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...
Jarod lived in a time when the Nephites struggled to be righteous. While they continued to keep the outward commandments, it was only through the concerted effort of great government and church leaders that they did not lose faith. Jarod explained, "it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks" (Jarom 1:3). Because of the personality, abilities, and attitudes of the people, Jarom and church leaders had to adjust their approach to be more prescriptive and direct. In fact "the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi ... that if they did not keep the commandments ... they should be destroyed from off the face of the land" (Jarom 1:10)
While the people struggled to heed to word of God, their kings and leaders, by contrast, "were mighty men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways of the Lord" (Jarom 1:7). Jarod also alludes that the way the people were able to keep the law of Moses and the sabbath day, and not profaned or blaspheme was because "the laws of the land were exceedingly strict" (Jarom 1:5) and "they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance" (Jarom 1:12). During Jarom's time, the people needed a higher level of support in order to keep the basic commandments. "Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence" (Jarom 1:11).
In the same way Jarom had stewardship over his kingdom, parents have stewardship over their families. Children have different inherent abilities and personalities and each age brings new developmental challenges. The next time we are trying to hold family home evening and my kids are jumping on the couch, or trying to have family prayer while my daughter is making fart noises with her arm, or read scriptures as a family when they are more interested in practicing hand stands, I hope I can channel the consistency and love displayed by the church leaders of Jarom's time and "labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering" (Jarom 1:11). When the developmental needs of my children are high I can maintain personal faith, be diligent and patient in teaching, read the scriptures to my children, and explain the consequences of their choices.
Jarom made a passing comment regarding his brief record that I find interesting. He said "For what could I write more than my fathers have written? For have not they revealed the plan of salvation? I say unto you, Yea; and this sufficeth me" (Jarom 1:2). There are many aspects and nuances of the gospel that we could study for ourselves and share with our children, but the plan of salvation was sufficient for Jarom. We can focus on the creation, the atonement, the judgment and our post-mortal existence. We can focus on principles of faith and repentance and prepare for saving ordinances like baptism and confirmation. These foundational truths are enough, and will help us have the companionship of the Holy Ghost for "as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith" (Jarom 1:4).
Application Questions:
What are the spiritual abilities and gifts of why children? In a spiritual sense, what are their development needs? How can I adjust my approach as a parent to help them develop and maintain a relationship with God and keep the commandments?
How can I better learn and teach the plan of salvation in my home?
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