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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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Alma 11 - Therefore, Ye Cannot Be Saved in Your Sins



In Alma chapter 11 Amulek and Zeezrom debate the existence and mission of Jesus Christ. From Amulek's responses we learn about the nature of God and the impact of Christ's atonement. As an interesting side note, I am struck by the approach that Amulet took in contending with someone who had not only had different beliefs, but was actively trying to undermine his faith and destroy his belief system. When Zeezrom asked Amulek if he would answer his questions and engage in this heated discourse, "Amulek said unto him: Yea, if it be according to the Spirit of the Lord, which is in me; for I shall say nothing which is contrary to the Spirit of the Lord" (Alma 11:22). In our current political climate there is no shortage of vitriol and tribalism. Even when our cause is right we can be wrong if we speak and act in contempt. Amulek's barometer was the prompting of the Spirit and he committed to invite the Spirit to guide his words and speak only as directed by God. 

 One of the most nuanced points in Amulek's rebuttal, which was misinterpreted and twisted by Zeezrom, is that Jesus Christ saves us from our sins. Amulek draws a clear distinction between being saved from our sins and being saved in out sins. Being saved from our sins naturally implies that we leave our sins so that they are no longer a part of of. It means that we undergo a a transformation of character that lifts us from squalor and bondage to become new, elevated creatures. By contrast, Zeezrom peddled the false notion that if there were a Christ he would save all people in spite of their disobedience and wickedness. Amulek corrected him, testifying that Christ "cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins" (Alma 11:37). The atonement is not merely a get out of jail free card that absolves us from the punishment for our sins. Christ offers us His transformational power to  align our wills his His and assume the nature of God. 

 Lastly, Amulek testifies that in order to receive the blessings of Christ's atonement, we must believe on his name. "And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else" (Alma 11:40). 


Application Questions

 How has your belief in Christ changed your character? Are your words, attitudes, and actions different improved by what you believe?

 How can you ensure that you speak with love and according to the promptings of the Spirit in heated discourse or in conflict with others?
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