Benjamin, son of Mosiah, ascended as the second Nephite king over the combined peoples of the Nephites and Mulekites in Zarahemla, following his father’s righteous reign (Omni 1:23-25). Serving not only as a temporal sovereign but also as a spiritual leader, Benjamin’s tenure as king was marked by peace and his commitment to the welfare of his people. His reign commenced in approximately 124 BC, and his administration was characterized by righteousness and his dedication to God.
King Benjamin faced formidable challenges, including internal strife and external threats from the Lamanites, yet he displayed exceptional leadership both in ecclesiastical matters and in military defense, personally leading his armies into battle and working “with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul” to establish peace (Words of Mormon 1:13-18). He imparted the importance of the scriptures to his sons - Mosiah, Helorum, and Helaman - and emphasized the necessity of upholding the commandments set forth by God (Mosiah 1:2, 1:5-6).
His profound spiritual legacy endures through his final address to his people, a powerful sermon encapsulating the core principles of service, obedience, and reliance on the atonement of Jesus Christ (Mosiah 2:9–4:30). He emphasized service to others as service to God (Mosiah 2:17) and taught that salvation comes exclusively through Christ (Mosiah 3:17). Additionally, he spoke about the natural man’s enmity toward God and the transformation achieved through the Holy Spirit (Mosiah 3:19), imparting a call to repentance and obedience (Mosiah 4:10).
Before ceding the throne to his son Mosiah, King Benjamin gathered his people at the temple, delivering a powerful message that catalyzed a spiritual transformation leading them to covenant with God and take upon themselves the name of Christ (Mosiah 2:1, 2:8, 5:5-8). The momentous event resulted in a unified commitment of his people to live by the gospel principles (Mosiah 6:1-3). King Benjamin’s impact endured beyond his mortal life - remembered not only as a noble monarch but also as a prophet who deeply understood and taught the redemptive power of the Savior. His death is recorded as occurring around 121 BC (Mosiah 6:5).