Evidence #374 | October 10, 2022
Book of Mormon Evidence: King Benjamin’s Literary Influence
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Scripture Central
Abstract
On scores of occasions, words and phrases found in King Benjamin’s speech appear to be quoted, paraphrased, or alluded to in later Nephite texts. The extensive influence of his sayings on the Nephite textual record is both historically realistic and literarily complex.By almost any measure, King Benjamin’s speech, found in the opening chapters of the book of Mosiah, constitutes a remarkable literary achievement. “Unparalleled in many respects by anything else in the Book of Mormon,” writes John W. Welch, “this document stands as a monument of Nephite civilization and spirituality. … Because of the wide influence he had on his own subjects and subsequent generations in the Book of Mormon, Benjamin occupied a unique place in Nephite history.”1 One way that Benjamin’s influence can be demonstrated is the extent to which subsequent authors quoted, paraphrased, or otherwise drew upon the language and themes from his final recorded words to his family and people.
Long Quotations
On several occasions, later authors replicated some of Benjamin’s lengthier statements, sometimes with perfect or near-perfect precision.2 One striking example comes from Samuel the Lamanite, who spoke of “Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning” (Helaman 14:12). This 21-word name title happens to be a verbatim quote from Mosiah 3:8:3
Mosiah 3 | Helaman 14 |
And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary (Mosiah 3:8) | And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name (Helaman 14:12) |
Paraphrases
Most examples of textual dependency, however, aren’t quite so precise. In many instances, Benjamin’s words were only paraphrased by subsequent authors. This type of relationship can be seen in Mormon’s comment that at the judgment day the righteous would “sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above” (Mormon 7:7). While this description appears to draw on Benjamin’s wording in Mosiah 2:28, it isn’t an exact match. This is demonstrated in the chart below, where distinct phrasal elements have been color-coded for easier identification.
Mosiah 2 | Mormon 7 |
that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God (Mosiah 2:28) | whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God (Mormon 7:7) |
Despite the lack of precision, enough similarity exists to suspect Mormon was drawing his wording from Benjamin’s speech. Most importantly, both passages utilize the distinct phrase “choirs above” which is found nowhere else in the standard works.4 The way this phrase is accompanied in each case by the idea of “sing[ing] … praises” to God helps solidify the connection (even though Mormon adds the term “ceaseless” and gives a different description of God’s attributes).
Short Quotations
Other candidates for textual influence can be seen in distinctive shorter statements which first show up in Benjamin’s speech and then are reused by subsequent Nephite authors.5 Near the end of his book, Moroni stated that “we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay” (Moroni 9:6). The only other place where the phrase “tabernacle of clay” shows up in the standard works is near the middle of Benjamin’s speech: “the Lord Omnipotent … shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay” (Mosiah 3:5). While certainly unique, the phrase is only three words in length, making it less clear, at least when viewed in isolation, whether it is a true quotation or just an instance of both writers utilizing a stock phrase, perhaps from some unknown source.
Clustering
One thing that the above-mentioned example (“tabernacle of clay”) has going in its favor is that another distinctive phrase from Benjamin’s speech (“enemy of all righteousness”) turns up immediately afterward in Moroni 9:6.6 In addition, Moroni throws the word “labor” into the mix, a key idea discussed in Mosiah 2:14 and Mosiah 2:18. Thus, we have two phrases and a major theme from Benjamin’s speech concentrated together in a single passage in Moroni 9:
Mosiah 2–4 | Moroni 9 |
And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you (Mosiah 2:14) if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another? (Mosiah 2:18) therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness (Mosiah 2:37) the Lord Omnipotent … shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men (Mosiah 3:5) and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness (Mosiah 4:14) | for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God (Moroni 9:6) |
Clustering can involve various combinations of quotes, paraphrases, and key words or ideas. While some examples are ultimately more persuasive than others, the close proximity of multiple, textually similar elements increases the likelihood that they collectively derive from or allude to Benjamin’s writings. Here is an example of an especially strong clustering of ideas in Helaman 4:24–25, involving four lengthy phrases derived from two different locations in Benjamin’s speech:7
Mosiah 1–2 | Helaman 4 |
the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; and he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers (Mosiah 1:12–13) therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples (Mosiah 2:37) | And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples—Therefore the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful wickedness (Helaman 4:24–25) |
Clustering in Textual Units
One can also find what might be termed clusters of clusters in larger textual units. One impressive example can be seen in Alma’s instructions to Helaman in Alma 37, which draw extensively from Benjamin’s private counsel to his sons in Mosiah 1. Both units emphasize the importance of the sacred records that had been handed down through the generations. They also include a discussion of the Liahona and the way that it guided their forefathers through the wilderness. These and other clusters of related content are presented in the chart below (even more are included in Appendix 1):
Topic | Mosiah 1 | Alma 37 |
Were It Not for These Records | were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance (Mosiah 1:3) I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God (Mosiah 1:5) | And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; … Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates (Alma 37:8–9) |
Plates Enlarge Memory | 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 (Mosiah 1:4) | for behold, [the plates of brass] have enlarged the memory of this people (Alma 37:8) |
Kept and Preserved | 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 (Mosiah 1:5) | they should be … kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until … they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon (Alma 37:4) |
Ball or Director | and the ball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led (Mosiah 1:16) | I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it. … And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness (Alma 37:38–39) |
Heed and Diligence | which led … every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him. 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 stir them up in remembrance of their duty (Mosiah 1:16–17) | They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, … for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass … they did not prosper (Alma 37:41–43) |
Conclusion
Altogether, later Nephite texts appear to manifest some type of textual relationship with specific words, phrases, or ideas from King Benjamin’s speech on more than 150 occasions.8 Importantly, most of these involve multi-element clusters of words and phrases which, in each case, are only counted as a single intertextual relationship. A comprehensive chart demonstrating the impressive extent of this literary borrowing can be found in Appendix 1. A second chart, showing intertextual clustering in a number of larger literary units, can be found in Appendix 2.9
If King Benjamin’s speech is really what the text claims, the frequent use of his sayings by later Nephite writers is understandable and even somewhat expected. Benjamin was a pivotal leader, and it would be natural for subsequent Nephite authors to have been intimately familiar with his famous final address.
More difficult to explain is how all of these textual relationships were produced by Joseph Smith himself, under the theory that he merely fabricated the Book of Mormon. Not only would he have needed to craft the impressive speech itself, but he would have needed to be so familiar with its contents that he could weave intricate combinations of its words and phrases into later writings. Not just once or twice, but many dozens of times over.
This already formidable task seems even less likely to have been achieved when considering Joseph Smith’s limited education, his lack of literary experience, the rapid pace of the translation, the fact that he reportedly didn’t rely on any notes or outlines while dictating the text, and the absence of any substantive revisions in the earliest Book of Mormon manuscripts.10
In the final analysis, King Benjamin’s extensive and enduring influence on the Nephite textual record provides impressive evidence of the Book of Mormon’s consistency and complexity. It also adds to the historical realism of its underlying religious culture and literary traditions.
John L. Hilton III, “Abinadi’s Legacy: Tracing His Influence through the Book of Mormon,” in Abinadi: He Came Among Them in Disguise, ed. Shon D. Hopkin (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2018), 93–116.
John W. Welch and Stephen D. Ricks, eds., King Benjamin’s Speech: “That Ye May Learn Wisdom,” (Provo, UT: FARMS, 1998); especially relevant is the appendix entitled “Complete Text of Benjamin's Speech with Notes and Comments,” pp. 479–616.
John W. Welch, “Textual Consistency,” in Reexploring the Book of Mormon: A Decade of New Research, ed. John W. Welch (Provo, UT: FARMS, 1992), 21–23.
Introduction
The following chart lists instances in which Nephite texts appear to quote, paraphrase, or otherwise allude to King Benjamin’s speech. These relationships can be found in the right column of the chart, each one designated by its own verse or range of verses (which, in many instances, overlap with one another).
Some important caveats are in order. The first is that not all of the highlighted words and phrases in this chart, when viewed in isolation, originated with Benjamin himself. In a number of instances, they can be traced to earlier Nephite writers or even biblical authors. In such circumstances, it is the combination of words, phrases, or ideas—rather than their uniqueness or originality when viewed in isolation—that justifies the proposal. In other words, it appears that Benjamin sometimes repackaged prior material in a distinctive way and then subsequent authors seem to have drawn on his reformulated language.
Another important consideration is that this chart includes some textual material that predates Benjamin’s speech, including quoted words from Abinadi and Alma’s people before they reached the land of Zarahemla. As noted by John Hilton III, Abinadi’s ministry and martyrdom most likely occurred before Benjamin’s speech,11 and there is no known path of influence for Alma’s people to have been apprised of Benjamin’s sayings before they reached Zarahemla. On the other hand, it is likely that whoever composed, edited, or otherwise influenced the content and structure of the book of Mosiah (Alma, Mormon, and perhaps others), were familiar with Benjamin’s sayings.12 It is therefore possible that the intertextual similarities found in chronologically prior narratives is due to later editorial influence. For instance, the narrator’s characterization of King Noah and his priests in Mosiah 11 seems to be intentionally contrasted with Benjamin’s sayings, found just several chapters earlier in the book of Mosiah.
The book’s editor(s) may have intentionally selected dialogue relevant to Benjamin’s sayings and, in some cases, might have even altered or paraphrased statements to enhance those connections. Since we don’t know for sure who edited this text or what methodology he (or they) followed, it is impossible to know precisely why so many textual similarities exist in these chronologically prior narratives. Hilton even proposed, very tentatively, that perhaps the angel which revealed certain truths to Benjamin was none other than Abinadi himself (after he suffered martyrdom), and therefore it was Abinadi who influenced Benjamin.13
Whatever the case may be, when the textual similarities in the right column are derived in their entirety from direct quotations which likely predated Benjamin’s speech—such as those made by Abinadi, Alma the Elder, or Noah’s priests—an asterisk has been provided (both after the topic in the left column and after the relevant passages in the right column). In each case, the asterisk signals that a proposed intertextual relationship is chronologically difficult to explain.
Finally, it should be made clear that not all of these proposed textual relationships are equally persuasive. It is likely that at least some of these resemblances are coincidental rather than intentional. On the other hand, some valid relationships were probably overlooked in this analysis.
In total, 192 distinct intertextual relationships are presented in the right column, each one associated with a verse or range of verses. Of these proposals, 21 involve direct quotations that chronologically predate Benjamin’s speech (signaled by an asterisk). The number of proposed intertextual relationship that are free from any chronological ambiguity is 171. Most of these involve multi-element clusters rather than individual phrases.
Topic | Benjamin’s Speech | Quotes, Paraphrases, and Allusions |
Remember My Sons | My sons, I would that ye should remember (Mosiah 1:3) | O remember, remember, my son (Alma 37:13) |
Were It Not for These Records | were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance (Mosiah 1:3) I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God (Mosiah 1:5) | And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; … Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates (Alma 37:8–9) |
Know of Their Surety | and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord. … 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 (Mosiah 1:2–3) … because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct. O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. … and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes. (Mosiah 1:5–6) | Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers. How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ (Alma 30:14–15) Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers …to keep them in ignorance …. Ye say that those ancient prophecies are true. Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true (Alma 30:23–24) by their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries (Alma 30:28) |
Ignorance of Mysteries | we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God. … 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 … because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct. … and they are true and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes (Mosiah 1:3–6) | But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers … therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true. And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives. (Helaman 16:20–21) |
Plates Enlarge Memory | 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 (Mosiah 1:4) | for behold, [the plates of brass] have enlarged the memory of this people (Alma 37:8) |
Kept and Preserved | 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 (Mosiah 1:5) | that they should be … kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they … they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon (Alma 37:4) |
Search Diligently | And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search [the scriptures] diligently (Mosiah 1:7; cf. 2:1) | Now these sons of Mosiah … searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God (Alma 17:2) And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye … search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah (3 Nephi 23:1) |
Names Blotted Out | And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression (Mosiah 1:12) And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts (Mosiah 5:11) | And those that would not confess their sins and repent of their iniquity, the same were not numbered among the people of the church, and their names were blotted out (Mosiah 26:36) For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out (Alma 1:24) come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold, their names shall be blotted out (Alma 5:57) And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to the church that did not repent of their wickedness … their names were blotted out (Alma 6:3) and whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the elders, and if they repented not, and confessed not, their names were blotted out (Moroni 6:7) |
Weak Like Their Brethren | And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression. Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; and he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers (Mosiah 1:12–13) | they had become a wicked people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites. … And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; … Therefore the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful wickedness; … And thus had they fallen into this great transgression; yea, thus had they become weak, because of their transgression (Helaman 4:22–26) |
Deliver Them Up | Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; and he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers (Mosiah 1:13) | And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred … also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him …. I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind. (Alma 37:14–15) |
Gives Charge of Records | And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; (Mosiah 1:16) | I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me; And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept. And these plates of brass (Alma 37:1–3) |
Ball or Director | and the ball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led (Mosiah 1:16) | I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it. … And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness (Alma 37:38–39) |
Heed and Diligence | which led … every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him. 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 stir them up in remembrance of their duty (Mosiah 1:16–17) | They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, … for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass … they did not prosper (Alma 37:41–43) |
Remembrance of Duty | thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him. 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 stir them up in remembrance of their duty. (Mosiah 1:16–17) | … a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him (Mosiah 13:30) But the people were afflicted, yea, greatly afflicted for the loss of their brethren, and also for the loss of their flocks and herds, and also for the loss of their fields of grain, which were trodden under foot and destroyed by the Lamanites. And so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn; …therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty. (Alma 4:2–3) to stir them up in remembrance of their duty (Alma 4:19) |
Open Hearts to Understand* | open your … your hearts that ye may understand (Mosiah 2:9) | Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding (Mosiah 12:27)* |
Chosen by People | I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father (Mosiah 2:11) | Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers (Mosiah 29:25) |
Spending Days in Service | I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have, not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you (Mosiah 2:12) because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God (Mosiah 2:16) And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service (Mosiah 2:19) | And it came to pass that he placed his heart upon his riches, and he spent his time in riotous living with his wives and his concubines; and so did also his priests spend their time with harlots (Mosiah 11:14) |
Spend Days Laboring with Hands | I have been suffered to spend my days in your service … And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you (Mosiah 2:12–14) | and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands (Alma 24:18) |
No Imprisonment | Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons (Mosiah 2:13) | And it came to pass that king Noah caused that Abinadi should be cast into prison (Mosiah 12:17) |
No Slaves | Neither have I suffered that … ye should make slaves one of another (Mosiah 2:13) | But Ammon said unto him: It is against the law of our brethren, which was established by my father, that there should be any slaves among them (Alma 27:9) |
Teaching People to Keep Commandments* | Neither have I suffered that ye should … commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you (Mosiah 2:13) And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom (Mosiah 2:17) When king Benjamin … appointed priests to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of God (Mosiah 6:3) | And now Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people (Mosiah 12:25)* Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people? And they said: We teach the law of Moses. And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin (Mosiah 12:27–29)* Have ye taught this people that they should observe to do all these things for to keep these commandments? I say unto you, Nay (Mosiah 13:25–26)* |
Law List14 | nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness (Mosiah 2:13) | bloodshed, and the stealing, and the plundering, and the committing of whoredoms, and all manner of iniquities which cannot be enumerated (Mosiah 29:36) they ought not to murder, nor to plunder, nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to commit any manner of wickedness (Alma 23:3) But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and if he robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea, for all this wickedness they were punished (Alma 30:10) And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness (Helaman 6:23) |
Labor and Taxes | And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes (Mosiah 2:14) Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another? (Mosiah 2:18) | And he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed …. Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity (Mosiah 11:3–6) |
No Desire to Boast | Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, … Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God (Mosiah 2:15–16) | they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests (Mosiah 11:7) he caused a breastwork to be built before them, that they might rest their bodies and their arms upon while they should speak lying and vain words to his people (Mosiah 11:11) they were lifted up in the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own strength, … and thus they did boast… and this because of the wickedness of their king and priests (Mosiah 11:19) |
Learn Wisdom That Ye May Learn | I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God (Mosiah 2:17) | I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom (Alma 32:12) O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God (Alma 37:35) And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me (Alma 38:9) |
Never Vary | and he never doth vary from that which he hath said (Mosiah 2:22) | neither doth he vary from that which he hath said (Alma 7:20) |
Man Created of Dust | Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you (Mosiah 2:25) | Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth (Mormon 9:17) |
Blameless and Unspotted | that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me… that I might rid my garments of your blood, at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God (Mosiah 2:27–28) | that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received (Alma 7:22) And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless (Alma 7:25) |
Sing with Choirs Above | … that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me, when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he hath commanded me concerning you. … that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God (Mosiah 2:27–28) | And he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, whereby man must be raised to stand before his judgment-seat. And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end. (Mormon 7:6–7) |
List to Obey Spirits | beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah. For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment (Mosiah 2:32–33) if ye should transgress … that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord … I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit (Mosiah 2:36–37) | Now all these things were done, yea, all these wars and contentions were commenced and ended in the fifth year of the reign of the judges. And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world … to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one. For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey (Alma 3:25–27) For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another (3 Nephi 11:29) |
Drink Damnation to Soul15 | for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul (Mosiah 2:33) but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children (Mosiah 3:18) therefore they have drunk damnation to their own souls (Mosiah 3:25) | For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul (3 Nephi 18:29) |
Transgress Contrary to Knowledge | for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge (Mosiah 2:33) And now, I say unto you … if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths (Mosiah 2:36) | Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation; … And now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have … (Alma 9:22–23) |
Little Children Who Can/Cannot Understand | I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not been taught concerning these things (Mosiah 2:34) O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words (Mosiah 2:40) | there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; … And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God (Mosiah 26:1–3) |
Spirit Will Withdraw | if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you … I say unto you, that the man that doeth this … listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples … therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment (Mosiah 2:36–39) | For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked. (Alma 34:35) |
Wisdom’s Paths | if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved (Mosiah 2:36) | and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths! (Helaman 12:5) |
Open Rebellion | I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God (Mosiah 2:37) | nevertheless they had come out in open rebellion against God (Alma 3:18) I saw thousands of them hewn down in open rebellion against their God (Mormon 2:15) |
Enemy to All Righteousness | therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness (Mosiah 2:37) and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness (Mosiah 4:14) | Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness (Alma 34:23) for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God (Moroni 9:6) |
Unholy Temples | therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples. Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt (Mosiah 2:37–38 | And he doth not dwell in unholy temples … And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God (Alma 7:21–22) the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples (Helaman 4:24) |
Awake to a Remembrance | I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression (Mosiah 2:40) | And so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgments of God sent upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations; therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty (Alma 4:3) |
Awake to Awful Situation | I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression (Mosiah 2:40) | Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you (Ether 8:24) |
Dwell in Never-Ending 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 out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness (Mosiah 2:41) | yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness (Alma 28:12) he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end (Mormon 7:7) |
Remember, Remember | O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it (Mosiah 2:41) | O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God (Alma 37:13) O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people (Helaman 5:9) And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation (Helaman 5:12) And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself (Helaman 14:30) |
These Things Are True | O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it (Mosiah 2:41) | And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it (Alma 34:8) |
Not Far Distant | For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay (Mosiah 3:5) | for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people. Behold, I do not say that he will come among us at the time of his dwelling in his mortal tabernacle (Alma 7:7–8) |
Come Among Men* | For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles (Mosiah 3:5) | God should come down among the children of men, and take upon him flesh and blood, and go forth upon the face of the earth (Mosiah 7:27)* Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth? (Mosiah 13:34–35)* |
Tabernacle of Clay | the Lord Omnipotent … shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men (Mosiah 3:5) | for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God (Moroni 9:6) |
List of Miracles | and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases (Mosiah 3:5) | And there were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, insomuch that they did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus (4 Nephi 1:5) |
Suffer Temptations | And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer (Mosiah 3:7) | And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind (Alma 7:11) |
Anguish for Wickedness | And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people (Mosiah 3:7) | And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah (Alma 8:14) |
Jesus, Son of God, Father, Creator | And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning (Mosiah 3:8) for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things (Mosiah 4:2) Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth (Mosiah 4:9) that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his … who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all (Mosiah 5:15) | And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name (Helaman 14:12) it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken (Helaman 16:18) Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. (3 Nephi 9:15) Behold, I am Jesus Christ … and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning (3 Nephi 11:10–11) |
Salvation through Faith on His Name | And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name (Mosiah 3:9) And moreover, I say 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) There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ (Mosiah 5:8) | And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else (Alma 11:40) he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name (Alma 26:35) And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. (Alma 34:15) and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls (Alma 37:6–7) |
Stand to Judge the World | and even after all this they … shall crucify him. And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world (Mosiah 3:9–10) | And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; … And it shall come to pass, that whoso … endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world (3 Nephi 27:14–16) |
Christ’s Blood Atones | For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam (Mosiah 3:11) law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood (Mosiah 3:15) even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins (Mosiah 3:16) salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent (Mosiah 3:18) O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins (Mosiah 4:2) | there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood (Alma 21:9) for perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins (Alma 24:13) remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ (Helaman 5:9) |
Atonement for Ignorant Sin* | For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. (Mosiah 3:11) | And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them (Mosiah 15:14)* |
No Salvation for Rebellious* | But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ (Mosiah 3:12) | ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection. Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such (Mosiah 15:26)* |
Belief and Remission of Sins* | 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 (Mosiah 3:13) | whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins (Mosiah 15:11)* |
Law is Nothing without Atonement* | Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses (Mosiah 3:14) And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood (Mosiah 3:15) men drink damnation to their own souls except they … believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent (Mosiah 3:18) | salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses (Mosiah 13:28)* And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for they were a stiffnecked people (Mosiah 13:29)* But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to come (Mosiah 13:31)* and this because of the hardness of their hearts (Mosiah 13:32)* Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things? (Mosiah 13:33)* |
Signs and Wonders | And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts (Mosiah 3:15) | there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled. … Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts (Helaman 16:13–15) |
Types and Shadows* | Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses. And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming (Mosiah 3:15) | But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come (Mosiah 13:10)* Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to come (Mosiah 16:4)* And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; … And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? (Alma 37:43–45) |
Little Children Are Saved* | And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins (Mosiah 3:16) And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children (Mosiah 3:21) | And little children also have eternal life (Mosiah 15:25)* |
No Other Way16 | And moreover, I say 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) | And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ (Alma 38:9) O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world (Helaman 5:9) |
Infants Don’t Perish | For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy (Mosiah 3:18) | for how many little children have died without baptism! … For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism (Moroni 8:12, 15) |
Humble Like Children | but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ (Mosiah 3:18) 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 (Mosiah 3:19) | teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children (Moroni 8:10) |
Little Children + Atonement | except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ (Mosiah 3:18) and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child (Mosiah 3:19) | And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption (Moroni 8:20) |
Put off Spirits | For the natural man is an enemy to God, and … will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh … willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him (Mosiah 3:19) | Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you (Alma 30:42) |
List of Virtues | 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) | I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering (Alma 7:23) becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering (Alma 13:28) |
Nation, Kindred, Tongue, People | And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people (Mosiah 3:20) whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil (Mosiah 3:24) | And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil (3 Nephi 26:4) |
Bright Testimony | And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day (Mosiah 3:24) | let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be judged (Alma 24:15) |
Judged for Works* | whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil (Mosiah 3:24) | to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil (Mosiah 16:10)* shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ … to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil (Alma 11:44) men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil (Alma 41:3–4) to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil (3 Nephi 27:14) ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil (Mormon 3:20) |
Judged for Works + Damnation | whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil And if they be evil they are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations … therefore they have drunk damnation to their own souls (Mosiah 3:24–25) | to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation (Mosiah 26:4–5) |
Works + No More Return | whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. And if they be evil they are consigned to … a state of misery and endless torment, from whence they can no more return (Mosiah 3:25–25) | But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return (3 Nephi 27:11) |
Consigned to a State of Endless Misery | And if they be evil they are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence they can no more return; therefore they have drunk damnation to their own souls. Therefore, they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath of God (Mosiah 3:25–26) | Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power, and his mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe (Alma 9:11) and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence (Alma 12:14) Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair? (Alma 26:19) they are consigned to a state of endless wo (Alma 28:11) their consignation to happiness or misery … Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection, which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls and their consignation to happiness or misery. (Alma 40:15, 17) but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup (Alma 40:26) for ye do try to suppose that it is injustice that the sinner should be consigned to a state of misery (Alma 42:1) yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence (Alma 42:14) But we read that in the great and last day there are some who shall be cast out, yea, who shall be cast off from the presence of the Lord; Yea, who shall be consigned to a state of endless misery, fulfilling the words which say: They that have done good shall have everlasting life; and they that have done evil shall have everlasting damnation. (Helaman 12:25–26) |
Less than the Dust | And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth (Mosiah 4:2) For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of God at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state (Mosiah 4:5) even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you (Mosiah 4:11) | and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God …. Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide. O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth (Helaman 12:5–7) |
Depths of Humility | And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth (Mosiah 4:2) even so I would that ye should … humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily (Mosiah 4:11) | And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies. And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long (Mosiah 21:13–14) |
Filled with Spirit/ Remission of Sins | And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins (Mosiah 4:3) And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and … as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy (Mosiah 4:10–11) if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins (Mosiah 4:12) ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy (Mosiah 4:20) | Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of their sins; being filled with great joy because of the resurrection of the dead, (Alma 4:14) Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings … and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel. (3 Nephi 30:2) And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love (Moroni 8:26) |
Atonement Prepared from Foundation of World | I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of … the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world … and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life … I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world (Mosiah 4:6–7) | they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such. And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith … thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared (Alma 13:4–5) Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name (Ether 3:14) |
Salvation through the Atonement* | thereby salvation might come to him that … should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement (Mosiah 4:6–7) | Have ye taught this people that they should observe to do all these things for to keep these commandments? … And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish (Mosiah 13:25–28)* |
God’s Power, Wisdom, and Comprehension | he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend (Mosiah 4:9) | he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things (Alma 26:35) |
Repent and Forsake Sins | believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them (Mosiah 4:9–10) | But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day. Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, (Alma 39:8–9) |
Sincere Repentance Brings Forgiveness | And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you (Mosiah 4:10) | whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also (Mosiah 26:29) |
Known and Tasted the Goodness of God | And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls (Mosiah 4:11) | ye must needs know that the seed is good. … Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect? (Alma 33:32–35) I have labored without ceasing … that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste…. For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God. (Alma 36:24–26) And I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus (Mormon 1:15) |
Always Retain in Remembrance | even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance (Mosiah 4:11) | I have always retained in remembrance (Alma 36:29) |
Depths of Humility | and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility (Mosiah 4:11) | And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility (Mosiah 21:14) they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility (Alma 61:2) |
Stand Steadfast in Faith | humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel (Mosiah 4:11) | Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, (Alma 1:25) And now, when Alma had said these words he blessed the church, yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith from that time henceforth (Alma 45:17) Yea, and even it shall be ourselves if we do not stand fast in the faith of Christ (Alma 46:27) |
Grow in Knowledge of God | 12 … and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true. 13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due. 14 And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God … 15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness (Mosiah 4:12–15) | Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him (Alma 53:21) while the Lamanites began to grow exceedingly in the knowledge of their God; yea, they did begin to keep his statutes and commandments, and to walk in truth and uprightness before him (Helaman 6:34) |
Knowledge of Just and True | ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true (Mosiah 4:12) | for by his hand were they all created from the beginning. … I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true (Alma 18:32–34) |
Succor Those in Need | And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need … Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance (Mosiah 4:16–17) I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick (Mosiah 4:26) | turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted. Now this was a great cause for lamentations among the people, while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry (Alma 4:12–13) |
Prayers in Vain If You Turn Away Needy | ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish (Mosiah 4:16) 21 And now, if God … doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right … O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye (Mosiah 4:21) 26 …I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief (Mosiah 4:26) | for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain (Alma 34:28) |
Prayers Will Be Granted | And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name … And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive (Mosiah 4:20–21) | if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest (Alma 22:16) And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you (3 Nephi 18:20) Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him (Mormon 9:21) |
Pour Out His Spirit | he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy (Mosiah 4:20) | that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts (Mosiah 18:10–11) And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land (Mosiah 25:24) Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; … Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; … Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts (Alma 8:9–11) the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among … that they might receive the word with joy (Alma 16:16–17) Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit. Now Ammon seeing the Spirit of the Lord poured out according to his prayers … fell upon his knees, and began to pour out his soul … and he was also overpowered with joy (Alma 19:13–14) And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts. And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words. (Helaman 6:35–36) And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father. … but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome (3 Nephi 17:17–18) |
Withholding Substance | how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, … I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world (Mosiah 4:22–23) | will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? … Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them? (Alma 5:53–55) |
Imparting Substance | I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give. … I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants (Mosiah 4:24–26) | And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given. And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul. And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants (Mosiah 18:27–29) |
Thoughts, Words, Deeds | if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds … ye must perish (Mosiah 4:30 | For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us (Alma 12:14) |
Remember and Perish Not | And now, O man, remember, and perish not (Mosiah 4:30) | And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself (Helaman 14:30) |
People Believe the Words | when king Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them. And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us … (Mosiah 4:1–2) And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come … (Mosiah 4:3) And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy. (Mosiah 4:4) | And now my beloved brethren, do you believe these things? Behold, I say unto you, yea, I know that ye believe them; and the way that I know that ye believe them is by the manifestation of the Spirit which is in me. And now because your faith is strong concerning that, yea, concerning the things which I have spoken, great is my joy (Alma 7:17) |
Hearts Changed | And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil (Mosiah 5:2) your hearts are changed through faith on his name (Mosiah 5:7) | and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil (Alma 19:33) |
Know of Truth by Manifestations of the Spirit | Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent … And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things (Mosiah 5:2–3) | Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God (Alma 5:45–47) |
Do Good Continually | we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually (Mosiah 5:2) | judge righteously, and do good continually (Alma 41:14) And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually (Alma 63:2) And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come (Helman 16:22) Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually (Ether 8:26) for the devil … is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually (Moroni 7:12–13) |
Prophesy of All Things | and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things (Mosiah 5:3) | And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things (Moroni 10:13) |
Brought to Knowledge | And it is the faith … that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy (Mosiah 5:4) for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; (Mosiah 5:7) And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free (Mosiah 5:8) Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable (Mosiah 5:15) | as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth … which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them—Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free (Helaman 15:7–8) |
Enter into a Covenant* | And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days (Mosiah 5:5) all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives (Mosiah 5:8) | what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments (Mosiah 18:10)* Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body (Mosiah 18:13)* for they themselves had entered into a covenant with God to serve him and keep his commandments (Mosiah 21:31) show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments (Alma 7:15) |
Children of Christ | And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ (Mosiah 5:7) | There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God (4 Nephi 1:17) Who will despise the children of Christ? (Mormon 9:26) Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ (Moroni 7:19) |
Sons and Daughters of Christ | And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters (Mosiah 5:7) | Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters (Ether 3:14) |
Born of God | because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters (Mosiah 5:7) | behold I am born of the Spirit. And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters (Mosiah 27:24–25) And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true. And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts …. And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? … Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? (Alma 5:12–14) |
Take on the Name of Christ | therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ (Mosiah 5:8–9) | Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called (Mosiah 26:18) Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day (3 Nephi 27:5–6) |
Right Hand of God | And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ (Mosiah 5:9) | it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand. For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand. (Mosiah 26:23–24) |
Steadfast and Immovable17 | Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works | Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God (Alma 1:25) |
Appointment of Priests | when king Benjamin had made an end of all these things, and had consecrated his son Mosiah to be a ruler and a king over his people, and had given him all the charges concerning the kingdom, and also had appointed priests to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of God (Mosiah 6:3) | For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts (Mormon 9:21) |
Introduction
This chart contains an ordered list of the proposed textual relationships derived from the right column of the chart in Appendix 1. When three or more textual relationships have been identified in the same chapter, they have been bolded. This can help the reader identify textual units that repeatedly draw upon Benjamin’s sayings. It should be noted, however, that this chart uses modern chapter units which differ from those in the original manuscripts. It is therefore just a starting point for a unit-based literary analysis on this topic.
Benjamin’s Influence on Subsequent Literary Units
Mosiah 7:27*
Mosiah 11:3–6
Mosiah 11:7
Mosiah 11:11
Mosiah 11:14
Mosiah 11:19
Mosiah 12:17
Mosiah 12:25*
Mosiah 12:27*
Mosiah 12:27–29*
Mosiah 13:10*
Mosiah 13:25–26*
Mosiah 13:25–28*
Mosiah 13:28*
Mosiah 13:29*
Mosiah 13:30
Mosiah 13:31*
Mosiah 13:32*
Mosiah 13:33*
Mosiah 13:34–35*
Mosiah 15:11*
Mosiah 15:14*
Mosiah 15:25*
Mosiah 15:26*
Mosiah 16:4*
Mosiah 16:10*
Mosiah 18:10*
Mosiah 18:10–11
Mosiah 18:13*
Mosiah 18:27–29
Mosiah 21:13–14
Mosiah 21:14
Mosiah 21:31
Mosiah 25:24
Mosiah 26:1–3
Mosiah 26:18
Mosiah 26:23–24
Mosiah 26:29
Mosiah 26:36
Mosiah 26:4–5
Mosiah 27:24–25
Mosiah 29:25
Mosiah 29:36
Alma 1:24
Alma 1:25
Alma 1:25
Alma 3:18
Alma 3:25–27
Alma 4:2–3
Alma 4:3
Alma 4:12–13
Alma 4:14
Alma 4:19
Alma 5:12–14
Alma 5:45–47
Alma 5:53–55
Alma 5:57
Alma 6:3
Alma 7:7–8
Alma 7:11
Alma 7:15
Alma 7:17
Alma 7:20
Alma 7:21–22
Alma 7:22
Alma 7:23
Alma 7:25
Alma 8:14
Alma 8:9–11
Alma 9:11
Alma 9:22–23
Alma 11:40
Alma 11:44
Alma 12:14
Alma 12:14
Alma 13:4–5
Alma 13:28
Alma 16:16–17
Alma 17:2
Alma 18:32–34
Alma 19:13–14
Alma 19:33
Alma 21:9
Alma 22:16
Alma 23:3
Alma 24:13
Alma 24:15
Alma 24:18
Alma 26:19
Alma 26:35
Alma 26:35
Alma 27:9
Alma 28:11
Alma 28:12
Alma 30:10
Alma 30:14–15
Alma 30:23–24
Alma 30:28
Alma 30:42
Alma 32:12
Alma 33:32–35
Alma 34:8
Alma 34:15
Alma 34:23
Alma 34:28
Alma 34:35
Alma 36:24–26
Alma 36:29
Alma 37:1–3
Alma 37:4
Alma 37:6–7
Alma 37:8
Alma 37:8–9
Alma 37:13
Alma 37:13
Alma 37:14–15
Alma 37:35
Alma 37:38–39
Alma 37:41–43
Alma 37:43–45
Alma 38:9
Alma 38:9
Alma 39:8–9
Alma 40:15, 17
Alma 40:26
Alma 41:3–4
Alma 41:14
Alma 42:1
Alma 42:14
Alma 45:17
Alma 46:27
Alma 53:21
Alma 61:2
Alma 63:2
Ether 3:14
Ether 3:14
Ether 8:24
Ether 8:26
Helaman 4:22–26
Helaman 4:24
Helaman 5:9
Helaman 5:9
Helaman 5:9
Helaman 5:12
Helaman 6:23
Helaman 6:34
Helaman 6:35–36
Helaman 12:5
Helaman 12:5–7
Helaman 12:25–26
Helaman 14:12
Helaman 14:30
Helaman 14:30
Helaman 15:7–8
Helaman 16:13–15
Helaman 16:18
Helaman 16:20–21
Helman 16:22
3 Nephi 9:15
3 Nephi 11:10–11
3 Nephi 11:29
3 Nephi 17:17–18
3 Nephi 18:20
3 Nephi 18:29
3 Nephi 23:1
3 Nephi 26:4
3 Nephi 27:5–6
3 Nephi 27:11
3 Nephi 27:14
3 Nephi 27:14–16
3 Nephi 30:2
4 Nephi 1:5
4 Nephi 1:17
Mormon 1:15
Mormon 2:15
Mormon 3:20
Mormon 7:6–7
Mormon 7:7
Mormon 9:17
Mormon 9:21
Mormon 9:21
Mormon 9:26
Moroni 6:7
Moroni 7:12–13
Moroni 7:19
Moroni 8:10
Moroni 8:12, 15
Moroni 8:20
Moroni 8:26
Moroni 9:6
Moroni 9:6
Moroni 10:13
- 1. John W. Welch, “Benjamin, the Man: His Place in Nephite History,” in King Benjamin’s Speech: “That Ye May Learn Wisdom,” ed. John W. Welch and Stephen D. Ricks (Provo, UT: FARMS, 1998), 23.
- 2. One’s assumptions about the method of the Book of Mormon’s translation—such as its degree of literal vs. loose representation, its allowance for variation in the target language, and whether or not the English text was revealed word-for-word to Joseph Smith—may affect how one interprets perceived discrepancies in quoted or paraphrased material. One must also account for the possibility of variations in the underlying source material, as well as the possibility for errors in the various stages of the translation and publication of the text.
- 3. There is one discrepancy in the quote as it is rendered in the current (2013) edition of the Book of Mormon. As explained by Royal Skousen, “in typesetting the 1830 edition, the compositor made a slight change in the phraseology when he accidentally omitted the repeated preposition of in the phrase ‘the Father of heaven and of earth’. Elsewhere in the Book of Mormon text, the of is always repeated in the specific phrase ‘the Father of Heaven and (of) earth’.” Royal Skousen, Analysis of Textual Variants of the Book of Mormon: Part 2, Nephi 11–Mosiah 16, 6 vols. (Provo, UT: FARMS and Brigham Young University, 2014), 2:1167. Thus, in the original text, there was no discrepancy in the quoted material. As for how Samuel would have known of Benjamin’s words, Welch proposed that “Samuel the Lamanite would have had the opportunity to learn these words through the ministry of Nephi and Lehi among the Lamanites (see Helaman 5:50), for the words of Benjamin were especially important to Lehi and Nephi. Their father, Helaman, had charged them in particular to “remember, remember, my sons, the words which King Benjamin spake unto his people” (Helaman 5:9). Nephi and Lehi likely used the precise words of King Benjamin in their preaching, just as their father had quoted to them some of the words of Benjamin: ‘Remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ’ (Helaman 5:9; compare Mosiah 3:18; 4:8).” John W. Welch, “Textual Consistency,” in Reexploring the Book of Mormon: A Decade of New Research, ed. John W. Welch (Provo, UT: FARMS, 1992), 22–23.
- 4. Interestingly, even the word “choir” on its own is only found in these two passages.
- 5. Because we don’t have access to many Nephite records (including the brass plates), it is impossible to know if Benjamin was the ultimate source of these sayings. Either way, his speech surely helped popularize them.
- 6. The phrase “enemy of/to all righteousness” shows up in Amulek’s statements in Alma 34:23v, but that usage also likely harks back to Benjamin’s speech (seeing that several surrounding passages seem to do so, including Alma 34:8, 15, 23, 28, 35). The phrase “enemy of all righteousness” is also found in Acts 13:10. For a discussion of possible ways to account for New Testament phraseology in the Book of Mormon, see a series of articles on this topic from Book of Mormon Central.
- 7. The concept of the Lord not dwelling in unholy temples doesn’t occur elsewhere in ancient scripture except for Alma 7:21: “And he doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the kingdom of God.” However, this chapter happens to be filled with further textual allusions to Benjamin’s speech, especially surrounding verse 21 (see the chart in the Appendix 1). It therefore seems likely that Benjamin’s speech was the original source in both cases.
- 8. The precise number of proposed intertextual relationships identified in this study is 171. For further details, see the introduction in Appendix 1.
- 9. These charts were developed through original research by Evidence Central.
- 10. See Evidence Central, “Translation” (Main Category), online at evidencecentral.org.
- 11. See John L. Hilton III, “Abinadi’s Legacy: Tracing His Influence through the Book of Mormon,” in Abinadi: He Came Among Them in Disguise, ed. Shon D. Hopkin (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2018), 93–116.
- 12. For a discussion of who authored the book of Mosiah, see John W. Welch, The Legal Cases in the Book of Mormon (Provo, UT: BYU Press, 2008), 140–145.
- 13. See Hilton III, “Abinadi’s Legacy,” 108–109.
- 14. Only the closest textual relationships have been provided here. For a more comprehensive analysis of this aspect of Nephite legal culture, see Evidence Central, “Book of Mormon Evidence: Law Lists,” Evidence# 0318, March 9, 2022, online at evidencecentral.org.
- 15. Note that a very similar phrase is used in 1 Corinthians 11:29: “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” The Savior’s words in 3 Nephi, however, more closely adhere to Benjamin’s rendition (both of which involve drinking damnation to one’s own soul). Interestingly, for whatever reason Aramaic versions of the New Testament seem to have wording that is similar in this regard. See https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/15-29.htm. See also The Aramaic Scriptures.
- 16. A similar phrase turns up in 2 Nephi 31:21: “And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.” The passages in Alma 38:9 and Helaman 5:9, however, both have elements that are exclusively similar with Benjamin’s rendition. And there is a clear cluster of other allusions to Benjamin’s speech in Helaman 5:9.
- 17. Lehi is actually the first Nephite writer to use the phrase “steadfast and immovable” in the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 2:10). It is the fact that several other phrases from Benjamin’s speech are clustered together in Alma 1:24–25 that argues for a dependence on Benjamin, in addition to Lehi.