When King Benjamin spoke to his sons he listed several blessings that had come to his family because of the records that had been preserved. Invite students to read Mosiah 1:3-8 and list the blessings. How have the scriptures been a blessing in your life?
Mosiah 1:9-18 A New King and A New Name
King Benjamin was about to die. He spoke to his son, Mosiah, about the future. Have students list the things King Benjamin told Mosiah in Mosiah 1:9-18. What things did he give Mosiah? What did King Benjamin say about each of those things?
Mosiah 2:9-17 The King Begins His Sermon
King Benjamin told the people to gather to the temple. They offered sacrifices and had their tents facing the king when he spoke to them.
King Benjamin told the people of Zarahelma to gather together at the temple to receive instruction. He began by telling them what he did not expect of them and why. What had he not expected of them as their king? Why would this make him a good king?
Mosiah 2:18-27 Service
Find the words service, serve, served and summarize the things King Benjamin taught about service. How can you apply his words to your own life?
Mosiah 2:36-39 Scripture Analysis
36 And now, I [King Benjamin] say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things [that those who obey the evil spirit, and do not understand that they are eternally indebted to God for all that they are, and reject the words of the holy prophets concerning Christ], 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 [the Spirit of the Lord] may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved--
37 I [King Benjamin] say unto you [King Benjamin’s brethren], that the man that doeth this [withdraws himself from the Spirit of the Lord], the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore [because he comes out in open rebellion against God] he listeth [desires] to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore [because he becomes an enemy to all righteousness], the Lord has no place in him, for he [the Lord] dwelleth not in unholy temples.
38 Therefore [Because the Lord does not dwell in unholy temples] if that man [the man who is cut off from the spirit because of rebellion and desires to obey the evil spirit] repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his [the man who rebels against God and does not repent before he dies] 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.
39 And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore [because mercy can have no claim on the man who rebels against God and desires to follow the evil spirit] his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
Mosiah 3:5-11 Prophecy about the Lord
Have students find the date at the bottom of the page (About 124 B.C.). Have them read Mosiah 3:5-11 and find all the things King Benjamin knew about the Lord Omnipotent before he was born. Why was it important for King Benjamin and his people to know about the Lord Omnipotent before he was born?
Mosiah 3:12-18 The Lord Helps Us Return to God
King Benjamin told his people all the things the Lord had done for them so that they might return to God. Invite students to read Mosiah 3;12-18 and find what those things are.
Mosiah 3:19-21 Becoming as a Child
Invite students to read Mosiah 3:19-21 and have them explain why it is important for them to become as a child. How do we show God that we have become like little children?
Mosiah 3:24-27 Scripture Analysis
24 And thus saith the Lord: They [the words that King Benjamin was commanded to speak] shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they [King Benjamin’s people] shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they [his works] be good, or whether they be evil.
25 And if they [his works] be evil they [people whose works are evil] are consigned [destined, sealed] to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them [people whose works are evil] to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence [where] they can no more return; therefore [because they see their guilt and withdraw from the presence of the Lord to a place of endless torment] they have drunk damnation to their own souls.
26 Therefore [Because they have drunk damnation to their own souls through their wickedness], they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath [anger] of God, which justice could no more deny unto them [which God’s law of justice could not keep away from them any more than] it [justice] could deny that Adam should fall because of his partaking of the forbidden fruit; therefore [because justice can not be denied to the guilty who have not repented], mercy could have claim on them no more forever.
27 And their [the wicked’s] torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable [cannot be put out], and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever. Thus [These words] hath the Lord commanded me [King Benjamin]. Amen.
