In Mosiah 9 there is a fascinating scriptural insight that we miss if we don’t pay close attention. Zeniff had been working as a spy for the Nephite armies. He had been sent to the Lamanites to observe their actions.

He was focused on studying the enemy. He makes a powerful observation in verse one: “when I saw that which was good among them I was desirous that they should not be destroyed” (Mosiah 9:1).

Zeniff’s observations and insightful are powerful. Most of us never take the time to see the good in our enemy or adversary.

Many times, we just take things at face value or on the opinions of others. Zeniff is teaching us the power of “righteous observation.”

Righteous observation is where we can look at anything and see the good.  A great scriptural example of this is in Lehi’s dream.

Nephi in “seeing what his father saw” noticed something his father had not highlighted.

Nephi noted: “And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the fountain of filthy water which thy father saw; yea, even the river of which he spake; and the depths thereof are the depths of hell” (1 Nephi 12:16).

After his vision, Nephi’s brothers wanted to know details of what he saw. He shared this insight with them: “And they said unto me: What meaneth the river of water which our father saw?

And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water” (1 Nephi 15:26-27).

I love that Lehi’s mind was swallowed up in other things. What if our mind was swallowed up in seeing that which was good?

I submit this would bless our lives in a lasting and powerful way.

I am grateful as a young man that many wonderful youth leaders saw that which was good in me.

I was immature, childish, insecure, and struggling to find my place. I had wise and caring leaders who inspired me and stirred in me desires to love, serve and obey God.

May we see that which is good in others, for that is a greater view, a Godly view.