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9 - 15 Mar - Learn With Joy and Not With Sorrow - Jacob 1 - 4

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...
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Alma 58 - He Did Speak Peace to Our Souls, and Did Grant Unto Us Great Faith




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?


Image Credit: aperigae.com


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