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...
Before re-reading 3 Nephi chapter 9, I scanned the chapter heading and noticed that chapters 9 and 10 described what the voice of the Lord said to the people. The Nephites had just experiences a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. They wailed with sorrow unable to see or move in the darkness. What are the first and few things that Christ chose to say to them while in such a state. Christ speaking directly and audibly to those on earth is a rare occurrence, and that scarcity fills every word with even greater significance. When I think of the efficiency and economy of God's interaction with His children, there are no wasted words. Each time He speaks, He speaks the truth that is most relevant to the audience at that time. So what did Christ say to the people, and what relevance does it have for me today?
Wo, Wo, Wo Unto This People
Christ mourned wickedness, not just of the Nephites, but of all people who do not keep the commandments. He also explained that the destruction of so many cities was the foretold punishment for unrighteousness. Christ listed each destroyed city, recounting how He destroyed it. "And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations" (3 Nephi 9:12). Addressing the wickedness of the people so directly, recounting His destruction of each city, one-by-one, seems to belabor the point and rub salt in the wounds of those in mourning. So why would these be the first words that Christ--a perfect being of infinite love and compassion who took on all of our sins--chose to speak to the people?
Christ spoke these words within days, perhaps hours, of His atoning work and crucifixion. With the price He had paid fresh in His mind, Christ may have felt a special urgency in declaring repentance to the people. More importantly, Christ planned to reveal Himself to them, to reestablish his church, and do miracles and wonders among them. Christ new that these miracles, and the spiritual growth of the Nephites, had to be predicated on a foundation of repentance and cleanliness.
In the Old Testament, the ancient Israelites offered three kinds of animal sacrifices, trespass offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings. The Bible Dictionary explains that "when the three offerings were offered together, the sin always preceded the burnt, and the burnt the peace offerings. Thus the order of the symbolizing sacrifices was the order of atonement, sanctification, and fellowship with the Lord." The people had to first be reconciled to God before offering a peace offering. "Peace offerings, as the name indicates, presupposed that the sacrificer was at peace with God; they were offered for the further realization and enjoyment of that peace" (Bible Dictionary; Sacrifice).
Christ emphasized the foundational importance of cleanliness during His ministry when he instructed, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matthew 5:23-24). It is more important to reestablish harmony with family and friends than to render good works to God.
I see a parallel here between the order of sacrifices and Christ's first words to the Nephites. Christ needed to thoroughly and completely address past sin to help the Nephites be reconciled to God. Only upon this foundation would they be prepared to receive the new light and knowledge Christ intended to impart to them and render righteous service to God.
Will Ye Not Now Return Unto Me
After decrying wickedness and explaining the cause for this great destruction, Christ invited those who survived to repent. "O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" (3 Nephi 9:13). He promised the blessing that awaits the repentant (eternal life), and assured them of His unwavering love (mine arm of mercy is extended towards you) (3 Nephi 9:14). He testified of His own redeeming work and power as the Son of God. He used this testimony of his role as the Savior to explain the fulfillment of the Law of Moses, and introduce the requirements of the new law: "ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost" (3 Nephi 9:20).
The promise that Christ extends to us all is that if we humbly turn to him and try to overcome our failings, he will purify us and change our natures through the Holy Ghost. I know this to be true. The impressions of the Holy Ghost that I feel are the most powerful pieces of evidence I have to know that God is real and that he knows and loves me. The transformation I have felt in my life as a result of my efforts to repent is God's greatest gift to me. There is peace and light and hope that does not seem possible on the other side of repentance. God's power is miraculous, his mercy and simple.
The Nephites had committed atrocious sins meriting the destruction of their civilization. And yet within seconds of speaking to them, Christ invites them to repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved" (3 Nephi 9:22).
Application Questions
What sins have you committed that you have not fully repented of? Will you commit to begin the process of repentance today?
In your moments of darkness and despair, what has God's voice spoken to you?
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