Here, King Benjamin introduces us to a doctrine we shall call divine indebtedness (v. 34). If the commandments of God are kept, we will prosper, which is a blessing from God (v. 22), as he had previously said. He then explains the doctrine. God “created [us], and granted [us our] lives, for which [we] are indebted unto him” (v. 23). All he requires of us is to keep his commandments, and if we do “he doth immediately bless you, and therefore he hath paid you.” Therefore, you are still indebted to him and will be forever, because he blesses us for every commandment that is kept (v. 24). Even the dust of the earth from which we are created belongs to God (v. 25). Mormon, in one of his editorial inserts, gives an extension of this doctrine. He gives many examples of the earth and its many components always obeying the commands of God, but the children of men do not always obey him and therefore are “less than the dust of the earth” (see Helaman 12:7–21).
Some may question whether or not “the Lord doth immediately bless [us].” The Prophet Joseph Smith gave an explanation that answers that question.
The inhabitants of this continent anciently were so constituted, and were so determined and persevering, either in righteousness or wickedness, that God visited them immediately with great judgments of blessings. But the present generation, if they were going to battle, if they got any assistance from God, they would have to obtain it by faith. [ TPJS, 299]