Having fulfilled the first of his purposes by naming Mosiah as his successor, Benjamin now turns to his major purpose in assembling the people. He will be giving them a new covenant, creating a new and formal relationship between the people and their God. He begins by discussing their relationship to their new king. His very first commandment is: “I would that ye should do as ye have hitherto done.” These are people who have elected to remain with Benjamin rather than defect to the Lamanites. Almost certainly, for the most part they agreed with Benjamin’s rule and followed his laws. Benjamin invokes that same willingness to follow his son as the appropriate response.
Benjamin uses history to teach the importance of following his commands. He reminds them of the temporal prosperity they have enjoyed under Mosiah1 and himself. It is interesting that the major evidence of prosperity is that they have not fallen into the hands of their enemies. What is the link between victory in battle and prosperity? Aside from the obvious “prosperity” of retaining one’s independence, in Mesoamerica there was a very close economic tie between losing a war and experiencing privation. The conquered people were required to pay tribute of their goods, therefore having less for themselves. This problem will play a major role in the story of Zeniff and his followers (whose story begins in Mosiah 9).
Returning to his theme of Yahweh as a heavenly king, Benjamin links the prosperity under his father’s rule and his own to Yahweh’s promise of prosperity if the people would obey. (For the Nephite foundational promise, see commentary accompanying 2 Nephi 1:9.) Thus, he has declared the continuation of the dynasty, required his people to continue their support, and turned their ultimate allegiance to the eternal king—Yahweh.