Mosiah 2:14-19

14 And 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.

15 Yet, 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.

16 Behold, 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.

17 And 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.

18 Behold, 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?

19 And 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!

Mosiah 2:14-19

King Benjamin tells the people he had labored to support himself and his family.  He would not tax them for his support.  “King Benjamin was a stickler for equality in word and deed. He labored with his own hands to make it clear that his people should ‘labor to serve one another’ (Mosiah 2:14, 18).”[1] King Benjamin was also following examples found in the Old Testament.  “Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession” (Ezekiel 46:18).

Paul used similar words in his ministry.

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

18 What is my reward then?  Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:16-18

33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:33-35

Then King Benjamin told the people, “all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.” 

The references to being "witnesses this day" shows that covenants were not taken lightly and that the day they were entered into was a day to be remembered. To help them remember the covenant, the events of the ceremony were recorded and deposited to be read at later festival occasions when the covenant was to be renewed.[2]

Witnesses are an essential part of the gospel.  We are told there will be Book of Mormon witnesses (2 Nephi 27:12).  Nephi wrote that God’s word is established by three witnesses (2 Nephi 11:3).  During Christ’s ministry, he called three disciples to serve as witnesses.[3]

Benjamin makes things clear he is not boasting, nor accusing the people of anything.  He told them these things so “that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.”

Benjamin, who twice pointedly mentions his "clear conscience" (Mosiah 2:15, 17), did not do so to be legalistic, but instead, he wanted to do everything he could to keep his people "in wisdom's paths" (Mosiah 2:36). But the wisdom's path he cited is sharply distinguished from the "world and the wisdom thereof" (I Nephi 11:35). Benjamin knew that without revelations, prophets, and sacred records, mankind must settle for "preach[ing] up . . . their own wisdom" (2 Nephi 26:20), which is not much of an offering, brothers and sisters. Only the Holy Ghost can keep us on the strait and narrow path, which is wisdom's path (see Mosiah 2:36).[4]

Benjamin has spent his day in the service of his people.  In doing this, he has been in the service of God.  His purpose for telling them this is for them to learn wisdom. 

And we come to one of the most widely quoted scriptures in the Church.  “[W]hen yea are in the service of your fellow beings, year are only in the service of your God.”  Part of the power of this scripture is its simplicity.  Yet, the power and truth of this precept is readily apparent. 

If he, their king, labors to serve the people, “ought not ye to labor to serve one another?”  Does he merit thanks for his service to the people?  As he has been in the service of God.  “O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!”

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[1] Good People and Bad People, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed July 6, 2014.

[2] The Covenant Tradition in the Book of Mormon, Blake T. Ostler, Maxwell Institute, accessed July 6, 2014.

[3] Toward an Understanding of the Sermon as an Ancient Temple Text, John W. Welch, Maxwell Institute, accessed July 6, 2014.

[4] King Benjamin's Sermon: A Manual for Discipleship, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Maxwell Institute, accessed July 6, 2014.