Moroni described his people as being "without principle." An unprincipled person is governed by passion instead of reason, and is therefore difficult to teach or lead. True joy comes only when we discipline ourselves to live according to true principles.
Samuel the Lamanite and Occam’s Razor
The people who chose not to believe Samuel after seeing his miraculous avoidance of their stones and arrows concocted far-fetched theories to explain away what they had seen. The simplest explanation isn't always right, but it's a good place to start.
Zeezrom and the Mob
Mob mentality means making decisions based on the expectations of a group. The mob in Ammonihah couldn't be convinced by a second witness (Amulek), a third witness (Zeezrom) or a miracle (deliverance from prison). We must make independent decisions.
“See, Here Is Water”
The eunuch said to Peter, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" Alma made a similar invitation to his people. We can emulate this action-orientation in our daily decisions by acknowledging what's possible and identifying roadblocks.
Being Wise
We often think of wisdom as something we gain over time, but Jacob urges us to "be wise," implying that we can make better use of the wisdom we have already gained. We do this by slowing down and by thinking about the potential consequences of our actions
Straightway
Mark tells us that when Jesus called Peter and Andrew to be His disciples, "They straightway left their nets and followed him." We likewise often need to act straightway, without unnecessary delays or detours.
“What Shall We Do Unto the Queen?”
It is generally a good idea to check in with experienced and capable people before making a significant decision. They may help you look at the problem from different perspectives, and they may recommend options you hadn't thought of. Hearing from a variety of people can enrich your experience and help you make better decisions... Continue Reading →
How Long Halt Ye?
Three years into a severe famine, Elijah asked King Ahab to gather his people. When they were all together, Elijah called out their tentativeness. "How long halt ye between two opinions?" he asked. "If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). In the King James Version, and in many other English translations of the... Continue Reading →
An Understanding Heart
After Solomon became king of Israel, God invited him to ask for a blessing (1 Kings 3:5, 2 Chronicles 1:7). Solomon could have requested so many things, including longevity, increased wealth, victory in battle, or a good reputation among leaders of other nations. But he didn't request any of these. He framed his simple request... Continue Reading →
The High Council of the Church of Christ
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.Proverbs 11:14 Alma was troubled. As the high priest over the church, he had taught church members "that there should be no contention one with another," but that they should have "their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another" (Mosiah 18:21). He taught them... Continue Reading →