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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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Mosiah 18 - What Have You Against Being Baptized


After fleeing King Noah's court, Alma repents and secretly preaches the gospel. Many are converted and baptized in a place called the waters of Mormon." As part of his sermon to the people who followed him, Alma explains the commitment we make when we are baptized: "as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" (Mosiah 18:9-10). In summary, Alma outlines the following criteria for those who would like to be baptized, and those things that should define members of Christ's church:

  • desirous to come into the fold of God
  • [desirous] to be called his people
  • willing to bear one another’s burdens
  • willing to mourn with those that mourn 
  • [willing to] comfort those that stand in need of comfort
  • [willing to] stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places
  • take upon us the name of Christ
  • always remember Him
  • keep His commandments

All of the criteria that Alma listed were related to the desires and will of the people. While the covenant of baptism is an important and life changing event, it is helpful to remember that it is the first ordinance of the gospel and keep in perspective the relatively simple standard required for baptism. As Alma explained, all that is required is a repentant and willing heart committed to living a life unto God. For those who have been baptized, that is what we have promised to do. It is easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed with other extraneous and self-imposed requirements, but what God asks of us is relatively straightforward. As explained in the sacrament prayer (D&C 20:77), when we are baptized we promise to do three things: 

  • take on the name of Christ
  • always remember Him
  • keep His commandments

We are invited to shift our identity to be affiliated with Jesus Christ as we take on His name and strive to represent him. We commit to be mindful of His love and sacrifice and let that awareness fill us with gratitude and desires to obey. Lastly, we promise to keep the commandments. 

 Once the people were baptized, he gave further instructions to help keep and preserve their faith. "Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people" (Mosiah 18:20). Just as there is a temptation to extrapolate and overcomplicate our baptismal covenant, it is easy for our talks, lessons, and personal studies to be overwrought and tangential to what is the core to our faith and testimony. All of our teaching and conversation and study should focus on building faith and helping ourselves and others repents. Elder Quentin L. Cook recently instructed leaders in Taipei Taiwan to evaluate all the programs and activities of the church and everything leaders do in the course of their ministry by asking, "Did it build faith?" If not, topics might still be intellectually interesting, and activities might be still well-planned and amazing, but they do not serve the purposes of God, or fulfill the mandate of our baptismal covenant. 

 Alma also taught the people "that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye ... having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another ... And thus they became the children of God" (Mosiah 18:20-21). Unity and love among members of the church is the foundation prerequisite of becoming children of God. As Paul explained to the Corinthians, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Moroni further summarized "if ye have not charity, ye are nothing" (Moroni 7:46).

 I have noticed this most prominently in my interactions with my family. If I am in discord with my spouse or children, I am completely unable to fulfill my calling, or give myself in service to others, or feel the spirit in prayer or truly study the scriptures. Sometimes the most important thing I can do to worship God or fulfill my calling is to apologize to a child, or ask forgiveness of my spouse. Only after the breach between us is healed do I have sure footing to do more.
Application Questions

 How can you simplify your worship and activity in the church to focus on building faith and encouraging repentance?

 Who do you need to forgive in order to have greater unity in your family or community?
Image Credit: pixaby.com

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