Benjamin’s conclusion places his people among those who know of the Atoning Messiah and are therefore responsible for their actions under the Messiah’s law. The fact that they are “no more blameless” may indicate that some, through their Zarahemlaite heritage, might have considered themselves as people who were without law and therefore were saved along with the children. Benjamin closes this loophole. Everyone in the congregation is “no more blameless.”
Benjamin is quoting the angel, which suggests that he also derived the preceding part of the discourse from that source as well. However, the structure and delivery of the message are Benjamin’s, adapted to his people’s specific needs at that moment. It is a great tribute to the power and art of Benjamin’s discourse that it can still move audiences worlds away in time and culture from the original setting.
Vocabulary: “Only according to the words which I have spoken,” should be read “except according to the words. . . ”