…a few of the things which I considered to be most precious (Jacob 1:2)
On more than one occasion, I’ve attended a sacrament meeting where speakers surrendered to the moment by stealing time from those who would follow them at the pulpit. Sometimes the final speaker isn’t able to share anything, and the congregation can barely squeeze one verse of a closing hymn because of this. With this in mind, I’m thoroughly touched with Jacob’s thoughtfulness as the first recipient and writer following Nephi with the plates.
He reminds us that they had “many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy” (Jacob 1:6; also see Jacob 4:6). Because of this abundance, he probably could have filled the plates with what he had learned over the course of his life and ministry. Instead, he recognized that other people would also have important things to share that would bless future generations.
In our excitement over the things we have learned, we may develop a natural eagerness and inclination to share them. This is wonderfully good. As we do, let’s consider the constraints of people’s place in time and testimony that will impact what they hear from us. Also, let’s make room for others to open up to us things that have shaped their souls. By allowing them to teach us, we allow God to be the teacher.
We would to God that we could persuade all men [to] believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world (Jac 1:8)
Jacob voiced his desires and of all of those who served with him that everyone eventually experience the blessings of the Savior’s sacrifice. He taught us that believing in Him is the first step in doing so. Seeing in our minds and feeling in our hearts what Jesus suffered so He could relieve our suffering is the next. In a world that teaches us that seeing is believing, how do we go from believing to seeing?
After listening to King Benjamin’s retelling of an angelic vision concerning the Lamb of God’s ministry, suffering, and death, his people were moved to plead to God for forgiveness of their sins. He gave them what they asked for. Recognizing His grace upon his people and probably reflecting Nephi and Jacob’s words about “partak[ing] of the goodness of God” (2 Ne 33:14; Jacob 1:7) King Benjamin reminded them that their faith and repentance brought them their peace and joy. Since they wanted to retain both, he told them that they would need to include service and obedience moving forward. Their choices demonstrated their determination to choose Jesus.
Every time we choose Him by asking our Heavenly Father to forgive us of something we shouldn’t have done, every time we choose Him by helping those who feel helpless, and every time we choose Him by obeying our Heavenly Father when we don’t want to, we open the window to see His goodness in our lives. We will not only know that He is there now, but also that He has always been and will always be there for us.
…because ye suppose that ye are better than they (Jacob 2:13)
After being persecuted in and kicked out of Missouri, the Savior sternly spelled out the reason for the Latter-day Saints’ struggles. He said—
But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;
And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.
And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer. (D&C 105:3-6)
The giving of our goods and our time isn’t just about relieving suffering, as important as that is. It’s about living and loving the exalting laws that God abides by. It’s about seeing, thinking, and feeling about His children as He does. He blesses us with time, talents, testimonies, and everything else so that we can help everyone else.
When we withhold what we can give to those less fortunate than us, our Heavenly Father withholds His gifts from us. The paradox of this life is that the probability of our eternal exaltation is inversely determined to the degree we exalt ourselves over each other. The more we ignore, put down, shame, and hate someone we think is worse than us, the worse our chances are of gaining God’s grace in this life and the next.
The Savior frequently reminded the leaders of His chosen people that the penitent publicans, sinners, and harlots who they despised were leapfrogging them into the kingdom. Because they could not and would not see what God saw in those who had sincerely repented of their sins and who loved Him, they were unable to see His kingdom of heaven that was clearly before their eyes. Their blindness to His grace found in His forgiveness of sins forced them to face their own alone.
It’s interesting that in the Master’s parable of the rich man and the beggar that He only gives us the name of the beggar, Lazarus. In this world, we may be remembered for our wealth, accolades, and accomplishments. However, God knows and remembers the names of those who loved Him and suffered much. If we seek to live with God we must learn to see like Him. To see like God, we must learn to love like Him. To love like God, we must learn to serve and forgive like Him.
…it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things. (Jacob 4:7)
Have you ever wondered why God uses the word grace in the scriptures? Since we believe that His grace is His enabling power, why doesn’t He just use the word “power?” I believe that He intentionally uses grace for a significant reason.
His grace denotes His use of His power for us because of what He knows about us, how much He loves us, and what His Son, our Savior, suffered for us to extend mercy on our behalf. Ultimately, His grace is an expression of not only what He does for us, but why He does it. In these terrible times, I’m comforted that He has a marvelous work and wonder that He prepared for each of us is that is more beautiful than anything we can ever imagine. Don’t be afraid. Believe because He loves you and me. He is there.