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

Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 2
2:33-35 Benjamin reinforces the status of the wealthy as beggars by reminding them that they
have very recently been literally begging mercy of the Lord, a petition he has filled not with small
measure, but with a great measure of joy, such that "you mouths should be stopped that ye could
not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy."
Mos 2:39 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say
these things unto those who are rich, as pertaining to the things of this world.
2:39 The condemnation for withholding substance from a lesser will be that God, who ultimately
is the source of the substance of the wealthy, will also withhold his bounty. Therefore the wealthy
will lose their status. Now, it is important that we note that Benjamin makes explicit that he is
speaking of those who are "rich as pertaining to the things of this world."
Mos 2:43 I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that
which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and administering to
their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants,
2:43 This advice is in harmony with the spirit of Christian ministry and stewardship. The king then
adds a word of caution lest some be overzealous to their own harm: "See that all these things are
done in wisdom and order" (44) .
"Whosoever among you that borroweth of his neighbor, should return the thing that he borroweth,
according as he doth agree" (46). It seems so easy for some people "to forget" to return a borrowed
article. They are always intending to do so but procrastinate. His final words of counsel are
"Watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the
commandments of God" (49).
Mos 2:46 And I would that ye should remember, that whosoever among you that borroweth of his
neighbor, should return the thing that he borroweth, according as he doth agree,
Mos 2:47 Or else thou shalt commit sin, and perhaps thou shalt cause thy neighbor to commit sin also.
2:46-47 As a final note, Benjamin addresses yet another way in which one’s substance may
become a division in society. When any possession is borrowed, there is an social obligation of
return attached to that possession. Goods not returned as agreed upon can also create strife and
division. Therefore, one who does not return the thing borrowed "commit[s] sin". Notice,
however, that by not returning the item(s) that the borrower also causes his neighbor to commit
sin. How is this so?
The sin lies not in the thing borrowed, but in the tension and strife that are caused over the item(s).
When one loans something, there is the expectation of a return, and if that return does not happen,
then the loaner has an issue with the borrower. The more a loaner attempts to retrieve the item, and
more that is resisted by the borrower, the greater the contention and strife. It is this contention that
is the sin, because it violates the type of community Benjamin is trying to establish.