I have repeated the last verse from chapter 2 to make Benjamin’s transition clearer. To recapitulate, Benjamin has just finished describing the eternal punishment that will befall the unrepentant who choose to follow the “evil spirit” rather than Yahweh till the ends of their lives. He now turns to a more positive theme—the one for which the assembly has been convened.
The transition thus reinforces the theme he has already introduced—the opposition of good and bad in the next life. Having concluded his discussion about the awful state of the wicked, Benjamin now invites his people to “consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments.” Yet this is not the theme upon which he dwells in 3:1. Instead he seems to introduce a new topic: “that which is to come.” This phrase is used to indicate the coming Messiah. (See commentary accompanying Enos 1:19. The phrase is repeated in Mosiah 5:3.)
Benjamin begins by recalling their attention. As I envision the situation, most of the audience has not been surprised by the announcement that Mosiah will succeed Benjamin and, similarly, would consider most of the remaining information a review, rather than new instruction. Most of those who really wanted to follow the “evil spirit” had already defected to the Lamanites. Benjamin has already been speaking for some time. It is probably in the fall after the harvest. They have eaten well. It is warm and no doubt sunny. The crowd is dense. The children are restless. Even though the people listened as Benjamin continued, there is probably much ambient noise—the sound of cloth as weary people shift their positions, whispered admonitions to the children, perhaps the rustle of leaves as the breeze blows through their shelters. Thus, I read this verse as Benjamin’s call for attentiveness as he approaches the most important part of his sermon.