King Benjamin's Speech - Week 7

WEEK SEVEN - Mosiah 5:1 - Mosiah 6:7

DAY ONE - A mighty change

Mosiah 5:1-4

"Doing good continually" is the core part of living the gospel daily. The motivation to pursue this kind of life comes from the might change wrought in our hearts by the Spirit of God. Conversion is rarely a one-event thing in your life; instead it is a series of moments in which "mighty changes" happen within us.

Think back on your life and see if you can pinpoint some of those moments when you felt a shift within you. It might have been an important event, or a quiet moment with the scriptures. It might have been the result of a trial or hearing a testimony born in song. King Benjamin's people noted that you know when this change has taken place because of the change of desire within you - something you had trouble with in the past suddenly falls away and is no longer an issue.

Make note in your journal of these events chronologically, on a sort of timeline. Afterwards, look over your spiritual life on paper and see the progress you have made.

DAY TWO - A name

Mosiah 5:5-12

Circle every time the word "name" occurs in these verses.

President Henry B Eyring said:

"We promise to take His name upon us. That means we must see ourselves as His.

We will put Him first in our lives. We will want what He wants rather than what

we want or what the world teaches us to want."

Think about each of your children and why you gave them the names you did (or think about your own given name.) Write each name down in your journal and note the reason behind the name. Write anything you hope your children will know and understand about why they are named such, and how it might influence who they are and how they try to live.

Now think about each one of them taking upon the name of Jesus Christ, when they were (or will be) baptized. Can you help your children make the connection between their given name at birth and its influence, with the name the receive at baptism (Christ) and how it can influence who they are and the way they try to live?

DAY THREE - Seal them to you

Mosiah 5:12-15

Go back one verse and include verse 12 in today's reading.

Imagine you are King Benjamin speaking to your own children in this portion. Go through and underline the phrases that speak to you as a parent, ones that hold hopes your have for your children.

Write each of your children's (or loved ones) names in your journal. Now look back at what you underlined and select one specific piece of advice for each family member. Each child will have different personalities, tendencies, talents, and needs, so consider these all and then choose the one line that you wish you could impart to that one child. Write it beside their name.

For example: Jack, be steadfast and immovable. Jane, know the voice by which you are called.

Finally, write each loved one's name into this sentence: (write it for each family member)

"____________, let Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, seal you his."

DAY FOUR - TAKE HIS NAME

Mosiah 6:1-3

After King Benjamin's speech, he took the names of everyone who entered into the covenant: every single person. No matter the hardships you face, the trials you must surmount, the victories or defeats, in the end you are running a home that has been dedicated to the Lord. As Joshua wrote:

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

When you struggle with a child, remember you and she/he are serving the Lord. When you argue with your spouse, remember you are serving the Lord. When evil mounts in the world outside, remember you are serving the Lord.

Underline the actions King Benjamin took to ensure that his people would always remember their promise to serve the Lord.

Write each one down on your journal, and make some notes about ways you can institute them in your home right now. Keep in mind the ages of those in your household, and be specific instead of general; write concrete ways that will work at this stage of your life so that those in your home will remember that in your house, you serve the Lord.

DAY FIVE - Working alongside

Mosiah 6:4-7

As is evidenced by King Benjamin's speech, there are times that a sermon must be taught. Gospel doctrine and concepts need to be conveyed by talking through the points with your children and family. However, both King Benjamin and his son, King Mosiah, were likely such effective leaders not just because of their talk, but because of their "walk." Compare Mosiah 2:14 and Mosiah 6:7 and highlight what the commonality between the two leaders was.

Write down a couple of the lessons you hope your children will learn in the next short while (a few months to a year.) Now write down how you can teach them these concepts by serving and working alongside them, instead of talking about it. The greatest lessons are "caught, not taught."

King Benjamin's Speech - Week 6

WEEK SIX - Mosiah 4:9-30

DAY ONE - A summary of faith

Mosiah 4:9-10

In these two verses you will find a succinct summary of the things in which we must believe. As you read the verses, number each item as you come to it. Then write the list down in your journal.

Read your list through, slowly, more than a few times. Think about which ones you truly believe in. Think about any that you struggle with or aren't as strong in your belief in.

Choose two of the beliefs (one you are strong in and one you struggle with) and write a few sentences about each. Start with the one you find easy to believe and record your testimony of it. Then move on to the one that isn't as firm, and write what you know about it. (If you don't struggle with any of these ideas, write something down from another aspect of the Gospel that your struggle with.) Then write down the questions you still have about it. Leave some space underneath those questions for a time when Heavenly Father will unfold the mysteries of God to your view (see Mosiah 2:9.)

DAY TWO - Sibling rivalry

Mosiah 4:11-15

Go through these verses and underline the things you want to be present in your home among your family members. Then go through and highlight what King Benjamin teaches is necessary to do in order to obtain these blessings.

Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21 states:

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of

this world, upon which all blessings are predicated - And when we obtain

any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is

predicated."

Make two lists in your journal: one called "commandments"(laws) and one called "blessings." Write the actions King Benjamin teaches we must do under the commandments column, and then write the associated blessings in the second column.

Stare at the list and think about your family members. Think about what your home would look and feel like if you were blessed with all the blessings. Now think about how you can start to follow some of the commandments in your home so that you can call down those promises on your family.

DAY THREE - Are we not all beggars?

Mosiah 4:16-21

Think of yourself as the beggar King Benjamin describes us as. Sketch that image in your journal, or write a descriptive paragraph.

Now read verse 20 and 21 and underline what God gives to us as we beg from him. Sketch another image (or write another paragraph) of you now blessed with the Spirit and filled with joy and granted whatever we ask.

DAY FOUR - Serving your children

Mosiah 4:22-25

As mothers we are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can be exhausting to constantly be battered with requests from our children, pleas to help them, answer them, do something for them. Read verse 22 with the thought of motherhood in your mind. Write down how this verse applies to you as a mother and your child as the beggar "putting up his petition to you," not for substance but for your time and attention.

Although we want to give our all to our children, we must also remember that there are many things demanding our time, and sometimes it is not possible to give our undivided attention to our children. Read verses 23-25 as a reminder to yourself that sometimes there are times when we can't be there, and that we "remain guiltless" in these circumstances.

DAY FIVE - Wisdom and order

Mosiah 4:26-30

Underline in verse 26 all the things we must do to retain a remission of our sins from day to day.

Now, in your journal, write down a list of all the demands asked of you from day to day, in your role as woman, wife, mother, your job, your calling. Write the numbers 1-5 next to the five things that take the most time and effort in your day.

If you are a little overwhelmed by the length of the list, read verse 27. Now look back at your list and look at the things you numbered. Are they in the right order? Does something not belong there? Is there something missing? Re-number the top five as you think they should be if "all these things are done in wisdom and order."

King Benjamin's Speech - Week 5

WEEK FIVE - Mosiah 3:12 - Mosiah 4:8

DAY ONE - Rules of the House

Mosiah 3:12-15

Underline the details about the Law of Moses. Highlight the details about the higher law (mercy and faith in Jesus Christ.) King Benjamin said that the law of Moses was only necessary to help prepare the people for the coming of the higher law. It had a higher purpose that the people didn't understand or see.

What rules do you have in your house for your children? Do the rules have a higher purpose than just obedience? Do your children understand that greater purpose? Do they see the big vision? Write down a few of the rules, along with what your hope your children are learning from them.

DAY TWO - Becoming like children

Mosiah 3:16-19

King Benjamin said that we "drink damnation to [our] own souls except [we] humble [ourselves] and become as little children." Circle each childlike quality listed.

Now write each of these qualities down, with the one that most describes you at the top, down to the one that you haven't really mastered yet at the bottom. Choose one of the qualities at the bottom and brainstorm a few ways you could develop this quality with more purpose. Write a short prayer asking Heavenly Father's help in developing this.

DAY THREE - No more blameless

Mosiah 3:20-27

Underline in verse 21 what will save us from being found blameless.

Mosiah chapter three focuses on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Look back over the scriptures and your journal from chapter three and write down the points of the atonement that King Benjamin covers. Add any final things you see in verses 20-27.

While the end of this chapter focuses on what will happen at Judgment Day for those who remain in their guilt, verse 21 reminds us of two important components to the plan of Salvation: Repentance and Faith.

Write down how faith and repentance can work with each other to be the key to our salvation. Why are they necessary so that we can be saved? Now read verse 24 - how does this verse say we will be judged?

How do you think good works figure into salvation, considering verse 21 also. Write any thoughts or questions you have on the topic.

DAY FOUR - Viewing yourself

Mosiah 4:1-3

After reading King Benjamin's speech to this point, do you share in the view of the people:

"They had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth."

What is the reaction of the people to this realization? highlight their plea in the middle of verse two. Underline their testimony in the past part of verse two.

Look back now at Mosiah 3:21 and write the two things you underlined that will save us from being found blameless at the last day. Write down "faith" and "repentance" as headings to two columns. Now copy the portion of Mosiah 4:2 that goes along with each concept underneath that word.

Now rewrite the entire verse two one more time, but in the present tense, using "I" and "me" instead of "they" and "we." Read your personalized verse aloud a few times.

Highlight in verse three what happened as a result of the people's expression of repentance and faith. Rewrite this verse in first person and present tense so it is also personalized.

Reread your personalized verses two and three aloud again as a reminder of the tender mercies of the Lord.

DAY FIVE - Salvation

Mosiah 4:4-8

King Benjamin makes the statement:

"There is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of;

neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the

conditions which I have told you."

Look back in verses 4-8 and highlight the conditions of which King Benjamin spoke.

There are three specific actions in the end of verse six. Write them down and think for a moment on each one individually. Is there anything you can be doing to increase your commitment to any of these thing? Write at least one thing beside each that you can do more than you are doing now.

King Benjamin's Speech - Week 4

WEEK FOUR - Mosiah 2:36 - 3:11

DAY ONE - Rebellion

Mosiah 2:36-40

Highlight in verse 36 the immediate consequence of rebellion.

In verses 38 and 39, underline the eternal consequences of rebellion.

The rebellion spoken of in these verses if of one who has been "taught all these things" who then acts contrary. King Benjamin states that he has "spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand" - old men, young men, and even little children.

Do you have a child who is rebellious already? Do you have a child for whom you fear might lean toward rebellion? Write down a plea, a personal prayer to your Father in Heaven, on behalf of that child (or other loved one.) Pour out your fears and then put your faith in Him who knows each of us.

Make a commitment to teach this child the consequences of sin as taught in these verses.

DAY TWO - Happiness

Mosiah 2:41

Underline all the blessings of obedience.

Make two columns. Title one "Temporal blessings" and the other "Spiritual Blessings." Write underneath each list all the blessings you have been given. Remember King Benjamin's words about being grateful for everything, and be as specific as you can. Fill the page if you can.

Highlight the following portion of verse 41:

"If they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell

with God in a state of neverending happiness."

Reflect for a moment on what it will be like to be received into heaven with your family at your side. Write down those images and emotions.

DAY THREE - Awake!

Mosiah 3:1-3

The angel of God spoke these words:

"Awake and hear the words...of great joy!"

The angel then made known to King Benjamin many glad tidings, wonderful news of the gospel. Write down things have been "made known" to you by God. Be specific, not general. Think of specific pieces of doctrine, or promised blessings, or evidences of God's love that you have experienced in your life.

DAY FOUR - Jesus' earthly mission

Mosiah 3:3-7

Read about Jesus' mission while he was on the earth. Choose one aspect that speaks to you and read the scriptural cross-references also. Write a paragraph about how Jesus has fulfilled that aspect of his mission in your own life.

For example, has he opened your eyes to something you hadn't seen or understood before? Has he helped you overcome a habit or temptation? Has he cured an illness? Has he brought peace where there was turmoil? Think about specific events in your life and write with detail to record how Jesus earthly mission has been fulfilled in your own life, not just in the lives of those who lived at the same time and place on the earth.

DAY FIVE - The mother of Jesus

Mosiah 3:8-11

If you've ever wondered how on earth someone entrusted you to raise children, imagine how Mary felt being told she would raise the Son of God? These verses outline Jesus' atoning mission. Imagine how Mary might have felt if she had these verses to read, knowing ahead of time what her son's mission would entail?

Think about your own children. What mission do you envision they might fulfill in their lifetime? Consider each child's strengths and personality and what this might be preparing them for. Write down each child's name and a mission that might lie in his/her future. Write a few details as well.

King Benjamin's Speech - Week 3

WEEK THREE - Mosiah 2:15 - 2:35

DAY ONE - SERVICE

Mosiah 2:15-18

Read verse 17, but substitute the name of your spouse (or closest family member) for the words "fellow beings." For example, it might read as such:

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn

that when ye are in the service of James ye are only in the service of your God."

Now read the verse again and substitute the name of each of your immediate family members in that spot.

Choose one of these names and write it down. Underneath it, describe some ways you could serve that person over the next few days.

DAY TWO - Unprofitable servants

Mosiah 2:19-21

Underline each of the things listed that God has done for each of us.

Write down what God has done for you today. Consider the list above as categories to help make your list varied and specific.

DAY THREE - Obedience

Mosiah 2:22-26

King Benjamin equates obedience with the blessing of prospering. Write down your definition of "to prosper." Then write down the ways in which you would like to see yourself and your family prosper. Include spiritual and temporal ideas.

In what ways can you link obedience with prospering? Does it have to be linked?

King Benjamin says "ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth." Given our usual regard for God more familiarly as "Father," how do you feel to think of yourself as less than the dust of the earth? What do you think King Benjamin was driving at? Read verse 25 four times in a row. Write down the feelings that flood immediately into your heart.

DAY FOUR - Leadership

Mosiah 2:27-30

King Benjamin wants to clear his conscious and make sure all has been said before he dies. There is an urgency to his words. Do you hear the same urgency in our prophet's voice today? Write three things the prophet taught at least General Conference, or in the last three First Presidency messages in the Ensign magazine.

Do you teach these messages to your children with the same urgency? Write down a few age-appropriate ways you can teach these three things to your family.

DAY FIVE - Generational teaching

Mosiah 2:31-35

Circle every time you read something about generations - "father" "sons" "time" etc.

Looking back through the generations of your family, what teachings have been consistently taught?

What benefits do you see from have consistent lessons from one generation to the next?

King Benjamin is also writing about being taught from past prophets. We can look beyond our family for righteous teachings and habits to instill. Think about righteous people from the past - they could be scriptural prophets or examples, or early church pioneers, or someone you have known in your own life. What aspects of their lives would you like to teach to your family?

King Benjamin's Speech - Week 2

WEEK TWO - Mosiah Chapter 1:8 - Mosiah 2:14

DAY ONE - Leaving to our children

Mosiah 1:8-17

What are the different things King Benjamin wants to give to his people/sons?

Write one reason why each might be significant.

Consider that the sword of Laban may have represented political leadership, and the liahona spiritual leadership. Also think about the difference and relationship between a new name and the scriptures (brass plates.)

Write three things you want to leave to your children. They could be objects holding a significance, or a non-tangible idea.

DAY TWO - Go up to the temple

Mosiah 1:-18 - Mosiah 2:6

The people took offerings to sacrifice at the temple. Sacrifices made before Jesus' time were in similitude of his death. Although animal sacrifices are no longer necessary for our own personal temple worship, we still covenant to offer what we can give.

What sacrifices can you make to go to the temple?

How can you keep Jesus' atonement (sacrifice) in your mind when you are in the temple?

King Benjamin's discourse from the steps of the temple instructed the people in the doctrine of eternal life. How does temple worship today teach the same doctrine?

DAY THREE - Give thanks to the Lord

Mosiah 2:3-4

In Mosiah 2:4, mark all the things the people were thankful for. Try to draw a parallel to your own life:

1) What trial or danger have you been "brought out of"?

2) What enemy (person, situation, sin) have you been "delivered" from?

3) What teacher has left an impression on you?

4) What leader has been an example to you, and led you higher spiritually?

5) When have you known a season of peace in your life?

6) Who first taught you to keep the commandments of God and showed you the joy of the gospel?

How can you show your thanks to the Lord as vividly as the burnt offerings from the Law of Moses?

DAY FOUR - Hear my words

Mosiah 2:7-9

Underline the different methods undertaken to make sure everyone could hear King Benjamin's message.

What are the different ways our prophet gets his message out to the world?

Now consider General Conference specifically:

What methods do we have to get that message?

What method(s) do you currently use?

What other methods might you add so that you hear these messages more often?

What are the three things we must open when listening to the words of the prophet?

What is the blessing associated with each thing we open?

Consider more deeply the concepts of "hearing," "understanding," and "unfolding."

What specific "mystery of God" do you want to hear, understand and have unfolded to you right now?

DAY FIVE - Being mortal

Mosiah 2:10-14

Read King Benjamin's description of himself and his life, then write a paragraph in your own words about who he really was.

Think about your own life as a mortal, "subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind." Yet, despite these weaknesses, you, like King Benjamin, have been chosen to fulfill the role you have now. Write a paragraph about yourself in relation to a role you have (mother, wife, church calling, etc.) Do not be afraid to include strengths, weaknesses, goals, efforts, wishes.

King Benjamin's Speech - Week 1

WEEK ONE - Mosiah Chapter 1:1-7

DAY ONE - No More Contention

Mosiah 1:1

Verse 1 records that there was "no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla." At this time in Nephite history, war had been constant between the Nephites and the Lamanites.  In spite of all this, King Benjamin was able to establish peace in the land and have peace all the rest of his days.

Read Words of Mormon 1:12-18. Create two lists:

1. The types of behaviours that created contention.

2. The actions and characteristics of King Benjamin that helped establish peace.

Contention is common in our homes, but it doesn't have to be constant. Create new two lists. Refer to the list regarding King Benjamin to guide you.

1. Specific actions/behaviours that create contention in your home.

2. Actions and characteristics you can teach or cultivate to establish peace.

DAY TWO - Remember, my sons - Part 1 - Teach from the scriptures

Mosiah 1:2-5

Underline what King Benjamin taught his sons

Highlight why he taught them

Circle the results of his teaching them

What is your current goal for family scripture study?

Answer the who/what/where/when/how that will help you achieve your current goal.

Remember that your goal for family scripture study will be different from other families, and different at various points of your life. It might be to familiarize your children with the stories or characters, it might be verse memorization, it might be to reinforce Seminary or Primary lessons, it might be to focus on a theme, or it might be a quick read of an entire book.

DAY THREE - Remember, my sons - Part 2 - Bear your testimony

Mosiah 1:6

Circle the word repeated most often in this verse.

What are the three things King Benjamin is bearing testimony about (that are "true")?

King Benjamin's father, Mosiah, had fled from the land of Nephi to get away from the contentions and battles of the Lamanites.  When they arrived at Zarahemla, they found the Mulekites.  These people had left Jerusalem around the same time that Lehi had, with one major difference: they had brought no records with them.  King Benjamin's people had the brass plates.  The resulting difference?  King Benjamin's people had the word of God to guide them through the 450 years since his ancestors had left the Old World.  The Mulekites, without God's word, had lost their knowledge of God, corrupted the language of their fathers, and suffered through great turmoil.  King Benjamin knew the difference that having and searching the scriptures would make for an entire nation and affirms his testimony of such to his sons.

What are three aspects of the gospel you can confidently say are "true"?

Record the experience in your life that helped solidify your testimony of each of these doctrines or principles.

Make a goal (write it down!) to share your testimony about these things with your family.

DAY FOUR - Remember, my sons - Part 3 - Instruct Your Children to Act

Mosiah 1:7

What actions does King Benjamin instruct his sons to do?

What is the promise given by God for obedience?

Help our children to learn by doing. Invite them to act upon what they have been taught. Give your children a safe place in which to make choices, right or wrong, within the home. 

What one thing do you most want to instruct your children to act in right now? How can you  encourage your children to act on these things?

DAY FIVE - Remember my sons - Part 4 - Elder Bednar

"Watching with all perseverance" - David A Bednar, April 2010 General Conference

(link to talk: click here)

What are the three components of the "early warning system" Elder Bednar describes?

What are the three things that King Benjamin wanted his sons to remember? (Parts 1-3)

What is the promise Elder Bednar gives to parents who heed this instruction?

What do you/your family/your children need most in regards to this blessing, or the one recorded by King Benjamin (to prosper) right now? Be specific.

Welcome!

The first Personalized Scripture study was born out of a simple conversation of three women trying to fit in some personal scripture study time.  We agreed that it was easier to read with our young children and count that as our daily scripture study than trying to fit in something for ourselves.

That thought rolled in nicely with my yearning for a much slower study than we usually get in Sunday School class at church.  By trying to cover either the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon or Doctrine and Covenants in an entire year, each week seemed like a race through multiple chapters.  The 40 minutes of lesson time was barely enough to skim the surface, with no time to delve deeper into the verses on their own.  And then there are all the women who serve in callings that don't allow them to get to class on Sundays.  While we can try and read on our own, I was missing the chance to discuss what I was reading with others.

And so I was determined to lead a small group on a weekday morning through a small section of scripture at a time.  I wanted to provide a reading schedule of a few verses a day, with accompanying journal prompts to help us all apply each verse we read to something relevant in our roles as women, wives, mothers, sisters, teachers and leaders.  Then we would meet once a week to talk about what we had discovered in the scriptures and about ourselves.

The first study is now complete, and I will load each week of the study up on this blog in a separate entry to be easily found by anyone who might wish to use it on their own, or to start up a small study group on their own.  Please note that this is not an LDS church curriculum, but it does stay within the scriptures and General Conference material.

If you have been looking for a guide to daily scripture study, to engage in conversation about the scriptures, or to organize a small group study of your own, I hope you find it helpful.

Terri-Ann Gawthroupe