“No More Blameless in the Sight of God”

Brant Gardner

The final conclusion of the argument is to clearly place Benjamin’s people in the category of those who know of Christ, and are therefore responsible for their actions under Christ’s law. They are not the lawless. That they are “no more blameless [italics added]” may indicate that there were some that through their Zarahemlaite heritage might have considered themselves as ones without law, and therefore saved along with the children. Benjamin clearly points out that they may not so consider themselves. All in the congregation are now no more blameless.

The particular phrasing of this verse puts the words in the mouth of the angel, and by implication, all of the preceding part of the discourse. While this is certainly the message of the angel, the couching and delivery of that message are Benjamin’s and adapted to the very specific needs of his people at that time. It speaks volumes to the power and art of this discourse that it should still move audiences worlds away in time and culture from the original setting.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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