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...
In a second letter to his son, Mormon, Moroni detailed the gross atrocities committed by the Nephites on the eve of their destruction. They brutally raped and murdered the women of the Lamanites (Moroni 9:9-10), and revelled in killing women, children, and the elderly in the course of battle (Moroni 9:19). They ceased to heed the commands of Moroni as their military leader, and were enraged by any mention of the gospel (Moroni is 9:4).
The Nephites were so depraved that Mormon could no longer advocate for them, and actually prayed for their destruction: "Behold, my heart cries: Wo unto this people. Come out in judgment, O God, and hide their sins, and wickedness, and abominations from before thy face!" (Moroni 9:15). I appreciate the example of Moroni who is so aligned with the will of God that he would not ask for something that would violate of God.
Even in the darkest moments of this tragic chapter in Nephite history, Mormon encouraged his son Moroni, "notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently ... for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness" (Moroni was 9:6). Mormon highlighted the fact that preaching the gospel, even to a lost and fallen people, was essential to their own development and salvation. Even if the only purpose of reaching out in righteousness and concern for others is for our own benefit, it is worth it. Other people do not have to respond to our invitations of service for it to make a difference in our lives and destinies.
Mormon closed his letter with a hopeful word of encouragement to his beleaguered prophet son: "My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever" (Moroni 9:25). Despite the unimaginable horror of their circumstances, Mormon encourage Moroni to have hope in Christ. No matter how lonely, sick, discouraged, or sinful we are, because of the merits and mercy of Jesus Christ we can find rest for our hearts and minds.
Application Questions
How can you seek the guidance and direction of the Spirit while you pray? How can you strive to align your prayers and desires with the will of God?
Who in your life seems like a lost cause? Are there problems in government, society, or your own family that seem insolvable? How can continuing to strive and to serve benefit you?
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