Verses 1–10 focus on how we may obtain a remission of our sins. Verses 11–26 focus on how we can retain a remission of our sins. The structure of the chapter is superb.
“And Behold They Had Fallen to the Earth”
Have you ever heard a talk that so overwhelmed the listeners that they fell to the earth? King Benjamin’s people had just experienced an intense encounter with reality; “they had fallen to the earth” (a phrase that has double meaning) and “viewed themselves in their own carnal state,” in their fallen condition, feeling that they were “even less than the dust of the earth” to which they had fallen—because the dust or elements of the earth are obedient to their Maker, but they themselves had not always been obedient (Helaman 12:7–8). These are people who finally understand their condition without Christ.
The first thing they wanted to do when deeply touched by the Spirit was to repent. This passage describes the necessary process to repent and be forgiven: recognize your fallen condition, humble yourself, and appeal for the atoning blood of Christ in order to have your heart purified.
Just like ancient Israelites in Egypt put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts to be saved (Exodus 12:7), so we must symbolically apply the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse and strengthen us. Just as we apply sunblock to prevent sunburn or apply lotion to soothe sunburned skin, so we cover ourselves spiritually with something that heals—he is the “balm of Gilead” that heals the sin-sick soul. 12 Recall that the Hebrew verb kappar means to cover (to protect, to save, to atone; see commentary at 2 Nephi 9:13–16).
President Boyd K. Packer wrote: “We all make mistakes. Sometimes we harm ourselves and seriously injure others in ways that we alone cannot repair. We break things that we alone cannot fix. It is then in our nature to feel guilt and humiliation and suffering, which we alone cannot cure. That is when the healing power of the Atonement will help.” 13
“Behold They Had Fallen to the Earth”
Have you ever heard a talk that so overwhelmed the listeners that they fell to the earth? King Benjamin’s people had just experienced an intense encounter with reality; “they had fallen to the earth” (a phrase that has double meaning) and “viewed themselves in their own carnal state,” in their fallen condition, feeling that they were “even less than the dust of the earth” to which they had fallen—because the dust or elements of the earth are obedient to their Maker, but they themselves had not always been obedient (Helaman 12:7–8). These are people who finally understand their condition without Christ.
The first thing they wanted to do when deeply touched by the Spirit was to repent. This passage describes the necessary process to repent and be forgiven: recognize your fallen condition, humble yourself, and appeal for the atoning blood of Christ in order to have your heart purified.
Just like ancient Israelites in Egypt put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts to be saved (Exodus 12:7), so we must symbolically apply the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse and strengthen us. Just as we apply sunblock to prevent sunburn or apply lotion to soothe sunburned skin, so we cover ourselves spiritually with something that heals—he is the “balm of Gilead” that heals the sin-sick soul. 12 Recall that the Hebrew verb kappar means to cover (to protect, to save, to atone; see commentary at 2 Nephi 9:13–16).
President Boyd K. Packer wrote: “We all make mistakes. Sometimes we harm ourselves and seriously injure others in ways that we alone cannot repair. We break things that we alone cannot fix. It is then in our nature to feel guilt and humiliation and suffering, which we alone cannot cure. That is when the healing power of the Atonement will help.” 13