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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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Omni 1 - That Which Is Sufficient Is Written



Sometimes the things that are not recorded in the scriptures are as interesting as the things that are. In the Book of Omni, a rapid successions of authors add brief comments to the record and allude to other peoples and histories. Combined, the writings of Omni, Amaron, Chemish, Abinadom, and Amaleki fill a few scant versus, and refer to the people of Mosiah, the people of Zarahemla, Coriantumr and his people, and "a certain number who went up into the wilderness to return to the land of Nephi," including Amaleki's brother. While we get additional details about some of these groups later in the Book of Mormon, I am always curious about what was omitted in the careful curation of the scriptures. 

 As Abinadom explained, "the record of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end" (Omni 1:11). Even though the doctrine and prophesies recorded were sufficient for Abinadom's purpose, the Lord is mindful of all of His children. As the Savior declared during his mortal ministry, "other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (John 10:16). The Book of Mormon also refers to other civilizations on the "isles of the sea." The Lord explained to Nephi "Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earthbeneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?" (2 Nephi 29:7).

 In the short book of Omni, there is mention of Mosiah, "who was made king over the land of Zarahemla, [who] being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness" (Omni 1:12). It also alludes to the Jaredites whose "first parents came out from the tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people" (Omni 1:22). Lastly, among an unnamed group athere were "certain number who went up into the wilderness to return to the land of Nephi; for there was a large number who were desirous to possess the land of their inheritance" (Omni 1:27). Entire lives and nations on adventures no less compelling than Lehi and his posterity came and went with barely a mention. 

 For me this highlights the focused purpose of the Book of Mormon to testify of Jesus Christ. His works are infinite and unknowable to us in this life. A record of God's dealings with all his children could never be contained in a single volume because he is personally involved in the development of every soul who has ever lived. Abinadom was content with the content of the record because if contained essential prophesies and revelation. He did not say that what was written was comprehensive, only that those things that are most basic and necessary were documented. In a similar way President Wilford Woodruff stated: “The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of the Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God” [see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff (2004), 199]. No single prophet could teach all the truth of God, and is certain to make mistakes in their personal lives and official capacities. But what we are promised is that their words will be sufficient and will never lead us astray from the core of what is essential and saving. Recently both Linda K. Burton, former president of the Relief Society, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on separate trips to Taiwan both mentioned that as general authorities they are called to teach general principles. God's plan is designed so that we do not need to know the unsearchable mysteries of the universe in order to return to live with Him. We are instructed instead to cling to "that which is sufficient," the core doctrines that will make us new creatures. 

 When Amaleki passed the plates to King Benjamin, he said, "I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil ... I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved" (Omni 1:25-26). It is sufficient for us to have faith in Christ, repent or our sins, and wholeheartedly follow Him. 

 Application Questions

What do you consider "that which is sufficient" for your own spiritual progress and salvation?

 How can you avoid distractions and focus on mastering the essentials of the Gospel?

 What portion of your life experience would you consider essential to document for your children to know and come unto Christ?

 Image Credit: John Luke 

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