Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 16

Introduction

Last week we had Stake Conference.  What were some of the themes you remember from that conference?  I remember the following:

• Family responsibilities
• Importance of temporal preparedness

How were you changed as a result of our conference?  In our last lesson, King Benjamin’s people gathered in a conference-type setting, and they were truly changed as a result.

Benjamin’s people repent

Read Mosiah 4:1-3

What did the people pray for after hearing King Benjamin’s testimony about Jesus Christ?

• To be forgiven of their past sins
• To have their hearts changed so they would not want to sin in the future
• In verse 3 the Spirit of the Lord came upon them and they received these blessings through their faith in Jesus Christ

Read Mosiah 4:6-8.  When we seek to overcome our sins, it is not a matter of “pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps.”  The only way to receive these blessings is through the grace of Jesus Christ and our faith in him.  This is the only way that salvation has ever been provided to God’s children.

King Benjamin mentions several times in these verses the “nothingness” of man; that we are “worthless” and “less than the dust of the earth.”

• Read Helaman 12:4-8.  We are less obedient than the dust of the earth.  God says to the dust, “Move,” and the dust moves.  He says to us, “Move,” and we say, “Why should I?”  “What’s in it for me?”  “I don’t want to; you can’t take away my agency.”  “No.”
• Does this mean that God doesn’t love us and that we are a bother to him?  Absolutely not.  Read Psalms 8:4-5 and John 3:16.

Benjamin describes qualities of the converted

In Mosiah 4:9-16, King Benjamin describes some qualities of a person who has been truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ:

1. Believe in God (verse 9)
2. Sincerely repent (verse 10)
1. Note that the following three verbs in this verse: believe, ask, do.  Compare this with Alma 12:14 where Alma warns Zeezrom that our words, works and thoughts will condemn us.  Here Benjamin teaches us that good thoughts lead to good words and ultimately good works to our salvation.
3. Remember the greatness of God (verse 11)
4. Call upon God daily (verse 11)
5. Be filled with the love of God and retain a remission of our sins (verse 12)
1. How do we retain a remission of our sins?  By developing and exercising faith in Jesus Christ and receiving the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives as discussed in the first verses to this chapter.
6. Live peaceably with others (verse 13)
7. Teach our children to live righteously (verse 14-15)
8. Care for the poor (verse 16)

Benjamin summarizes these main points in verse 30.

Benjamin encourages us to care for the poor

Summarize Mosiah 4:17-22.  Since God gave us everything, it is not our place to claim something is “mine” and refuse to share with our brothers and sisters.  I used to think that verses 23 and 24 let me off the hook:

• In verse 23, King Benjamin clarifies that he has been speaking to those who are rich.  Since I’m obviously not rich, I am exempted from this requirement.  Then I found my favorite definition of rich:  A person is rich when he has enough money to supply his needs, provide for some of his modest wants, and have some left over to save for the future.  While I am not independently wealthy, this definition of rich includes many more people than I had originally thought.
• In verse 24, King Benjamin describes the thoughts that should accompany those who cannot give.  “Piece of cake!” I thought, “I’ll just think that, and I’m okay!”  Then I realized Benjamin requires us to say this in our hearts.  That is entirely different than saying it in our minds.  Mind is simply thinking the words; heart is truly and honestly meaning it.

In all these things, we must be wise.  Read Mosiah 4:27.  You can’t win the marathon in a single sprint, and we don’t help our own salvation by burning ourselves out.  But we also don’t get points for dawdling.  Be diligent!

Benjamin’s people are sanctified and enter a covenant

Read Mosiah 5:2, 5.  I love the phrase “we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”  I believe that is the definition of sanctification. 

Benjamin’s people entered into a gospel covenant similar to our baptismal covenants to love and serve God.  Benjamin encourages them in Mosiah 5:7, 15 to continue faithful that they may receive exaltation.