Seek Ye for the Kingdom of God

1. Seek Ye for the Kingdom of God Jacob 1-4

2. 55 years have passed away since Lehi left Jerusalem (see Jacob 1:1. • Nephi makes Jacob the record keeper and custodian of the plates • Nephi had already included some of Jacob’s teachings in the plates (see 2 Nephi 6; 9–10).

3. Jacob Our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days Jacob 7:26 Thou art my first-born in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren 2 Ne 2:1

4. Jacob 1:2-4What was Jacob to include? • Light history • Preaching • Revelation • Prophesying • Most precious “As much as possible for Christ’s sake”

5. Overview • Jacob 1—Introduction and commission • Jacob 2–3—Temple sermon and call to repentance • Jacob 4—Teachings on Jesus Christ • Jacob 5–6—Allegory of the tame and wild olive trees and Jacob’s explanation • Jacob 7—Confrontation with Sherem the anti-Christ

6. Jacob 1:15-16What were the sins of Jacob’s day? • Hard hearts • Immorality • Search much for gold and silver • Lifted up in pride

7. Jacob 1:17-19; 2:2-3Jacob receives his callingWhat do we learn about callings? • a. Obtained his errand from the Lord • b. Had been consecrated, or set apart • c. Took responsibility • d. Taught the word of God with all diligence • e. Labored with his might

8. YOUR errand from the Lord • We need to remember the purpose of our service to one another. If it were only to accomplish some part of His work, God could dispatch “legions of angels, as Jesus taught on another occasion (Matt 26:33). But that would not achieve the purpose of the service He has prescribed. We serve God and our fellowmen in order to become the kind of children who can return to live with our heavenly parents. • Dallin H Oaks, Ensign, Nov 2002,70

9. Magnify calling • To enlarge, • to increase in significance, • to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect • What does it mean to “magnify” a calling in the Church?

10. Magnify callings • “President John Taylor cautioned us, ‘If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty.’ . . . • “How does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it” • Thomas S Monson, Ensign, May 1996, 43

11. I had played the piano for Primary for some time. I never thought about magnifying my calling. It was a snap. I didn’t have to practice, and I enjoyed the children. I had fun in Primary. Then came the sacrament meeting talk on magnifying our callings. For several days after that talk, I had the impression that I should pray about magnifying my calling. I resisted, thinking, “I’m doing fine, I don’t even have to practice. How can I get any better than this?” But when the impression wouldn’t go away, I finally prayed about magnifying my calling as the Primary pianist. The thought came that I should use only the songs that were familiar to the children as prelude and postlude music. So I stopped playing all the songs that I thought were so fun and unusual and started playing songs the children knew. The children started humming the hymns they knew and seemed to be a little more reverent. I learned from that simple experience that every calling can be magnified.15 • Sandra Rogers, “With Joy Draw Water from the Wells of Salvation,” 2004 Women’s Conference

12. Teach • “Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church.” • –Gordon B Hinckley • Love for God and the students • Teaching should focus on the students • Teach the doctrine, principles and covenants • Prepare diligently and strive to use the most effective means of presenting the prescribed lessons. • Seek that level of discipleship where his or her teachings will be directed and endorsed by the Spirit • Measure the success of teaching and testifying by its impact on the lives of the learners. • Dallin H. Oaks, “Gospel Teaching,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 78

13. Jacob 2:3,6-10How did Jacob feel about his task? Why did he serve?Why do we serve? • weighed down • Anxious for the welfare of their souls • it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink • it burdeneth my soul to have to call the people to repentance. • notwithstanding I must do according to the commands of God • Under the glance of the piercing eye of God

14. Why do we serve? Charity, the pure love of Christ • Dallin H Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 1984, 13–14 hope of an eternal reward sense of duty or out of loyalty to friends or family or traditions fear of punishment personal desire to obtain good companionship hope of earthly reward

15. Psalm 100:2 • Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. • Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

16. Psalm 100:2 • I had been on my mission in Taiwan only a few months when Sister Newton was preparing to return home. Several sisters were visiting with her on the eve of her departure, and someone asked, “What’s the most important thing you’ve learned on your mission?” After a moment’s reflection, Sister Newton replied, “I’ve learned about the joy of serving the Lord. If I’m called to be the light-bulb changer when I go home, I’m going to do it to the very best of my ability!” • Nora K Myland, BYU Women’s conf, 30 April 2004

17. D&C 123:17 • Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

18. Jacob 2:5How was the arm of God revealed? • The gift of discernment Pres Eyring story, Rise to your call

19. Jacob 2:11You do not work alone • There will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with the feeling that you are inadequate. Well, you are inadequate to answer a call to represent God with only your own powers. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone. • The Lord will magnify what you say and what you do in the eyes of the people you serve. He will send the Holy Ghost to manifest to them that what you spoke was true. What you say and do will carry hope and give direction to people far beyond your natural abilities and your own understanding. That miracle has been a mark of the Lord’s Church in every dispensation. It is so much a part of your call that you may begin to take it for granted. • Henry B. Eyring, “RisetoYourCall,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 75 story

20. Jacob 2:13-16What does Jacob warn against? • Pride and Wealth • “Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves” • Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989, 5 • How can we determine if we are guilty of pride?

21. Thought inventory • Jacob acknowledged that the people had begun to have inappropriate thoughts: thoughts of gain, of advantage, of status, of power, of lust. • How useful it would be from time to time to take an inventory of our thoughts and the feelings of our hearts. Such an examination might involve asking questions like, • What do I spend time thinking about? • Do I ever feel uneasy about my thoughts? • How do my thoughts compare with concepts taught in the scriptures and by spiritual leaders? • Have I read the Sermon on the Mount lately, and do I understand its applications? • Am I nervous, anxious, and upset, or calm and confident? • Stephen D. Nadauld, “Pride: A Challenge from Within,” Ensign, July 1996, 16

22. Righteous pride? • In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride—it is always considered a sin. Therefore, no matter how the world uses the term, we must understand how God uses the term so we can understand the language of holy writ and profit thereby. (See 2 Ne. 4:15; Mosiah 1:3–7; Alma 5:61.) • Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 4

23. Pride –as used in the scriptures • Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing. • The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us. • Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. • Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989, 4

24. Pride Helaman God or fellowman Jacob Enmity Comparison Hatred Hostility Opposition

25. Jacob 2Pride = Comparison, Competitive • Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. “In the words of C. S. Lewis: ‘. . . It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest’” • Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989, 4

26. Two kinds of Pride:Looking down at others Enmity Manifestations Conceit Arrogance Haughtiness Boastfulness Self-centeredness Fellowman • Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989, 4

27. Two types of Pride:From the bottom looking up • “Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top, such as the rich and the learned, looking down at the rest of us. . . . There is, however, a far more common ailment among us—and that is pride from the bottom looking up” • Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989 5

28. Two types of Pride:From the bottom looking up • A proud person hates the fact that someone is above him. He thinks this lowers his position. • Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989 5 Manifestations Envy Jealousy Coveting Gossiping Backbiting Murmuring Faultfinding Being Unforgiving Living beyond our means

29. Faces of Pride • Contention • Easily offended • Hold grudges • Don’t receive counsel or correction easily • Depend upon the world to tell them whether they have value or not • If you succeed, I am a failure • Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989 5

30. Jacob 2:17-21Counsel to avoid pride and misuse of wealth • Think of your brethren like unto yourselves • Be familiar with all • Free with your substance • Before you seek riches, seek the kingdom of God • Seek riches for the intent to do good • One being is as precious in His sight as another

31. The measure of a human life • The human measure of a human life is its income;the divine measure of a life is its outgo, its overflowits contribution to the welfare of all.”(From The Prince of Peace, by William Jennings Bryan.)

32. Materialism… • As we deal with the materialism that threatens us, here are four suggestions for each of us to consider • First: Not to confuse wants with needs. • Second: Avoid spoiling our children. • Third: Live modestly and avoid debt. • Fourth: Be generous in giving to others. • Joe J. Christensen, “Greed, Selfishness, and Overindulgence,” Ensign, May 1999, 9

33. Jacob 2:22-35What did Jacob warn against? • Whatever external forces may fray family ties, sexual impurity is even more destructive. It attacks families from within. Lost because of adultery are trust, unity, a spirit of sacrifice, honesty, humility, and the spiritual power that comes from keeping covenants. Lost because of immorality are confidence, emotional strength, worthiness, and peace of mind. • Terrance D. Olson, “Truths of Moral Purity,” Liahona, Oct. 1999, 31

34. Jacob 2:23How did they try to excuse their behavior?How do people try to excuse immorality today? • It was the look in his son’s eyes that forced Blaine* to recognize the truth. Suddenly he saw in his child’s hurt and confusion the disaster his adultery had made of his marriage. He felt convicted. • Years earlier, Blaine had begun complaining that his wife spent too much time with the children and Church service. “I felt neglected,” insisted Blaine, who began to view his wife’s love of the children and the gospel as a burden. • Over time, he embraced the views of the world and convinced himself that chastity was not a necessary moral commitment. “An affair is no big deal,” he said to excuse himself. “We all change as we pass through the various stages of life.” Seeking to justify himself, he blamed his wife for his behavior. • But with the disciplinary council behind him and divorce potentially ahead of him, Blaine saw his excuses for what they were—rationalizations and self-deception. He had called good evil and evil good. He was losing his Church membership and perhaps his family. As he looked into his son’s eyes, guilt washed over him, and he saw the anguish he had caused others. • Terrance D. Olson, “Truths of Moral Purity,” Liahona, Oct. 1999, 31

35. Excuses • Just as a well-made counterfeit bill is hard to discern, the seductive invitations to sexual impurity are so disguised as to make immorality seem acceptable, valuable, perhaps even inevitable. President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Lucifer … will use his logic to confuse and his rationalizations to destroy. He will shade meanings, open doors an inch at a time, and lead from purest white through all the shades of gray to the darkest black” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 152). • Terrance D. Olson, “Truths of Moral Purity,” Liahona, Oct. 1999, 31

38. Terrance D. Olson, “Truths of Moral Purity,” Liahona, Oct. 1999, 31

39. Jacob 2:31-35; 3:10How does sexual immorality affect family and friends? • Brings sorrow, mourning and cries • Broken hearts • Lost confidence • Bad examples • Sobbing of heart ascend to god against you • Many heart die, pierced with deep wounds

40. Jacob 3:1-2Advice and blessings to the pure in heart

41. Jacob 3:5-7Blessings of being morally clean • The Lord will not destroy them • Their husbands love their wives • Their wives love their husbands • Their husbands and wives love their children

43. What must a person do to be forgiven of immorality? • “1. Flee immediately from any situation you are in that is either causing you to sin or that may cause you to sin.” • “2. Plead with the Lord for the power to overcome.” • “3. Let your priesthood leaders help you resolve the transgression and come back into full fellowship with the Lord.” • “4. Drink from the divine fountain [the scriptures and words of the prophets] and fill your lives with positive sources of power.” • “5. Remember that through proper repentance you can become clean again.” • President Ezra Taft Benson (“The Law of Chastity,” in Brigham Young University 1987–88 Devotional and Fireside Speeches [1988], 53–54).

44. Jacob 4 • How do the scriptures and the prophets help us gain a testimony of the Atonement? (See Jacob 4:4–6.) • How can we obtain the hope in Christ that Jacob spoke of? (See Jacob 4:10–12.)

45. Jacob 4:14Looked beyond the mark? • The Jews delighted in expounding the difficult texts of scripture, but without faith and the help of the Holy Ghost they could not understand them. They despised the “words of plainness” in the scriptures and looked for salvation in some other way than through Jesus Christ. • How might we sometimes “look beyond the mark” in our daily living? How can we be more diligent in remembering the importance of the Savior in our lives?

46. Jacob Overview • He reprimanded them for • their pride, • their love for and misuse of riches, • their sexual impurity, • He encouraged them to • hear the word of God (see Jacob 2–3). • taught that we should center our lives in Jesus Christ (see Jacob 4).

47. Why we serve? • “People serve one another for different reasons, and some reasons are better than others. . . . • hope of earthly reward. . . . • personal desire to obtain good companionship. . . . • fear of punishment. . . . • sense of duty or out of loyalty to friends or family or traditions. . . . • “[A] higher reason for service is the • hope of an eternal reward. . . . • “‘Charity is the pure love of Christ’ (Moroni 7:47). The Book of Mormon teaches us that this virtue is ‘the greatest of all’ (Moroni 7:46). . . . • “. . . Our service should be for the love of God and the love of fellowmen rather than for personal advantage or any other lesser motive” • Dallin H Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 1984, 13–14

48. Jacob 2:3,6-7,9,10How did Jacob feel about his task? • weighed down • anxious • it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink • it burdeneth my soul to have to call the people to repentance. • notwithstanding I must do according to the commands of God • Under the glance of the piercing eye of God For all these reasons Jacob delivered a sermon to his people in the temple