Boaz is a Benjamin figure — a man in a position of authority who is kind to a poor woman gleaning in his fields, who responds generously when she approaches him as a beggar, and who follows Israelite law and town customs as he provides for her. Benjamin's teachings illuminate the virtue and nobility of Boaz.
The Shema in the Book of Mormon
The Shema — the central prayer of Judaism, from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 — is never quoted in the Book of Mormon, but its influence is pervasive. Echoes of the Shema appear as Nephite prophets teach their children, cultivate a holistic religious practice, and urge people to let God's word sink deep into their hearts.
An Offering for Sin
Lehi and his descendants followed the law of Moses, including offering sacrifices. Book of Mormon prophets used that practice to teach their people about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to encourage them to live a consecrated life.
The More They Afflicted Them…
Leadership by compulsion trades long-term loyalty for short-term compliance. Pharaoh oppressed the Israelites, and they multiplied. Noah oppressed his people, and they rebelled against him. In contrast, Benjamin earned his people's trust by serving them. Only leadership by persuasion can yield durable results.
Eulogy vs. Resume
Columnist David Brooks suggested that we prioritize goals which would belong in our eulogy over goals which we would include in our resume. Joseph Smith and King Benjamin both demonstrated that our two most important goals are God's approval and strong relationships with other people.
A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
The Lord advised the early Saints to offer prayers of "praise and thanksgiving." Thanksgiving is informed joy, with an awareness of its source. Praise is generalized gratitude, directed to the Giver of joy. The two are complementary. We can thank God for specific blessings and acknowledge Him as the ultimate Giver of all good gifts.
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.
Recorded on Earth and in Heaven
The records we keep may be longer-lasting than we realize. Joseph Smith taught that some of "the books" by which we will be judged are the records we keep on the earth. Wilford Woodruff urged us to write our important experiences, promising that what we record on earth will be recorded in heaven.
Seeing the Face of God
The first verse of Doctrine and Covenants 93 lays out a simple formula: Those who follow Christ will come to know Him. He promises that we will "see [His] face and know that [He is]," which implies far more than being in His presence. It means that we will understand and recognize Him.
Living, Moving, Being
Paul told the Athenians God is close to each of us. "In him we live, and move, and have our being." King Benjamin taught the same principle. It's easy to ignore the incredible miracles in our everyday lives: our beating hearts, our self-healing bodies, our autonomy, and the beauty of the world around us.