Saul had a problem with accountability because he feared the people he led more than he trusted God. He could have benefited from Lehi's warning to his sons: Don't heed those who mock you. Don't compromise your principles to appease those who may not share your values.
Joseph and Nephi
Joseph's brothers resented his dreams foretelling their subservience to him. Laman and Lemuel resented Nephi for the same reason. Their anger reflected their own insecurities. Nephi and Joseph were wise to "heed them not," but to move forward, trusting God.
“Fear Ye Not the Reproach of Men” – 2 Nephi 8:7
Faith in God includes prioritizing His words over the words of other people. To ancient Israel, through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord counseled, "Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings" (2 Nephi 8:7, Isaiah 51:7). Then He asked the following rhetorical question: Who art thou, that thou shouldst... Continue Reading →
The Fulness of Mine Intent – 1 Nephi 6:4-5
4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. 5 Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God... Continue Reading →
Foolish and Blind Guides – Helaman 13:29
29 O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?(Helaman 13:29)Why would you follow a... Continue Reading →