In King Benjamin's instructions to his son Mosiah2, he commanded him to make a proclamation throughout all the land that his people might be "gathered together; for on the morrow I shall proclaim unto this my people out of mine own mouth that thou art a king" (Mosiah 1:10). Chronologically and geographically speaking, a gathering of that many people in one day would be almost impossible. But John W. Welch theorizes that King Benjamin probably delivered his speech at the time of one of the three main ancient Israelite festivals when the people were already gathered together. Benjamin's speech weaves together all the major themes of the ancient New Year's holiday festival complex. The ideas that were the themes of his speech were inherent in the symbolism surrounding the festival. [John W. Welch, "King Benjamin's Speech in the Context of Ancient Israelite Festivals," 1985, F.A.R.M.S., p. 13] [For a more detailed explanation of the ancient Israelite festivals, see the commentary on Mosiah 2:1]