Lesson 12: Jacob 1–4

(Questions mainly from Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual.)

Ponderize Jacob 2:18.  “[S]eek ye for the Kingdom of God.”

[What do you think this might mean?]

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[Jacob 1:1-4) What commandment did Nephi convey to Jacob?

Did Jacob keep this commandment?

What evidence do you find of this in Jacob chapters 1-4?

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[Jacob 1:7) What do the scriptures seem to mean by God’s rest?  (See D&C 84:19-24 and Alma 13:12)]

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What does Jacob (1:17-19) teach about magnifying our calling?   (See also D&C 58:26-28.)

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[Jacob 2:5-6) How and where did Jacob locate his people’s sins?]

President David O. McKay said: "Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap an eternal destiny."  (Quoted by President Kimball in Miracle of Foregiveness, 115).

Elder Boyd K. Packer said, “Have you noticed that without any real intent on your part … a shady little thought may creep in? …. If you permit them to go on … you will be left, because you consented to it, to the influence of unrighteous thoughts.**** I’ve had to evict some thoughts a hundred times before they would stay out. I have never been successful until I have put something edifying in their place. **** You can replace thoughts of temptation, anger, disappointment, or fear with better thoughts.” (Oct 1973 CR, Oct 1977 CR, & 1999 Conference Report [CR]).

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What did Jacob (2:17-19) teach to help us avoid misuse of wealth? 

President Kimball said: “The possession of riches does not necessarily constitute sin. But sin may arise in the acquisition and use of wealth.” (See The Miracle of Forgiveness, 47; quoted in BMGDTM, 53.)

Regarding the acquisition of wealth, President Kimball said that “the seller is entitled to” profit “only when he has benefited the buyer,” and he condemned “dishonest business practices” such as ““a few cents' worth of medicine for many dollars … ‘sales’ intended to misrepresent [savings, and], raising rents because of house shortage [rather than] increased costs of maintenance” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 198).

President Heber J. Grant and his Counselors declared: “The Church has been and still is unalterably opposed to any occupation, or so-called business, which takes money without giving value received in return” (Messages of the First Presidency 5: 245).

President Brigham Young said that when a man obtains “a stock of goods that he sells [for much more than] they cost [him,] he soon becomes wealthy; and you will hear many say … what a nice man he is, and what a great [benefactor].  My feeling of such a man is he is a great cheat … The [benefactor] is he that brings … the elements into successful use for the benefit of [others] … [S]uch a man I would call a benefactor of his fellow man. But the great majority of men who have amassed great wealth have done it at the expense of their fellows … Such men ought to be … performing useful and necessary labors for the good of mankind.” (August 1877, Journal of Discourses 19:98.)

Regarding the use of riches . . .

… a la Jacob 2:19, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “Far too many in the world experience hunger ... ache with cold … suffer from sickness … grieve for their children … mourn for the safety of their families. These people are not strangers and foreigners ... They are our brothers and our sisters….  If, while we have the means to do so, we do not come to their aid, we are in danger of being among those the prophet Moroni spoke of when he said, ‘Behold, ye do love money, and your substance … more than ye love the poor and the needy ...” (Apr 2001 CR.)

President Monson has said, “We have a responsibility to extend help as well as hope … both at home and abroad…. In addition to the service you give as you care for one another, your [fast offerings] enable us to [help fulfill this responsibility]. Latter-day Saints contribute generously to a fast offering fund at least the equivalent of two meals ... and usually many times more…. What prompts such devotion?  … [A] heart felt desire to love the Lord with all one’s heart, mind, and soul, and one’s neighbor as oneself…. Released from poverty and want, they will then be better able to receive the spiritual gifts He holds in store for them.” 
(See Teachings of Thomas S. Monson, 321-326.)

… a la Jacob 2:18, Elder Oaks has said this “means to assign first priority to God and to His work” and to “not lay up for ourselves ‘treasures upon earth’” or “‘the vain things of the world’” (April 2001 Conference Report [CR]).  After quoting Jacob 2:18, [1] Elder Oaks quoted Alma 39:14, “Seek not after riches nor the vain things of the world” (Apr 2011 CR), and [2] Elder Packer quoted D&C 11:7, “Seek not for riches but for wisdom” (Oct 1980 CR).  

… a la Jacob 2:17, Elder L. Tom Perry said: “Here we see a direct application of the second great commandment … Jacob tells his people to share what they have with their brothers and sisters who have less than they do … to share freely of their substance.” (Apr 1987 CR.)

... Elder Hales has said that when we are “faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in activities, we need to learn to say ‘We can’t afford it’ but also, ‘We can afford it, but we don’t need it,’” and so not spend on “things we do not really need” with funds “we could have used to help … others” (April 2009 CR). 

. . . President Henry B. Eyring has said, “I have learned that the way to have a surplus is to spend less than I earn. With that surplus I have been able to learn that it really is better to give than to receive." (April 2011 CR.) 

 ... Luke 3:11) “He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none”

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Regarding the possession of riches, the Lord has said: “[T]hat which cometh of the earth is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance. But it is not given that one man should possess … above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.” (D&C 49:19-20.)  At the time Joseph Smith wrote, “rich” had at least 2 meanings: “possessing a large portion of land, goods or money, or a larger portion than is common” (N Webster, 1828, American Dictionary of the English Language).  [When does the possession of riches constitute sin?]

Elder Christofferson has said that to “establish Zion” we must “care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us.” He quoted D&C 70:14, “In your temporal things you shall be equal, … otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld,” and D&C 104:16 in which the Lord says “this is the way … to provide for my saints … the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.” He also cited D&C 49:19-20 which says “[T]hat which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance. But it is not given that one man should possess … above another.” (October 2008 Conference Report.)

                                                                                           

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For what, specifically, does Jacob (2:35) chastise his brethren?

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have warned that “individuals who violate covenants of chastity [or] who abuse spouse or offspring …will one day stand accountable before God” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World).

“Abuse [is] treating or speaking to someone in a way that is demeaning or that causes injury….  Child abuse … threatens or causes physical or emotional harm to a child.… Spouse abuse may also be physical [or] emotional… Emotional abuse can consist of name calling, demeaning statements, control or compulsion, threats, isolation, intimidation, or manipulation. Physical abuse includes withholding necessities and violence such as pushing, choking, scratching, pinching, restraining, or hitting.” (Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 55.)

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What does Jacob 3 teach about racism?

President Howard W. Hunter said: “The restored gospel is a message of divine love for all people everywhere, based upon the knowledge that all humans are children of the same God” (See Oct 1991 CR, quoted in BMGDTM, 55).

“[T]here is much … class and race distinction, inequality, and suffering in the world…. If I read the scriptures with understanding, I see the Creator of this world denouncing all such evils…” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 408.)  “The Latter-day Saints will never accomplish their mission until this inequality shall cease on the earth” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 286).  “We may not yet be the Zion…prophets foretold … but we long for it and we keep working toward it” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 1996 CR). 

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In Jacob 4(:4, 11), what hope does Jacob speak of?
(See also Moroni 7:41)

How does Jacob (4:6) say we can we obtain this hope?

Regarding Jacob 4:14, President Uchtdorf has said: "Sometimes, the truth may just seem too straightfoward, too plain, and too simple for us to fully appreciate its great value.  So we set aside what we have experiences and know to be true in pursuit of more mysterious or complicated information." (October 2015 Conference Report.)

Book of Mormon Lesson #11—Alison

Book of Mormon Lesson # 11—2 Nephi 30–33

“Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ”

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Ponderize Scripture: 2 Nephi 33:15. “For thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen.”

Introduction

A long time ago I translated for French and German missionaries in the MTC, mostly for Sunday night gospel study and Tuesday night devotionals. I do not remember who it was who talked on this subject (and if I had been diligent in keeping a journal, I would be able to look it up), but he was from the Missionary Department and he had the MTC missionaries stand up and repeat Nephi’s last words: “for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen” (2 Nephi 33:15). It was to be the driving force for the missionaries as they prepared to serve in the mission field, but it is also a driving force for all of us who wish to be disciples of Christ. Nephi writes that at the end of his life, and indeed it underscored his life of trials and triumphs. Only by striving to obey the Lord’s commandments can we really have a steadfastness, a complete trust, in Christ. And it is because of that steadfastness that we can continue to strive to obey. One eternal round.

2 Nephi 31:1–18. Nephi teaches of the doctrine of Christ. He teaches that Jesus was baptized to “fulfil all righteousness” and that we must be baptized and follow Him. He also teaches about the blessings and power of the Holy Ghost.

What is the “doctrine of Christ?”, Elder Holland: “In the Book of Mormon, ‘the doctrine of Christ’ is simple and direct. It focuses on the first principles of the gospel exclusively, including an expression of encouragement to endure, to persist, to press on. Indeed, it is in the clarity and simplicity of ‘the doctrine of Christ’ that its impact is found. … The doctrine of Christ is not complicated. It is profoundly, beautifully, single-mindedly clear and complete” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 49–50, 56). In Elder Scott’s penultimate conference address, citing 2 Nephi 31, he said, “There is no doctrine more fundamental to our work than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. At every appropriate opportunity, testify of the Savior and of the power of His Atoning sacrifice. Use scriptures that teach of Him and why He is the perfect pattern for everyone in life.”[1]

The ongoing part of those first principles seem to be the first two, faith, and repentance. One might think that having been baptized and having received the gift of the Holy Ghost, those two are fulfilled. Here is Elder Hales on baptism, “Entering into the kingdom of God is so important that Jesus was baptized to show us ‘the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which [we] should enter’ (2 Nephi 31:9). … Born of a mortal mother, Jesus was baptized to fulfill His Father’s commandment that sons and daughters of God should be baptized. He set the example for all of us to humble ourselves before our Heavenly Father. We are all welcome to come into the waters of baptism. He was baptized to witness to His Father that He would be obedient in keeping His commandments. He was baptized to show us that we should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see 2 Nephi 31:4–9). As we follow the example of Jesus, we, too, demonstrate that we will repent and be obedient in keeping the commandments of our Father in Heaven. We humble ourselves with a broken heart and a contrite spirit as we recognize our sins and seek forgiveness of our trespasses (see 3 Nephi 9:20). We covenant that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and always remember Him” (Ensign, Nov. 2000, 7–8). So we see that the first four principles are intertwined, an integral part of our discipleship.

Verses 17 and 18 teach us about the role of the Holy Ghost—where do you stand in relation to these scriptures? Elder Hales again, “The gift of the Holy Ghost, given to us when we are confirmed, gives us the ability to discern the difference between the giving ways of the kingdom of God and the taking practices of the world. The Holy Ghost gives us the strength and courage to conduct our lives in the ways of the kingdom of God and is the source of our testimony of the Father and the Son. As we obey the will of our Father in Heaven, this priceless gift of the Holy Ghost will be with us continually. We need the Holy Ghost as our constant companion to help us make better choices in the decisions that confront us daily. Our young men and women are bombarded with ugly things of the world. Companionship with the Spirit will give them the strength to resist evil and, when necessary, repent and return to the strait and narrow path. None of us are immune from the temptations of the adversary. We all need the fortification available through the Holy Ghost. Mothers and fathers should prayerfully invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in their dedicated homes. Having the gift of the Holy Ghost helps family members make wise choices—choices that will help them return with their families to their Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, to live with Them eternally” (Ensign, Nov. 2000, 7–8).

2 Nephi 31:19–21. Nephi teaches that we must press forward and endure to the end.

These last verses are very familiar to us, and a reminder that we can only become spiritually “full” if we feast, not nibble, on the words of Christ. And for us this year, that means the Book of Mormon. Elder Maxwell, “We need to feast upon the words of Christ in the scriptures and as these words come to us from living prophets. Just nibbling occasionally will not do. (See 2 Nephi 31:20 and 32:3.) Feasting means partaking with relish and delight and savoring—not gorging episodically in heedless hunger, but partaking gratefully, dining with delight, at a sumptuous spread carefully and lovingly prepared … over the centuries” (Wherefore Ye Must Press Forward [1977], 28).

President Nelson, “To feast means more than to taste. To feast means to savor. We savor the scriptures by studying them in a spirit of delightful discovery and faithful obedience. When we feast upon the words of Christ, they are embedded ‘in fleshy tables of the heart’ [2 Corinthians 3:3]. They become an integral part of our nature” (Ensign, Nov. 2000, 17).

President Benson, who turned our hearts back to the Book of Mormon, said, “In Book of Mormon language, we need to ‘believe in Christ and deny him not.’ (2 Nephi 25:28.) … We need to ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.’ (Moroni 10:32.) … We need to come ‘feasting upon the word of Christ’ (2 Nephi 31:20), as we receive it through His scriptures, His anointed, and His Holy Spirit” (A Witness and a Warning [1988], 51).

2 Nephi 32. Nephi speaks of the importance of feasting on the words of Christ and praying always.

In this chapter, Nephi reiterates the “doctrine of Christ.” Sister Vicki Matsumori, “When we come to understand the whisperings of the Spirit, we will be able to hear Him teach us “the peaceable things of the kingdom” and “all things what [we] should do.” We will recognize answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day. We will be guided and protected. And we can cultivate this gift in our lives as we follow those spiritual promptings. Most importantly, we will feel Him witness to us of the Father and of the Son.”[2]

Maybe you have heard enough of both me and Br. Lott testifying of how important it is to study the Book of Mormon—maybe you have heard that throughout your lives from modern-day prophets, but just in case, here is an illustration from the current General Sunday School President, Tad R. Callister, “But why is the Book of Mormon so essential if we already have the Bible to teach us about Jesus Christ? Have you ever wondered why there are so many Christian churches in the world today when they obtain their doctrines from essentially the same Bible? It is because they interpret the Bible differently. If they interpreted it the same, they would be the same church. This is not a condition the Lord desires, for the Apostle Paul declared that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). To help bring this oneness about, the Lord established a divine law of witnesses. Paul taught, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1). The Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ; the Book of Mormon is another. Why is this second witness so crucial? The following illustration may help: How many straight lines can you draw through a single point on a piece of paper? The answer is infinite. For a moment, suppose that single point represents the Bible and that hundreds of those straight lines drawn through that point represent different interpretations of the Bible and that each of those interpretations represents a different church. What happens, however, if on that piece of paper there is a second point representing the Book of Mormon? How many straight lines could you draw between these two reference points: the Bible and the Book of Mormon? Only one. Only one interpretation of Christ’s doctrines survives the testimony of these two witnesses.”[3]

2 Nephi 33. Nephi declares that people will believe his words if they believe in Christ. He warns that we will be judged according to our acceptance or rejection of his words.

(Br. Lott provided this helpful quote). Elder Bednar has said: “[T]he power of the Spirit carries the message unto but not necessarily into the heart. … [T]he content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrate into the heart only if a receiver allows them to enter.” (September 2007 Ensign, 61)  Quoting the preceding, Elder Gerald L. Lund added: “Individual agency is so sacred that Heavenly Father will never force the human heart …. God allows us to be the guardians, or the gatekeepers, of our own hearts. We must, of our own free will, open our hearts to the Spirit …” (April 2008 General Conference.)

Regarding accepting or rejecting, is there another way, can you sit on the fence? The Lord has said, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16). We must have some reaction to what we read in the Book of Mormon, and basically I don’t think you would be reading this unless you were “hot.” But with greater obedience and diligence come greater blessings. Here’s Elder Maxwell, “Serious study of the blessed Book of Mormon admits one to a wonder world of complexity and beauty, even in the midst of the book’s simple, but powerful, spiritual refrain. We are given that which we most need—yet we are athirst for more! Granted, whenever the words of heaven are filtered through mortal minds and tongues there is some diminution. Yet, as with Nephi of old, so it was with Joseph Smith: ‘If ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me’ (2 Ne. 33:10).”[4]

And finally, we, like Nephi, are accountable for our reaction to the Book of Mormon. “President Ezra Taft Benson taught that one of our roles as members of the Church is to declare to others that these are the words of Jesus Christ through His servants: ‘Our main task is to declare the gospel and do it effectively. We are not obligated to answer every objection. Every man eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there he must make his stand. ‘And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye,’ said Nephi, ‘for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things.’ (2 Ne. 33:11.) Every man must judge for himself, knowing God will hold him accountable” (Ensign, May 1975, 65).”[5]

Regarding 2 Nephi 33:7–11, Nibley says in his lecture, "This is one of the objections people always have: It’s always so narrow-minded and so demeaning. Why is it so narrow? Why do so few get through the door? Why is it so limited? Well, to be on target. Here in this world we are on a vast, wide, almost endless plain. We can wander anywhere we want here, and we are prone to wander and go into all sorts of things. With this field to wander in, we can show whether [or not] we have the sense to go in the right direction. You will choose what your heart desires when it’s left entirely up to you. You will gravitate in the direction in which you really want to go. It will expose you as you really are."

Nibley Lecture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Bx-fHBuQE

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[1] https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/i-have-given-you-an-example?lang=eng.

[2] https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/helping-others-recognize-the-whisperings-of-the-spirit?lang=eng.

[3] https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-book-of-mormon-a-book-from-god?lang=eng.

[4] https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1983/10/joseph-the-seer?lang=eng.

[5] https://www.lds.org/manual/book-of-mormon-student-manual/chapter-14-2-nephi-31-33?lang=eng.

What is baptism by immersion for the remission of sins?

Re: 2 Nephi 31:7 & 13, President Boyd K. Packer has explained that baptism in water “is a symbolic witness” (August 2006 Ensign).  President Hinckley said that baptism in water is “in symbolism of the death and burial of Jesus Christ and His coming forth in the Resurrection” (April 2005 CR).  For those who have sinned, baptism in water is also “symbolic of the death of a person’s sinful life and the rebirth into a spiritual life, dedicated to the service of God and His children” (“Baptism,” www.lds.org.).

Re: 2 Nephi 31:17, Joseph Smith said: “Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost…. The baptism of water, without the baptism of fire … is of no use.” (TPJS, 314, 360.)  Citing this teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith …

… President Packer has said, “[T]here are two parts to baptism--baptism by water and baptism by fire.  If you separate the two, it is but half a baptism.” President Packer said to “every member,” including “missionaries” and “parents,” that every time we teach or talk about baptism we should “always” include both parts, even, whenever possible, “in the same sentence.” (August 2006 Ensign.) 

… President James E. Faust said, “Baptism by immersion in water is ‘the introductory ordinance of the gospel, and must be followed by baptism of the Spirit in order to be complete’ [see Bible Dictionary, 618] ...  ‘then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.’” (April 2001 CR.)

… Elder David A. Bednar has said, “We must be baptized by immersion in water… We must also be baptized by and immersed in the Spirit … ‘and then cometh a remission of sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.’” (April 2006 CR.) 

President Joseph F. Smith said of “the influence and power of the Holy Spirit” he felt when he was baptized:  “The feeling that came upon me was that of pure peace, of love and of light…. I felt as if I wanted to do good everywhere to everybody ... I felt a newness of life, a newness of desire to do that which was right. There was not one particle of desire for evil left in my soul.” (April 1898 CR, 96, quoted in Teachings of the Presidents: Joseph F. Smith, 59, and in Family Home Evening Resource Book, www.lds.org.)

            President Lorenzo Snow said, “[Several] weeks after I was baptized [in water], one day while engaged in my studies, I began to reflect upon the fact that I had not obtained [the baptism of the Holy Ghost] … and I began to feel very uneasy…. At length, realizing that the usual time had come for secret prayer, I … knelt as I was in the habit of doing…. I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to pray, than … the Spirit of God descended upon me, completely enveloping my whole person, filling me from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and O the joy and happiness I felt! … It was a complete baptism--a tangible immersion in the [power of] the Holy Ghost.” (Quoted in April 1971 CR; Dec 1977 Friend; Dec 1986 New Era; May 1993 Liahona; Mar 2004 Ensign.)

Elder Joseph B.Wirthlin told of a member friend who “had prayed often and long” to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost and had nearly given up on receiving it. “One morning, while pondering the scriptures, he felt something surge through his body from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. ‘I was immersed in a feeling of such intense love and pure joy,’ he explained. ‘I cannot describe the measure of what I felt at that time other than to say I was enveloped in joy so profound there was no room in me for any other sensation.’”(April 2003 CR.)

Elder D. Todd Christopherson has said the “process of cleansing … through the baptism of the Holy Ghost can be continued weekly as we worthily partake of the sacrament... The emblems of the Atonement, the bread and water, become symbolic … of our renewed covenant, similar to the symbolism of [baptism in] water.”(June 2001 Ensign, 18.)   President Henry B. Eyring has said that we must “receive the Holy Ghost not once but continually in our daily lives”(Oct 2007 CR). Elder Bednar has said that “steady, sustained, and complete immersion” in the Holy Spirit is necessary before we can inherit the Celestial Kingdom (April 2007 CR).

A commitment to obey God and forsake sins is symbolized in the baptism of water.
The remission of sins is received through the baptism of the Holy Ghost.