Mosiah 1
1 And now there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla,
among all the people who belonged to king Benjamin, so that king Benjamin
had continual peace all the remainder of his days.
2 And it came to pass that he had three sons; and he called their names
Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that they should be
taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men
of understanding; 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.
3 And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on
the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that
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.
4 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; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians
therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that
thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the
commandments of God, even down to this present time.
5 I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept
and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his
mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our
fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto
our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or
even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the
traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.
6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true,
and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi,
which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they
left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety
because we have them before our eyes.
7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them
diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the
commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the
promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.
8 And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not
written in this book.
9 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of teaching
his sons, that he waxed old, and he saw that he must very soon go the way of
all the earth; therefore, he thought it expedient that he should confer the
kingdom upon one of his sons.
10 Therefore, he had Mosiah brought before him; and these are the words
which he spake unto him, saying: My son, I would that ye should make a
proclamation throughout all this land among all this people, or the people of
Zarahemla, and the people of Mosiah who dwell in the land, that thereby they
may be gathered together; for on the morrow I shall proclaim unto this my
people out of mine own mouth that thou art a king and a ruler over this
people, whom the Lord our God hath given us.
11 And moreover, I shall give this people a name, that thereby they may be
distinguished above all the people which the Lord God hath brought out of
the land of Jerusalem; and this I do because they have been a diligent people
in keeping the commandments of the Lord.
12 And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be
through transgression.
13 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.
14 For I say unto you, that if he had not extended his arm in the preservation
of our fathers they must have fallen into the hands of the Lamanites, and
become victims to their hatred.
15 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of these
sayings to his son, that he gave him charge concerning all the affairs of the
kingdom.
16 And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which
were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also,
the sword of Laban, 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, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave
unto him.
17 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.
18 And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had
commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of
Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to
the temple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them.
