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.
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.
“Let Your Families Be Small”
God instructed church members in Kirtland, Ohio to keep their families small "as pertaining to those who do not belong to your families." He was reminding them that they didn't have unlimited resources. We can love all of God's children and also be good financial stewards, realistic about what we can reasonably give.
Uzzah, Zerubbabel, and the Priesthood Order in Doctrine and Covenants 85
Uzzah died because the Israelites didn't follow the Lord's instructions for moving the ark of the covenant. A group of Levites were temporarily unable to serve in the temple until their eligibility could be verified. Both stories illustrate an important principle: If you're going to do God's work, you need to do it God's way.
Family and Church
King Benjamin emphasized care in expanding circles: self, family, and others. The Lord reaffirms this pattern in modern revelation: children have claim first upon their parents and then upon the church. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must wisely balance self-reliance, family care, and contributions to the Lord’s storehouse.
The Former Sins
The Lord said, "Unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return." He wasn't threatening to reinstate a penalty He had erased; He was cautioning against sliding back into harmful habits. Sin brings sorrow, and the Savior can help us not only eliminate sin but also keep it away permanently.