Skip to main content

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...
1 comment

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?
Image Credit: unknown 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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...
1 comment
Read more

1 Nephi 14 - Rememberest Thou the Covenants of the Father Unto the House of Israel?

In chapter 14, Nephi is shown the events of the last days, likely to include the Revelation of John ( 1 Nephi 14:18-27 ). But before the angel revealed "wars and rumors of wars among all the nations" and things "concerning the end of the world" the angel asked "Rememberest thou the covenants of the Father unto the house of Israel?" ( 1 Nephi 14:8 ).   (To learn more about the seed of Abraham (Hebrews), the House of Israel (Israelites), and the Tribe of Judah (Jews), see Daniel Ludlow's article, Of the House of Israel in the January 1991 Ensign.) The angel is drawing a clear and important connection between the chaos and turmoil of the last days, and the eventual victory of good over evil wrought by the Savior. Like Nephi, when we think about the war, natural disaster, and political conflict that define our time, we are invited first to consider and bear in mind the great work and power of God, and the things that he will do through is covenant...
Post a Comment
Read more

Alma 16 - And There Was No Inequality Among Them

As prophesied by Alma and Amulek, the wicked people of Ammonihah were destroyed by the Lamanites. The new leader of the Nephite army, Zoram, believed in Alma's prophetic power and sought his help. He asked Alma to inquire of the Lord regarding the location of the Lamanite army that had destroyed the people of Ammonihah and take other Nephites captive. Alma received prophetic inspiration which he shared with Zoram, and as a result, " the Lamanites were scattered and driven into the wilderness; and they took their brethren who had been taken captive by the Lamanites, and there was not one soul of them had been lost that were taken captive" (Alma 16:8).  Having temporarily abated the threat of attack from the Lamanite, Alma and Amulek continued to preach the gospel. They "went forth preaching repentance to the people in their temples, and in their sanctuaries, and also in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews. And as many as would hear the...
Post a Comment
Read more