Benjamin summarizes his intent. His people have received a remission of sin through the Spirit; but to “retain” that remission “from day to day,” they must relieve the needy by sharing their substance. It is difficult to understand the connection between a remission of sins and “impart[ing] of your substance to the poor.” We understand our sins individually and therefore the cures for sin are also individual. We receive a remission of sins through personal repentance and a change of behavior. The Nephites received a communal remission of sins by communal repentance and a communal change of behavior. The communal understanding of sin from the law of Moses was still applicable in Nephite society and therefore communal actions were entirely appropriate and necessary to that communal remission of sins. In the case of Benjamin’s people, one of the major sins they were developing was precisely the communal sin of social hierarchies that did not impart of their substance to others as though they were family. (See commentary accompanying Mosiah 4:25 above.) That social sin could lead to social discord and the future of Zarahemla will attest that it leads to social fission. Under these circumstances it is obvious why the Nephites would have their remission of sins tied to their ability to impart of their substance to the needy.