Zeniff and his people were able do defend themselves because they fought "in the strength of the Lord." When they later relied on their own strength, they were conquered. We need God's enabling power in order to overcome challenges and achieve our goals.
Lehi and Jacob
Jacob learned from his father, Lehi: 1. Suffering can lead to blessings. 2. Jesus overcame sin and death. 3. The law enables both sin and righteousness. 4. The devil wants us to be miserable; God wants us to have joy. 5. We are free to choose.
Wretched
Both Nephi and Paul lamented their shortcomings by describing themselves as "wretched." But both of them recognized that Jesus can heal all the conflicts in our lives, including the rift between our expectations of ourselves and our actual behavior.
Merits and Mercy and Grace
Lehi explained that we can only return to God "through the merits, and mercy, and grace" of Jesus Christ. The second and third characteristics flow from the first: Jesus can extend mercy and grace to us because of his merits.
Unto You / Unto Us
The angel told the shepherds that he had good news for everyone, but then he made it personal: "Unto you is born...a Saviour." The Atonement of Jesus Christ is both universal and personal. It is for everyone, but we receive His power one by one.
…And Such Were Some of You
God invites sinners to turn to Him, so that He can help them overcome their sins. We don't have to repent before we can exercise faith in Him. We exercise faith in Him so that He can help us to repent!
Atonement and Reconciliation
To be "at one with" someone is to be in a state of agreement and peace. Jesus made it possible for our relationship with God to be healed, and one word for that reconciliation is "atonement," the gift which enables us to be "at one" with God.
Behold the Wounds!
Resurrected bodies are flawless, but Jesus was resurrected with His wounds still in place. He showed His wounds to a number of people. His wounds serve as evidence that He is the Christ. They are also symbols of the suffering that He bore for us.
Numbered with the Transgressors
Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be "numbered among the transgressors." He did this in at least 4 ways: 1. He became mortal. 2. He spent time with sinners. 3. He was condemned and punished like a sinner. 4. He absorbed the consequences of our sins.
Lifted Up
Jesus was lifted up—violently and painfully—so that we might also be lifted up—joyfully and gloriously. He spoke of His agony on the cross in terms of its purpose and effect. The fact that His execution was so public helped Him to accomplish its purpose.