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
Learning of the apostasy of the Zoramites, Alma took three of the four Sons of Mosiah to minister unto the people and preach the word of God: "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God" (Alma 31:5).
The Power of the Word of God
All too often when I see the ills and failings of society my first impulse is to support a new law, endorse a new program, or advocate for additional funding for a cause. In my own life I'm tempted to do the same by buying a new product, setting a new goal, or trying a new gimmick. I remember one year at Christmas Bren and I were discussing how we could make the season more meaningful and considered donating what to us was a large sum of money to a charity. We went back and forth on which charity to donate to and thought about where this money could do the most good. Which was the most worthy cause? This process led me to feel a great sense of despair and overwhelm as I saw the problems in the world and the futility of my few dollars to make a difference. I was immediately reminded by the Spirit that the thing most likely to heal the world was the word of God, and that the solution to the ills of the world was global belief in and adherence to the teachings of the Gospel. While we still made a modest donation to charity, I knew that what God wanted from me was not my money, but a greater willingness to share the gospel.
The Zoramites' Prayer
The apostasy of the Zoramites can be best illustrated by their mode of prayer. The Zoramites' prayer were problematic because they were:
- based on a flawed understanding of the nature of God;
- filled with pride and scorn for anyone deemed to be "other";
- denied the reality and power of Christ; and
- devoid of any commitment to act.
It is easy to identify errors in the prayer of the Zoramites and look for similar failings in other faiths, but the real lesson of the Zoramites lead us to introspection, not accusation. In the course of our prayers, do we have a clear understanding of God as our literal Father? Are our prayers filled with humility and focused on how to bless and serve others? Do our prayers reflect an absolute certainty in the power of Christ to enable and heal ourselves and others? Do we pray constantly, and take action to bring about the things we have prayed for?
During his mortal ministry, Christ warned his apostles, "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward" (Matthew 6:5). Like the hypocrites Christ described, the Zoramites prayed or worshipped because of the social cache it bought them. They were religious, but not spiritual. "Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about. Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again" (Alma 31:22-23). Similarly, there is a temptation for our worship to be shallow; to be socially and not spiritually motivated. When we participate in the gospel to adhere to social norms, we miss out on the rich spiritual life that comes from letting the Gospel permeate our hearts and daily actions.
Christ chastised the scribes and the Pharisees, saying, "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:7). The Zoramites had also let their hearts wander far from God and focus on material wealth. "Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods. Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride. Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them" (Alma 31:24-25, 28). The challenge of the Zoramites was not only that they had amassed wealth, but that that "their hearts were set upon it." There are righteous people in all tax brackets, but when our hearts fixate on our accrual (or lack) of money, we don't leave enough room in our hearts for God. The antidote to hypocrisy is to draw nigh unto the Lord by keeping his commandments, to choose humility, and to accept all people as your equal. Let's make sure we never share the sentiments of the Zoramites, who prayed, "We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish." (Alma 31:24-25). God's chosen people see others as their brothers and sisters, and work and pray for their wellbeing.
The Lord's Prayer
While on the earth, Christ offered a counter example to the prayer of the Zoramites. During the sermon on the mount, He taught His disciples how to pray: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" (Matthew 6:9-13). He modeled for us the need to:
- honor and worship Heavenly Father;
- submit to God's will and align our will with His;
- ask for our daily, temporal needs;
- seek forgiveness; and
- find strength against temptation and sin.
Alma also offered a righteous prayer to help him bring the Zoramites back to the truth. "O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee" (Alma 31:34-35). As I have tried to improve my prayers lately, I have tried to think of my prayers as a council with God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by councils. The Council of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Stake Councils, Ward Councils, family councils, and couple councils. I was recently in a training meeting that emphasized the role and importance of councils. Elder Meurs of the Asia Area Presidency stressed the importance of considering inspired questions in councils. Councils are not convened to coordinate calendars or plan activities. Instead, councils are the forum in which we seek and receive revelation as a group. The only way this can happen is if we consider questions of consequence. It is easy for my prayers to become hurried and transactional and when I feel the power of my prayers wane, it is usually because I am asking to "have a good day," instead of counseling with the Lord about inspired questions, like, "How can I be an instrument in Thy hands today?" or "What would it take for me to create greater unity and love in my family?"
When groups or individuals have received revelation in councils, they move boldly to take action on an inspired plan. So did Alma and three of the sons of Mosiah: "They did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on. And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ" (Alma 31:37-38). Instead of having hearts set upon "gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods" Alma and his companions had confidence in the providence of the Lord. They came from a place of abundance instead of scarcity and new that the Lord would provide what was sufficient for their needs.
The Lord encouraged His disciples to cease from anxiety, and act with confidence in the Lord's care. "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." (Matthew 6:25-29).
Our lives are more than meat, and our bodies are more than raiment. We have a higher purpose than amassing wealth and buying things. The work that will be of most consequence in our lives will be our efforts to live righteously, to serve others, and to share the gospel.
Application Questions
How can you make the content and attitude of your prayers more humble and sincere?
How do you feel about my material goods? Are you generous and free with my substance? Are you focused on building God's kingdom?
What are you worried about? How can your faith in the Lord give comfort and confidence to face it?
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