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.
Boaz and Benjamin
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.
Being Holy
"Ye shall be holy," the Lord told Israel. Then He provided specific instructions for holy behavior, including caring for the vulnerable, dealing honestly, and loving our neighbors. King Benjamin taught these principles to his people, reminding them that no list could could anticipate every situation they would face.
Bezaleel
Moses selected a man named Bezaleel to lead the work of building the tabernacle. He executed the vision Moses had received, restraining the donations and overseeing the work of skilled craftsmen. When the work was done, Moses saw that it had been completed exactly as the Lord had specified.
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.
The Heaven and the Earth
Faith in God can begin with a sense of wonder at His creations. Nephi, Benjamin, Ammon and Aaron, Jesus, and Moroni all emphasized the Creation as a basis for belief in God.
“Take Especial Care of Your Family”
God told Brigham Young to “take especial care of your family.” That counsel still stands today. President Dallin H. Oaks recently reminded us that family work, recreation, and learning are sacred priorities. When we turn off distractions, we will find sufficient time to fulfill our family responsibilities.
Cheerfully
How can we calibrate our efforts in God's work? Joseph Smith wrote that we should "cheerfully do all things that lie in our power." Maybe "cheerfully" is the key. When our efforts are so intense that we feel miserable, we may need to simplify, trust God, and more fully experience the joy of gospel service.
The Poor (and the Rich) Shall Be Exalted
God has distributed resources unevenly on purpose: so that we learn to share with one another. His purpose is for the poor to be "exalted, in that the rich are made low." But Elder Uchtdorf has pointed out that giving blesses both the giver and the receiver, leading both toward exaltation.