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...
"Pertaining to Things Both Temporal and Spiritual"
When Nephi's brothers wonder aloud if the prophesies of Isaiah are literal or figurative, Nephi explains that they are both. Speaking of the scattering and gathering of Israel he says, "Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual" (1 Nephi 22:3).
As the Jesuit priest and philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin explains, “We are not physical beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a physical experience.” When pursued mindfully, we can learn spiritual lessons from our daily tasks, whether we are washing dishes, filing financial reports, dressing a child, playing softball, studying mammals, or fixing a washing machine. These things can become a highly-personal metaphorical language that God will use to teach us eternal truths. Jesus taught in parables and used the daily objects and symbols that his audience would be familiar with to teach spiritual truths. The Holy Ghost will do the same with us, using the languages and lessons we learn from temporal tasks.
Not only can we learn spiritually through temporal or physical work, but the way we treat and interact with people (in any setting) here on earth reflects our attitude toward God. Christ taught that "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40). Even in the course of our employment, God can bless for the good works we render to our coworkers and the productive things that we do as if we were doing them for Him.
In so many areas of our lives, I'm convinced that the distinction we make between temporal and physical activities is a false one. Otherwise, why would God send us to earth to spend such an overwhelming amount of our time in physical or temporal pursuits? By my rough estimate, of the 168 hours I have each week, I spend at least half of them at work or asleep, to say nothing of cooking, cleaning, exercising, grocery shopping, etc. That seems like a lot if these activities have no value beyond sustaining mortal life.
In what to me is a strange and fascinating passage in the New Testament, Paul instructs slaves in Ephesus and Colossus to be obedient to their masters, and to serve them "heartily" and "in singleness of heart" as if they were serving God:
"Servants, be obedient to them that are your mastersaccording to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not ... as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free" (Ephesians 6; 5-6). "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not ... as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:22-24).
Whether we are compelled to labor, or compensated for our work and time (i.e. "whether [we] be bond for free"), if we approach our work "heartily", mindfully ("in singleness of heart"), "with good will" and an attitude of service we can be blessed as if we were serving God himself.
In Him They Shall Find Pasture
One of the things that was revealed to Nephi that applies to us both temporally and spiritually is the scattering and gathering of Israel. Yes, he is talking about how literal descendants of Jacob would be conquered, dispersed, and gathered again throughout history. But he is also talking about how we as groups and individuals are cared for, empowered, protected, and nourish by the Lord if we choose to follow him despite our mistakes and failings:
"And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders" (1 Nephi 22:8). "Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, ... Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved" (1 Nephi 22:17). "But, behold, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will repent" (1 Nephi 22:28).
"And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture. And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power ... for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth" (1 Nephi 22:25-26).
Image Credit: beginheir
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