Welcome to Part 2 with Dr. Sean Hopkins, 2 Samuel and First Kings.

Let's move then to what I think will be the last thing that we discuss.

We've already given a nod to Solomon's challenges.

He's going to struggle with these same things that David struggles with,

that being what the restoration scripture warns against,

which is to gratify your pride and exercise unrighteous dominion. He's going to have

conscripted service. And let me just give this quick nod before we move then to talk about the

temple. There is another leadership principle that Solomon ends up betraying and that is he gets the

benefits that he wants in a way that works short term but is going to lay the foundation for

long term challenges and disunity in his kingdom when he over taxes or over conscripts or is too demanding in a way that is unhealthy,

then he's preparing his kingdom for future dissolution.

And I do think we at times will use shortcuts to get the effects that we want.

We can do this as parents.

We can do this as leaders.

We can do this with each other.

I think the other leadership principles in Doctrine and Covenants 121 that we've been

quoting from so often, gentleness and meekness and persuasion, love unfained,

reproving but times with sharpness and moved upon

by the Holy Spirit, and then showing forth an increase of love. These are the long-term strategies

that are going to give the best fruits over the long haul. Solomon, unfortunately, with all the

grandeur and all the early wisdom, he does some things that are going to

set his son up for failure and the future kingdom up for failure. Let's be careful to build

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