King Benjamin and Nephi

Nephi, in his efforts to persuade and encourage his brothers, said, "And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records, that we may preserve unto our children, the language of our fathers" (1 Nephi 3:19). Benjamin taught his three sons, "For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children" (Mosiah 1:4). Both prophets highlight the essential role the plates of brass played in preserving the language among their children.

Personal application

Both Nephi and Benjamin emphasized how the scriptures helped to pass on an understanding of the language they were written in. Unlike Lehi and Benjamin’s children, most current readers of the Book of Mormon have many other books that preserve the language of their fathers. However the Book of Mormon is also helping us to stay literate in the language of God’s ways. They can help those who receive and follow them understand and recognize the language of the Spirit of the Lord.

As you read, consider the following: How well do you understand the language of the Spirit? How responsive are you when the Spirit of the Lord speaks to you? What can you do to improve?

Nephi	Benjamin
And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records, that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers (1 Nephi 3:19).	For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children (Mosiah 1:4).

During his mission to obtain the plates of brass, Nephi says, "I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that: Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise. Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord, according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 4:14-16). After successfully obtaining the record, he observed, "We could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children" (1 Nephi 5:21).

King Benjamin taught his sons, "I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance" (Mosiah 1:3). "For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates" (Mosiah 1:4). He also reminded them of the importance of those scriptures "which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God," which enabled them to "have his commandments" (Mosiah 1:5) and "keep the commandments of God, that [they might] prosper in the land" (Mosiah 1:7). Both prophets emphasized that knowing and keeping the commandments would have been impossible, if the record had not been preserved.

Personal application

Without written scriptures, the people of Lehi would have not been able to preserve a knowledge of the commandments, but would have experienced the same problem as the people of Zarahemla who, because of their lack of records, "denied the being of their Creator" (Omni 1:17). As you read the teachings of Benjamin to his sons, consider how you can effectively preserve and internalize a knowledge of the commandments in your own family.

Nephi

Benjamin

And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that: Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise. Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord, according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 4:14-16). We could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children (1 Nephi 5:21).

Were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time (Mosiah 1:3). And I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers (Mosiah 1:7).

When Nephi pondered whether or not he should slay Laban, the Spirit taught him, "It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle> and perish in unbelief" (1 Nephi 4:13). Benjamin echoes these earlier words when he explains to his sons, "Were it not for these things . . . even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things" (Mosiah 1:5).

Personal application

Both Benjamin and Nephi recorded the tragic effects of scriptural illiteracy upon subsequent generations. As you read the teachings of King Benjamin, ask yourself if you are doing all that you can to teach and perpetuate your scriptural heritage to the rising generation.

Nephi	Benjamin
It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief (1 Nephi 4:13).	Were it not for these things . . . even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things (Mosiah 1:5).

King Benjamin taught his sons that, without the plates of brass, "we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God" (Mosiah 1:3), while having these plates allowed them to "read and understand his mysteries" (Mosiah 1:5). Earlier prophets also refer to the mysteries of God. Nephi spoke of "having had a great knowledge of the mysteries of God" (1 Nephi 1:1), and his brother Jacob spoke of God’s "mysteries" (Jacob 4:8). Benjamin, however, specifically links a knowledge of the mysteries of God with the written word that he had in his possession. The prophet Alma, several generations later, spoke of mysteries contained on the plates of brass (Alma 37:4). Only Benjamin, however, uses the words "mysteries of God" in reference to the contents of the plates of brass.

Personal application

Benjamin’s teaching that a knowledge of the mysteries of God could be found on the brass plates, helps us to understand the value of the scriptures, which constitute a spiritual memory. They are a gateway to revelation and, without them, we are blind. Had they not been recorded, we would be unable to pass them down to future generations. As you read the Book of Mormon, ponder what mysteries you might need to know in your own life, diligently seek them, and strive to be worthy of and ready to receive them.