Mosiah 5
People in this chapter
Benjamin has finished speaking, and he wants to know what his people believe. He sends among them and asks. Their answer comes with one voice: they believe, and they know, because the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent… has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually (v. 2).
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Mosiah 5:1-4A Mighty Change in Our Hearts
1And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them. 2And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.
The people say the Spirit has made a mighty change in their hearts. They no longer want to do evil; they want to do good all the time.
3And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things. 4And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.
Through the Spirit they now see far into the future. Their faith in what Benjamin taught brought them this knowledge and great joy.
Mosiah 5:5-7The Children of Christ
5And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God. 6And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.
The people offer to make a covenant to do God's will and keep His commandments for the rest of their lives. Benjamin says it is a righteous covenant.
7And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
Mosiah 5:8-12Take upon You the Name of Christ
8And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. 9And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ. 10And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God.
11And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts. 12I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.
This is the name Benjamin promised in Mosiah 1, and it can be blotted out through transgression. He asks the people to keep it written in their hearts, so they will know the Lord's voice when He calls them.
Mosiah 5:13-15Steadfast and Immovable
13For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? 14And again, doth a man take an ass which belongeth to his neighbor, and keep him? I say unto you, Nay; he will not even suffer that he shall feed among his flocks, but will drive him away, and cast him out. I say unto you, that even so shall it be among you if ye know not the name by which ye are called.
We come to know the Lord by serving Him. A stranger to the Master will not know His name, just as a farmer drives off a neighbor's animal that does not belong to him.
15Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- Born Again, Born of GodScripture references on the mighty change of heart and spiritual rebirth described in verses 2 and 7.
- Children of ChristWhat it means to become the sons and daughters of Christ through covenant.
- SacramentThe ordinance in which members witness that they are willing to take upon them the name of Christ.
- Why Did King Benjamin Say That His People Would Be Sons and Daughters at God's Right Hand?Scholars explore a possible wordplay on Benjamin's name, "son of the right hand," in his promise that the faithful will be found at God's right hand (v. 9).
Where this echoes in Scripture
A Mighty Change in Our Hearts
- Ezekiel 36:26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.
- Alma 5:14Have ye spiritually been born of God?… Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
- Alma 5:26If ye have experienced a change of heart… can ye feel so now?
- 2 Corinthians 5:17If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
The Children of Christ
- John 1:12As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.
- Ether 3:14I am Jesus Christ… and they shall become my sons and my daughters.
- Mosiah 27:25Born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state… becoming his sons and daughters.
- Mosiah 6:2There was not one soul, except it were little children, but who had entered into the covenant.
- Mosiah 18:10A witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments.
Take upon You the Name of Christ
- John 8:36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
- Moroni 4:3That they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments.
- D&C 18:23-25Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved.
- Jeremiah 31:33I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.
- John 10:3-4He calleth his own sheep by name… for they know his voice.
Steadfast and Immovable
- 1 Corinthians 15:58Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
- Matthew 7:23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you.
- Ephesians 1:13Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.
- Mosiah 2:17When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.