Jacob 3
Read online here
This is like a family proclamation for the Nephites. I found it interesting how Jacob makes it sound like he is talking to a very large crowd, but I did some research and found a few interesting articles, notably this one from that Maxwell Institute which suggests that the number of Nephites during Jacob's reign was in the dozens.
I wonder, in a group that small, what kind of whoredoms and lasciviousness and fornication could have taken place--especially if they are all first and second generation siblings and spouses. It could have very well been just a couple people, but the truth and gravity of the consequence was so important that Jacob included it in his writing.
Obviously not all of them were dabbling in wickedness, for Jacob starts the chapter speaking to the pure in heart ( which are sweet verses).
Of course, details like how many people were actually there don't matter--otherwise the Lord would have provided a more detailed historical record. We must focus on that is being taught and the lessons learned more than the historical or geographical details. They have just always fascinated me.
The key is to stay pure in heart and look to God. Twice Jacob speaks of firmness of mind. That, to me, means that made a cognitive and purposeful choice to believe. We Decided we will believe, and stick with it, and we'll be blessed. I've always said that faith it a choice. And it's a choice that opens us up to so many blessings.
This is like a family proclamation for the Nephites. I found it interesting how Jacob makes it sound like he is talking to a very large crowd, but I did some research and found a few interesting articles, notably this one from that Maxwell Institute which suggests that the number of Nephites during Jacob's reign was in the dozens.
I wonder, in a group that small, what kind of whoredoms and lasciviousness and fornication could have taken place--especially if they are all first and second generation siblings and spouses. It could have very well been just a couple people, but the truth and gravity of the consequence was so important that Jacob included it in his writing.
Obviously not all of them were dabbling in wickedness, for Jacob starts the chapter speaking to the pure in heart ( which are sweet verses).
Of course, details like how many people were actually there don't matter--otherwise the Lord would have provided a more detailed historical record. We must focus on that is being taught and the lessons learned more than the historical or geographical details. They have just always fascinated me.
The key is to stay pure in heart and look to God. Twice Jacob speaks of firmness of mind. That, to me, means that made a cognitive and purposeful choice to believe. We Decided we will believe, and stick with it, and we'll be blessed. I've always said that faith it a choice. And it's a choice that opens us up to so many blessings.
I think that Jacob was speaking to us today in this chapter, even as the supreme court starts hearing testimony of same sex marriage in United States .
ReplyDeletemy favorite phrase is in vs 11, "arouse your faculties of your soul". phrase like this are in Alma 32. He's saying to me, awake, Kristine, evaluate your behavior, get out of your slump, take responsibility girl...