03 September 2012

Jacob 1-2: Polygamy, riches, and the Lord's delight in chaste women

Nephi was getting old and was about to die, so he had to find someone to take over his plate-writing duties.

He chose his little brother Jacob.
For behold, it came to pass that fifty and five years had passed away from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem; wherefore, Nephi gave me, Jacob, a commandment concerning the small plates ... that I should write upon these plates a few of the things which I consider to be most precious ... for Christ's sake. Jacob 1:1-4
You remember Jacob, don't you?

He's the guy that "spoke about exceedingly many things" back in 2 Nephi 6-10, including wicked Jews, blessed Gentiles, and a completely Mormon America.

Now he's going to tell us about the somewhat wicked and abominable practices of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and Mitt Romney's great grandfather
It came to pass that the people of Nephi ... began to ... indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines. Jacob 1:15
David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. 2:24
There shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none.  2:27
Then a little  financial advice.
After ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches. Jacob 1:19a
That's right. Hope in Christ and you'll get rich. (That's how Romney did it at Bain Capital.)

But after you're rich you must use your wealth to help the poor, the sick, the hungry, and the afflicted. (Romney forgot about this part of the deal.)
Seek them for the intent to do good -- to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted. Jacob 1:19b

Finally we learn that the Lord delights in chaste women.
I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. Jacob 2:28
I suppose it's good to know that.

2 comments:

Stephen said...

Joseph Smith ran for President in 1844. According to Wikipedia, these were some of his views. I'm not sure today's republican party would recognize him:

"Smith considered the United States Constitution, and especially the Bill of Rights, to be inspired by God and 'the Saints' best and perhaps only defense.' He believed a strong central government crucial to the nation's well-being but thought democracy better than tyranny—although he also taught that a theocratic monarchy was the ideal form of government."
Steve Weeks

Bonsai said...

Jacob 2:30 is key to understanding the discrepancy between a one-wife-only commandment and the practice of polygamy in the early LDS church.

Jacob 2:30 "For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things."

God is saying obey the one-wife-only commandment unless he says otherwise.

God did command the early LDS believers to practice polygamy. That only works if you accept Joseph Smith as a prophet but is true to the passage in Jacob.

It seems Jacob is relaying God's displeasure for the peoples' unrighteous desires for multiple wives and consequent "whoredoms" and use of the scriptures to justify themselves without God's command, not castigating them for polygamy, per se.

--FYC, I am not a current believer

Respectfully,

In the interest of truth...