Lessons from King Benjamin

I love the book of Mosiah!  I think all that King Benjamin has to say is wonderful and very applicable to our lives.  I find it amazing that this man who describes himself as weak, but he is lifted up in the strength of the Lord to give his address.  He asks everyone to gather to the temple with their families so that he could instruct them of the things that would be beneficial for them.  I just want to touch on a few of the lessons that I love from King Benjamin.

Lesson #1 - Service

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)  He speaks to the people about giving service to others and when they do that, they are really serving God.  It's amazing to learn this concept because of how it changes our view on service.  We are not alone on this trail of life.  There are people we will meet and only we can help.  Not only are we happy with service when we give it, but we are also helping God assist His children.

Lesson #2 - Blessings

"And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should proper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.  And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.  And second, he doth require that ye should do as he hat commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you.  And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?" (Mosiah 2:22-24)  I love these scriptures because of what they teach us about God.  God asks that we keep the commandments.  If we do what he says, we are blessed immediately.  We have no reason to boast of our own strength because all of our blessings come from God.  It's a cycle and we are definitely getting the better end of the deal.

Lesson #3 - Happiness

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold our faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." (Mosiah 2:41)  The gospel of Jesus Christ is happiness.  We can have all the joy that we desire by following the things that God has commanded us.  And what is the result?  Never-ending happiness in the presence of our Lord and Savior.  That sounds like a lifetime of bliss to me.

Lesson #4 - Prophets

"And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them." (Mosiah 3:13)  I'm grateful that the Lord sends his prophets, even in these latter days, so that we may learn truths from them.  It's a constant reminder to me that no matter what, the Lord will have his gospel taught and that he loves his children.  A prophet is a physical testament of his love for us.

Lesson #5 - Salvation

"And moreover, I sat unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." (Mosiah 3:17)  I love the important part that Christ has in the plan of God.  This scripture clearly teaches us that the only way to obtain salvation is by making Christ central in our lives and following his doctrine.  By following the doctrine of Christ and submitting to his will, we can gain salvation.

Lesson #6 - The Natural Man

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)  It is hard to put off the natural man.  But, I love that it is possible with the help of God.  Not only do we learn that we need to become like little children in their way of thinking, but we need to make sure we are completing that role as children of God.  We need to be meek, submissive, and humble to our Heavenly Father.

I'm thankful for prophets and for the wonderful guidance that they give us.  The scripture from Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 comes to mind.  "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”  We have the chance to listen to prophets and apostles twice a year and how wonderful to be able to hear their voices and heed their counsel.