Benjamin States and Restates the Purposes of Their Gathering

John W. Welch

Finally, in conclusion of this first section of his speech, just as he had begun by telling his people that he had been consecrated by his father to be king and had been kept and preserved by God’s matchless power (2:11), Benjamin ends by returning to these same points. He notes that "the Lord God doth support me, … that I should declare unto you this day, that my son Mosiah is a king and a ruler over you" (2:30).

As will become clear as we carefully read this beautifully composed speech, Benjamin’s words separate into seven sections, as do many of the Psalms, and as does the Gospel of Matthew. Some scholars have referred to this as a "menorah pattern," echoing the seven-branched configuration of the menorah in the Temple. And in this connection, we recall that Benjamin’s speech and Mosiah’s coronation was held surrounding the temple.

Further Reading

Corbin Volluz, "A Study in Seven: Hebrew Numerology in the Book of Mormon," BYU Studies Quarterly 53, no. 2 (2014): 57–83.

For the most detailed discussion of the many chiastic levels and structures in Benjamin’s Speech, see John W. Welch, "Parallelism and Chiasmus in Benjamin’s Speech," in King Benjamin’s Speech: "That Ye May Learn Wisdom," ed. John W. Welch and Stephen D. Ricks (Provo, UT: FARMS, 1998), 315–410. On this first section in particular, see pages 329–336. Each subsequent section is also displayed and discussed in detail in this book chapter.

John W. Welch Notes

References