Don’t be confused by this little book—it is not in chronological order. It’s basically a little “historian’s commentary” inserted by Mormon about the books we’ve just read (1 Ne, 2 Ne, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni). Keep in mind that the Book of Mormon is a summary of many prophets’ writings compiled by a later prophet named Mormon who took a room-full of plates (starting with Nephi and then those who followed), and condensed/abridged the most important parts down into one record. Occasionally you will see Mormon make commentary on the chapters as he puts them together, and in this case he has inserted a full chapter of commentary.
The point of this chapter is for Mormon to explain that he found a second little record written by the previously-listed prophets after he finished abridging the other larger plates of Nephi—see vs. 3-4 (remember how Nephi was told by the Lord to keep 2 separate records and he didn’t know why?). Well long story short, 1200 years later Joseph Smith ends up losing the translation of the first/larger plates of Nephi, so it was a good thing that there was a repeat available in the second/smaller plates of Nephi that Mormon chose to also include. See the commentary I wrote about 1 Nephi 9 if you want to connect the dots: http://bookofmormonwithmurff.blogspot.com/2013/01/1-nephi-9-10.html
The point of this chapter is for Mormon to explain that he found a second little record written by the previously-listed prophets after he finished abridging the other larger plates of Nephi—see vs. 3-4 (remember how Nephi was told by the Lord to keep 2 separate records and he didn’t know why?). Well long story short, 1200 years later Joseph Smith ends up losing the translation of the first/larger plates of Nephi, so it was a good thing that there was a repeat available in the second/smaller plates of Nephi that Mormon chose to also include. See the commentary I wrote about 1 Nephi 9 if you want to connect the dots: http://bookofmormonwithmurff.blogspot.com/2013/01/1-nephi-9-10.html
Mormon also talks more about King Benjamin who was briefly mentioned by Amaleki at the end of the book of Omni. King Benjamin was a great king who taught his people to be good and fought for their liberty and righteousness. We will read a great speech from him in the book of Mosiah.
Mosiah 1
King Benjamin teaches his sons the importance of the scriptures (in their case, the Brass Plates they took from Laban (basically pieces of the Old Testament), and the gold plates they are currently keeping records on—which will be the Book of Mormon). He says:
If devoted men of God would have “dwindled in unbelief” if it were not for the records of the scriptures, how much greater need do we have to read the scriptures regularly! I am such a firm believer is the importance and benefits of reading scriptures regularly. I don’t think anyone can have an enduring faith or a clear understanding of God and the purpose of life without them. I also don’t think I’m a very nice person when I go long periods of time without reading them…:)
King Benjamin is getting old, and the end of this chapter sets up for his final great speech that he will give to his people in the next few chapters (one of the best parts of the Book of Mormon!).
King Benjamin teaches his sons the importance of the scriptures (in their case, the Brass Plates they took from Laban (basically pieces of the Old Testament), and the gold plates they are currently keeping records on—which will be the Book of Mormon). He says:
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 mysteries, 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, 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.
7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.
If devoted men of God would have “dwindled in unbelief” if it were not for the records of the scriptures, how much greater need do we have to read the scriptures regularly! I am such a firm believer is the importance and benefits of reading scriptures regularly. I don’t think anyone can have an enduring faith or a clear understanding of God and the purpose of life without them. I also don’t think I’m a very nice person when I go long periods of time without reading them…:)
King Benjamin is getting old, and the end of this chapter sets up for his final great speech that he will give to his people in the next few chapters (one of the best parts of the Book of Mormon!).
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; 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; for on the morrow 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.
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