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

MOSIAH BEGINS HIS REIGN, VER. 1-11
Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 4
Mos 4:3 And again: It came to pass that when King Benjamin had made an end of all these things, and
had consecrated his son Mosiah, to be a ruler and a king over his people, and had given him all the
charges concerning the kingdom,
4:3 The Hebrew rulers were anointed with oil when set apart for their office (1 Sam. 15:1; 16:13; I
Kings 1:34). It is likely that this was the manner in which Mosiah was consecrated.
A record was made at King Benjamin's request, when he had finished his message, to enroll all
those who had entered the covenant to keep God's commandments. Every adult had his name on
the roll ( Mos. 1:2).
King Benjamin "appointed priests to teach the people" as one of his last official acts. Then he
dismissed them to return "to their own houses" (4).
Mos 4:6 And he began to reign in the thirtieth year of his age, making in the whole, about four hundred
and seventy-six years from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem.
4:6 This dates from the time Mosiah became king which was "about 476 years from the time Lehi
left Jerusalem." He was thirty years old when he began to reign. He followed the example of his
father and "did walk in the ways of the Lord" (8). He "did keep his commandments in all things."
Approximate dating would put the time of the anointing of Mosiah around 111 B.C.
Mos 4:7 And King Benjamin lived three years and he died.
4:7 This short sentence ends the story of one of the greatest figures of the Book of Mormon, a man
who took a two separate nations in the midst of external and internal turmoil, and fashioned a new
people for God of them. In his last years he was able to enjoy the peace that he had worked so hard
to achieve.
Mos 4:9 And King Mosiah did cause his people that they should till the earth.
4:9 This may sound commonplace, but it is well to contrast this with the life of the Lamanites who
lived entirely by foraging or by stealing (Enos 1:31-33). King Mosiah tilled the earth himself, as
he did not want to burden his people to provide for him.
Mos 4:11 And there was no contention among all his people, for the space of three years.
4:11 The surprise ending is the time element. But it is not a small matter for such a large group to
live in peace for a year or three years. There must have been much patience, goodwill, and love
among them.