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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 20 - Righteousness as the Waves of the Sea


Nephi quotes extensive passages of Isaiah and applies them to himself and his family "that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer" (1 Nephi 19:23). 

 One of the main themes of chapter 20 (see also Isaiah 48) is the nature and mission of Jesus Christ. We learn that Christ created the world (1 Nephi 20:13). He taught his people and performed miracles from the beginning of time to convince them of his power and divinity (1 Nephi 20:3). He invites all to "Come ye near unto [Him]" and emphasizes "I have not spoken in secret; from the beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me" (1 Nephi 20:16). His mission is to "teacheth [us] to profit," and "leadeth [us] by the way [we] shouldst go" (1 Nephi 20:17).

 We also get a glimpse into His patience with the House of Jacob (i.e. House of Israel, or Hebrews), which refers to members of the Church who have been adopted into the House of Jacob through baptism, and "modern descendants of ancient Israelite stock, who, because of God's fidelity to ancient covenants made with their forebears, are to become recipients of his blessings in the latter days" (Encyclopedia of Mormonism). As I liken this scripture unto myself, I can think of many times when I have demonstrated the hypocrisy, pride, and stubbornness exhibited by the House of Jacob, who:

  • swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet swear not in truth nor in righteousness (1 Nephi 20:1);
  • call themselves of the holy city, but do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel (1 Nephi 20:2);
  • art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass (1 Nephi 20:4);
  • heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; and whose  
  • ear was not opened.
Despite all of our personal failings, Christ is unceasingly patient and intent on our growth and progress. He strives to perfect us not because of any virtue we hold within ourselves, but because of his magnanimity, power and love. Even though he had a perfect foreknowledge of our imperfections, "for I knew that thou wouldst deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb," (1 Nephi 20:8) ... "Nevertheless, for my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off. For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this (1 Nephi 20:9-11). 

 Christ offers peace, righteousness, and joyful eternal families if we choose to obey  His instructions for our lives. "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments—then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. Thy seed also had been as the sand; the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof. (1 Nephi 20:18-19).

 As I think about these promised blessings, I'm struck by the simile "righteousness as the waves of the sea," which I interpret to mean righteousness that is persistent, repetitive, cyclical, reliable, predictable, never-ending, and constant. At the risk of taking the comparison to far, I also think of the life-giving role that waves play in ocean ecosystems, and ancient island societies. I think of waves potential to produce renewable energy, and provide recreation and enjoyment today. These are all blessings that I have realized in my own life from my faltering attempts to live as God wants me to. Trying to keep the commandments of God has brought me life, power, energy, and constancy, and I am so grateful for a patient and loving God who continues to work with me. 

 Image Credit: Matthias G. 

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