6 O my sons, I would
that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these
records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the
records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until
now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them
before our eyes.
7 And now, my sons, I
would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit
thereby; 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.
8 And many more things
did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not written in this book. (Mosiah
1:6-18)
King Benjamin continues
speaking to his sons.
Benjamin testifies to his sons his sayings and the record is
true. “And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine
own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge” (1 Nephi 1:3).
“And now I, Moroni, have written the words which were
commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I
have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for
that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.
“And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the
plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work;
“And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God;
wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true” (Ether 5:1-3).
They can know this because they have the records before
them.
Benjamin told his sons they needed to search the scriptures
diligently. They would profit by doing this.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written
for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might
have hope” (Romans 15:4).
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable[GR beneficial or useful for instruction] for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
He told them to keep God’s commandments. “And 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” (Mosiah 2:22).
Doing this, they would prosper in the land. “And 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 Nephi 2:20).
“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest
observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:
turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper
whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:7).
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful
“But his delight is in the law [HEB teaching,
direction, doctrine] of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and
night.
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3).
These are the promises the Lord made to their fathers.
“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).
“Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto
Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper
in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my
commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord” (Alma 9:13).
King Benjamin continued teaching his sons, but Mormon chose
not to write them in “this book.”
“Due both to the difficulty in engraving plates (Jacob 4: 1)
and to the fact that writers of the Book of Mormon were trying to summarize
countless records from a long and complex history, we constantly find phrases
indicating editorial condensations and omissions. One such phrase is ‘And many
more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not written in this
book’ (Mosiah 1:8) and ‘many more things did Mosiah write unto them’ (Mosiah
29:33). Nevertheless, the Book of Mormon is an inspired book. In its final form
it is thoughtfully structured and written, and it is evident that conscious
planning, not chance, went into its composition”[1]
[1] Mosiah:
The Complex Symbolism and Symbolic Complex of Kingship in the Book of Mormon,
Gordon C. Thomasson, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 2/1
(1993): (22-23).
No comments:
Post a Comment