Jacob 2

Yesterday, I blogged that Jacob was very much concerned with the materialism, pride, and immorality of his people. It is in chapter two that Jacob records his teaching to to his people. As I read his words, I can't help but liken these words to myself and the conditions of our day for -

"...this is the word which I declare unto you, that many of you have begun to search for gold, and for silver, and for all manner of precious ores, in the which this land, which is a land of promise unto you and to your seed, doth abound most plentifully.
13 And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches..." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:12 - 13)

That search and providence is not in itself necessarily evil, but it is what you do with such for -

"...because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:13)

Pride seems to follow with the natural man. Jacob seems to be specifically addressing -

"...those of you which have afflicted your neighbor, and persecuted him because ye were proud in your hearts, of the things which God hath given you, what say ye of it?" (Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:20)

In a world of capitalism and free enterprise, the Lord's will concerning us is to -

"Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will 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." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:17 - 19)

Not by coersion, control, taxes, or compulsion, but of ones agency and free will. It is by agency and free will that the blessing flow.

But Jacob does not stop there, he continues on to the "grosser crimes" or sins - the sin of immorality -

"For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:28)

Fot it is in these teachings of Jacob regarding having concubines and immorality that we learn the truth of the Lord concerning marriage and even plural marriage. First and foremost Jacob teaches -

"Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none..." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:27)

But the Lord then adds concerning having more than one wife -

"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..." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:30)

In other words, contrary to some apostate beliefs, there is no restriction to exaltation having but one wife. In fact, I personally believe that through the eternities, an eternal marriage of husband and wife is the plan. But the Lord makes it clear that only when he commands for a purpose known only to Him, there may be times that having more than one wife would be His will. We see this in ancient times with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.