And as these plates are small, and as these things are written for the intent of the benefit of our brethren the Lamanites, wherefore, it must needs be that I write a little; but I shall not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations. For what could I write more than my fathers have written? For have not they revealed the plan of salvation? I say unto you, Yea; and this sufficeth me. (Jarom 1:2)
Then, in verse three, Jarom says the following about the Nephites:
Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land. (Jarom 1:3)
Jarom calls the Nephites hard-hearted, deaf, blind, and stiffnecked. Not exactly the most desirable qualities to have, but God is merciful and allows them to remain on the land. Jarom goes on to say that there were many who were not stiffnecked and that those who were not stiffnecked enjoyed revelations and communion with the Holy Spirit (see verse 4). After two hundred years had passed from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem, the Nephites had “waxed strong in the land”. (v 5)
I find it interesting that Jarom then says this:
They observed to keep the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy unto the Lord. And they profaned not; neither did they blaspheme. And the laws of the land were exceedingly strict. (v 5)
Can you keep the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy unto the Lord and still be hard-hearted, deaf, blind, and stiffnecked. Apparently, you can. This is the situation that Jarom is describing. The Nephites hadn’t completely rejected those things that were holy. They were “doing”. They were performing “works”. But something was obviously wrong enough wth the condition of their hearts for Jarom to have said what he did about the Nephites back in verse 3. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Jarom mentions that both the Nephites and the Lamanites were scattered all over the face of the land, though the Lamanites were more numerous than the Nephites. He describes the Lamanites as a blood-thirsty people who would come against the Nephites in battle (see verses 6-7). Jarom explains that the Nephites were able to withstand the Lamanites because the Nephite kings and leaders “...were mighty men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways of the Lord”. (v 7) They fortified their cities and lands and became a very prosperous people:
8 And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war—yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war.
9 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.
Can you be hard-hearted, deaf, blind, and stiffnecked, and still materially prosper? Apparently, you can, if you have righteous leaders. But is this sustainable?
10 And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land.
Why would the prophets of the Lord feel the need to “threaten the people of Nephi according to the word of God”? Prosperous people don’t fall into transgression, do they? Yes, they do.
11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them.
12 And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from being destroyed upon the face of the land; for they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance.
Here we see the need for prophets, priests, and teachers who “...labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence”. Not only did they teach the law of Moses, but also the intent of the law. They persuaded the people to look forward to the Messiah and believe in him. Jarom tells us in verse 12 that “by so doing” the teachers kept the Nephites from being destroyed—that with “the word” the teachers pricked the hearts of the people and stirred them up to repentance continually.
So here are a few questions to ponder:
- How important is it to know of and believe in the Messiah in order for a society to have lasting peace and happiness?
- What happens when prophets, priests, and teachers don’t teach people the correct intent of the laws that God gives to us?
- What happens when they don’t even teach the law itself?
- What happens when kings and leaders aren’t “mighty men in the faith of the Lord”?
- What happens when people enjoy a measure of prosperity, but aren’t taught to rely upon God and to be continually repentant and obedient?
- How difficult is it to try to teach people who think that they are keeping God’s laws, but don’t realize that they are actually hard-hearted, deaf, blind, and stiffnecked (let alone to try to teach those who don’t even care to keep God’s laws)?