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MOST RECENT QUESTIONARIES
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?
mosiah 2.26-28 (questionary 5 in "king benjamin's final words" series)
thursday, may 22, 2025
26And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than ye yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And ye behold that I am old, and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother earth. 27Therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking with a clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me, when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he hath commanded me concerning you. 28I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together that I might rid my garments of your blood, at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God.
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 Benjamin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 5th reading in the series.
1. In previous readings in this series (2.9, 2.10-15, 2.16-19), we witnessed King Benjamin’s lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty in the words he spoke.
? What does King Benjamin say in this reading to further our appreciation of his lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty?
2. 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?
3. Establishing his innocence with God, King Benjamin hopes that his “immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God.” In vision, Joseph Smith “saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever (DC 76.21). He also saw that “all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever” (DC 76.93). Nephi speaks of those who can “speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel” (2 Ne. 31.13).
? How do you feel about King Benjamin’s hope and scripture’s anticipation of our being allowed to speak as angels in praise of God ? Do you share these hopes? Why do you answer as 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 Benjamin’s final counsel and the positive affect it had on his people. This is the 5th reading in the series.
1. In previous readings in this series (2.9, 2.10-15, 2.16-19), we witnessed King Benjamin’s lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty in the words he spoke.
? What does King Benjamin say in this reading to further our appreciation of his lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty?
2. 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?
3. Establishing his innocence with God, King Benjamin hopes that his “immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God.” In vision, Joseph Smith “saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever (DC 76.21). He also saw that “all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever” (DC 76.93). Nephi speaks of those who can “speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel” (2 Ne. 31.13).
? How do you feel about King Benjamin’s hope and scripture’s anticipation of our being allowed to speak as angels in praise of God ? Do you share these hopes? Why do you answer as do?
mosiah 2.20-25 (questionary 4 in "king benjamin's final words" series)
monday, may 19, 2025
20I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—21I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
22And 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. 23And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him. 24And 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? 25And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you.
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 4th reading in the series.
1. In our first three reading in this series (2.9, 2.10-15, 2.16-19), we witnessed King Benjamin’s lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty in the words he spoke. In this reading, King Benjamin explores reasons for his people to forgo ego and arrogance and to possess great modesty in the face of God and his benevolent attitude and actions toward them.
? What reasons does King Benjamin offer for why we should feel and display great modesty and lack of ego and arrogance before God?
2. After speaking of his own service to his people and God and then admonishing his people to follow his example, King Benjamin states, “if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.”
? Why, do you think, is it important to King Benjamin to offer this statement?
? How does this statement help militate against pride and self-righteousness that can creep into us as we serve?
? How do you feel about being an “unprofitable” servant even when you serve “with all your whole soul,” i.e., when you are giving and doing the very best that you can?
3. In discussing our obedience to God, King Benjamin asks, “Of what have ye to boast?” Then, “Can ye say aught of yourselves?” He then answers is own questions, “Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth.”
? How do you feel about these statements?
? Overall, what impact does King Benjamin’s personal modesty and his admonitions to us, his modern audience, to possess modesty have on you?
22And 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. 23And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him. 24And 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? 25And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you.
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 4th reading in the series.
1. In our first three reading in this series (2.9, 2.10-15, 2.16-19), we witnessed King Benjamin’s lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty in the words he spoke. In this reading, King Benjamin explores reasons for his people to forgo ego and arrogance and to possess great modesty in the face of God and his benevolent attitude and actions toward them.
? What reasons does King Benjamin offer for why we should feel and display great modesty and lack of ego and arrogance before God?
2. After speaking of his own service to his people and God and then admonishing his people to follow his example, King Benjamin states, “if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.”
? Why, do you think, is it important to King Benjamin to offer this statement?
? How does this statement help militate against pride and self-righteousness that can creep into us as we serve?
? How do you feel about being an “unprofitable” servant even when you serve “with all your whole soul,” i.e., when you are giving and doing the very best that you can?
3. In discussing our obedience to God, King Benjamin asks, “Of what have ye to boast?” Then, “Can ye say aught of yourselves?” He then answers is own questions, “Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth.”
? How do you feel about these statements?
? Overall, what impact does King Benjamin’s personal modesty and his admonitions to us, his modern audience, to possess modesty have on you?
mosiah 2.16-19 (questionary 3 in "king benjamin's final words" series)
saturday, may 17, 2025
16Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God. 17And 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.
18Behold, 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? 19And 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!
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 3rd 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.
? What purposes and hopes in gathering his people does King Benjamin offer in this reading?
2. In our first two reading in this series (2.9 & 2.10-15), we witnessed King Benjamin’s lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty in the words he spoke.
? What does he say in this reading to further evidence his modesty and lack ego and arrogance?
3. Rather than reminding his people of his servant leadership in order to feed his ego or sense of self-righteousness, King Benjamin reminds his people of his servant leadership as an example of the service they should render.
? How well do the leaders in your life--both religious and secular--reflect servant leadership? Why do you answer as you do?
4. King Benjamin teaches that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
? Why is this so?
? What do you think and feel when you consider what this reveals about the degree of connectedness that God feels with those around you?
? What can you do to be of greater service to others?
18Behold, 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? 19And 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!
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 3rd 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.
? What purposes and hopes in gathering his people does King Benjamin offer in this reading?
2. In our first two reading in this series (2.9 & 2.10-15), we witnessed King Benjamin’s lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty in the words he spoke.
? What does he say in this reading to further evidence his modesty and lack ego and arrogance?
3. Rather than reminding his people of his servant leadership in order to feed his ego or sense of self-righteousness, King Benjamin reminds his people of his servant leadership as an example of the service they should render.
? How well do the leaders in your life--both religious and secular--reflect servant leadership? Why do you answer as you do?
4. King Benjamin teaches that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
? Why is this so?
? What do you think and feel when you consider what this reveals about the degree of connectedness that God feels with those around you?
? What can you do to be of greater service to others?
mosiah 2.10-15 (questionary 2 in "king benjamin's final words" series_
tuesday, may 13, 2025
10I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man. 11But 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; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.
12I 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; 13neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—14and 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 of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day. 15Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.
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 2nd 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.
? What purposes and hopes in gathering his people does King Benjamin offer in this reading?
2. In our first reading in this series (2.9), we witnessed King Benjamin’s lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty in the words he spoke.
? What does he say in this reading to further evidence his modesty and lack ego and arrogance?
3. King Benjamin reminded his people that “I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes.” Later, we meet wicked King Noah. We are told that
“he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed, a fifth part of their gold and of their silver,and a fifth part of their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also a fifth part of all their grain. And all this did he take to a support himself, and his wives and his concubines; and also his priests, and their wives and their concubines; thus he had changed the affairs of the kingdom” (Mos. 11.3-4).
? What does King Benjamin’s acknowledgment and the statement about Noah tell you about a common purpose of taxes in the ancient world?
King Benjamin’s acknowledgment and the report of Noah’s unjust taxation must not be thought of as criticism of taxation that is necessary for the functioning of government and its institutions. Rather, they are criticisms of taxation that benefits and enriches individuals, government officials, and their cronies rather than the people. We can be willing, happy, and proud in paying taxes that benefit society, especially those less fortunate.
? What is your attitude about taxes and paying them?
4. After reminding his people of his just reign, King Benjamin tells his people that he has acted justly and is reminding his people of his justice “that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.”
? It is easy to understand why King Benjamin would want to “answer a clear conscience before God,” but why would it be important to him that his people know that he can “answer a clear conscience before God”?
? How does this show that even in declaring that he has a clear conscience before God, King Benjamin is serving his people rather than himself and his ego?
? How might his people be effected and improved knowing that King Benjamin can have a clear conscience before God because of his just rule?
? How might future governments be effected and improved knowing that King Benjamin can have a clear conscience before God because of his just rule?
12I 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; 13neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—14and 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 of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day. 15Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.
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 2nd 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.
? What purposes and hopes in gathering his people does King Benjamin offer in this reading?
2. In our first reading in this series (2.9), we witnessed King Benjamin’s lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty in the words he spoke.
? What does he say in this reading to further evidence his modesty and lack ego and arrogance?
3. King Benjamin reminded his people that “I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes.” Later, we meet wicked King Noah. We are told that
“he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed, a fifth part of their gold and of their silver,and a fifth part of their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also a fifth part of all their grain. And all this did he take to a support himself, and his wives and his concubines; and also his priests, and their wives and their concubines; thus he had changed the affairs of the kingdom” (Mos. 11.3-4).
? What does King Benjamin’s acknowledgment and the statement about Noah tell you about a common purpose of taxes in the ancient world?
King Benjamin’s acknowledgment and the report of Noah’s unjust taxation must not be thought of as criticism of taxation that is necessary for the functioning of government and its institutions. Rather, they are criticisms of taxation that benefits and enriches individuals, government officials, and their cronies rather than the people. We can be willing, happy, and proud in paying taxes that benefit society, especially those less fortunate.
? What is your attitude about taxes and paying them?
4. After reminding his people of his just reign, King Benjamin tells his people that he has acted justly and is reminding his people of his justice “that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.”
? It is easy to understand why King Benjamin would want to “answer a clear conscience before God,” but why would it be important to him that his people know that he can “answer a clear conscience before God”?
? How does this show that even in declaring that he has a clear conscience before God, King Benjamin is serving his people rather than himself and his ego?
? How might his people be effected and improved knowing that King Benjamin can have a clear conscience before God because of his just rule?
? How might future governments be effected and improved knowing that King Benjamin can have a clear conscience before God because of his just rule?
mosiah 2.9 (questionary 1 in "king benjamin's final words" series)
friday, may 9, 2025
9... My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
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 1st 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 one purpose and hope.
? What purpose and hope in gathering his people does King Benjamin offer in this reading?
2. King Benjamin informs his people that he has gathered them so that “the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.”
? Sometimes “mysteries” get a bad name. But here, “the mysteries of God” is something that King Benjamin wants very much for his people. How do you feel about this purpose in gathering?
? What, do you think, does Benjamin have in mind when he speaks of “the mysteries of God”?
Consider the following passages.
“Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich… And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways” (DC 6.7, 11).
“For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.
And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man” (DC 76.5-10).
? What do you learn about “the mysteries of God” from these passages?
? How important are they in our lives?
? How important are they in helping us “bring[ing] many to the knowledge of the truth” and “convin[ing] them of the error of their ways”?
? Why are they so important in our and other’s lives?
? Seeking “the mysteries of God” is to be a greater priority in our lives than seeking “riches.” Why?
? How do you prioritize acquiring “the mysteries of God” over the acquisition of “riches”?
? What can you do to more fully fulfill not only King Benjamin’s but God’s desire that you seek and come to understand the “mysteries of God”?
3. In the course of King Benjamin’s address, he says many things that are indicative of his lack of ego and arrogance and reflect his great modesty.
? What does he say in this reading that strikes you as indicative of his lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty?
? How are the words of men, even those of King Benjamin, a “trifle” in comparison to understanding “the mysteries of God”?
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 1st 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 one purpose and hope.
? What purpose and hope in gathering his people does King Benjamin offer in this reading?
2. King Benjamin informs his people that he has gathered them so that “the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.”
? Sometimes “mysteries” get a bad name. But here, “the mysteries of God” is something that King Benjamin wants very much for his people. How do you feel about this purpose in gathering?
? What, do you think, does Benjamin have in mind when he speaks of “the mysteries of God”?
Consider the following passages.
“Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich… And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways” (DC 6.7, 11).
“For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.
And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man” (DC 76.5-10).
? What do you learn about “the mysteries of God” from these passages?
? How important are they in our lives?
? How important are they in helping us “bring[ing] many to the knowledge of the truth” and “convin[ing] them of the error of their ways”?
? Why are they so important in our and other’s lives?
? Seeking “the mysteries of God” is to be a greater priority in our lives than seeking “riches.” Why?
? How do you prioritize acquiring “the mysteries of God” over the acquisition of “riches”?
? What can you do to more fully fulfill not only King Benjamin’s but God’s desire that you seek and come to understand the “mysteries of God”?
3. In the course of King Benjamin’s address, he says many things that are indicative of his lack of ego and arrogance and reflect his great modesty.
? What does he say in this reading that strikes you as indicative of his lack of ego and arrogance and his great modesty?
? How are the words of men, even those of King Benjamin, a “trifle” in comparison to understanding “the mysteries of God”?
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_complete.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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