Text: Because a chapter begins here in the 1830 edition, Mormon probably marked it in some way as a division on the plates. Such breaks between the end of a copied speech and before another begins commonly correspond to chapter breaks in the English versions. Mormon presents a summary of what happens next. The text switches from discourse to narrative, as Benjamin sends messengers among the people to get their reply.
Culture: Unlike their earlier outcry and falling to the earth, which Benjamin had observed personally from his tower, he now requires a more extensive canvassing. Perhaps this break was also an opportune time for Benjamin to rest, for the people to talk among themselves, and perhaps also time to cook and eat a meal. Other sermons from Nephi and Jacob appear to have been delivered over two days. Perhaps this one was similarly divided between two days.
Benjamin’s messengers were asking a particular question: Were the people willing to enter into a new covenant, accept a new name, and become a new people? (v. 6). This issue is, for Benjamin, much more important than the coronation of the next king. Because the covenant is communal, not individual, he seeks a communal response. Benjamin cannot be satisfied with a vague impression of a positive response. Rather, he needs to know that the whole community is ready to undertake this change.