The Importance of Good Leaders
In this lesson, we will learn about King Benjamin, a prophet and good leader of the Nephites who served his people. King Benjamin was a great example of the kind of leader who taught his people, through his own example of how to live in peace and happiness (You’ll learn of another leader who is the exact opposite in the next lesson, and how sinful his people where). King Benjamin also taught them the importance of taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.
King Benjamin served his people – as the best leaders do – by spending his days in their service, and “not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches . . . even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness . . . I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes” (Mosiah 2:12–15). King Benjamin also taught that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:16–19). Likewise, by serving others shows, we are showing our gratitude and love for Heavenly Father.
King Benjamin, promised his people that they would “prosper in the land” if they obey Heavenly Father’s commandments (Mosiah 2:22). He understood that being righteous allows God to bless us. It also prevents people from doing the malicious and dishonest things that lead to hardship; especially when we have leaders, or those in power, who only care about their own riches.
Most importantly King Benjamin taught that Christ should come to live on the earth and be crucified and resurrected (Mosiah 3:5–7, 9–10, Mosiah 3:11–13). Jesus Christ suffered and died that we might repent of our sins, be baptized, be resurrected, and live with Heavenly Father forever. His sacrifice for us is called the Atonement.
Learn From Good Leaders
King Benjamin call his people together, so he could pass his Kingship to his son Mosiah (Mosiah 1:10). The people of Zarahemla responded to the call to gather at the temple to hear their prophet and king (Mosiah 2:1–6). Today we hear or receive the words of the living prophets in General Conference, Church publications, Church meetings, and so on. We can prepare ourselves to listen to the words of our leaders, by “[opening our] ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view” (Mosiah 2:9).
King Benjamin taught his people the importance of taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Just like when you are born into a family, you take upon yourselves a family name. This name may represent many important things, such as our heritage, our beliefs, the way you do things, and so on. When we are baptized with proper authority, we become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. When we take the name of Jesus Christ upon us, we are declaring our belief in him and our willingness to follow his teachings.
Jesus Christ Is The Best Leader
Jesus showed us through his example the best way to lead others. He served, helped, and taught others, as did King Benjamin who was following Jesus Christ as his leader. King Benjamin told his people they should “always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God”, to be humble, to be steadfast in our faith, to teach our children, and be “willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things” (see: Mosiah 3:21; 4:11–15; 5:5-8, 13-15). We are blessed to “a state of never-ending happiness” when we take on the name of Christ and are faithful to our covenants (Mosiah 2:41).
Most importantly King Benjamin taught, “There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:17). Jesus Christ asks us to “keep his commandments”, to “[put] off the natural man”, and to “Submit our will to the Savior’s will in order to take upon ourselves his name” (see: 2 Nephi 31:5–12; Mosiah 2:1-22, Mosiah 3:2-19).
The people of Zarahemla “all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us . . . we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2,5–9). We can experience this mighty change by putting “off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord,” and becoming “as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit” (Mosiah 3:19).
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