“Not Done These Things That I Might Boast”

Brant Gardner

Literary/Historical: There are three clauses in this verse. The first to are negatives, and the third a positive statement that is related to the first two. There is important and crafted information in these three clauses.

In the first clause, Benjamin indicates that he has not given the political/legal legacy of his reign as a reason for boasting. Certainly he has presented all of these items as the benefits of Benjamin’s rule. They are all intended to be positives. Because they are the foundational elements of Benjamin’s definition of Nephite law (as witnessed by the formulaic usage of the legal prohibitions discussed above in verse 13) they are certainly points on which Benjamin takes pride, but not public accolade.

The next clause is the most fascinating, because Benjamin indicates that he has not given his regnal legacy to accuse his people. In what sense would these apparently good features accuse his people? Once again we must remember that the current peace Benjamin’s people enjoy has not been the consistent feature of his reign. Rather, Benjamin has had to contend mightily with “contentions.” One of the results of the contentions was that many of his people defected to the “Lamanites”(Words of Mormon 1:16). Reading between the lines, we see Benjamin surviving a near civil war (or words if not combat) wherein some of the lines of contention were drawn between the religious/political system of the Lamanites (indicated by the false Christs and false prophets) and that of the Nephites traditional religion. In the context of this civil war, we may presume that Benjamin’s audience contains many who had at least some sympathies to the losing side, even though they remained in Zarahemla. It is in this emotionally charged context that Benjamin specifically states that he is not accusing. To create a paraphrase for this clause, Benjamin is telling those who might have been ambivalent in the “contentions” that while he stands for one type of political/religious system, he does not actively accuse them of preferring the Lamanite system (remember that Lamanite is by now a collective term not always related to the lineal Lamanites). This specific clause exists to continue to calm the waters of a people who have undergone tremendous stress.

The final clause tells his people the positive reason for declaring his reign. Benjamin wants a clear conscience before God. Because God is behind his throne, it is to God that Benjamin is ultimately accountable. At the end of his career, Benjamin asserts that he has done his best. This clause not only gives his purpose, but clearly declares to his audience that Benjamin will be relinquishing rule. This is a benediction on his reign.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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