King Benjamin’s recognition of the importance of the plates of brass was based upon the degenerate condition of the Mulekites when his father discovered them. “They [the Mulekites] had brought no records with them, and they denied the being of their Creator” (Omni 1:17). The positive influence of the plates of brass was taught by Nephi, son of Lehi. Although “the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto [you], by the power of the Holy Ghost” (1 Nephi 10:19), if one will “feast upon the words of Christ [the scriptures] … the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3).
Dr. Daniel H. Ludlow, to whom I owe much for planting a desire in me to study the Book of Mormon, has written regarding the language of the plates of brass.
The statement that “Lehi … having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read” the engravings on the plates of Laban quite clearly indicates these plates were written in the Egyptian language. Thus they were almost certainly not started until after the flood and the tower of Babel, as there was no Egyptian language before these events. The brass plates were probably not started until after the Israelites went down into Egypt in the days of Joseph, although the writers may have had access to records that had been written earlier.
Lehi’s ability to read Egyptian had enabled several generations to know the scriptures and understand the mysteries of God. Such knowledge and understanding came from having “his commandments always before [their] eyes” (Mosiah 1:4–5). The king’s testimony of the truth of his sayings, the plates of Nephi, and the plates of brass (v. 6) are elements which led Joseph Smith to proclaim: “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (Introduction to the Book of Mormon). The title of this volume, These Records are True, was also chosen from verse 6 of Mosiah chapter one.
As implied by King Benjamin, the scriptures must be searched diligently in order to be profited therefrom (v. 7). Casual or occasional reading of scriptures does not bring their full benefit. The promise of prospering in the land when the commandments of God are kept (v. 7) is one of the most prevalent teachings running throughout the Book of Mormon. It began with the Lord’s promise to Nephi: “inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise” (1 Nephi 2:20). This promise is mentioned periodically throughout the Nephite record ending with the downfall of the Nephites because they “rejected that Jesus who stood with open arms to receive [them]” (Mormon 6:17) and did not keep his commandments. It really began with the Jaredites and was extended to all who occupy the lands of America (see Ether 2:9–12). The Americas are a promised land forever. We should look forward to reading the “many more things [that] King Benjamin [did] teach his sons” (Mosiah 1:8) when the fuller records of the Nephites are brought forth (see 3 Nephi 26:6–9).