Recently, scholars studying the farewell speeches of ancient leaders, both military and political, found many similarities. Several specific themes stand out in the speeches, making it seem as if most of the speakers followed a traditional pattern. These same themes are present in the farewell speeches in the Book of Mormon, including in King Benjamin’s final address to his people. It would have been nearly impossible for Joseph Smith to know the themes of a classic farewell address, as no significant information about these patterns had been published at the time. (See Echoes, 338–340).