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...
Even All the Night It Was Noised Abroad Concerning Jesus
After Jesus had minister to the Nephites on the first day of His visit, news of His appearance spread, and more Nephites gathered to see Him and hear His teachings. What stands out to me is how eager the people were to share the news about Jesus' appearance: “even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus” (3 Nephi 19:3). Not only were those sharing the message excited and urgent to share it, but those who heard there words acted quickly and took great pains to come and see Him the next day: “an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude“ (3 Nephi 19:3). I wish my energy and enthusiasm to share the gospel mirrored that of the Nephites, and I wish I was as quick as they were to come and hear the Savior.
Nothing Varying from the Words Which Jesus Had Spoken
The next morning the people were organized by the newly called apostles into twelve groups,
"and it came to pass that they arose and ministered unto the people. And when they had ministered those same words which Jesus had spoken--nothing varying from the words which Jesus had spoken" (3 Nephi 19:7-8). It sounds like the apostles relayed the exact same teachings that Christ had taught, and I love the idea that our power as gospel teachers comes from knowing and aligning with the will of God. Our words carry and touch hearts when they are born by the power of the Holy Ghost. When we teach and testify "in the name of Jesus Christ" we are affirming that what we have said is in perfect alignment with God's will "nothing varying from the words which Jesus had spoken"
That Which They Most Desired
I am also struck by the righteous desires of a the people. When they prayed, "they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them" (3 Nephi 19:9). The most important thing to them was to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and have his constant companionship. I feel like I'm faced all the time with decisions where I can choose to distract and entertain myself, or feel the spirit. To indulge and impulse or feel the spirit. To seek worldly goals, or feel the spirit. In making these small daily decisions about my priorities, I'm not always apparent that feeling the Spirit is what I "most desire."
Thou Hast Purified Those Whom I Have Chosen, Because of Their Faith
Christ's prayer for the people was so powerful, that much of it defied documentation and could only be felt in the hearts of the Nephites. But we do have some of the words that Christ prayed on behalf of the people, which teach important doctrines about what it means to be "chosen." Christ prayed, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world" (3 Nephi 19:20). We are chosen when we believe in Christ. We self-nominate to be members of this favored group blessed with the Holy Ghost. Once we have joined the ranks of the chose because of our belief, we can be transformed through the exercise of our faith. Christ prayed, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith" (3 Nephi 19:28). Being chosen and being purified are two different processes. Being chosen is contingent on our belief in Christ, while being purified is contingent on our faith. Those who exercise faith are separated from the world, brought into the fold of Christ, and adopted into the family of God. Christ prayed for the faithful saying, "Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith" (3 Nephi 19:29).
Using language like "God's chosen people" can sound arrogant and exclusionary, but God is not blocking anyone out. I believe what is states in the 3rd Article of Faith that "through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel." We get to choose what we believe. And if we choose to believe in Christ and exercise faith in him, we are chosen and purified.
Application Questions
How can I by more excited and urgent to share the gospel with others?
What can I plan and structure my life so that heeding the words of Christ is a priority?
Do the things I do and say align with Christ's will?
What are the things that I "most desire?" How can I increase my desire for righteousness?
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