In King Benjamin’s day, families pitched their tents toward the temple, away from the world, just as their Israelite ancestors had pitched their tents around the tabernacle in Sinai (Exodus 33:8–10). Abraham’s nephew Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12) and lost his family. We would be wise to follow the example of the Nephite people of Christ by orienting our tents (our lives) toward the temple and the Conference Center to hear the words of the prophets and the words of God—the words of eternal life.
Because the king could not teach all who had gathered within the walls of the temple, he had a tower erected so more could hear, but the multitude was so great that many still could not hear, so Benjamin’s words were written and distributed to all outside the sound of his voice. In our day, after general conference, the words of the prophets are distributed to all who will receive them.