1 AND now there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla, [ note WofM 1:14 indicates the Nephites retake all of the lands of their inheritance from the Lamanites. However, they did not return to their ancestral capital in the land of Nephi. They stayed put in Zarahemla. Which would indicate that the Temple they gathered to for Benjamin's speech is not the same Temple Nephi built and where Jacob spoke in. someone must have built a new temple, but we are left uninformed if it was before or after the Nephite remnant joined with the Mulekites. ] among all the people who belonged to king Benjamin, so that king Benjamin had continual peace all the remainder of his days. [ This verse serves as a transitional closing to the Words Of Mormon. Were there was a great deal of contention at the beginning of King Benjamins reign. So we find Mormon contrasting the conditions of contention at the start with what appears to be a very good condition at the end of his reign where things are peaceful. ]

2 And it came to pass that he had three sons; and he called their names Mosiah, [ We can presume that he is the oldest and that he is named after his father see Omni 1:12 The name Mosiah derives from the Hebrew word môšiaʿ (mo-SHE-ah), or “a champion of justice in a situation of controversy, battle or oppression.”[1] This word comes from the verb yasha, meaning “to help,” or “save.”[2] (Its nominal form yesha means “deliverance, rescue, salvation,” etc.[3]) As a noun for a deliverer or rescuer, môšiaʿ appears several times in the Hebrew Bible. Ehud is called a môšiaʿ (“deliverer”) in Judges 3:15. The Lord Himself is described as Israel’s môšiaʿ (“saviour”) in Isaiah 49:26. The term likewise appears in the legal context of the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 22:27), as well as Moses’ final speech before the children of Israel entered Canaan (Deuteronomy 28:29). ] and Helorum, and Helaman. [ "and he called their names" How could Joseph Smith have known? When a child is born, we say in English that his father and mother "called him X" or "named him X." The same is true in naming places, for example, "He called his ranch Pleasant Valley." But Hebrew expresses it quite differently: "He called the name of his son X." In Hebrew, it is the name that is "called," not the child or the place. Perhaps the best-known example from the Bible is the one found in Isaiah 7:14: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (The Maxwell Institute - Hebrew Background of the Book Of Mormon; John A. Tvedtnes) ] And he caused [ denotes that some effort was made by Benjamin to teach them; FHE perhaps every week? consistent in teaching; served as a good example. ] that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding; [ How does he suggest that they might become men of understanding? That they might be able to read and write so that they can read the scriptures and know and understand the prophecies of God. ] and that they might know concerning the prophecies [ if it has to do with prophecy then we have a reference of what he means when he says language of his fathers - the religious principles, the doctrine. ] which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, [ In Gen 18:19 the Lord give praise to Abraham because he teaches his children the ways of the Lord - Here we find Benjamin doing the same thing. Here is what he teaches them 1) vs 2 the language of the plates so that they can study the Law and the Prophets first hand. 2) vs 3 That without the scriptures (the plates) we will become ignorant of the Lord's word. 3) vs 4 Lehi could not remember either so he brought the plates (Scriptures) 4) vs 5 Without the plates they would become like the Lamanites 5) vs 6 he testifies that the records are true; and that they can know for themselves as well by studying them. 6) vs 7 his exhortation to his boys to study the words and be diligent in keepin the commandments that they might prosper. ] which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord.

3 And he [ King Benjamin the father - look at what he teaches his children in verse 3-7. I am sure there is more text that was available to Mormon when he was abridging this book - so we need to ask ourselves Why of all of the quotes that he could have selected from King Benjamin to his son's did Moromon choose this one? What does what Mormon quotes from King Benjamin here tell us about the kind of father that he was? ] also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God.

4 For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; [ A good reason to keep a journal as well. Cured me to remember the time that I received revelation on a specific scripture and was told to write it down and did not because I was never going to forget it. But I did. ] for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, [ie the brass plates that were previously referenced in verse 3 were written in reformed Egyptian script (See Mormon 9:32). So Lehi had to be familiar with the language of the Egyptians. So the reason why King Benjamin wants his son's to learn the language of the Egyptians is so that they can read and study the scriptures. ] and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, [ How does teaching these things help us fulfill the commandments of God? Well how can we keep the commandments of God is we don't understand them and know what they even are.] even down to this present time. [ Which is about 124 years before the birth of the Savior. ]

5 I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his [Gods] mysteries,[ the revelations of God contained on the plates per v. 3, also cp. D&C 42:61. These are the basic principles of the gospel. They are mysteries because they are revealed to men through revelation, based on faith and obedience - with the intent to lead man back to God.  Hence they are "mysteries" to men without the knowledge of the plates, or man cannot perceive them on his own. ] and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, [ Used the Lamanites as an example in teaching a principle to his son's. That without the scriptures (The plates) they would be without the law and as such would grow to know less and less of God each day. The same was true for the Mulekites see Omni 1:17 but they were not used here as the example: Why we might ask? Remember he is trying to make a point and the point is that without the records you will fall away from the truth - the Lamanites simply made a better example in this case to prove his point. ] who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.

6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, [ What sayings? That you need to learn to read and write; and then you need to study the scriptures for yourselves in order to know; and you need to teach your children to do such. ] and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.

7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, [ With steady application and care; with industry; not carelessly; or with neglect. ] that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, [ So learn the commands of God through searching the scriptures, learn from them daily, have a spiritual experience in them each day; then do as you have been taught keep the commandments. ] that ye may prosper [ Means to have God's presence with them. ] in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.

8 And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not written in this book. [ So this is the end of what he felt that he needed to teach his sons. Now we will see what he teaches the people as their king. ]

9 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of teaching his sons, that he waxed old, and he saw that he must very soon go the way of all the earth; [ he dies about 3 years later see Mosiah 6:5 ] therefore, he thought it expedient that he should confer the kingdom upon one of his sons.

10 Therefore, *he had Mosiah brought before him; and these are the words which he spake unto him, saying: My son, I would that ye should make a proclamation throughout all this land among all this people, or the people of Zarahemla, and the people of Mosiah who dwell in the land, that thereby they may be gathered together; [ Had the people drifted away from living as they should? Yes How do we know? Because of what they confessed later in Chapter 4:2. It is not so much that they were bad; but that they had become complacent in living the gospel. This is a time when if they were living the Law of Moses they would have been coming to the temple any way for Yom Kippur and/or Sukkot. But it appears as if they were not as diligent as they should be. As a result in order to get them there King Benjamin sends a proclamation for them to meet at the temple as he has some announcements for them. He announces that he will formally announce a big change in monarchy. If the people were growing casual about the Law of Moses, then they would have had to of had some other reason to go to the Temple. So perhaps Benjamin wisely uses the setting of change in monarchy (i.e., new name of political ruler) to get the people to listen to a religious lecture as well (i.e., new name of spiritual ruler). ] for on the morrow [ We can pretty much assume that the invitation is for only those in the Land of Zarahemla as those any further away could not make it by tomorrow, because there is not enough time. ] I shall proclaim unto this my people out of mine own mouth that thou art a king and a ruler over this people, whom the Lord our God hath given us. [ Or in other words; the Lord is the one who is ultimately the King of this people, and he (the Lord) has given us stewardship over these people. ]

11 And moreover, I shall give this people a name, [ or a "new name"; symbolic of becoming a new people, one's that are born again, one's that are changed or have the opportunity to change and grow as they progress toward exaltation. The New name that they are to receive is the name of Christ see Mosiah 5:8-11. It is not a name that we take on ourselves lightly. ] that thereby they may be distinguished above all the people [ How could Joseph Smith have known? English words used in ways that are unknown or unexpected in our language. In English we would expect distinguished from. But the Book of Mormon passage reflects the normal Hebrew expression, which uses the compound preposition that means from above. (The Maxwell Institute - Hebrew Background of the Book Of Mormon; John A. Tvedtnes) ] which the Lord God hath brought out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I do because they have been a diligent people in keeping the commandments of the Lord.

12 And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression. [ note that the only one who can change the name is us, the Lord is not going to; it is through our agency that that we can keep it or loose it. ]

13 Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lord should fall into transgression, [ because where much is given to the knowledge of God; much is expected. How does this apply to us today? ] and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, [ Why? Not because he loves them any less; but because he cannot preserve them as he has in the past. They have not been diligent in keeping their covenants; as a result he cannot protect them the same as he can if they were to keep their covenants. ] that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; [ How does breaking ones covenants make them become weak? When we make a covenant we make a commitment to do something. When we fail to keep our commitment not on are in guilty of the sin but we also have done that which we said - committed, covenanted not to do. So we are really worse of than those who commit the same sin without ever covenanting to never do so. ] and he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, [ Why? Well it is not because he does not love them, and it is not because he does not want to; but it is because he has lost his influence in their life as they have rejected him and doing his will. ] as he has hitherto preserved our fathers.

14 For I say unto you, that if he had not extended his arm in the preservation of our fathers they must have fallen into the hands of the Lamanites, [ King Benjamin who was a great warrior; one who lead his people into battle; personally fighting in the battle on the front lines even though he was their King; he was not in some back office. Here King Benjamin acknowledges that it was that Lord who delivered them not him. He is still trying to instill into his son, and his people; it is the Lord to whom he gives credit for their protection. ] and become victims to their hatred.

15 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of these sayings to his son, [ Mosiah ] that he gave him charge concerning all the affairs of the kingdom. [ He made him the one who was responsible to the governing of the people; this is a chance away from the spiritual leader being the king and the prophet leader. Now Mosiah is the new King, and it appears as if King Benjamin is still the spiritual leader as he does not specifically give Mosiah the Urim and Thummim. Maybe he just does not say this but the appearance ids that King Benjamin is setting up the government of the state to be different from the government of the church. We see this later when Mosiah appoints Alma to be the religious leader as well. see Mosiah 26:8 Later the Urim and Thummim are turned over to Alma Jr. Mosiah 28:20. We might assume that Mosiah received the Urim and Thummim then at the death of his father King Benjamin and kept them in his possession until he gave them to Alma Jr.]

16 And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records [ Chronology of the Large Plates of Nephi. King Benjamin - has both large and small plates for 52 yrs; here Mosiah - inherits plates from father about 124 BC | | 32 years later Alma2 - is given plates by king Mosiah (cf. Mos. 28:20) about 92 BC | | 19 years later | Helaman2 - receives plates from father (cf. Alma 37:1-2) about 73 BC | | 23 years later | Shiblon - receives plates from brother (cf. Alma 63:1) in 56 BC | | 3 years later | Helaman3 - receives plates from uncle (cf. Alma 63:11) in 53 BC, dies in 39 BC (cf. Hela. 3:37) | | 14 years later | Nephi2 - reader never explicitly informed when he gets the plates or even that he has them until they go to his son Nephi3, we would assume he obtained them from his father Helaman3 upon his death in 39 BC (cf. Hela 3:37) | | 39 years | Nephi3 - obtains plates 1 AD from father (cf. 3 Ne. 1:2) | | 34 yrs later | Nephi4 - obtains plates 34 AD from father, assuming 4 Ne. 1:1 division implies change in possession | | 76 yrs | Amos - obtains plates 110 AD from father (cf. 4 Ne. 1:19) | | 84 yrs | Amos - obtains plates 194 AD from father (cf. 4 Ne. 1:22) | | 112 yrs | Ammaron - obtains plates 306 AD from brother (cf. 4 Ne. 1:47) | | 16 yrs | Mormon - "obtains" plates 322 AD at age 10 from Ammaron, who's family relation is not identified (cf. Morm. 1:2) | | 63-78 yrs | Moroni - obtains plates from father at some point between 385 AD (cf. Mormon 6:5) and 400 AD (cf. Mormon 8:6) | | 21-36 yrs | Buried in hill Cumorah 421 AD (cf. Moroni 10:1) “The passages which I have quoted from the Book of Mormon and the more extended discussion of this subject by Elder B. H. Roberts which was published in The Deseret News of March 3 definitely established the following facts: That the hill Cumorah, and the hill Ramah are identical. That it was around this hill that the armies of both the Jaredites and Nephites fought their great last battles. That it was in this hill that Mormon deposited all of the sacred records which had been entrusted to his care by Ammaron, except the abridgment which he had made from the plates of Nephi, which were delivered into the hands of his son, Moroni. We know positively that it was in this hill that Moroni deposited the abridgment made by his father, and his own abridgment of the record of the Jaredites, and that it was from this hill that Joseph Smith obtained possession of them. Anthony Ivins Improvement Era June 1928 ] which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also, the sword of Laban, and the ball or director, [ Note what he did not mention that he received? The Urim and Thummim see previous verse. What reason would King Benjamin have had for not giving the Urim and Thummim to Mosiah at this time? Signifying that he King Benjamin is still their spiritual leader. ] which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him. [ Mormon gives us a little editorial on what the Liahona meant from a spiritual perspective to the family of Nephi. ]

17 Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, [ to strike down or cast down - being downcast  or brought low humbled in body~ mind~ or spirit  including tribulation~ adversity~ calamity~ distress~ grief~ trouble~ trial or sorrow- evidence of divine chastisement ] to stir them up in remembrance of their duty.

18 And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had commanded him, [ Good son, good example, sounds like Nephi. ] and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them. [ Note where the activity of naming a new king was to be held - at the temple. ]