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.
Climbing the Ladder
Jacob saw in vision a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. Lehi similarly saw a path leading to the tree of life marked by an iron rod. God has prepared a way for us to return to Him, and He invites us to climb the ladder and follow the path.
Alma, Probation, and the Tree of Life
Alma reads the ending of Genesis 3 with an assumption of God’s love rather than fear or envy. He interprets the cherubim not as a permanent barrier, but as a temporary restriction that establishes a probationary period—a gift of time for repentance and growth before Adam and Eve partake of the tree of life.
Numberless
Awe inspires humility. It can also build faith. God showed Abraham, Moses, Lehi, and Nephi the vastness of His creations and emphasized to Abraham and Nephi the enormity of their own posterity. This awareness can empower us to trust Him and do our work with greater confidence.
“Take Especial Care of Your Family”
God told Brigham Young to “take especial care of your family.” That counsel still stands today. President Dallin H. Oaks recently reminded us that family work, recreation, and learning are sacred priorities. When we turn off distractions, we will find sufficient time to fulfill our family responsibilities.
In Derision
Derision and mockery—treating someone as though they were beneath us or even worthless—are foolish because they are inaccurate. All of God's children have inestimable worth. Mistreating them reveals more about our blindness than about their weakness. Therefore, we should ignore contemptuous language, even when it comes from supposed friends or even from ourselves.
Springing Up
The tree of life in Lehi's dream also functions as a fountain of living water. Alma said that the tree of life can grow in our hearts. Jesus promised a well of living water in the hearts of those who follow Him. Both the tree and the fountain "spring up," lifting us closer to God.
“My Mind Caught Hold”
In Lehi's dream, people "caught hold of...the rod of iron," which led them to the tree. After an angel rebuked Alma, his mind "caught hold upon" the thought that Jesus could save him. We can figuratively catch hold of this truth in our moments of darkness
“We Talk of Christ”
Nephi tells us that he consistently taught his children about Christ, because he wanted them to know where to turn to overcome their sins. Sometimes those words aren't well-received at first, but they may eventually become a lifeline in a time of need.