In Mexico City, the artist Georgina Bringas creates artworks and art installations that are exhibited throughout North and South America. Many of these relate to concepts of measuring space and time. At the end of King Benjamin’s life, the Book of Mormon describes his grand sermons that are a culmination of his life experience. He connects his life and legacy to heaven—its own kind of measurement. Bringas writes, “King Benjamin teaches by divine mandate how through the Savior's teachings we can connect our life with heaven ‘and hath judged of thy righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy’ (Mosiah 3:4). In these works I feel that there is a plastic resemblance of how the teachings of the Servants of the Lord come to us, how through the teachings of King Benjamin we can connect with heaven, how this knowledge reaches us and in this way we can get closer to God.”

Discussion Questions

1. At the time when King Benjamin addressed his people, "there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla" (Mosiah 1:1). How do you think this background of peace impacted the content of King Benjamin's sermons? What parts of his sermon reflect this context; what parts of his sermon are timeless?

2. When King Benjamin wanted to talk to his people for the last time, he asked them to gather at the temple. Elder Quentin L. Cook explained, "The temple is ... a place of refuge, thanksgiving, instruction, and understanding, 'that [we] may be perfected … in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth' (D&C 97: 13-14). Throughout my life it has been a place of tranquility and peace in a world that is literally in commotion (D&C 45: 26-27)." ("See Yourself in the Temple," April 2016 General Conference.) What are your places of refuge and how do they help you? 

3.  Knowing that he was soon to die, King Benjamin gave his son Mosiah things to help him as he assumed his new role as king: the plates, the sword of Laban, and the Liahona (Mosiah 1:15-17).  What physical things or symbols will you choose to leave for your posterity and why?

Questions for Children & Youth

1.  In this past April 2024 General Conference, we heard a lot of talks about the temple.  In the story of King Benjamin's people that we read this week, why did his people go to the temple (Mosiah 2:1-4)?  From what you learned in General Conference and from your own experiences, why is it important for you to go to the temple?

2.  King Benjamin was a leader who was loved by his people.  You have been already or will someday be a leader, too.  What can you learn from King Benjamin about how to be a great leader?  (You may find some ideas in Mosiah 2: 9,-18, 26, 3: 23).

3. Art project: using building materials (wooden sticks, Legos, building blocks, twigs, etc.), build a model for a tower from which King Benjamin could address his people (Mosiah 2:7). What features do you think such a tower might have? Describe your tower to your family or discussion group. What can this model tower symbolize for you?