Melchizedek and Benjamin

Today I just wanted to take some time to talk about the righteous prophet kings of Israel. For most the most part, being a prophet king has got to be taxing. Even Alma who came later then Benjamin, sure he was not a king but he was a government leader (a chief judge) and he had troubles leading the people and the church because of wickedness. Now I do not know of the condition of the Israelites during Melchizedek's reign but I have read Benjamin's account and you watch as he asks the people to step up and be men and women who love and embrace Christ.

If Benjamin's story was similar to Melchizedek's then to be known as the Prince of Peace meant that he had to really work on the people’s righteousness. There had to be meeting with the people on a daily basis and like Benjamin a lot of public speaking. It is no wonder that someone like Abraham and Mosiah came out of such kingdoms with the spirit burning in their souls and a strong desire to follow Christ that lasted for many generations.

I know that there has been other kings mentioned in the scriptures but they were not prophets (as far as my memory serves) and because of that may of got in some trouble because they were not the mouth piece of God. They had the prophet close but like the Holy Ghost drew close or away based on personal decisions. I know that you are all thinking about David and Salomon but I want to remind you that there were other kings and princes that are not mentioned or briefly mentioned in the scriptures that had access to the prophet and didn't take it.

There has been conquering governments that had Israel in it and they have succeeded because of the righteousness of the king, for example Egypt and Babylon had success because of a righteous people living in the land. The moment that the people left or more importantly righteousness left the government failed. The same is true in the Book of Mormon where people just fell from grace and turn their faces away from the Lord and war, pestilence and famine destroyed a once delight-some people.

Though we do not have a prophet king in our mist, let us look to the example of the children of Israel and be a righteous and delight-some people by doing the basics; praying, reading the scriptures, repenting and partaking of the sacrament.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Lesson 4: Abraham

Abraham was a convert to the church or at least came from a partly active family. Really? Sure. Just look at the facts, his father worshiped other gods (nothing about mother) but some how his family was able to keep the faith. Others in his family were church members (Lot for example) so it goes to say that the link of the religion of Noah had kept something. I wonder how the church survived in that length of time. Certainly during that time there were prophets and possibly apostles, high priests, priests, teachers and deacons, but I believe that it was a hard time. King Melchizedek was lord of the land at the time and was known as the prince of peace and Abraham served him as a military leader and had money and power. So how does a man who has it all and could of followed in his father steps followed the lord. I am reminded of kings in the Book of Mormon who also had power and money followed the Lord as well. King Melchizedek followed possibly the example of Enoch who was king of a city also and that city went to heaven so to follow that example would be as awesome. What a legacy.
Now getting back to Abraham. Here was a man who followed the Lord and honored his king and obeyed the laws of God. Who married his wife (one of three wives that he would have in his life) and hoped for more children only to have one from his first and perhaps his most beloved wife Sarai (later called Sarah by the Lord for her righteousness). What a memorable man who would do anything to be obedient even risk the life of his only son Isaac for the Lord. The man went on some long journeys, married his wife's handmaiden and bore a son who also would become the father of many nations like Isaac, Ishmael.
The one thing that I want to know is what the prophet Abraham did as the prophet of God and what he taught the Hebrew people. Surely he was not a righteous man unto himself but had to teach and uplift the Hebrews to be the people of God. There are so many things that I would like to learn about him.