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.
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.
We Believe
Collective affirmations of believe can be a powerful unifying experience. King Benjamin's people and the original twelve apostles all began declarations of faith with the words "we believe." Joseph Smith followed the same pattern in writing the Articles of Faith. Our shared convictions unite us and enable us to strengthen one another in our faith.
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.
Our Emerging Redemption
The Atonement of Jesus Christ can uplift and purify us today, as Alma and King Benjamin's people can testify. This "preparatory redemption" foreshadows the perfected redemption promised in Doctrine and Covenants 45, when every wound is healed and every obstacle to our eternal joy has been removed.
No More Desire to Do Evil
It's wonderful to discipline ourselves to do what's right, but God has promised something better. He has promised to change our desires. As we draw closer to Jesus Christ, He fills our lives with light, and there is less and less room for darkness.
Being the Father and the Son
Jesus is both the Father and the Son in at least four ways: 1. He submits His will to His Father and He offers us new life. 2. He created the earth, then lived on it. 3. He is completely unified with HIs Father 4. His mortal body was subject to His spirit
Retain the Name
Benjamin invited his people to take upon themselves the name of Christ after they had been spiritually reborn and had made a covenant with God. What more did they need to do? They needed to engage in the relationship. Relationships require effort. They are not static.
His Name
An angel taught King Benjamin that we are saved through faith in the Savior's name. Why His name? Because names represent our essence, and the way we treat people's names reflects our relationship with them.
Mercy
1. God is merciful. 2. He extends "arms of mercy" toward us. 3. The Savior's bowels are filled with mercy because of what He suffered. 4. He earned the right to offer us mercy. We claim that mercy by repenting. 5. Mercy is central to God's plan for us.