Lesson 10

King Benjamin Teaches His People

“Lesson 10: King Benjamin Teaches His People,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon (1997), 32–34

Purpose

To strengthen the children’s commitment to keep their baptismal covenants and follow Jesus Christ.

Preparation

Prayerfully study 2 Nephi 31:5–12 and Mosiah 2:1–22; 3:2–19; 4:11–16; 5:5–8, 13–15. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,”> p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)
Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
Materials needed:
1. A Book of Mormon for each child.
2. Picture 4-21, King Benjamin Addresses His People (Gospel Art Picture Kit 307; 62298).

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Write the family names of the children in your class on the chalkboard. Ask the children to explain why they have these names.

What does being a (use family name) mean to you?

Explain that when we are born into a family, we take upon ourselves a family name. This name may represent many important things, such as our heritage, our beliefs, the way we do things, and so on. When we are baptized, 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. Explain that King Benjamin was a prophet who taught the importance of taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.

Scripture Account

Teach the children the account of King Benjamin teaching his people from Mosiah 2:1–22; 3:2–19; 4:11–16; 5:5–8, 13–16. Use the picture at an appropriate time. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

Why did King Benjamin call his people together? (Mosiah 1:10.) How did the people of Zarahemla respond to the call to gather at the temple to hear their prophet and king? (Mosiah 2:1–6.) How do we hear or receive the words of the living prophets? (General conference, Church publications, Church meetings, and so on.) How can we prepare ourselves to listen to the words of our leaders? (Mosiah 2:9.)
How did King Benjamin serve his people? (Mosiah 2:12–15.) How did King Benjamin say we can serve Heavenly Father? (Mosiah 2:16–19.) How do you think serving others shows our gratitude and love for Heavenly Father?
What are we promised if we obey Heavenly Father’s commandments? (Mosiah 2:22.)
What did King Benjamin teach the people about Jesus Christ? (Mosiah 3:5–7, 9–10.) What great act of service did Christ perform for each of us? (Mosiah 3:11–13.) Explain that 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.
Why is it important for us to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ? (Mosiah 3:17.) What does Jesus Christ ask us to do in order to take upon ourselves his name? (2 Nephi 31:5–12; Mosiah 2:22. Be baptized and keep the commandments. Mosiah 3:19. Submit our will to the Savior’s will.)
What commandments did King Benjamin tell his people they should obey? (Mosiah 3:21; 4:11–15; 5:5. You might use the wordstrips in enrichment activity 1 as part of your discussion.) What did King Benjamin say would happen if we keep the commandments? (Mosiah 2:41.)
How did the people respond to King Benjamin’s teachings? (Mosiah 5:2.) What can we do to experience this mighty change? (Mosiah 3:19.)
What did King Benjamin’s people covenant to do? (Mosiah 5:5–9.)

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

Make and display the following wordstrips. Draw a representation of the tower that King Benjamin used to teach his people. Mount the wordstrips on the drawing as you discuss ways we can take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Have the children think of ways they can obey the commandments represented on the wordstrips.

Have faith in Jesus Christ (Mosiah 3:21)

Repent (Mosiah 3:21)

Make and keep baptismal covenants (Mosiah 5:5)

Pray daily (Mosiah 4:11)

Be kind to others (Mosiah 4:13)

Don’t fight or quarrel (Mosiah 4:14)

Serve others (Mosiah 4:15)

Help the poor (Mosiah 4:16)

Live the gospel (Mosiah 4:15)
Using simple costumes or props, dramatize King Benjamin’s speaking to his people. The children could arrange their chairs in the outline of a tent with an opening toward the front of the room. The children could sit on the floor inside the “tent” facing the front. The person acting out the part of King Benjamin could speak to them while standing on a chair at the front of the room. Have this child read King Benjamin’s words from Mosiah 2:9.
Tell the children about the latest general conference of the Church. If possible, show them a copy of the conference issue of the Ensign or international magazine. Compare this conference to the meeting King Benjamin held with his people. Explain how the Church helps all its members receive messages from the President of the Church and other General Authorities through radio, television, and satellite broadcasts and through printed materials. Discuss some of the topics from the last conference. Encourage the children to read or listen to the messages from the next general conference and follow the counsel of our prophets and leaders.
Help the children understand and memorize the last phrase of Mosiah 2:17: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
Discuss how the thirteenth article of faith relates to King Benjamin’s address. Help the children memorize this article of faith.
Sing or read the words to “Love One Another” (Hymns, no. 308; or Children’s Songbook, p. 136) or “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, p. 78).

Conclusion

Testimony

Bear testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ and how it blesses our lives. Emphasize the importance of keeping the commandments as we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.

Suggested Family Sharing

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”