Jephthah and Amalickiah both made rash promises, and both paid a tragic price. Jephthah lost his daughter; Amalickiah lost his life. No wonder the Savior would later counsel His disciples on both continents, "Swear not at all; ... but let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay, for whatsoever cometh of more than these is evil."
Love Your Enemies
When Jesus taught "love your enemies" in the Sermon on the Mount, He was reclaiming the original meaning of the law He gave to Moses, not superseding it. He reminded the Nephites that He gave that law. The imperative to love people who are difficult to love has been taught by prophets in all ages.
Applying Our Hearts to Understanding Exodus 21-23
Abinadi rebuked King Noah's priests for not applying their hearts to understanding. As we study the law of Moses, we can apply our hearts by extracting the key principles. Specific rules about stray livestock, borrowed tools, and farm fields turn out to teach restitution, empathy, care for the vulnerable, and even love for our enemies.
Bitter
Disciples of Christ absorb bitterness. Imagine the impact as people experience suffering without passing it along and without letting it define them! Like the maror in the Seder service preceding the Paschal lamb, our suffering can turn our hearts to Christ, who can replace the bitterness with exquisite joy.
Merciful Messengers
Noah, Lehi, and the Jaredite prophets all delivered messages which their people rejected. We sometimes say, "Don't shoot the messenger." We should probably add, "Don't ignore the messenger." Human nature leads us to resist change, but God mercifully sends prophets to prompt action that invites His saving power into our lives.
The Hebrew Bible: Origins and Structure
The Hebrew Bible consists of three collections of books: the Torah (the Five Books of Moses), the Neviʾim (the Prophets), and the Ketuvim (the Writings). We can be grateful to generations of Jewish scholars and religious leaders who carefully preserved, edited, and transmitted these sacred texts, enabling us to study them today.
Predicated
Joseph Smith taught that blessings are predicated on laws. However, it's important to remember three related principles: (1) We exercise agency within the context of the gifts we have already received from God. (2) We don't earn blessings; we qualify for them. (3) God provides promised blessings in His time and in His way.
“Let Your Hearts Rejoice”
Joseph Smith ended a letter to the church with a rousing invitation: "Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad." There are many reasons why we don't allow ourselves to feel joy, including ingratitude, perfectionism, conformity, and misguided empathy. Joy can be contagious, and our examples of joyful living may inspire and uplift others.
Upholding the First Presidency
From 1830 to 1835, the Lord gradually revealed the governance structure of His church, including the three men who form the First Presidency. He taught that they are "upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church." We can support our new First Presidency by praying for them, listening to them, and defending them.
How to Pray for Your Enemies
In the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer, Joseph Smith models an approach to praying for our enemies. He expresses hearfelt empathy for those who have been wronged and a desire for their deliverance, but he also expresses a sincere hope that the offenders will change their hearts and receive God's grace.