“When I Shall Stand to Be Judged”

Brant Gardner

The ending sentence of verse 26 where Benjamin describes himself as old and nearing death should be read in conjunction with verse 28, as it is the immediate prelude to his point. After his excursion into the discussion of the servant/master relationship as it applies to the people of God, Benjamin returns to the purpose of his assembly. Regardless of what his people will do, Benjamin must fulfill his obligation as a servant and dispatch his duty (see earlier, verse 15).

Benjamin very clearly restates his position as a servant of God in that he is the purveyor of the commands of God to his people.

Scriptural: Benjamin clearly indicates that his position as a leader carries with it responsibilities. For all we who serve in some leadership capacity, we have responsibilities and obligations, just as Benjamin did. Just as Benjamin as the servant of God was required to faithfully carry out God’s will for those for whom Benjamin had stewardship, so too do we have similar obligations. As with any servant, we will be judged (at least in part) on the ways in which we have fulfilled the obligations God has put upon us with respect to others.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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