| Re: King Benjamin's Address [message #479 is a reply to message #474] |
Mon, 11 June 2012 11:49   |
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Dragon
Messages: 499
Registered: June 2010
Location: Earth
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Senior Member |
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Amonhi,
King Benjamin's speech is fantastic. Nothing is written either way regarding their being baptized at age eight. As our Gospel Doctrine class plowed through Mosiah and into Alma, turning up nuggets of truth formerly buried, it was pointed out that the religion and the state were the same thing under King Benjamin. There was no separate church until Alma the Elder formed one. Was Alms the first Book of Mormon prophet to baptize? I don't believe there is evidence either way.
What did matter is the people all received the baptism of fire during or after King Benjamin's speech. You are correct the covenant they entered into is akin to the baptismal covenant. It is also akin to the sacramental covenant. I know they did not have the sacrament at that time, they had the law of Moses. Were these people committing to a new covenant, or reaffirming one they had already made?
The background here is important. King Benjamin's father, King Mosiah worked for years to teach the Mulekites the languages of their fathers (Hebrew and Egyptian) as well as the gospel of Christ. I find it interesting to note King Benjamin's speech did not include a listing of sins as Jacob was required to do. These people were ready to take the next step. Their experience was so powerful that all of them followed the gospel. They became a Zion society for a couple decades, until their children grew up and rejected the words of King Benjamin because they could not understand them when he spoke, given their age being 2 or 3 or so.
Also, on a side note, please be aware we do not take the name of Christ upon us at baptism. We covenant that we are willing to. There is an important distinction which I am finding others ignore. I mention it, because there is another ordinance where we actually DO take upon ourselves the name of Christ.
- Dragon
- Dragon
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