIONARIES
OLD TESTAMENT
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| 01_gen-songofsongs_edition_22_11_12.pdf |
psalm 5
| psalm5_questionary.pdf |
psalm 6
| psalm6_questionary.pdf |
psalm 32
| psalm32_questionary.pdf |
psalm 51
| psalm51_questionary.pdf |
psalm 102
| psalm102_questionary.pdf |
psalm 103
| psalm103_8-12_questionary.pdf |
psalm 115.4-8
| psalm115_4-8_questionary.pdf |
psalm 130
| psalm130_questionary.pdf |
psalm 143
| psalm143.1-2_4_6-9_questionary.pdf |
psalms 1-50
| 02_psalms1-50_edition_24_02_22.pdf |
psalms 51-100
| 02_psalms51-100_edition_24_03_16.pdf |
psalm 101-150
| 02_psalms101-150_edition_24_03_18.pdf |
isaiah
| 03_isaiah_edition_23_12_28.pdf |
jeremiah-lamentation
| 04_jeremiah-lamentations_edition_23_12_23.pdf |
joel 2.12-14
| joel2_12-14_questionary.pdf |
amos
| 05_amos_24_07_30.pdf |
micah 7
| micah7_questionary.pdf |
ezekiel-malachi
| 05_ezekiel-malachi_edition_24_02_27.pdf |
NEW TESTAMENT
matthew
| 01_matthew_edition_24_12_23.pdf |
matthew 6.9-13
| matthew6_9-13_questionary.pdf |
matthew 21
| matthew21_questionary.pdf |
matthew 22.34-40
| matthew22_34-40_questionary.pdf |
matthew 26.36-46
| matthew26_36-46_questionary.pdf |
mark
| 02_mark_edition_24_11_21.pdf |
mark 15.22-38
| mark15_22-38_questionary.pdf |
luke
| 03_luke_edition_24_12_19.pdf |
luke 10.38-42
| luke10_38-42_questionary.pdf |
luke 15.1-7
| luke15_1-7_questionary.pdf |
luke 17.3-6
| luke17_3-6_questionary.pdf |
luke 18
| luke18_questionary.pdf |
luke 22
| luke22_questionary.pdf |
luke 23
| luke23_questionary.pdf |
john
| 04_john_edition_24_11_30.pdf |
john 14.16-21, 23
| john14_16-21_23_questionary.pdf |
acts-revelation
| 05_acts-revelation_edition_24_11_16.pdf |
| acts5.29-32_questionary.pdf |
colossians
| colossians3_1-4_questionary.pdf |
jesus and the kingdom of god (series)
| jesus_and_the_kingdom_of_god_questionary_series.pdf |
BOOK OF MORMON
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| 01_1nephi-mosiah_edition_24_12_24.pdf |
jacob 1.8
| jacob1_8_questionary.pdf |
mosiah 2-5 ("the final words of king benjamin" series)
| mosiah2_9-5_15_questionary_final_words_king_benjamin.pdf |
alma
| 02_alma_edition_24_03_07.pdf |
alma 34
| alma34_questionary.pdf |
alma 37.9
| alma37_9_questionary.pdf |
alma 39.8-9
| alma39.8-9_questionary.pdf |
helaman-moroni
| 03_helaman-moroni_edition_23_08_22.pdf |
1 nephi 11-14--the visions of nephi (series)
| bm_series_1nephi11-14_visions_of_nephi.pdf |
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS & PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
doctrine & covenants/ pgp
| 04_dc_ppg_edition_24_03_29.pdf |
dc 19.18-19
| dc19_18-19_questionary.pdf |
dc 138.11-12, 15-16 18-19
| dc138_11-12_15-16_18-19_questionary.pdf |
JUST SCRIPTURE
o.t. genesis-ecclesiastes |
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o.t. isaiah-malachi |
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new testament |
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book of mormon |
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dc & pgp |
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ATONEMENT
atonement readings & questionaries by series |
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atonement readings and questionaries by topic |
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