The importance of leading by example

This last week I have read about King Benjamin and also King Noah. Two completely opposite leaders in the Book of Mormon.

King Benjamin loved those whom he served. He thought of their welfare and how he could serve. he knew that as he served them, he was serving God; and that was his biggest desire. He worked along side them. He took care of himself and others around him. He taught those around him of Jesus Christ and of his atonement. He prayed for them and he listened to the spirit and taught then the will of Heavenly Father. He called them together, to the temple, to inspire and instruct them and to feed them spiritually. His love of God was evident by how he loved those he served.

King Noah was completely opposite. He chose to not follow the commandments. He was very selfish. He had everyone work and took part of their profits to live by. He did not teach the people to walk in the ways of the Lord or anything about Him. In fact, when Abinadi teaches them the people are honestly confused why he is saying that what they are doing is wrong.  They haven’t been taught what is right. His heart was hardened to righteous ways. He only cared for himself, which is evident when the Lamanites attack and he encourages those with him to leave their wives and children.

Does it matter how we lead ? Absolutely!  Does it matter how we serve? Absolutely!   Will we be held accountable for what we teach or do not teach those around us?  Absolutely!

That can be very overwhelming and can create guilt, and that is the plan of the adversary, to discourage and to make us feel less than. But, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we have the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ. We have been given the gift of the Holy Ghost to assist us in this work here on the earth.  Each Sunday as we partake of the Sacrament, we have the opportunity to have Christ’s spirit with us. There is power in that. He knows we are not perfect and that we are trying our best to remember who we are and how to serve and to love those around us.

There is power when we remember that. I could think of the last 23 years as a mother, and it is really easy to see what I could have done better. And it is destructive to my spirit to go there. There is nothing I can change. Except my knowledge to see what worked and what didn’t work. And now to do a little better and be a little better. When I encourage myself this way, the spirit can be with me more to assist me in doing my Father’s will today.

I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and for the opportunity this week to read, study and ponder about the importance of how I lead. I am so grateful for our prophet in these latter-days, President Russell M. Nelson. He is like King Benjamin, a loving, joyful and righteous leader that shows his love for his Father and Savior, by loving those he serves. And challenging us to become whom the Lord needs us to be.