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In the current publication of the Book of Mormon, Mosiah Chapter 21 the King referenced is Mosiah:
28 And now Limhi was again filled with joy on learning from the mouth of Ammon that king Mosiah had a gift from God, whereby he could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice.
Similarly in Ether Chapter 4:
1And the Lord commanded the brother of Jared to go down out of the mount from the presence of the Lord, and write the things which he had seen; and they were forbidden to come unto the children of men until after that he should be lifted up upon the cross; and for this cause did king Mosiah keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should show himself unto his people.

However, when the Book of Mormon was originally published, both of these passages referenced King Benjamin not King Mosiah. How can that be?
The Book of Mormon is the keystone to the Mormon religion and was translated verbatim by the direct power of God.

Ah, 'scribal error' I hear people cry.

Just how likely is it that a scribe would mistake the word 'Benjamin' for the word 'Mosiah' either in terms of hearing it or transferring it from a written manuscript? Especially given that these are separate passages from separate Books translated at different times?

The 'mistake' was obviously discovered when someone examined closely the chronology of the Book of Mormon and discovered that Benjamin wasn't alive at the time he was supposed to be during these two references, oops!

I have seen the theories put forward by apologists and I'm afraid they don't cut it with me.
Scribal error is a nonsense as an argument in this case.
That the supposed original writers on the gold plates did not know of Benjamin's death and assumed he was still King when they recorded these passages also makes no sense. If they got it wrong then God would have corrected it during the translation.
Unless God didn't want it corrected.

I have not seen any explanation offered by any General Authority of the Church, save it to say (disingenuously in my opinion) that there have been a few grammatical and contextual changes to the Book of Mormon.

Can this error be defended or is it confirmation of the true source for the Book of Mormon?

An old chestnut, defensed long ago:

"The use of the proper name "Benjamin" in the two instances described may represent either an abridgment error on the part of Mormon and Moroni, or it may be a legitimate description of what Ammon actually said to King Limni based upon his current knowledge of the situation in Zarahemla. The Prophet apparently noted a possible discrepancy based upon his reading of the text, and changed the name "Benjamin" to "Mosiah." Both Mormon and Moroni acknowledged that the record that they had created was not perfect."

Take your pick.

I guess the follow up question becomes: Why didn't God correct it at the time He was producing the Book of Mormon through Joseph Smith?

Although I do not claim to know the "true" answer, my thought is that it was correct in the original and that Joseph amended it in a later edition because he thought it was in error.

The original name actually works in the Book of Mormon history, but at first glance, it seems to be anachronous.

At least, that is my recollection from many years ago when I looked at the issue.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

I guess the follow up question becomes: Why didn't God correct it at the time He was producing the Book of Mormon through Joseph Smith?

This is along the lines of the erroneous 24/7 connection to God argument. Why did God allow the early Christian church to fall into apostasy? Why did God allow the Bible to be corrupted (as the Book of Mormon also teaches)? The answer to all those questions is God give man their agency. He gives them His word and sees what we will do with it.

My question is, does this anachronism change any eternal truths? My answer is, no, it doesn't.

I have two responses to this:
1 - Joseph Smith said: "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

We are all familiar with this quote. But the most "correct" in what? Geographical description? Grammatical Construction? Consistency of story development? No. none of these things, it is the most correct book in accomplishing that which Joseph said, allowing "a man would [to] get nearer to God" In light of this, I could careless if the names of individuals in the book were CONSTANTLY mistaken and confusingly misapplied. This simply does not take away from the substance of the book and its over-arching purpose, that of: Convincing Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and that Salvation is to be found in Him and no other way. The principles found in the Book of Mormon are in fact the most correct of any book found on the face of the earth, I have found this to be true in my own life.

2- Is it possible that God allows mortal errors to exist in a work that even He helped bring to pass? In my own personal opinion yes, I think he does. But why? My opinion: God wants us to go to Him to find out if something is true, not rely upon our own judgement in contriving facts, archeology, grammatical construction, story development or anything else like unto these things to prove the truthfulness of a work. Therefore when "supposed" errors might exist this tests our faith, and proves us whether we will rely upon the world and its supposed truths, or if we will turn to the God of Heaven and seek his guidance and understanding. The choice is yours, you can highlight all of the errors your heart desires until you have convinced yourself that the Book of Mormon is false. But I witness that I have sought God's guidance and have applied the formula Jesus Christ Gave for finding if a principle or doctrine is true: "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." I strive to do this, and in doing so I find the principles taught in the Book of Mormon true, and everlastingly significant.