King Benjamin’s Address Kevinhinckley.com King Benjamin’s Address

Major Problem with Christmas

A Little Nephite History 1000 Years of History! 164 Years Nephite Dark Ages 300 Yrs Nephite Golden Age 200 Yrs King Benjamin Almas Nephis 600 to 420 B.C Nephi/Jacob/Enos 200-385 A.D Mormon/Moroni Mosiah Helamans 63% of the BoM

King Benjamin’s Name Old Testament Book of Mormon Northern Tribes Kingdom of Judah United under King Saul (Tribe of Benjamin) Book of Mormon Nephites (Manasseh) Mulekites (Judah) United under King ‘Benjamin’

Feast of Tabernacles (Succot) Harvest Festival Gather at the Temple Build small succas (shelters) Celebrate with palm branches Often used for coronation of kings Recommitment King reads law People answer in unison

Leviticus/Feast of Taberacles King Benjamin’s Address Leviticus Mosiah Return possessions 25:10 4:28 Not to injure one another 25:14, 17 4:13 Render according to due 25:15-16 4:13, 28 Prosperity follows obedience 25:18-19 2:22 Aid the poor 25:35 4:16, 26 Use of riches 25:35-37 4:21 Peace in the land 26:6 2:31 Covenant with God 26:9 5:5-6 Lord's dwelling 26:11 2:37 Lord to be with his people 26:11-12 2:36 Curses for disobedience, 26:14-33 2:38; Walk/go contrary . . . “ 26:21, 272: 3:36

How the Address was structured Chapter 2 (Initiatory) Cleanses his garments (Mos 2:27, 28) Chapter 3 (The Instruction) Mos 3:1-4 Chapter 4 (Covenant and Commitment) The People Surrender (Mos 4:1-3) Commandments given (Mos 4:13-30)

Question Why is retaining a remission of our sins (v.26), tied to imparting our ‘substance’ to the poor?

The Pattern The Remission of Sins Retaining a Remission of Sins Sacrifice Sacrifice

How the Address was structured Chapter 2 (Initiatory) Cleanses his garments (Mos 2:27, 28) Chapter 3 (The Instruction) Mos 3:1-4 Chapter 4 (Covenant and Commitment) The People Surrender (Mos 4:1-3) Commandments given (Mos 4:13- 30) Chapter 5 (Covenant and Endowed with power) People Covenant (Mos 5:2-5) The Endowment (Mos 5:6-8) The Warning (Mos 5:11)

How about our society? Traditional Society Based on competition Winners/losers Consistent Pattern Rights and wrongs One “right way” Leads to wars and conflicts Progressive Society Based on cooperation Everyone is a winner Diversity No rights or wrongs Many “right ways” Leads to moral decline and societal breakdown Based on cooperation Everyone is a sinner Diversity of Spiritual Gifts Rights and Wrongs Leads to Zion Society Gospel Society of Zion (King Benjamin)