HUMILITY AMIDST GREATNESS

 

Mormon called King Benjamin 'a holy man' (Words of Mormon 1:6). It is not hard to perceive what a good and humble king he was when one reads his monumental address to his people on the temple grounds of Zarahemla. The setting of King Benjamin’s speech was the occasion of his son Mosiah's succession to the throne. This was however, a coronation with a difference. 

It was common practice anciently for a new king ascending the throne to be given as many as five names or titles by which he was distinguished among the people; to acknowledge his greatness and his achievements; and to establish him as the link between the people and the divine.  (See Scripture Central Post of October 17, 2019, KnoWhy 536). King Benjamin, however, did something extraordinary at his son's coronation. Instead of using this occasion to bring prominence to his son, he mentions Mosiah only twice. Once to announce him as the new king and once again to affirm that he will act under the direction of God for the benefit of the people (Mosiah 2:30,31).

Rather than proclaiming his son as the divine king as was expected anciently, King Benjamin solidified his people's reliance on The Heavenly King (Mosiah 2:19) by enumerating His endless goodness and honouring Him with names worthy of His station as the promised Messiah, such as: Jesus Christ, The Son of God, The Father of Heaven and Earth, The Lord Omnipotent and The Creator of all things from the beginning. But King Benjamin didn't stop there. He bestowed upon his people a new name that would bind them to the Heavenly King forever. He proclaimed that they be known by the name of Christ rather than by his son's name which would have been the usual protocol. Thus the subjects of Mosiah became known as 'the children of Christ' (Mosiah 5:7). What profound effect his coronation would have had on Mosiah, the new king who ruled and reigned in righteousness all his days!

King Benjamin’s words had such an impact on his people that they fell to the earth with fear and ‘viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth’ (Mosiah 4:1,2). Viewing yourself less than the dust of the earth is a humbling exercise which acknowledges your imperfection and rebellion before God. In the words of President Joseph Fielding Smith: “….the dust of the earth is obedient. It moveth hither and thither at the command of the Lord. All things are in harmony with his laws. Everything in the universe obeys the law given unto it, so far as I know, except man. Everywhere you look you find law and order, the elements obeying the law given to them, true to their calling. But man rebels, and in this thing man is less than the dust of the earth because he rejects the counsels of the Lord” (In Conference Report April 1929, 55). (see also Helaman 12:7,8)

The humility of King Benjamin’s people led them to accept his teaching that there is no other name given whereby salvation comes than the name of Christ (Mosiah 3:17). Viewing themselves as less than the dust of the earth brought acknowledgement of their sins which made them seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mosiah 4:2). This is the hope, the only hope. When you can see your nothingness and come to believe that there is a way to be lifted above hopelessness. This is what the Saviour offers us. We might be made of dust but we were conceived in God’s glory and within us are planted seeds of godhood.

“An old rabbi once said that every man ought to carry two pieces of paper in his pocket. In times of self-satisfaction and complacency he should read the one that says: “I am dust and ashes”. When dejected and dispirited he should read the other that says: “For my sake was the world created”. And at all times he should remember: “I am made from the dust but it is in God’s image I am made”. (Author Unknown)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: El Rey Benjamin by Jorge Cocco)