Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 1
As a second problem, Benjamin notes that not only have they lost their religion, but that they:
"even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers,
which are not correct."
Mos 1:10 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.
1:10 The king was anxious to leave his testimony that both the brass plates and the record kept by
Nephi were true, "that ye may profit thereby" (11). Their future would be largely determined by
how well they knew and kept the commands of God as recorded in these plates. They were to
prosper in the land to the extent that they served God.
Mos 1:16 For on the morrow, I shall proclaim unto this my people, out of mine own mouth, that thou art
a king and a ruler over this people, whom the Lord our God hath given us.
1:16 This would indicate that the land of Zarahemla was not very extensive if a proclamation
could be made and all the people gather the next day. This transfer of kingly authority would be
accepted with better grace if it came directly by voice from the king.
Then he promised to give his people a name by which “they may be distinguished" from all the
people who came from "the land of Jerusalem." He was able to do this because they had been “a
diligent people in keeping the commandments of the Lord" (17). This was the “name of Christ"
(Mos. 3:13-16). King Benjamin was quick to warn them that if they became “a wicked and an
adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak, like unto
their brethren" (19).
Mos 1:22 And it came to pass that after King Benjamin had made an end of these sayings to his son,
that he gave him charge concerning all the affairs of the kingdom.
1:22 He then mentioned some of the items which Mosiah should look after. These included the (a)
plates of brass, (b) the plates of Nephi (23), (c) the sword of Laban, and (d) the ball or director
(24).
The transition from verse 22 to 23 & 24 is critical to understanding the nature of these verses.
When Benjamin gives Mosiah "charge concerning the affairs of the kingdom," we are seeing the
transferal of power from Benjamin to Mosiah. Along with the important affairs, the political
realities and exigencies, Benjamin delivers some specific items: "the records which were engraven
on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also, the sword of Laban, and the ball or
director."
These are all ties to Jerusalem. They are physical proofs of the preservation of the people by God.
As historical relics they would be one thing. They are not simply historical, however, but embued
with highly charged religious meaning. For Benjamin, it is the religious meaning that is most
important, witnessed by the definition he gives of the director. Benjamin highlights the religious
meaning of the director, not the historical one.
Mos 1:29 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.