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
Helaman chapter 2 reinforces the theme introduced in chapter 1, that the unbridled pursuit of power is corrosive to individuals and societies. After Moronihah had finally reestablished peace in the capital, "there began to be a contention again among the people concerning who should fill the judgment-seat" (Helaman 2:1). Helaman, the son of the military leader who fought the Lamanites and led a force of 2,000 young men, was elected as the chief judge. Those who opposed him were led my Kishkumen, who had murdered Pahorna and sought to kill Helaman. These circumstances left me searching for parallels in today's political climate, and wondering what lessons I could glean from the political upheaval of an ancient american society. What struck me is that the detractors of Helaman erred not because they opposed Helaman, or even opposed him fiercly. They erred because they resorted to unrighteous and extralegal means to enforce their will. They placed their political interest above personal integrity.
Kishkumen's band chose a man named Gadianton to lead them and "had entered into a covenant that no one should know his wickedness" (Helaman 2:3). The scriptures imply that coordinated evil is even darker than individual acts of wickedness, and prompted me to consider how I do this on a micro scale. Later in the chapter, we read an account of Helaman's servant who infiltrated Kishkumen's band as a double agent. Helaman's servant "met Kishkumen, and he gave unto him a sign; therefore Kishkumen made known unto him the object of his desire, desiring that he would conduct him to the judgment-seat that he might murder Helaman" (Helaman 2:7). What signs to I project to show others that I'm an enabler? How do I signal to others the leniency in my standards, or my willingness to be complicit to their poor choices. Do I mock those who are sticklers for the rules? We all have power to help of hinder in the way we protect or undermine ethical cultures.
Gadianton gained power over Kishkumen and his band because "he did flatter them, and also Kishkumen, that if they would place him in the judgment-seat he would grant unto those who belonged to his band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people" (Helaman 2:5). Lust for power is capable of compelling ambitious people to abandon principles. What can inoculate us to flattery and ensure our ambition never turns to avarice? I'm curious to know what persuaded members of this band to believe that Gadianton could succeed in gaining power, and that he would keep his promises if he did. Their breathy sense of lack impaired their ability to judge his character. Eventually, "this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi" (Helaman 2:13).
Application Questions
What signs are exchanged today among those who wrongfully seek power? Do I give others permission to lower their standards by the way I act?
When is my ability to judge between right and wrong impaired by my self-interest?
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