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I am nothing

King Benjamin's address is one of the most powerful things in the Book of Mormon (and that's saying something). There is much that is laid out in the way of doctrine and precepts that are some of the most fundamental tenets that we adhere to as Latter-Day Saints. To name a few:

1. Service. Service is given to God as a refining, dignifying, and empowering resource in our lives. It enables us to bless and lift each other beyond what we otherwise would. And as I mentioned in yesterday's post, it is through service to our fellow beings that we serve our God.

2. Our interaction with our fellowmen. This one is easy: we are all beggars. We beg for everything, and we are ultimately unprofitable servants. It is only by the grace of God our Heavenly Father that we exist from day to day. We owe it to our fellowmen to share what we have - each according to that which he has received - so that they may be rich like us. And he mentions the attitude we must strike - if I had, I would give - when we do not have enough. Further, we must teach our children to walk peaceably, to not fight and quarrel with one another, but to seek opportunities to bless and serve each other.

3. Our position with relation to the Almighty. He is the Almighty. Compared to Him, we are less than the dust of the earth - at least the dust of the earth obeys His commands; we do not. If we begin to lean on our own wisdom and/or merits, we are left to ourselves. That road leads invariably to hell.

4. Moreover... King Benjamin wants us not to dwell on our own nothingness and unworthiness, but to dwell on the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments of God. We are blessed in all things. Alma says that he doesn't want his son to dwell on his sins, except with that weight which brings one down to humility and repentance. We have all committed sin, yet through the glorious atonement of Christ we can be saved. That is the happiest of all thoughts, and one in which our lives must be centered.

5. We must watch ourselves. We are by nature carnal and devilish. The flesh is very strong in overcoming the discipline that we would establish for ourselves. But being a disciple (same root word as discipline) requires self-control, self-mastery, and sacrifice of all things. All things. Every thing that keeps us from enjoying the true measure of our eternal blessings must be eliminated. Once we have made this sacrifice, we find ourselves free all over again - in fact, more free.

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