Jacob 2 - Be Familiar with All and Free with Your Substance

When I think of the greatest powers god has given us, and the most important commandments extended to us, the first things that come to mind are our individual will, our creative potential, and the imperative to love others. God has blessed us with intelligence and the ability to choose and create whatever we want, even human life. He has also commanded us to love and care for all people. It within this context that I can understand why Jacob was "weighed down with much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls than I have hitherto been" (Jacob 2:3).

His people had become wealthy and as a result prideful. Economic inequality led to animosity that was corroding their ability to empathize and heed the counsel of God. "And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they" (Jacob 2:13). As an antidote to these societal rifts, Jacob counseled his people to "Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you" (Jacob 2:17). 

Think of Your Brethren like Unto Yourself

While there are clear parallels between this phrase and the golden rule, I think Jacob is getting at something more than just treating others as you would like to be treated. This phrase begs the question "How do I think of myself?" Obviously it is in invitation to empathize and consider the needs and the emotions of others. But I think it also invites us to use the same assumptions and attitudes we hold about ourselves when judging others. It is human nature for us to view ourselves in a positive light, to believe that our experiences are valid, that our beliefs are true. We assume that we are doing our best, and that we are motivated by virtuous intentions. 

In a recent talk given during the General Women's Session, Elder Uchdorf  cited "a recent study that explored conflict between rival groups. As part of the study, researchers interviewed Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East, and Republicans and Democrats in the United States. They discovered that 'each side felt their own group [was] motivated by love more than hate, but when asked why their rival group [was] involved in the conflict, [they] pointed to hate as [the other] group’s motivating factor.' In other words, each group thought of themselves as the 'good guys'—fair, kind, and truthful. By contrast, they saw their rivals as the 'bad guys'—uninformed, dishonest, even evil."

Be Familiar with All

When someone or something is familiar, it is "well known from long or close association." Thinking about the definition of the word, it is also impossible to ignore the common root in the word "familiar" and "family." Jacob commands his people to be familiar with all in the context of materially serving the poor. This prompted some self-reflection for me as I realized that I do not currently have any friends that I would consider poor. Not one. In fact, in my entire life, I can only think of one or two people I would consider true friends who were significantly less wealthy than I was (and even they still had housing, food, and medical care). Even my cursory exposure to people from different economic walks of life is limited right now. No wonder it is so easy to denigrate and dismiss the homeless and the poor when they do not even occupy the same physical space, let alone a corner of our hearts. An antidote to pride, and an essential part of helping the financially less-fortunate is first to be familiar. 

Free with Your Substance

I like to think of "substance" in the broadest terms possible to include money, resources, information, privilege, relationships, and talents. In far too many ways we view the world in transactional, zero-sum terms believing that if someone else gains we have lost, and that something should only be offered if we are assured something in return. This is not the way the God approaches His wealth, status, and glory. His glory expands as He shares it with us, and our wealth increases as we impart it to others. Jacob goes on to counsel "But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted" (Jacob 2:18-19). 

The results of thinking of others like unto yourselves, being familiar with all, and being free with your substance is that "that they may be rich like unto you." Being rich is about more than a bank statement. It is about abundance, fulfillment, and security. Even if we cannot achieve total economic equality we can help others be rich be affording them the same positive regard we extend ourselves, know and relate to them, and share as generously as we can. 

I once went for a long run and a few miles from home I passed a woman at an intersection asking for spare change. I had no wallet, no cash, no debit card, and was a long way from an ATM. It was springtime and there were wild daffodils along the running trail, so with trepidation I picked one and jogged toward her. I was worried that my offer would be confusing, disappointing, or even insulting. But as I explained and extended the flower to her, she burst into a smile. Even when we have nothing to offer, we can help others feel rich when we freely offer human kindness and love. 



Application Questions:

What does it mean to be "familiar with all?" How can I deliberately acquaint myself with people outside of my circle?

What "substance" do I have that can make others feel "rich?"

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