Nephi listed a number of his people did which helped them to live "after the manner of happiness" (2 Nephi 5:27). Some of those activities involved family, work, and temple worship. God wants us to participate in activities which will bring us happiness.
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.
Sense and Insensibility
Lehi identifies "sense" and "insensibility" as opposite outcomes made possible by opposition. Sense means intentional awareness, so insensibility must mean intentional unawareness. We can choose to perceive and discern the good and the evil around us.
Land of Promise, Land of Liberty
Lehi told his sons that their new land of promise was a land of liberty, and that they would be free as long as they remained righteous. Freedom doesn't mean absolution from accountability. It means autonomy within the constraints of the law.
Acting for Myself
Lehi taught his sons that God wants us to act for ourselves, instead of being "acted upon." Elder David A. Bednar has applied that principle to many activities, not being offended, seeking the Holy Ghost, and engaging students in the learning process.
Jesus Is the Christ
The Greek word Christos means "the Anointed One." It is the equivalent of the Hebrew word Mashiach (Messiah). Lehi taught his children that the Messiah would be the Savior of the World. Nephi and Mormon testified that Jesus is the Christ.
Having Great Wrath
John said that, after the War in Heaven, Satan came to earth, "having great wrath." As a result, he would like us to become angry as well and to act on that anger. With God's help, we can overcome anger and choose reconciliation instead of contention.
Earning vs. Qualifying
God has promised us blessings which we can't earn, and He teaches us what actions we need to take in order to receive those blessings. Those actions qualify us to receive blessings which are only available through the merits and grace of Jesus Christ.
Out of Much Affliction
Three principles from Paul about suffering: 1. God loves us and will comfort us when we suffer. 2. Suffering can result in growth and progression with God's help. 3. We can find joy when we suffer, particularly when we maintain an eternal perspective.
Firstfruits
God commanded ancient Israel to bring their first crops each year to His house. Why were those crops considered holy? Because they represented the Savior, "the firstfruits of them that slept." Jesus overcame death so that all of us can rise from the dead.