The two towers

I couldn't resist the Lord of the Rings reference. Building on the idea of the Tower of Babel as anti-Zion from yesterday's post, there is another tower in the Book of Mormon: The tower that King Benjamin erected when he spoke to the people. It is another illustration of the contrast between elevating yourself and letting God lift you, that was discussed yesterday. Consider first the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:4

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Compare with what King Benjamin said when standing on a different tower in Mosiah 5:10-11

10 And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God.

11 And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts.

King Benjamin's tower is not the New Jerusalem but he certainly used his tower to preach principles on which Zion is built. They stand in stark contrast to the Tower of Babel

• Rather than making themselves their own name, King Benjamin wanted his people to take upon them the name of Christ
• Rather than elevating himself, King Benjamin didn't claim to be anything more than the dust of the earth and spent his life serving others. His message was given from a tower, not to elevate himself, but to reach out to the people around him.

People who follow King Benjamin's example will eventually be lifted by God to mount Zion. The Tower of Babel on the other hand falls in the great and spacious building/great and abominable church category: All constructions made by man to elevate himself but ultimately falling to the dust.