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9 - 15 Mar - Learn With Joy and Not With Sorrow - Jacob 1 - 4

Jacob 1 - That We Might Persuade Them to Come Unto Christ I'm taking an online economics class right now, which prompted me to think of the definition of economics in the context of the scriptures. Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources. In the case of Nephi and his successor Jacob, the plates upon which they engraved their record was a scarce resource. They were costly to make and difficult to engrave, and instilling a tradition of passing them through generations was surely cumbersome.  Recognizing the great importance of spiritual things and the challenge of maintaining records, Nephi instructed Jacob to prioritize religious instruction saying, " if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people" (Jacob 1:4).   This priority was not only reflecte
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1 Nephi 1 - With All His Heart, in Behalf of His People


In the opening chapter of the Book of Mormon, we also learn about Lehi's experience as a prophet. He prayed on behalf of the people of Jerusalem and saw "many great and marvelous things" in a vision, and learned of the imminent destruction of Jerusalem due to wickedness. 

 "Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people (1 Nephi 1:5) ... he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God (1 Nephi 1:8). Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem—that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof (1 Nephi 1:13)."

 What stands out to me about this vision is that it was preceded by a sincere and urgent prayer "with his whole heart, in behalf of his people". God grants us insight, resources, confidence and ability when we are trying to help and serve others. Lehi's vision was not for his own edification, but prompted him to be a warning voice to the people of Jerusalem, and take action to save his family. 

 It has been my experience that direction and revelation is most likely to come when I seek it on behalf of others. In October 2008, President Thomas S. Monson taught, "when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help." If we are willing to be on the Lord's errand and lend ourselves to doing His work with our whole heart on behalf of the people around us, God will show us many great and marvelous things. We will have a greater understanding of God's love for us and his children. We will gain specific insights into the needs of others and how to meet them. We will have more confidence and ability to do things that are outside our comfort zones. 

 After seeing this vision, I find Lehi's response a little counterintuitive. Lehi praised God. Nephi states, "his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen" (1 Nephi 1: 15). He witnessed a vision of the destruction of his people and instead of being filled with terror or dejection he exclaimed "Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth" (1 Nephi 1: 14). How was Lehi able to rejoice in the mercy of God? Ultimately, it was his understanding of and confidence in God's plan to protect and save His children (if they would keep His commandments) that filled Lehi with hope and joy. Lehi explained "because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!"

 At the end of the chapter, Nephi frames the rest of his record and tells us how we should view the experiences he records. Nephi states: "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance" (1 Nephi 1:20). The rest of his record is not a history, or a compilation of teachings, but an allegory meant to illustrate the truth that Lehi rejoiced in: God will bless and deliver those who strive to follow him. 

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