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 reprieve, the Amalekites returned to the slaughter of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis. Because of their total repentance and abhorrence of sin, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis refused to take up arms in their own defense and submitted themselves to be killed again. Witnessing the murder of the people, Ammon encouraged them to seek refuge among the Nephites, but the king was reluctant, believing that they would not be welcome. "And Ammon said: I will go and inquire of the Lord, and if he say unto us, go down unto our brethren, will ye go? And the king said unto him: Yea, if the Lord saith unto us go, we will go down unto our brethren" (Alma 27:7-8)
The answer of the Lord to Ammon was clear "And the Lord said unto him: Get this people out of this land, that they perish not; for Satan has great hold on the hearts of the Amalekites, who do stir up the Lamanites to anger against their brethren to slay them; therefore get thee out of this land; and blessed are this people in this generation, for I will preserve them" (Alma 27:11-12). Previously, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis were killed by the thousands. Were those who died before Ammon inquired of the Lord less blessed, or unworthy of the preservation of God? Certainly not, and their deaths were instrumental in the conversion of a number of the Lamanites. But this purpose being fulfilled, it was no longer necessary for them to be exterminated, and the Lord encouraged them to flee.
When I think about the national response of the Nephites to this refugee crisis and the influx of Anti-Nephi-Lehis, I can't helped but think of the tens of millions of people displaced by violence and political conflict in the world today. When the Anti-Nephi-Lehis sought refuge with the Nephites, they held a national referendum, and the majority agreed to welcome the refugees, apportion them land to live on, and defend them with their armies from the aggression of the Amalekites: "And it came to pass that the chief judge sent a proclamation throughout all the land, desiring the voice of the people concerning the admitting their brethren, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi. And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon ... and this land Jershon is the land which we will give unto our brethren for an inheritance. And behold, we will set our armies between the land Jershon and the land Nephi, that we may protect our brethren in the land Jershon; ... and we will guard them from their enemies with our armies" (Alma 27:21-24).
The response of the Nephites is admirable and makes me wonder where they found the desire and political will to risk war and endanger their own people in order to harbor and care for refugees. Surely only the Spirit of the Lord can soften hearts in this was and awaken us to the needs of our brothers and sisters. Their response also reminds me of Christ's instruction in Matthew chapter 25 regarding the judgement of the righteous: "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visitedme: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:34-40).
At the end of Alma chapter 27, we also see the unique value and contribution of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis. "And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end. And thus they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord" (Alma 27:27, 30). The Anti-Nephi-Lehis, thereafter known as the people of Ammon, displayed an unusual commitment to goodness, but all people have worth and offer unique value. Had the Nephites not embraced these fleeing refugees, their gifts, talent, energy, and potential contribution would have been snuffed out, and the world would have been worse for it. Helping refugees is important because it is the right thing to do, but it is also the prudent thing given the immense worth of human potential.
Application Questions
What is your attitude toward those who are less fortunate than you, oppressed, or fleeing violence?
How can you more closely emulate Christ's example of love and service?
What can you do now to serve refugees? (See the church website "I Was a Stranger" for ideas)
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