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 many instances in the Book of Mormon, prophets allude to teachings and revelation "which cannot be written." Lehi saw heard and spoke things during their journey in the wilderness "which cannot be written" (1 Nephi 9:1). Samuel the Lamanite prophesied "a great many more things which cannot be written" (Heleman 14:1). And when the Savior visited the people of America after his resurrection, "behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written" (3 Nephi 17:15). In each case, the phrase implies that there were doctrines taught, experiences had, and a spirit felt that was so miraculous they defied words.
Alma returned home to Zarahelma "after having taught the people of Gideon many things which cannot be written, having established the order of the church" (Alma 8:1). While there is no reason to speculate on what he taught the people, when I read about things "which cannot be written" it reminds me of the sacred experiences I have had that I do not share with other people, and even if I did words could never do them justice. After the shepherds had proclaimed the miraculous birth of Christ "all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:18-19). From her example we learn that there will always be a private space in our souls in which the only other observer is God. While language is limited and imperfect, the Spirit serves as the conduit for the deepest emotions and impressions of the soul. Paul taught that the Spirit "also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26).This thread between us and our eternal Father is our most essential relationship; strengthening it is the purpose of our lives and determines our eternal destiny. No one else can know this space or infringe upon it.
After experiences so wonderful they "could not be written" Alma travelled to the city of Ammonihah, where he was faced with a rebellious people entrenched in wickedness. "Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of Alma" (Alma 8:9). The seemingly impossible task or preaching to the people of Ammonihah did not deter Alma from exerting his best effort. He "labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance" (Alma 8:10). In his efforts to save the people of Ammonihah, Alma was "weighed down with sorrow," and waded "through much tribulation and anguish of soul" (Alma 8:14). Similarly, it is par for the course that we should feel godly sorrow and experience pain in our efforts to serve and uplift others. Alma received a visitation from and Angel, the same angel that had initially called him to repentance, and was reminded to "lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him" (Alma 8:15). While pain in the course of doing God's will is inevitable, suffering is optional. Regardless of the choices of others we can maintain inner peace and self assurance through the knowledge that God loves us and our lives are in harmony with God's will. Remembering that the only actions that matter are our actions, we can feel energized to engage in difficult conversations and undertake hard work, even when circumstances and the opposition of others seems insurmountable. "Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way" (Alma 8:18). When Alma was reminded that God was with him, and that his works were righteous he "returned speedily" to the challenges that faced him in Ammonihah, and demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness by entering the city "by another way."
Application Questions:
What are the most profound and sacred experiences of your life? How has the Spirit communicated to you in ways that language cannot capture?
Who in your life seems lost or difficult to deal with? How can you think about them differently and invite God to help you serve them?
How can an assurance in God give you confidence, and help you be creative in reaching in love to yourself and others?
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