A Pre-Requisite to Progress

King Benjamin goes on to teach his listener's something critical to their spiritual progression. As the people listened, "They had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men." (Mosiah 4:2)

Viewing themselves in their own carnal state, less than the dust of the earth, was a significant step in the mental and spiritual transformation for these people who were already disciples, at least to a certain degree (because they at least made the effort to come up and pitch their tents towards the temple).

After the people had spoken those words, the Spirit of the Lord came upon them and they were "filled with joy and had a peace of conscience." (Mosiah 4:3)

King Benjamin then taught that if we continue to view ourselves in our own carnal state and look to the Lord in all things then (Mosiah 4:10-14):
- We'll no longer have a mind to injure one another.
- We'll be filled with the love of God.
- We'll retain a remission of our sins.
- We'll grow in the knowledge of the glory of him who created us.
- We won't suffer our children to go hungry or quarrel one with another.

If you've read my posts, you'll know that I always apply these teaching to myself and use these teachings as an opportunity to ask introspective questions. I pose this question:

- Do we REALLY see ourselves in our own carnal state?
If not, what actions can we take to see ourselves in that true state?

For the people who listened to King Benjamin, this was the beginning of a wonderful spiritual manifestation and transformation for them. This is what can really help us draw near to God and bring about the same experience for us today - when we realize that without him and the Atonement, we really are nothing.