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Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 2
When the people of Zarahemla understood these principles, they said, "We believe in Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things, who shall come down among the
children of men" (Mos. 2:4).
Mos 2:6 Having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the
exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which King
Benjamin had spoken unto them.
2:6 It all seems quite logical in the total picture of the divine plan. Doubt and skepticism rob the
mind of peace. "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6).
"Atonement... and thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord"
providing that man shall "continue in the faith even unto the end of his life" (Mos. 2:10).
Mos 2:12 And there is none other salvation, save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any
conditions whereby man can be saved, except the conditions which I have told you.
2: 12 King Benjamin had learned, even as Paul later declared, that the gospel of Christ is the one
and only way of salvation. Concerning this way Jesus said, "I have not spoken of myself; but the
Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say" (John 12:49).
The king then exhorts his people to faith. "Believe in God (13) ...that he has all wisdom (14) ...that
ye must repent of your sins and forsake them" (16). See also Acts 4: 12.
Mos 2:20 Even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of
God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long suffering towards you unworthy creatures,
2:20 This exhortation to humility and faith in God is linked to the promise, "Ye shall always
rejoice... and always retain a remission of your sins" (22). After a sincere covenant of baptism, one
is free from all his transgressions. However, what one does thereafter will determine the
effectiveness of the covenant. This is shown in the parable of Jesus about the unmerciful debtor
(Matt. 18:23, 34). "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say,
ye have no promise" (D. and C. 81:3 b; see also Alma 2:20). "And ye will not have a mind to
injure one another, but to live peaceably" (24).
Mos 2:22 And behold, I say unto you, that if ye do this, ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the
love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins;
Mos 2:23 And ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge
of that which is just and true.
2:22-23 Now Benjamin returns to the theme of doing. He uses their experience with the spirit to
help them understand the reasons for obeying the gospel. Their experience has filled them with joy
("as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God…and have received a remission of your
sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy [italics added] in your souls). With the taste of that
joy in their souls, Benjamin tells them they may have that feeling with them always ("ye shall
always rejoice"). If they continue in humility, and continue in faith, they will grow in their