Isaiah diagnoses Israel's core problem as a failure to know God. In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin teaches his people how to avoid the same fate. We know our Master, he explains, when we serve Him and when He is close to the thoughts and intents of our hearts.
Words
Principles about words in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes: 1. Words have great power to heal and to harm. 2. Lying and flattery are destructive. 3. Words can inflame or extinguish contention. 4. We are accountable for our words.
The Fear of the Lord Had Come Upon Them
Fear isn't always a bad thing. King Benjamin taught his people to always remember God's greatness and their nothingness. Enos worked to keep his people "in the fear of the Lord." When coupled with trust, that fear transforms from despair into confidence, because God responds with mercy and grace.
He Shall Direct Thy Paths
The wisdom literature of the Old Testament, specifically the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, focuses on several topics that are also prominent in the Book of Mormon, including disciplining speech and emotions, the corrupting influence of wealth, the dangers of pride, and the importance of family.
Psalms 121-130
121. Unto the Hills 122. Let Us Go into the House of the Lord 123. Unto Thee Lift I Up Mine Eyes 124. If It Had Not Been the Lord 125. As the Mountains 126. Turn Again Our Captivity 127. Children Are an Heritage 128. A Happy Household 129. Many a Time 130. De Profundis
Psalms 101-110
101: No Wicked Thing 102: Thou Art the Same 103: As a Father 104: How Manifold Are Thy Works! 105: He Hath Remembered His Covenant 106: They Soon Forgat His Works 107: Oh That Men Would Praise the Lord! 108: My Heart Is Fixed 109: Let Them Curse, but Bless Thou 110:The Order of Melchizedek
The Unhelpful Wisdom of Eliphaz
Job's friend Eliphaz taught true principles, including the law of the harvest, the impossibility of outsmarting God, and the need to submit to His correction. All true, and all echoed favorably in other scriptural passages. But none were helpful to Job because they were delivered judgmentally instead of empathetically.
These Sought Their Register
Ezra and Nehemiah describe the use of written registers to determine who was authorized to perform temple duties. The Book of Mormon expands this practice, recording names of people who were willing to keep God's commandments. Alma connected those records with heavenly ones, urging people to ensure their names are in the book of life.
My Name Shall Be There
God told Solomon that His name would be in the temple forever. He also warned that if Israel turned away from Him, the temple would be destroyed. How can both be true? The story of King Benjamin clarifies that those who worship in the temple can receive God's name in their hearts forever.
Will God Indeed Dwell on the Earth?
Solomon asked the searching question at the dedication of the temple, "Will God indeed dwell on earth?" The Book of Mormon provides a definitive answer when the resurrected Savior Jesus Christ visits a group of believers gathered at the temple in the land of Bountiful.