like Sukkot

Footnote b for Mosiah 4:2 takes you to a reference in Nehemiah where the Jews are celebrating Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. To celebrate, temporary booths were erected wherein jews would stay for the week of the festival. They did so to commemorate their forefathers journey out of bondage in Egypt, through the wilderness, and to the promised land. Their booths represented the tents of the ancients. Humble dwellings of a wandering people before they were blessed to inherit the promised land. Could it be that Benjamins people came up in their tents for the same purpose, perhaps not only in commemoration of their ancient ancestors exodus from Egypt, but also how father Lehi "dwelt in a tent" as he left comforts behind to follow the Lord to another land of promise. In any case, the Israelite descendants King Benjamin ruled gathered in tents as separate family units instead of as a congregation to hear his words. In like manner, for this last general conference, the Saints gathered in their homes to hear the words of prophets. Sukkot is also called the Feast of Ingathering, celebrating the harvest season. President Nelson, the same who enlisted us all to the cause of gathering Israel issued a historic proclamation of the restoration. What a historic occasion indeed! Even while we're apart, it is a time for gathering - how can I do my part to engage in this wonderful work?    

"As current as the morning paper"

President Hinckley once said stated "the Book of Mormon is as current as the morning paper." That's quite a statement both about the book and about how President Hinckley reads it. In my recent readings I have found another piece of evidence that validates that truth for me.
King Benjamin called his people to gather to the temple to hear his final address. Today I read in chapter four about the way his people had fallen to the earth having "viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth."
Self-esteem has to do with the way you see yourself. How do I see me? How does He want me to see me? D&C 18 reminds me - "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" and explains how the Savior suffered and died - for us. We are bought with a price - and oh what a price. Yet they viewed themselves here, in their carnal state, in a very humble way
In this view of themselves the Nephites all cry out together "with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ". This reminds me of another couple places in scripture where a similar cry was heard. In 3 Nephi 11, the Savior, visited the American continent after His resurrection. After personally feeling the wounds in his hands, feet and side, the people "cry out with one accord, saying: Hosanna!" which in Hebrew means: "save us now!" another united plea for salvation. The other was Palm Sunday. We also joined in a united plea - first in General Conference we shouted "Hosanna!" together and then on good Friday our voices were raised together in prayer and fasting. I've long liked the easy likeness King Benjamin's address bears to General Conference. Their cry and ours now seemed to pull us even closer together. What a great time to be studying King Benjamin's discourse and the experience of his people in the wake of our own similar experience. As a result of his teaching and his people's heartfelt plea for salvation, they experience a mighty change in their hearts and lose the disposition to do evil. Has my opportunity in this present similar moment ignited such earnestness in me? Has it also purified my disposition? The people, in Lehi's dream, who stay at the tree are those that fall down at it. King Benjamin's people, and the Nephites in 3 Nephi all fall down. "If they humble themselves before me," the Savior said, "and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27)