Today I read Jonah 3. I have always liked this chapter because, to my knowledge, it is the only instance in all of the scriptures where an entire people repent. The Lamanites during the mission of the sons of Mosiah is a close second, but this is the only one I know of where everyone does it. And that is a really awesome thing. So often in the scriptures we read about how the people refused to repent and ignored the prophet, or called them a false prophet. But the people of Nineveh did not do that. I believe that in large part, it was due to the example of their king.
Mosiah taught the people in the Book of Mormon that a wicked king leads his people to do much iniquity. The flip side of that coin though is that a righteous king leads people to do that which is right. People look to the example of their leaders. We can see that in the history of the United States of America. When JFK told the country that they should not ask what the country can do for them, but rather what they can do for their country, people took it to heart. Now that our leaders are saying we need to take care of the people, people are responding to that too. Just like children emulate their parents, people emulate their leaders. If you are in a position of authority, then you need to make sure you are on the ball because your every move will be scrutinized. Make sure you are setting the right example. Until tomorrow.
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