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Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 3
KING BENJAMIN CONCLUDES HIS MESSAGE, VER. 1-21
Mos 3:1 And now, it came to pass that when King Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent
among them, desiring to know of his people, if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them.
Mos 3:2 And they all cried with one voice, saying, Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast
spoken unto us;
Mos 3:3 And also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent,
which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil,
but to do good continually.
3:1-3 This is clearly a break in the speech. Benjamin has to send messengers among the people to
get their reply. Rather than the previous exclamation of the people that Benjamin could either hear
or feel, this particular case required a more extensive canvassing of the people.
The king asked the people "if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them" (1), and all
answered, "Yea, we believe all the words" (2). Their hearts had a desire "to do good continually."
They had "the manifestations of his Spirit" (4) which had brought conviction.
Mos 3:6 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God, to do his will, and to be obedient to
his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may
not bring upon ourselves a never ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink
out of the cup of the wrath of God.
3:6 Under the strong power which the people felt, they wanted to serve God "all the remainder of
our days."
This was joyful news to the king. "Ye have spoken the words that I desired" (7), he exclaimed.
"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made, ye shall be called the children of Christ"
(8) ."This day he hath spiritually begotten you" (9).
Mos 3:11 There is no other name given, whereby salvation cometh, therefore, I would that ye should
take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God, that ye should
be obedient unto the end of your lives.
3:11 Those who take the name of Christ and are "obedient unto the end" of their lives “shall be
found at the right hand of God" (12). All others will be on his left hand.
Matthew records Jesus' words that all nations shall be judged and separated as "a shepherd
divideth the sheep from the goats." To the sheep on his right hand he shall say, "Come ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt.
25:33-35), "Unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire"
(Matt. 25:42). The Hebrews had a strong faith in the power which comes with the use of a name.
Mos 3:12 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this, shall be found at the right hand of God,
for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.
3:12 Because this is a voluntary covenant, there might be some who would choose to deny it.
Benjamin clearly declares this a black/white choice. There is not blending of choices, there is no