Jethro counseled Moses to share the burden of leadership, warning him that he was burning himself out. Mosiah explained the same principle to his people: don't expect the leader to do all the work. The bad news is the leader can't do it all; the good news is they don't have to.
The Trial of Your Faith
Why did Abraham have to wait so long to receive promised blessings? Because the space between promise and fulfillment is where faith lives. During that period of uncertainty, Abraham had the opportunity not only to demonstrate his faith but also to refine it.
The God of Abraham
God chooses to be recognized by His interactions with prior generations. Abraham functions as a template for the covenant life. His descendants understand God through His interactions with Abraham, and they understand their identity as heirs of the blessings and the responsibilities of Abraham.
Multiply and Replenish
God wants His children to marry and raise children. When that is not possible, we can follow the example of Adam and Eve while they were still in the Garden of Eden: multiplying and replenishing the earth by tending the personal gardens in which God has placed us.
Acceptable Offerings
When we serve God diligently, our offering is acceptable even when circumstances prevent us from achieving all we hope for. The Saints in Missouri could not establish Zion, and Alma’s people did not remain free in Helam, yet God accepted their sincere efforts and blessed them for the faithfulness of their hearts.
Becoming and Remaining Pure in Heart
When are hearts are pure, we produce good fruit, we feel God's love, and we become prepared to meet Him. We become more pure by eliminating contaminants like pride and envy and by striving to live in accordance with God's will.
Fearless
Fear can inhibit our reception of light. God emphasized that point twice in Doctrine and Covenants 67. The remedy, as Alma's people learned is to (1) remember God's love for us, (2) intentionally calm our fears, and (3) pray for divine help. Faith in Jesus Christ can help us hush our fears and receive light.
After Much Tribulation…
In 1831, the Lord promised church members in Missouri, "After much tribulation come the blessings." President Henry B. Eyring explained that this is partly because we change as we endure afflictions faithfully. The Lord uses difficult experiences to polish us and help us achieve our full potential.
That Ye May Not Be Deceived
How do you know whom to trust? Alma taught his people they they should not trust teachers who break God's commandments. God reinforced this teaching in 1831. We should trust gospel teachers whose behavior matches their message and whose message is consistent with the truths we have already received from God.
Esteeming Your Brother as Yourself
The Lord commands us to esteem others as ourselves. Book of Mormon prophets teach this principle and warn us against placing ourselves above others. Peer relationships may generate unhealthy competition, but when we see one another through God's eyes, we can overcome this temptation and recognize the infinite worth of each of His children.