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...
In the great arc of Alma and Amulek's ministry, chapter 14 recounts examples of individual salvation and personal ministry. Alma and Amulek preached to entire cities and baptized congregations of new believers under incredibly hostile and uncertain circumstances. In this chapter the lens zooms in to show the personal transformation of a would-be detractor, Zeezrom. Zeezrom was a lawyer who had challenged and debated with Alma and Amulek. He even tried to bribe them to deny their testimonies. But as Alma and Amulek taught the plan of salvation, particularly the doctrine of the resurrection and judgment, Zeezrom was pricked in his heart by feels of remorse and dread.
When Alma and Amulek fled the city of Ammonihah and regrouped with the followers who had escaped the mass execution, "they found [Zeezrom] upon his bed, sick, being very low with a burning fever; and his mind also was exceedingly sore because of his iniquities; and when he saw them he stretched forth his hand, and besought them that they would heal him. And it came to pass that Alma said unto him, taking him by the hand: Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation? And he answered and said: Yea, I believe all the words that thou hast taught" (Alma 14:5-7).
From Zeezrom's example of repentance and healing we can see the importance of feeling godly sorrow and remorse for our sins. I am also impressed that Alma and Amulek "went immediately, obeying the message which he had sent unto them" when Zeezrom asked them to come (Alma 14:5). The immediacy in their forgiveness of Zeezrom and urgency in their desire to serve a man who had been complicit in the murder of their followers and their own imprisonment exemplifies the Saviors commandment to "love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5: 44). While the sting of grief must have still been sharp, they went to their former adversary and healed him. "And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his feet, and began to walk; and this was done to the great astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went forth throughout all the land of Sidom" (Alma 14:11). Obviously they healed Zeezrom for his own sake, but it seems the God had a higher purpose in saving Zeezrom by allowing the knowledge of his experience to go throughout all the land of Sidom as an example of what was possible. Once he had been forgiven and baptized, Zeezrom "began from that time forth to preach unto the people" (Alma 14:12). This is the essence of a might change of heart. Not only was Zeezrom's guilt washed away, but he became a new creature with different thoughts, ideas, and values.
I am also touched by Alma's example of care for his companion. In verse 16, we step back to acknowledge what Amulek had sacrificed in order to preach with Alma and how quickly he lost so much. Amulek had "forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred (Alma 15:16). In a matter of days he gave up his livelihood, his wealth, and all his personal relationships in order to serve God. Recognizing the burden his companion carried, Alma took time to care for Amulek and strengthen his faith as he worked through his grief. "Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord" (Alma 15:18)
Application Questions
Who has hurt you or wronged you that you have not fully forgiven? How can you serve and forgive them?
Who do you know that is suffering with loss or other challenges? How can you "administer unto them in their tribulations" and "strengthen them in the Lord"
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