When you hear the word king, you might think of crowns, servants, and thrones. In Mosiah 1–3, you will read about a different kind of king. Rather than living off the labors of his people, King Benjamin “labored with [his] own hands” (Mosiah 2:14). Instead of having others serve him, he served his people “with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord [had] granted unto [him]” (Mosiah 2:11). This king did not want his people to worship him; rather, he taught them to worship their Heavenly King, Jesus Christ. King Benjamin understood that it is “the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth” (Mosiah 3:5), who came “down from heaven” and went “forth amongst men, … that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name” (Mosiah 3:5, 9).
What do you think King Benjamin would say if you asked him why he served with all his “might, mind and strength”? (Mosiah 2:11). Ponder this as you read Mosiah 2:10–26. What did King Benjamin teach that inspires you to serve others in a more meaningful way? For example, what does it mean to you to know that when you serve other people, you are also serving God? (see Mosiah 2:17). Seek inspiration about how you can serve someone this week.
Even when we know we should serve others, we sometimes face challenges. Another way to study Mosiah 2:10–26 is to make a list of truths King Benjamin taught that can help you overcome the challenges that might keep you from serving. What experiences have shown you that what King Benjamin taught is true?
President Joy D. Jones shared a powerful experience that changed the way she looked at serving others. Read about it in “For Him” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 50–52), and think about the opportunities you have to serve others. You might even list a few and ponder how President Jones’s message, along with Mosiah 2:17, might influence the way you approach these opportunities. A hymn such as “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” (Hymns, no. 29) or a video like “The Old Shoemaker” (Gospel Library) might help you think of additional insights.
See also Matthew 25:40; “Faith Murray’s Story: Overcoming Adversity through Service,” “King Benjamin Teaches about Serving God” (videos), Gospel Library; JustServe.org; Gospel Topics, “Service,” Gospel Library.
Happiness comes from keeping the commandments of God.
How would you describe the happiness that comes from obedience to God? Are there any phrases in Mosiah 2:38–41 that would help you explain why you keep His commandments?
I can become a saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
King Benjamin, like all prophets, testified of Jesus Christ so that his people “might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy” (Mosiah 3:13). Here are some questions to ponder as you read King Benjamin’s testimony of the Savior in Mosiah 3:1–20:
What do I learn from these verses about the Savior and His mission?
What do I learn from Mosiah 3:18–19 about what it means to become a saint?
How has Jesus Christ helped me overcome sin, change my nature, and become more like a saint?
“The Lord Omnipotent … shall come down from heaven.”
What does electrical power give you the ability to do? How would your life be different without it? These questions could help you ponder the even greater power that the Savior can bring into your life.
The angel who appeared to King Benjamin referred to Jesus Christ as “the Lord Omnipotent,” a title that means He has all power. What do you learn from Mosiah 3:5–21 about how the Savior uses this power? How have you seen the Savior’s power in your life and in the lives of people around you? What does His power enable you to do and to become? How would your life be different without it?
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
This week’s activity page has a simple crown your children could make. Maybe they would like to take turns standing on a chair or stool and pretending to be King Benjamin while you share some things King Benjamin taught his people, found in Mosiah 2–3. You could also share with them “Chapter 12: King Benjamin” (Book of Mormon Stories, 32–35) to give them an overview of King Benjamin’s teachings.
Mosiah 2:17 might be a good verse for your children to learn. You could help them repeat it a few words at a time. Or you could write the verse down, with several key words missing, and ask your children to find the missing words. Then you could talk with your children about why God wants us to serve each other.
You could help your children search Mosiah 2:11–18 to find out what King Benjamin did to serve others. Then your children could write on strips of paper some ways they can serve family members. Put the papers in a container, like a bag or jar, so your children can pick one each day and do that act of service for someone.
Children benefit from repetition. Don’t be afraid to repeat activities multiple times, especially with younger children. Repetition will help the children remember what they learn.
King Benjamin’s service to his people was inspired by his deep gratitude to God. How will you inspire similar feelings in your children? You could read together Mosiah 2:21 and start a list of blessings Heavenly Father has given us. Then maybe you could add to the list other blessings your children think of.
Here’s a game you could play to help your children recognize Heavenly Father’s blessings. The children could pass around a picture of the Savior as they sing or listen to a song about gratitude (see “Gratitude” in the topics index of the Children’s Songbook). Stop singing or stop the music periodically, and invite whoever is holding the picture to talk about a blessing they are grateful for. According to Mosiah 2:22–24, how can we show that we are thankful for our blessings?
An angel told King Benjamin important truths about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Maybe you and your children could look for pictures of some of the events mentioned in Mosiah 3:5–10 (see, for instance, Gospel Art Book, nos. 30, 41, 42, 57, 59). As you read Mosiah 3:5–10, your children could raise their hands when they hear something in the passages that appears in one of the pictures.
Have your children ever helped prepare food using a recipe? Maybe you could talk about that experience and use Mosiah 3:19 to come up with a “recipe” for how we can become like Jesus Christ. How does Jesus help us become like Him?
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
