2 Nephi 6

(January 27, 2015)

                As interesting as this chapter is, it is made all the more interesting when read in the light of the fact that Jacob never lived at Jerusalem or among the children of Israel.  He was born in the wilderness.  His understanding of Jerusalem was far more removed that was Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, or Lehi’s.  He drew his knowledge solely from the Lord.

                While that opens up a great deal in what he is actually saying, the thing that struck me the most was what that teaches us for following our prophets today.  There are those who say that we should not follow the Brethren because they are not experts in this social policy or that theory of thought.  But Jacob wasn’t an expert on Jerusalem or the children of Israel – it is hard to imagine that there weren’t others in that congregation who knew far more than him.  Instead, he was an expert on the Lord and receiving revelation and it was this that made his words worth listening to.

                It is important that we, when we are being spoken to by Priesthood leaders within our spheres of expertise, are capable of humbling ourselves and recognizing that though we may know more than our leader we do not know more than the Lord.  And He put that leader in place for His own reasons, and we need to follow them.