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KnoWhy #301 - How Did King Benjamin’s Speech Lead To Nephite Democracy? (Mosiah 29:32)

TitleKnoWhy #301 - How Did King Benjamin’s Speech Lead To Nephite Democracy? (Mosiah 29:32)
Publication TypeKnoWhy
Year of Publication2017
Corporate AuthorsBook of Mormon Central Staff
PublisherBook of Mormon Central
Place PublishedSpringville, UT
KeywordsCovenant; Democracy; Equality; Government; King Benjamin; King Mosiah; Kingship; Monarchy; Nephite; Politics; Voice of the People
Abstract

The end of the book of Mosiah introduces a new age in Nephite society in which their traditional political system is changed from a monarchy to a system of judges that gave the “voice of the people” greater influence in the political process. The roots of this political transformation can be seen in the words and actions of Mosiah’s father, King Benjamin. Benjamin’s famous speech at the coronation of his son, some thirty years earlier, was full of political innovations that served to “democratize” Nephite society. These new developments made rituals, covenants, and privileges that were traditionally reserved for kings available to the people in general.

URLhttps://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/how-did-king-benjamin%E2%80%99s-speech-lead-to-nephite-democracy
Citation Key3259

Scripture Reference

Mosiah 29:32