“Give Heed Unto the Word of the Lord”

K. Douglas Bassett

Alma 45:23-24; 37:43-44; 12:9; D&C 11:2/p>

“‘Heed,’ as it is used in the Book of Mormon, has a certain permanency about it that is opposite to temporary obedience or alternating ‘on again—off again’ obedience. It is understood that as you continue to heed the Lord, you will not waver, vacillate, or complain, but rather, you will weather the storm and persevere no matter what you may be called upon to endure: [1 Nephi 16:3]. Sometimes heed can mean to be careful. In King Benjamin’s great sermon, at the temple, he tells us that we must take upon ourselves the name of Christ and then be careful to avoid transgression:
“[Mosiah 5:11 and Moroni 7:14]… . The Prophet Joseph used the word heed in telling the brethren that their mind, or intellect, could learn more than they thought. Contrary to the ‘Fixed I.Q. Theory,’ he taught: ‘God has created man capable of instruction, with a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect.’ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 51.) Could not this same principle apply to the Spirit?” (Robert E. Wells, Doctrines of the Book of Mormon, 1991 Sperry Symposium, pp. 12-13)

Latter-Day Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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