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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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2 Nephi 18 - A Stone of Stumbling




Speaking of Jesus Christ, Isaiah prophesies, "And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. What does it mean that Christ will be a "stone of stumbling? 

 This term is used throughout the scriptures, usually in conjunction with references to Christ being the chief cornerstone to highlight that Christ's words can be either a life-giving foundation, or a damning indictment. As Peter explained, Jesus is "as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ ... Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded ... but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed" (1 Peter 2:4-8). The words of God are absolute and unavoidable. Because of the justice of God, we cannot run counter to His word without negative consequences. When we choose to resist the truth and will of God, we inevitable fall and are spiritually injured. 

 Paul explained to the Romans what can cause us to stumble over the words of Christ: "What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" (Romans 9:30-33). In order for Christ and his words to become a source of strength and stability in our lives, we have to study by faith and truly internalize His teachings. Merely following outward performances and customs is insufficient. 

 Paul emphasized the the Corinthians that all people can come to accept Christ and enjoy the blessings of His gospel in their lives. "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:22-24).

 My favorite reference to Christ as the "head of the corner" is found in the book of Jacob when he wonders aloud how a wicked a rebellious people could ever come to rely on the Lord:  "I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that by the stumbling of the Jews they will reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation. But behold, according to the scriptures, this stone shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews can build. And now, my beloved, how is it possible that these, after having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner? Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you ..." (Jacob 4:15). This rhetorical question is the preface to a beautiful allegory of an olive tree that illustrates the watchful care of God as a gardener over thousands of years to bring His children back and help them be fruitful.

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