“Awake and I Awoke Awake and Hear”

Alan C. Miner

According to John Welch, since the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles fell at or around the same time in ancient Israel, it is possible to see influences from both of these holy days upon Benjamin's speech. . . . For such a great day, sacred preparations were in order, especially those made by the high priest. Rabbinic writings report special efforts taken to keep the high priest awake during the night of the Day of Atonement, and pious men followed this example. Benjamin's preparations, also, were substantial. He was awakened at night--"Awake; and I awoke. . . . Awake, and hear"--Mosiah 3:2-3)--by the visitation of an angel from God. He met with his sons (see Mosiah 1:10-18) and carefully wrote his speech in advance (see Mosiah 2:7). The same assumption applies in Benjamin's case. [John W. Welch, "The Temple in the Book of Mormon," in Temples of the Ancient World, pp. 352-353, 359]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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