“Thus We See”: The Legacy of King Benjamin


I am Mormon, a prophet, a warrior, and the final recorder of my people’s history. Born in a time of great wickedness and war, I was chosen at just ten years old to begin studying the sacred records of the Nephites. By fifteen, I was visited by the Lord, and by sixteen, I was leading our armies in battle. For decades, I fought to defend my people against the relentless Lamanite forces, but despite my efforts, the hearts of my people remain hardened, and their destruction becomes inevitable. As our civilization crumbles, I dedicate my final years to abridging the records of our people onto golden plates, preserving the story of the Nephites, their rise and fall, and most importantly, their testimony of Jesus Christ. Though my people are perishing in battle, I leave this record for future generations, that they might learn from our mistakes and turn to God. My son, Moroni, will carry on this work after me, ensuring that the truth will one day come forth to the world. By the world’s recognition, I may be known as a prophet, a warrior, and an abridger of my people’s history, yet, my personal wish is to be remembered simply as a disciple of Christ. I am unique in my contribution to Nephi’s Blog, in that I know how it ends. Because I do, my fear is that I may fail in any effort to be an unbiased historian. I just can’t help myself. Thus when I see something important I tend to point it out. My access to all of the records, from Nephi to those written in my own hand, including the sacred Brass Plates, and the history of the Jaradite nation, gives me a perspective unavailable to any other contributor. I have studied, abridged, and pondered the writings of all the prophets both ancient and recent. I have seen their prophesies fulfilled to the letter. Having witnessed many of them personally, I know without any doubt, the prophecies yet to be fulfilled, in the future will, with certainty, be fulfilled. With this assurance, forgive my personal editorializing to the many writers contributions. Remember, though this blog can’t contain even the 100th part of the record of my people. I have read it all.