King Benjamin reminded his people of a fact they knew well. It is contained in the Hebrew Scriptures, copies of which they had made from the Brass Plates of Laban. In them was the story of man’s Creation. The Scriptures were the constant guides and the companions of the Nephites. A knowledge of them was a large portion of their learning, as it was to the Jews in Jerusalem. They knew they were created out of the dust of the earth, and sooner or later, would return thereto. They knew they lived only as tenants in a grand and glorious Creation. All they had, and even that of which they were made was borrowed from Him who is the Creator of all, and to whom everything belongs.
King Benjamin’s people understood his words and realized their humble station in life. Again they reasoned among themselves-“The greatness of God, and the nothingness of men.” (See, Mosiah 4:11)
Though Benjamin was a righteous leader whom they called their king, yet, he told them, he was like unto them, made of dust. He was getting old, he said, and in a few years would give back to its source, the body they then beheld, the body of Benjamin, their King. Notwithstanding his regal calling, his end on earth was like that of all men-a return to dust.
As one of them who was about to die, and whose spirit would then return to God who created it, Benjamin told his subjects that he had called them together to end his active service to them, which with a clear conscience before God he had diligently performed. He desired to again bear witness of God’s goodness and mercy, and to testify to them once more of the Messiah who would Redeem mankind from the effects of Adam’s great sin. He did not want any dereliction of his to be an excuse for one of them to urge lack of knowledge, let alone to commit sin. He would stand before God, on the Day of Judgment, knowing well that he had fulfilled every command of the Lord in instructing his people.