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 petitioning the capital Zarahemla for
provisions and reinforcements, Helaman and his army waited for months without
word or assistance. We "did wait in these difficult circumstances for the
space of many months, even until we were about to perish for the want of
food" (Alma 58:7). Even when they did receive some meager rations, they
they did not know "the cause of these our embarrassments, or the cause why
they did not send more strength unto us, we knew not; therefore we were grieved
and also filled with fear" (Alma 58:9). In such anxious times it would
have been easy for Helaman and his soldiers to lose faith and slacken their
efforts in defending their lands. Instead, Helaman and his soldiers prayed for
strength in response to their disconcerting and challenging circumstances.
"Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our
God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that
he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did
cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him. And we did take
courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a
determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our
possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty. And
thus we did go forth with all our might against the Lamanites" (Alma
58:11-13).
Heleman received assurances from God that gave
him peace, increased his faith, allowed for hope. This reassurance made space
for courage and gratitude even though Helaman had only received a small force.
These feelings from God not only assuaged anxious and turbulent emotions, but
also motivated Helaman and his band to "go forth with all our might."
Faith is a gift from God granted in response to our urgent pleading. When we
possess faith, we feel hopeful and courageous. We are willing to do hard
things. We take action with assurance, as if the task before us is has already
been completed and proven worthwhile. What would you do if you knew you could
not fail? What would you try if you knew that the outcome--good or bad--would
be consecrated for your good?
While they received spiritual assurances that God
would help them, they still did "not know the cause that the government
does not grant us more strength" (Alma 58:34). Their energy and optimism
did not come from a concrete expectations of military reinforcements. They were
not naive to the fact that many would be wounded or killed. Their faith was
rooted in a knowledge that their efforts would be worth it, and even in death
they would be okay. "They have received many wounds; nevertheless they
stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are
strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to
keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and
their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come"
(Alma 58:40).
Helaman and his army did the had work of
obedience because of their conviction in good things to come. Like the Old
Testament heroes described in Hebrews chapter 11, "These all died in
faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and
were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that
they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). When we
believe and embrace God's promises and recognize that our life on earth is only
temporary, we can find renewed resolve to follow God and keep His commandments.
Application Questions
On what goals are you "fixed with determination?" How do you stay
motivated when you lack information and/or assurances?
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
What would you try if you knew that the outcome--good or bad--would be
consecrated for your good?
What fears or reservations keep you from
strengthening your relationship with God and investing in His kingdom?
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