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
After a brief period of righteousness, some of the people of the Nephites began to sin and fall away from the church. Alma explains that "because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened" (Mosiah 26:3). Usually I think that understanding precedes belief; that we need a basic level of knowledge and intellectual mastery of something before the spirit can testify of it to our hearts. But Alma highlights the important role of belief in learning the gospel. God revealed to Joseph Smith the antidote to a lack of faith was study with the aid of the Spirit. "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118). This principle applies to temporal as well as spiritual things. If we do not believe that something to possible to know or achieve, we are not motivated to pursue it and fulfill our own prophesy. Having a hard heart is that having a heart that is resistant to change and growth. Freezing our forward progress is the definition of damnation; we are damned not because we are being punished for something that we did wrong, but because we are stalled and stuck in our growth.
The iniquity within the church was a situation that Alma had never dealt with as a leader of the church. "Now there had not any such thing happened before in the church; therefore Alma was troubled in his spirit" (Mosiah 26:10). Within our spheres of responsibility we have all felt overwhelmed by new challenges. These feelings of distress, overwhelm, uncertainty, and fear may prompt us to abandon our efforts, but we do not have to. Alma being "troubled in his spirit" did not indicate that anything had gone horribly wrong in his life; he was able to use this discomfort to drive his efforts and problem-solve. He sought assistance from the king to judge the people, but tellingly, "king Mosiah said unto Alma: Behold, I judge them not; therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged. And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God" (Mosiah 26:12-13). Alma's first attempt was unsuccessful and required him to dig deeper and pursue an alternative path. (As an aside, I am also struck by the division of jurisdiction between the head of the government and the head of the church. Even though the behavior of the people was in violation of God's law, it did not violate the law of the land, and king Mosiah declined to render judgement). Alma's desire to do what was right caused internal conflict that deeply humbled him to pray to the Lord. "And it came to pass that after he had poured out his whole soul to God, the voice of the Lord came to him" (Mosiah 26:14). Only after he had poured out his whole soul to God did he receive the direction he needed.
One of the core beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as revealed through Joseph Smith is that "We believe that though the atonement of christ all mankind may be saved..." (Article of Faith 3). Our identity as God's chosen people is self-selected. We get to chose to be a part of His kingdom, and Christ has removed all barriers to entry. Alma also taught the criteria for being the people of God: "And he [or she] that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive. For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive. For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him [or her] that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand" (Mosiah 26:21-23). The sheep of God are those "that will hear my voice." All that is expected of us to enjoy the privileges God has in store for his children is to listen to him, commit to follow Him (through baptism), and to to continually try to improve (repent).
The Lord promises, "Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me. And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor’s trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation" (Mosiah 26:30-31). God knows that the outcomes we achieve in our lives will not live up to His standard. He has not extended any expectation for us to go through life without sin and failure. As long as we try to improve, and allow others the same latitude by forgiving their mistakes we will be free form condemnation.
Faith, repentance, and forgiveness led the Nephites to reestablish peace and prosperity. These principles are natural laws, and anyone who abides by them is sure to enjoy God's favor and spiritual and temporal blessings. But notice how exceeding "peace and prosperity" coincided with "suffering all manner of afflictions" and being "persecuted." "Alma did regulate all the affairs of the church; and they began again to have peace and to prosper exceedingly in the affairs of the church, walking circumspectly before God, receiving many, and baptizing many. And now all these things did Alma and his fellow laborers do who were over the church, walking in all diligence, teaching the word of God in all things, suffering all manner of afflictions, being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church of God." (Mosiah 26:37-39). Suffering, persecution, peace and prosperity are not mutually exclusive. When we live with faith and forgiveness we can find meaning in any circumstances.
Application Questions
What situations or challenges are you facing that you have yet to pray about? Can you ask the Lord for help this week?
How can you enjoy peace and prosperity in the midst of suffering and persecution?
Image Credit: Hans Braxmeier
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