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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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Ether 10 - He Remembered What the Lord Had Done



After his father and entire family died in a famine, king Shez took the throne and “began to build up again a broken people. What made this herculean task possible was Shez's faith and reliance on the Lord. "Shez did remember the destruction of his fathers, and he did build up a righteous kingdom; for he remembered what the Lord had done in bringing Jared and his brother across the deep” (Ether 10:2). By remembering the mistakes that previous generations had made, and remembering the goodness of God to his people, we has able to avoid their vices and begin to help his people heal. 

 This brief example in the scriptures brings to mind the transformative figures in my family who have made sacrifices and done hard things to "build up again a broken people." All of us and all of our families are broken in many ways, and the scriptures constantly stress the importance of remembering what the Lord has done for His people in order to heal and progress. I've watched the leaders in my family improve unhealthy aspects of our family culture and draw family members together by reaching out in Christlike love. They have chosen to face the hardest aspects of life with faith and hope and be open with other family members about the struggle. We can't control the circumstances of our lives or families, but we can, like Shez, gratefully remember what the Lord has done, and build up those around us in the process.  

 Subsequent kings varied greatly in their righteousness and approach to ruling. 

  • Riplakish - had many wives, placed heavy tax burdens on the people, and increased incarceration rates (Ether 10:5-8)
  • Morianton - overthrew Riplakish, lightened the burdens on the people, and was a just but unrighteousness leader (Ether 10:9-13)
  • Kim - unrighteous leader, placed in captivity by his brother (Ether 10:13-14)
  • Levi - escaped captivity, obtained a kingdom, did that which was right in the sight of the Lord; and the people did prosper in the land (Ether 10:15-16)
  • Corom - did that which was good in the sight of the Lord all his days (Ether 10:17)
  • Lib - “did that which was good in the sight of the Lord” (Ether 10:19).

Because Lib and his people did that which was "good in the sight of the Lord," they were happy. In fact, "never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord.“ (Ether 10:28). Our wealth may not increase and our circumstances may not improve as a function of good choices, but the Lord is eager to bless those who follow Him. The greatest blessing of trying our best to live a good life is the internal sense of peace and confidence that comes from a clear conscience. 
Application Questions

 Why is it so important to remember what God has done for us as individuals and as a group?

 Who are the transformational figures in your life and in the history of your family? What can you learn from their examples?

 How do you know what is "good in the sight of the Lord?" What is something you can do today to act on that understanding?

 Image Credit: http://assalaamfoundation.org

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