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...
Jesus taught pragmatism and flexibility in keeping the commandments. When he was criticized for picking grain to eat on the sabbath, he offered an example from the life of King David eating sacred shew bread when he was hungry, and the analogy of priests laboring in their temple duties on the Sabbath to illustrate how there may be exceptions to certain religious rules under extenuative circumstances (Matthew 12:4-6).
When Jesus was asked if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, he used an analogy of a sheep that has fallen in a pit to imply that there is a hierarchy among the commandments of God, and that procedural aspects of the law should not get in the way of higher spiritual priorities. Over the last few years I've had a number of opportunities to interpret for Elder Peter F. Meurs of the Asia Area Presidency while he has conducted training sessions for Bishops and Stake Presidents in Taiwan. I have heard him apply this principle to helping new and returning members of the church participate in priesthood ordinances and attend the temple. I could see the church leaders he was teaching become almost physically uncomfortable as he asked them if they would allow a deacon to pass the sacrament who was not wearing a white shirt and tie, came to church in flip flops, or smelled of cigarette smoke. These are examples of infractions of commandments and cultural norms that should not disqualify members from participating in these ordinances. The spiritual growth available to those who bless and pass the sacrament or worship in the temple is much more valuable in some cases that the letter of the law.
Christ accused the Pharisees that if they understood the phrase "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice" they would not have criticized Jesus and his disciples for picking corn to satisfy their hunger on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:7). I can't help but notice the parallel between this phrase and a scripture in 1 Samuel 15:22 "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." King Saul had kept spoils from the destroyed Amelikites against God's instructions. In both cases "sacrifices," or the outward performances of the law were not as important as obeying the commandments of God and showing mercy to others.
He Shall Not Strive, nor Cry
When Jesus learned that the Pharisees were trying to destroy him he left cities, and large groups of people followed him into the wilderness. Christ told them not to publicize his work, and he tried to maintain a low profile. This fulfilled a prophesy of Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4) that "He shall not strive, nor cry [NIV: "quarrel or cry out"]; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory" (Matthew 12:19-20). Christ mortal ministry was defined by a singular purpose to teach and to serve. Even though Jesus will ultimate judge the earth, He deliberately suspended judgment during his mortal life. "if any man hear my words and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the worlds, but to save the world ... the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:47-48).
If Christ did not judge during His mortal ministry, how much more important for us not to make permanent judgments about the worth or destiny of others. Not only should we not be critical of others, but we can emulate Christ's example "not to strive, nor cry." Despite constant challenges and threats from the ruling priest class, Christ was not quarrelsome. he was focused on quietly doing the work His Father sent Him to do without worrying about the opinion of those who disapproved of him, or seeking notoriety for himself.
Every House Divided Against Itself Shall Not Stand
When Jesus healed the dumb and the blind, the people began to wonder if Jesus was the son of David (i.e. the Messiah), but the Pharisees felt threatened and said "This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils" (Matthew 12:24). Their accusations implied that Jesus had influence over devils because he served the devil. But as Jesus persuasively argued, evil cannot cast out evil because "every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Matthew 12:25). Satan would not work at cross purposes to himself, just as the "Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance" (Alma 45:16).
Not only are God and the devil singular in their respective purposes to save or destroy us, ultimately we have to choose which of the two we will serve. Christ also taught, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24). The implication is that "he that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matthew 12:30). Stated another way, there is no neutral ground. Every choice that we make either draws us closer to God, or closer to the devil. In aggregate, these choices define our character and represent who we truly are. Jesus taught that "a good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things" Matthew 12:35).
Yesterday I listened to a podcast on creativity that emphasized the importance of doing bad work. The idea is that by letting go of the expectation that we do everything perfectly, we give ourselves permission to get started. Eventually, bad first drafts become polished final manuscripts. First failed attempts pave the way for masterful fiftieth attempts. The only way to improve is through consistent, dedicated practice. These principles of creativity apply to our efforts to improve as people and children of God. We will not understand His will or follow Him perfectly in this life, but we must embrace our imperfection and continue to try. To me that is the magic of family relationships and participation in a ward. Families and wards are the laboratories in which we practice. They present us with frequent opportunities to excessive patience, empathy and service. Jesus' promise is that doing God's will is transformative. Our behavior not only reveals who we are, but helps to shape who we are, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matthew 12:50).
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