1 Nephi 14
Heroes hearken unto the Lamb of God and harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God. Nephi understood that if we follow these two hero patterns we will be blessed, insomuch that the Lord will “manifest himself unto [us] in word, and also in power…unto the taking away of [our] stumbling blocks.” Heroes are successful not because they don’t have temptations and adversities. Rather, heroes succeed because they hearken to the Lord’s commandments with a willing heart which enables the Lord to assist them in their endeavors, to help them climb up their mountains, and to make a way for them to escape temptation or endure hardship (see 2 Nephi 4:31-34).
Moses explained this law of obedience to the Israelites so that they would understand that the Lord would assist and bless them when they kept his commandments. And if they would not keep his commandments, He could not help them. They would be left on their own to accomplish their endeavors. “And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good…If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul” (Deut. 30:9-10, see also verses 15-20).
Because of their obedience and faithfulness, the Lord was with Moses and Nephi. When heroes hearken to God’s commandments and harden not their hearts the Lord makes them “plenteous” and helps them prosper in their endeavors even when their “numbers are few” (see Judges 7). As a result of their obedience, heroes are “armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” President Thomas S. Monson said, “Obedience is the hallmark of prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages. It is essential for us to realize that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge. It is readily available to each of us today as we obey God’s commandments.”
As heroes are anxiously engaged in this the Lord’s “great and…marvelous work” to bring forth Zion, He prepares “the way for the fulfilling of his covenants” that He might lead us “unto peace and life eternal.” President Gordon B. Hinckley testified that our happiness, our peace, our progress, our prosperity, and our eternal salvation and exaltation “lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of…God.”