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...
Moroni recorded a letter he received from his father Mormon shortly after he was called to the ministry. I love the apparent tenderness Mormon felt for his son, and his desire to support him. He said, "I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying ... that he ... will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end" (Moroni 8:3). How many parents could echo this prayer of love and concern? I know my greatest desire for my children is that they grow up to be bright, kind, and righteous individuals.
This letter was sent at a time of turbulence and unrighteousness. Mormon commented "Behold, the pride of this nation ... hath proven their destruction except they should repent ... I fear lest the Spirit hath ceased striving with them" (Moroni is 8: I 27-28). Even in their corrupt and deprave state, Mormon thought it was essential to clear up a misunderstood doctrine of the time regarding infant baptism. The fact that Mormon would emphasize this doctrine a mere generation before the total destruction of their civilization highlights its importance.
From Mormon's comments is appears that this was a new question, too, and that Mormon was continuing to receive insights a revelation, even though the people were likely no longer worthy of it. Moroni must have asked Mormon for his insights and help because Mormon desponded, "immediately after I had learned these things of you I inquired of the Lord concerning the matter" (Moroni is 8:7).
Little Children Are Whole
Mormon taught that "little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin" (Moroni 8:8). Sin is not a matter of making a mistake, or inadvertently taking the wrong action. Sin is a willful choice to depart from God and His will. It is not possible to sin without knowledge of right and wrong and the exercise of will. Since children have not fully develop their ability to discern right and wrong or make willful, deliberate choices, "little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!" (Moroni 8:12)
He Is Unchangeable from All Eternity to All Eternity
Last night I had an interesting conversation with some friends about the idea of God being unchangeable. Mormon taught that "God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity" (Moroni 8:18). But if God is perfect, infinite, and unchanging, how can church doctrines, policies, and ordinances continue to change? In the Old Testament we read about God's instructions to the children of Israel to offer animal sacrifice, which we later replaced by the institution of the sacrament. The gospel could not be taught to non-Jews, until it could. In modern times, there have been numerous revisions to even the most sacred ordinances in the temple, let alone updates to church meeting schedules and curriculum. If God is unchanging and truth is eternal, how can all of these iterations, even old ones that we know were "incorrect" be inspired?
God is perfect and unchanging, but we are not. God meets us where we are, both individually and collectively. He reveals the truths that we are ready to receive and uses the methods of revelation and instruction that are most likely to yield the best outcomes for the largest number of His children. His instructions change as we change since most of our religious observances are arbitrary and external, design solely to shape our hearts and minds to be more in line with God. Not only should we not be surprise by change, but we should be perfectly capable of imagining a future when everything we know about our current doctrine and religion has been replaced with higher and holier ways of being. Even after training wheels are removed, a bike is still a bike.
Application Questions
What issues or doctrines are of concern to you? Have you prayed to ask the Lord about it?
What examples of change can you find in the scriptures? How has God updated doctrines and changed religious practice through His prophets one the history of the world?
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