1 Kings 12

As I read the 12th Chapter of Kings, I couldn't help but think of political divisiveness of our day. Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam reveal foolishness in their day as we may in our day. First, Rehoboam -

"...consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 12:6 - 10)

As a result of over taxation and less freedoms, the majority of Israel rebelled and the great nation was split. As Jeroboam became the leader of the northern tribes he was concerned that faithful Israelites would continue to worship in Jerusalem which may result with political pressure to join with Rehoboam for he -

"...said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 12:26 - 27)

In an unrighteous effort to maintain control and power, Jeroboam -

"...took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
29 And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan.
30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Beth-el, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Beth-el the priests of the high places which he had made.
33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 12:28 - 33)

In both cases, these leaders failed to consider the King of all and His commandment to -

"...serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 4:2)