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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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Moroni 3 - After They Had Prayed Unto the Father in the Name of Christ


Moroni chapter 3 is another very brief chapter. In these four verses, Moroni simply explains the manner in which Elder's ordained teachers and priests.

 One phrase that stands out to me is that they laid their hands upon them "after they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ" (Moroni 3:2). This verse specially mentions that elder's would pray before ordaining new teachers and priests. While there is not a specific requirement to pray before performing ordaining someone to the priesthood, I love the idea that priesthood holders should prepare spiritually to perform priesthood ordinances. This preparation could include reading the scriptures, fasting, praying, or even changing clothes to symbolize reverence for the ordinance.

 I don't think the priesthood ordinance becomes more or less effective for the recipient based on the spiritual preparation of the person performing the ordinance. While a person must meet basic qualifications to perform priesthood ordinances, there could be and certainly have been instances where the person performing the ordinance might not have been prepared or even worthy to do so. It is my opinion that as long as the person who performed the ordinance had been properly ordained to the priesthood, those ordinances are still binding for the recipient in the eyes of the Lord.

 So why is it important to spiritually prepare for priesthood ordinances and to try to be as worthy as possible to perform them and participate in them? Moroni further comments that they ordained teachers and priest "according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them" (Moroni 3:4). By praying before performing ordinations, it is apparent that they enjoyed the companionship of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can direct and inspire our minds, and purify and change our natures. The Holy Ghost brings otherwise rote and perfunctory actions to life, and impresses the meaning of the ordinance on us, spirit to spirit. 

 It is Sunday today, and as I think about taking the sacrament I wonder how I can better prepare myself spiritually to participate in this ordinance. How can my preparation, reverence, and frame of mind make it more that just a piece of bread and a sip of water passed out by the young men in my ward? The only way is to invite and feel the Spirit. 
Application Questions

 Why is it important to spiritually prepare for priesthood ordinances and to try to be as worthy as possible to perform them and participate in them?

 How do I spiritually prepare for the priesthood ordinances I participate in, most importantly, the sacrament?
Image Credit: askgramps.org

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