King Benjamin: Master Orator

My section of the Book of Mormon for our class (pages 171-191, which is Mormon and the first five chapters of Mosiah) is almost entirely spoken word. Mosiah chapter one documents his words to his sons, and also his words specifically to his son Mosiah (dialogue). Chapter two is the record of King Benjamin's speech to his people (the people of Zarahemla and the people of Mosiah; this is sermon). Chapter three is a continuation of his sermon, though he is quoting an angel. Chapter four gives his people some time to react then King Benjamin continues his speech. The people speak in chapter five (this is technically dialogue, but feels like prayer?) and then King Benjamin closes his sermon.

King Benjamin uses two beautiful examples of stylistic language in this section of the Book of Mormon. The first comes in chapter two, when addressing his people:

"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."

Grant Hardy aligned that passage separately from the rest of the text to illustrate its different form. This last part "unfolded to your view" catches the reader's attention; it does not use overly descriptive language, yet it has an element of style that shows the mysteries are tangible lessons and revelations available to those who follow King Benjamin's instructions.

The second use of stylistic language that I will analyze in this section comes in chapter four:

"....ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain..."

Let's read that again: "putteth up his petition to you in vain."

What a stark, sobering phrase. This stylistic language draws to mind both the many homeless people and the girl who never has someone to sit by in Relief Society and looks at you every week with an unspoken plea for company in her eyes.

We each petition to God for so much, yet we often miss the petitions His children are sending us. King Benjamin reminds us of our responsibility to be hands for the Savior through simple, though stylistic, language.

Context Behind King Benjamin's Speech

Form Analyzed: I looked at context for my section (p.171-191, aka Mormon-Mosiah 6).

Passage Analyzed: I analyzed Mosiah chapter 2 verses 1-7. 

1 And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father had commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the wordswhich king Benjamin should speak unto them.

 2 And there were a great number, even so many that they did not number them; for they had multiplied exceedingly and waxed great in the land.

 3 And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses;

 4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and hadappointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.

 5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to hisfamily, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another.

 6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them;

 7 For the multitude being so great that king Benjamin could not teach them all within the walls of the temple, therefore he caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak unto them.

Annotated Text: 

Breakdown/Listing Things Found: This chapter takes place after King Benjamin has commanded his son Mosiah to gather the people so they can hear him speak the word of God. Mosiah does this by issuing a proclamation. We're informed that the people performed sacrifices in honor of this gathering. 

Interpretations: We get a glimpse of the strong character of King Benjamin's people and their respect for him as a leader here. This is a huge turnout ("and there were a great number, even so many that they did not number them...."), and while I realize there wasn't Facebook or Netflix back in the day, I still interpret the context of this passage to demonstrate King Benjamin's power and reputation in his kingdom. 

Non-Context Interpretation: There is a beautiful metaphor in verse 6 where we read, "every man having his tent with the door thereof to the temple." This is a metaphor for the need to turn the hearts of the people to the temple, which is illustrated literally by arranging their physical dwellings. 

Connections/Questions: In verse 4, the author discusses all the things The Lord has done for the people. We talked at the very beginning of our class about how scripture authors do this to establish credibility and to remind the people why they should remember and praise The Lord…but I can’t remember exactly what that is called. There was an example of it in Alma. Can anybody help me out please? The goal is to establish ethos, but I think Dr. Burton called the actual device/practice something else.

Also, the people have learned about the role of sacrifices in worship and we as readers learn they value this practice and have a testimony of its effectiveness. 

Line I Loved: "...that they might be rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men." (v. 4) That's a simple and powerful testimony from King Benjamin's people.