Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “The Sermon on the Mount, the King Follett Sermon, and the angel’s sermon to King Benjamin on the atonement of Christ (Mosiah 3) are among the greatest sermons ever delivered” (Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p. 703)
Elder Robert D. Hales: “To "heed" means to listen to the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It means to take counsel from our parents and the Lord's disciples and leaders. It means to be humble and teachable. To have "diligence" means that we must live obediently and do that which we know to be right, working with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. Then we can expect to have the Spirit to be with us to guide us and direct our actions to do good, endure to the end, and attain eternal life. ("Return with Honor," Ensign, June 1999, 9)
President Howard W. Hunter: “Don’t be overly concerned with status… it is important to be appreciated. But our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status.” (“To the Women of the Church”, Ensign Nov 1992, 96)
President Joy D. Jones: “Sometimes we may initially serve from a sense of duty or obligation, but even that service can lead us to draw on something higher within us, leading us to serve in “a more excellent way” [1 Corinthians 12:31]. …
“When we focus on all that God has done for us, our service flows from a heart of gratitude. As we become less concerned about our service magnifying us, we realize instead that the focus of our service will be on putting God first.” (“For Him,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 50–51)
President M. Russell Ballard: “In your morning prayer each new day, ask Heavenly Father to guide you to recognize an opportunity to serve one of His precious children. Then go throughout the day with your heart full of faith and love, looking for someone to help. … If you do this, your spiritual sensitivities will be enlarged and you will discover opportunities to serve that you never before realized were possible.” (“Be Anxiously Engaged,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 31)
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared an experience from his time training in the German Air Force. During the physical training exercises, he saw others who did not live the Word of Wisdom performing better than he did.I remember thinking,
“Wait a minute! Aren’t I supposed to be able to run and not be weary?” But I was weary, and I was overtaken by people who were definitely not following the Word of Wisdom. I confess, it troubled me at the time. I asked myself, was the promise true or was it not?
“The answer didn’t come immediately. But eventually I learned that God’s promises are not always fulfilled as quickly as or in the way we might hope; they come according to His timing and in His ways. Years later I could see clear evidence of the temporal blessings that come to those who obey the Word of Wisdom—in addition to the spiritual blessings that come immediately from obedience to any of God’s laws. Looking back, I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain.” (“Continue in Patience,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 58)
Before the sermon, king Benjamin gave Mosiah (Mosiah 1:19):
Prophets have: (see Mosiah 1:19):
King Benjamin in Mosiah 3 defines and identifies the Redeemer:
A “natural man” is a person who chooses to be influenced by the passions, desires, appetites, and senses of the flesh rather than by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Such a person can comprehend physical things but not spiritual things. All people are carnal, or mortal, because of the fall of Adam and Eve. Each person must be born again through the atonement of Jesus Christ to cease being a natural man.
Elder Jeffery R. Holland: “Because this doctrine [of the Fall] is so basic to the plan of salvation and also because it is so susceptible to misunderstanding, we must note that these references to “natural” evil emphatically do not mean that men and women are “inherently” evil. There is a crucial difference. As spirit sons and daughters of God, all mortal men and women are divine in origin and divine in their potential destiny. . . . But it is also true that as a result of the Fall they are now in a “natural” (fallen) world where the devil “taketh away light” and where some elements of nature—including temporal human nature—need discipline, restraint, and refinement” (Christ and the New Covenant, p.207).
Elder David A. Bednar: “In mortality we all are tempted by the flesh. The very elements out of which our bodies were created are by nature fallen and ever subject to the pull of sin, corruption, and death.
“But we can increase our capacity to overcome the desires of the flesh and temptations “through the Atonement of Christ.” When we make mistakes, as we transgress and sin, we can repent and become clean through the redeeming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ” (Ensign April 2012).
Stephen Robinson: “I know people in the Church who beat themselves up for having fallen natures, who take it as a sign that they are not worthy of the kingdom. For these spiritual masochists it isn’t enough to control their carnal nature or to begin diminishing its influence by developing habitual obedience to God – they don’t even want to have a carnal nature. . . . In mortality, resisting the urges of our carnal thoughts and putting them out of our minds is a reasonable goal and expectation. But not ever having a carnal thought is an unreasonable goal and expectation” (Following Christ, p. 62).
Understanding the Fall will change us by:
1. Empowering us with hope, knowing that we are not as bad or wicked as we thought we were by realizing that our carnal nature and sensual urges are part of being human (of the flesh) and not who we really are (of the spirit). If we understand the Fall we would never allow our sins, failures, weaknesses, and natural inclinations or tendencies to progress from our feelings and actions to our identity. We would never associate our identity with the type or intensity of temptation we experience” (Elder Lynn G. Robbins Ensign April 2011, Paraphrased quoting Carol Dweck).
“The Fall [and everything that comes with it] does not define you; it helps to refine you” (Elder Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 69).
2. Encouraging us to rely more upon Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
“We cannot completely escape the world that surrounds us. If we are wise, it leads us first to humbly realize our mortal difficulties and to turn to our Savior with full purpose of heart” (Elder Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 69).
3. “Strengthening our resolve to never give up, but to endure to the end realizing that spiritual growth and progression in mortality is a process, not an event. Knowing that we will never be completely free from sin in this life should help us to fight the battle of life daily with courage and provide the motivation to not quit. Once we acknowledge, internalize, and accept the truth that life was supposed to be difficult, full of opposition and sin, we will be better prepared to deal with it. We will more proactively strive to make repentance and the Atonement of Christ an essential part of our daily life” (David T. Durphey, S&I Instructor).
“Personal sin was premortally understood to be an inescapable dynamic of our future mortality. Each of us would sin. The plan of our Father required a Redeemer, one to rescue us from the death and injustice of mortality and from our personal sins” Elder Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 59).
“Repentance is not our backup plan; it is the only plan. . . . Repentance is necessary for all of us, and for all of our lives. Our faith in Christ and our willingness to follow Him bring us hope, peace and love for God and for His children. We need not feel discouraged when we sense our spiritual progress seems too slow or when we continue to see the weakness in our character. We must never become “weary in well doing.” (D&C 64:33) “Be faithful in Christ; and may not the things [of the world] weigh thee down; but may Christ lift thee up . . .” (Mormon 9:25)” (Elder Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 70, 71).
4. “Helping us appreciate what a grand opportunity mortality is to develop and strengthen our divine spirit-self in ways not possible in the premortal existence. With bodies of flesh and blood, we learn to control the natural urges and carnal tendencies of being human, and we learn to discipline and restrain ourselves through the enabling power of Christ’s Atonement. Without opposition, there is no progression” (David T. Durphey, S&I Instructor)
5. “Increasing our ability to prize the good and savor the sweet because of encountering the bad and tasting the bitter. The pains, struggles, and sorrows of mortality enlarge our capacity to experience joy in this life and receive a fullness of joy when we are resurrected” (David T. Durphey, S&I Instructor).
Ideas for teaching:
Elder Robert D. Hales: “To "heed" means to listen to the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It means to take counsel from our parents and the Lord's disciples and leaders. It means to be humble and teachable. To have "diligence" means that we must live obediently and do that which we know to be right, working with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. Then we can expect to have the Spirit to be with us to guide us and direct our actions to do good, endure to the end, and attain eternal life. ("Return with Honor," Ensign, June 1999, 9)
President Howard W. Hunter: “Don’t be overly concerned with status… it is important to be appreciated. But our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status.” (“To the Women of the Church”, Ensign Nov 1992, 96)
President Joy D. Jones: “Sometimes we may initially serve from a sense of duty or obligation, but even that service can lead us to draw on something higher within us, leading us to serve in “a more excellent way” [1 Corinthians 12:31]. …
“When we focus on all that God has done for us, our service flows from a heart of gratitude. As we become less concerned about our service magnifying us, we realize instead that the focus of our service will be on putting God first.” (“For Him,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 50–51)
President M. Russell Ballard: “In your morning prayer each new day, ask Heavenly Father to guide you to recognize an opportunity to serve one of His precious children. Then go throughout the day with your heart full of faith and love, looking for someone to help. … If you do this, your spiritual sensitivities will be enlarged and you will discover opportunities to serve that you never before realized were possible.” (“Be Anxiously Engaged,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 31)
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared an experience from his time training in the German Air Force. During the physical training exercises, he saw others who did not live the Word of Wisdom performing better than he did.I remember thinking,
“Wait a minute! Aren’t I supposed to be able to run and not be weary?” But I was weary, and I was overtaken by people who were definitely not following the Word of Wisdom. I confess, it troubled me at the time. I asked myself, was the promise true or was it not?
“The answer didn’t come immediately. But eventually I learned that God’s promises are not always fulfilled as quickly as or in the way we might hope; they come according to His timing and in His ways. Years later I could see clear evidence of the temporal blessings that come to those who obey the Word of Wisdom—in addition to the spiritual blessings that come immediately from obedience to any of God’s laws. Looking back, I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain.” (“Continue in Patience,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 58)
Before the sermon, king Benjamin gave Mosiah (Mosiah 1:19):
- Plates of brass and also the plates of Nephi.
- Sword of Laban.
- Ball or director (Liahona).
Prophets have: (see Mosiah 1:19):
- Word of God (plates of brass and also the plates of Nephi).
- A Protector and Defender of the faith (Sword of Laban).
- Provides direction to the church (Ball or director – Liahona).
King Benjamin in Mosiah 3 defines and identifies the Redeemer:
- The Lord God Omnipotent will come to dwell among men in a tabernacle of clay and be the Savior (v. 5-11).
- The Redeemer as Christ, and he uses terms such as Jesus Christ, blood of Christ, Lord Jesus Christ (v. 8, 12, 18).
- The Redeemer will-bleed at every pore (v. 7).
- He is the Creator (v. 8).
- His mother will be named Mary (v. 8).
- He will be crucified (v. 9).
- He will rise from the dead the third day (v. 10).
- His blood atones for the fall of Adam (v. 11).
- Nothing would save man if it were not for the atonement of the Lord’s blood (v. 15).
- His blood redeems little children (v. 16).
- There is no other way or means of salvation (v. 17).
A “natural man” is a person who chooses to be influenced by the passions, desires, appetites, and senses of the flesh rather than by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Such a person can comprehend physical things but not spiritual things. All people are carnal, or mortal, because of the fall of Adam and Eve. Each person must be born again through the atonement of Jesus Christ to cease being a natural man.
Elder Jeffery R. Holland: “Because this doctrine [of the Fall] is so basic to the plan of salvation and also because it is so susceptible to misunderstanding, we must note that these references to “natural” evil emphatically do not mean that men and women are “inherently” evil. There is a crucial difference. As spirit sons and daughters of God, all mortal men and women are divine in origin and divine in their potential destiny. . . . But it is also true that as a result of the Fall they are now in a “natural” (fallen) world where the devil “taketh away light” and where some elements of nature—including temporal human nature—need discipline, restraint, and refinement” (Christ and the New Covenant, p.207).
Elder David A. Bednar: “In mortality we all are tempted by the flesh. The very elements out of which our bodies were created are by nature fallen and ever subject to the pull of sin, corruption, and death.
“But we can increase our capacity to overcome the desires of the flesh and temptations “through the Atonement of Christ.” When we make mistakes, as we transgress and sin, we can repent and become clean through the redeeming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ” (Ensign April 2012).
Stephen Robinson: “I know people in the Church who beat themselves up for having fallen natures, who take it as a sign that they are not worthy of the kingdom. For these spiritual masochists it isn’t enough to control their carnal nature or to begin diminishing its influence by developing habitual obedience to God – they don’t even want to have a carnal nature. . . . In mortality, resisting the urges of our carnal thoughts and putting them out of our minds is a reasonable goal and expectation. But not ever having a carnal thought is an unreasonable goal and expectation” (Following Christ, p. 62).
Understanding the Fall will change us by:
1. Empowering us with hope, knowing that we are not as bad or wicked as we thought we were by realizing that our carnal nature and sensual urges are part of being human (of the flesh) and not who we really are (of the spirit). If we understand the Fall we would never allow our sins, failures, weaknesses, and natural inclinations or tendencies to progress from our feelings and actions to our identity. We would never associate our identity with the type or intensity of temptation we experience” (Elder Lynn G. Robbins Ensign April 2011, Paraphrased quoting Carol Dweck).
“The Fall [and everything that comes with it] does not define you; it helps to refine you” (Elder Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 69).
2. Encouraging us to rely more upon Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
“We cannot completely escape the world that surrounds us. If we are wise, it leads us first to humbly realize our mortal difficulties and to turn to our Savior with full purpose of heart” (Elder Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 69).
3. “Strengthening our resolve to never give up, but to endure to the end realizing that spiritual growth and progression in mortality is a process, not an event. Knowing that we will never be completely free from sin in this life should help us to fight the battle of life daily with courage and provide the motivation to not quit. Once we acknowledge, internalize, and accept the truth that life was supposed to be difficult, full of opposition and sin, we will be better prepared to deal with it. We will more proactively strive to make repentance and the Atonement of Christ an essential part of our daily life” (David T. Durphey, S&I Instructor).
“Personal sin was premortally understood to be an inescapable dynamic of our future mortality. Each of us would sin. The plan of our Father required a Redeemer, one to rescue us from the death and injustice of mortality and from our personal sins” Elder Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 59).
“Repentance is not our backup plan; it is the only plan. . . . Repentance is necessary for all of us, and for all of our lives. Our faith in Christ and our willingness to follow Him bring us hope, peace and love for God and for His children. We need not feel discouraged when we sense our spiritual progress seems too slow or when we continue to see the weakness in our character. We must never become “weary in well doing.” (D&C 64:33) “Be faithful in Christ; and may not the things [of the world] weigh thee down; but may Christ lift thee up . . .” (Mormon 9:25)” (Elder Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 70, 71).
4. “Helping us appreciate what a grand opportunity mortality is to develop and strengthen our divine spirit-self in ways not possible in the premortal existence. With bodies of flesh and blood, we learn to control the natural urges and carnal tendencies of being human, and we learn to discipline and restrain ourselves through the enabling power of Christ’s Atonement. Without opposition, there is no progression” (David T. Durphey, S&I Instructor)
5. “Increasing our ability to prize the good and savor the sweet because of encountering the bad and tasting the bitter. The pains, struggles, and sorrows of mortality enlarge our capacity to experience joy in this life and receive a fullness of joy when we are resurrected” (David T. Durphey, S&I Instructor).
Ideas for teaching:
- Prophets have the word of God, act as protectors and defenders of the faith and provide direction to the church.
- Great joy (Mosiah 3:2, 3) in glad tidings of the gospel.
- Where is your tent facing?
- Emphasize the focus of King Benjamin is on the Savior.
- Understanding the fall of Adam gives us hope, encouragement, and joy.
- What can you do today to more fully ‘yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit?