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.
Noah, Babylon, and the Slipperiness of Political Power
King Noah trusted too much in his political power and failed to recognize the real dangers he and his people faced. When his power failed, it was sudden and dramatic. The king of Babylon suffered a similar fate. Worldly power and influence is temporary.
“In the Strength of the Lord”
Zeniff and his people were able do defend themselves because they fought "in the strength of the Lord." When they later relied on their own strength, they were conquered. We need God's enabling power in order to overcome challenges and achieve our goals.
In the Wilderness
We can learn a lot about navigating our wildernesses from Zeniff and Limhi. 1. Wandering is expected. 2. You may find unexpected treasures along the way. 3. You may be better off than you were before. 4. You will be motivated to put your trust in God.
“They Wearied Him with Their Teasings”
Mosiah sent a search party to find the people of Zeniff after his people "wearied him with their teasings." Two lessons: #1. Don't stop asking if something is important. #2 Pay attention to repeated requests from the people you love.
That Space Between Naïveté and Paranoia
Zeniff trusted people, and the king of the Lamanites exploited that trust. His grandson Limhi was far more cautious. We need to find a balance: set appropriate boundaries and mitigate risks, but remember that trust is the lifeblood of relationships.
Another Spirit
A shoe manufacturer sends two employees to a remote region to evaluate prospects for expanding its business. The first employee writes, "Situation hopeless. No one wears shoes." The second employee writes, "Glorious business opportunity! They have no shoes!" (Adapted from The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander, Harvard Business School Press,... Continue Reading →
Mosiah 9: The Book of Mormon Podcast
I had the privilege today of participating in an episode of The Book of Mormon Podcast, which is a weekly podcast hosted by Kevin and Shelbi Stanfill. Here's a link to the episode: https://anchor.fm/christccpodcast-bom
“In the Strength of the Lord” -Mosiah 9:17, Mosiah 10:10
Zeniff made a significant miscalculation: He unwisely trusted the king of the Lamanites and placed his people in danger as a result. Having seen "that which was good among [the Lamanites]" (Mosiah 9:1), he failed to recognize and manage the risks of living in their land, vastly outnumbered by them. Then, one day, everything changed.... Continue Reading →
How Does the Lord Strengthen Us?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi affirms that God will take care of the people who strive to obey Him. Nephi listed three ways that God does this: "He doth nourish them" - helps them maintain their physical and spiritual health "and strengthen them" - empowers them to do things they couldn't... Continue Reading →