Mosiah 4: 1-3
The effect of King Benjamin delivering the angelic message caused the fear of the Lord to come upon the people. (I am trying to imagine how this happened.) It impresses me that this happened at the end of Benjamin's lifetime and reign as king. His people must have already had a deep love, a profound sense of respect, and absolute trust toward him to allow themselves to be influenced in this manner. This too then is testament to a lifetime of diligent labors.
In verse 2, the people cry:
This has always left me a little confused as to how this happened. How does a multitude of people "cry aloud with one voice?" Perhaps it was given them what to say? Or was it purely improvised? Does it matter? Whether it was given them to speak it, or whether it was the natural compulsion of the Spirit of God upon them, perhaps isn't as important as the reality that this was the unified desire of their hearts and upon uttering these words, they were filled with the Spirit of the Lord and received a remission of their sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ (see verse 3).
Perhaps this was not too different from our modern administration of the Sacrament, both in unity and purpose.
The effect of King Benjamin delivering the angelic message caused the fear of the Lord to come upon the people. (I am trying to imagine how this happened.) It impresses me that this happened at the end of Benjamin's lifetime and reign as king. His people must have already had a deep love, a profound sense of respect, and absolute trust toward him to allow themselves to be influenced in this manner. This too then is testament to a lifetime of diligent labors.
In verse 2, the people cry:
O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.
This has always left me a little confused as to how this happened. How does a multitude of people "cry aloud with one voice?" Perhaps it was given them what to say? Or was it purely improvised? Does it matter? Whether it was given them to speak it, or whether it was the natural compulsion of the Spirit of God upon them, perhaps isn't as important as the reality that this was the unified desire of their hearts and upon uttering these words, they were filled with the Spirit of the Lord and received a remission of their sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ (see verse 3).
Perhaps this was not too different from our modern administration of the Sacrament, both in unity and purpose.
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