Dependence on the Lord and the keeping of His commandments comes when we have developed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and place ourselves in service to others. Too often, people do not ask, seek, ponder, and search truth without the intent to follow. Sometimes the traditions of our fathers are easier to follow.“False traditions are the currency of devils and fill the treasure houses of hell. With them the prince of darkness has purchased his own prophets, priests, and kings. With them he has possessed nations and generations of people. Of them Joseph Smith said: they are as ‘an iron yoke,’ ‘a strong band...the very handcuffs, and chains, and shackles, and fetters of hell’ (D&C 123:8). As the Jews lost the revelation of Sinai in their traditions, making the commandments of none effect, so the traditions of Christianity supplanted that which was brought by the Messenger of the Covenant in the meridian of time, leaving Christian and Jew to wander alike in darkness (see Matthew 15:6; Malachi 3:1).” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p. 198)
The Lamanites believed they were wronged in the land of their inheritance. Do we not see this today in America, even other parts of the world; a sense of entitlement? Something is owed to a person, or people because their ancestors were wronged in the past? “A prime excuse for one's own folly is to blame someone else for it. At this the Lamanites were masters. They justified their own faults by accusation. The mirror in which they saw themselves, distorted and confused the past. They forgot that the Lord favored Nephi because he was more diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord.” (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p. 115)
As President Hinckley liked to say: "Let us try a little harder to be a little better." Seek opportunities to serve another, and have the Spirit with us to discern what is right.
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