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Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 1
1:43 "Suffered” as here used means "permitted." The king was a humble man, "subject to all
manner of infirmities in body and mind” (41). He reminded the people he had not resorted to
dungeons, nor permitted slavery, murder, stealing, or adultery (44, 45). He called their attention to
the fact that he had "labored with mine own hands, that I might serve you, and that ye should not
be laden with taxes" (46).
Mos 1:47 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.
1:47 The use of the term "my brethren" is in character with the fatherly love he held for his people.
He wanted them to know that in reciting his labors and their just laws, it was not to boast, but to
"answer a clear conscience before God." He follows this with an outstanding statement which is
hard to duplicate in all scripture. It is not profound nor entirely original. Others have said that
which comes close, but none have quite the same ring of simplicity and genuine truth as this:
"When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God" (49).
We are reminded of Jesus in a similar statement, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matt. 25:41).
Mos 1:49 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.
1:49 Once again, Benjamin asserts that his efforts in their behalf have not come from desire for
personal gain, but rather from God.
It is in the second clause that he extends this relationship with God to his people. He is laying an
important foundation for the rest of his sermon, because he will be requiring his people to rename
themselves as part of a newly renewed covenant with God. To prepare for that, Benjamin
establishes their ability to enter into a personal relationship with God, just as Benjamin has, just as
they have with Benjamin.
Mos 1:54 I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole soul, yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
1:54 This also is a challenging statement for which King Benjamin is remembered. Some might
ask, “Why try, if we are bound to lose; if we cannot come out on the credit side?" (59). Men are so
used to accepting the blessings of air, sunshine, fruits, and all the rest of God's gratuities, that they
fail to recognize their dependence on divine goodness for their blessings. One cannot repay in
sacrifice nor service the value received. Nor does God ask that he be repaid. "All he requires of
you is to keep his commandments" (55, 58).
Mos 1:62 And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than ye yourselves are; for I am also of
the dust.
1:62 We may miss the significance of Benjamin’s words because we are a modern audience. An
ancient audience would assume that their king was infinitely superior to them. In many societies
the populace were forbidden to touch the person of the king, and in some societies, were forbidden
to even look upon him. This reverence for the person of the king in many ways provided the